429: Growth from within with Raji Sankar

429: Growth from within with Raji Sankar

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee January 22, 2018 Duration: 1:11:05

In this episode with Raji Sankar, we discuss:

  • Freedom by way of discipline. 
  • Anything being possible.
  • The story behind Choolaah.
  • Creating jobs where people meet their full potential.
  • Buying into a franchise model to learn the business.
  • What Raji learned from operating a 5 Guys Burgers and Fries franchise.
  • The result of growing too fast and desperately.
  • Not sacrificing your values.
  • Growing slowly outward. 
  • Growth from within.
  • Using competency charts with monetary incentives.
  • Never ending learning. 
  • Outsourcing and surrounding yourself with the best. 
  • Getting people aligned with the same cause.
  • Creating systems and tracks for training.
  • Educating your guest especially when you're doing something strange or unfamiliar. 
  • Educating your team. 
  • The importance of everyone buying into your mission, vision, and values when scaling.
  • Using success stories from your team to grow your brand. 

Raji Sankar left a life of science, tech, and consulting to pursue the life of a restaurateur. In 2004 they started Wholesome International, the business entity that would start opening 5 Guys Burgers and Fries throughout PA, and Oh. It didn't take long before her own vision for Choolaah began to sprout. Today, Wholesome International operates a total of 20 5 Guys locations and they're opening their 5 Choolaah Indian BBQ Location.

 


Eric Cacciatore sits down with the people who actually run the show in the world of food service. Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore is built on conversations with established restaurateurs and seasoned professionals who have navigated the intense realities of the industry. Twice a week, these interviews dig past the surface, focusing on the tangible details of leadership, team management, and effective marketing that separate a thriving venue from a struggling one. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and the often-overlooked decisions that shape a restaurant's path. This podcast serves as a direct line to collective experience, whether you're dreaming of your first opening or steering a multi-location group. The dialogue is practical, centered on the daily grind and long-term strategy needed to build something lasting. For anyone invested in the business of hospitality, these regular episodes compile a vital resource, turning shared insights into actionable knowledge for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Podcast Episodes
976: Anthony Valletta President of Bartaco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:38
Anthony Valletta is the President of Bartaco. Valletta is from Boston and studied the restaurant business both in the US and abroad in London. After graduating in 2005, he eventually found himself as the Managing Partner…
975: Chef Cleophus Hethington  CDC Zak the Baker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:59:52
Cleophus Hethington is the Chef de cuisine at Zak the Baker in Miami. Chef Ophus started his post-school life in the Navy as a corpsman. He left and worked in healthcare for about 8 years before switching careers entirel…
974: Doug Zeif Founder & CEO of Next Hospitality Advisors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:51
Doug Zeif is the Founder and CEO of Next! Hospitality Advisors. Doug grew up in Queens, NY and began as an amusement park cook and eventually worked as a bagel baker. He was hired as the Assistant General Manager at a st…
972: Jamila West Co-Owner of Rosie's Miami [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:09:05
Jamila West is the owner of Rosie's in Miami. Jamila began working in restaurants at the age of 16 as a buster. She attended and graduated from both the C.I.A. and Johnson and Wales. She worked for upscale restaurants in…
971: John Kunkel CEO at 50 Eggs Hospitality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:11
John Kunkel is the Founder & CEO of 50 Eggs Hospitality. John founded 50 Eggs back in 2004. This world-renowned hospitality group houses several forward-thinking concepts, including Capri, Spring Chicken, Wakuda, Yardbir…
970: Ian Fleischmann Executive Chef at Fabel Miami [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:12:21
Ian Fleischmann is the Executive Chef at Fabel Miami. Chef Ian began in the industry at the age of 14 as a dishwasher. From 2009-2013 he worked at Yamato Japanese Steakhouse where he became a Sous Chef. He then attended…
969: David Foulquier Chef/Owner We All Gotta Eat! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:04:11
David Foulquier is the Chef/Owner at We All gotta Eat!. He began his career working for Daniel Boulud. He attended the University of Miami and transferred to Florida International University to finish up his studies in c…