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
898: Ben Smart Executive Chef/Partner at Big Grove Brewery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:50
With excitement, allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Executive Chef and Partner at Big Grove Brewery, Ben Smart. An Iowa City native, Ben studied Geo Science at the University of Iowa. After graduating, it didn't…
897: Jack Piper on Scaling a CPG From Local Market to Amazon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:36
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Co-Founder of Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack, Jack Piper. Jack got his start in Iowa City working at the legendary China Garden Restaurant, where he learned about amazi…
896: Steph Sellers Founder of Cookies & Dreams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:30
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Founder and Chief Cookie Officer of Cookies & Dreams, Stephanie Sellers. Iowa native, Stephanie Sellers, discovered her love of baking as a kid peering over the…
895: Roger Beaudoin Founder/President of Restaurant Rockstars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:54
With excitement allow me to introduce today's guest, the Founder of RestaurantRockstars.com, Roger Beaudoin. Roger is a 27-year veteran Restaurateur and Founder/ President of Restaurant Rockstars. He is an expert at Staf…
894: Jack Piper Co-Founder of Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:20
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Co-Founder of Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack, Jack Piper. Jack got his start in Iowa City working at the legendary China Garden Restaurant, where he learned about amazi…
893: Creative Destruction with David Dressler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:09
With excitement, allow me to introduce to you today's guest, David Dressler. David began his hospitality career at age 6, working in a family-run hotel in the Adirondacks. After graduating from the Ecole Hôtelière, David…
892: Kevin O'Donnell Owner of Giusto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:35
Born and raised in North Kingstown, Kevin got his feet wet in hospitality early on. Starting as a cabana boy at Bonnet Shores Beach Club at just 15, he then worked at a variety of mom and pop spots throughout high school…
891: David Rodolitz Founder & CEO of Flyfish Club [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:39
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, the Founder, and CEO of Flyfish Club, David Rodolitz. David's entrepreneurial drive in the hospitality industry started at an early age. In 2003, he founded Imp…
890: Michael McHenry Founder of McHenry Group [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:20
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, the Founder of the McHenry Group, Michael McHenry. From selling his first self-built business at the age of 19, Michael has made one thing clear – "a good busin…
889: Jake Brewer Chief Strategy Officer at Miso Robotics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:57
Jake Brewer is the Chief Strategy Officer of Miso Robotics where he oversees products, innovation, and marketing. He brings leadership, operations and product development experience from the restaurant and food service i…