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
1226: Three Elements that Define Excellence with Rudy Miick, Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:11
Rudy's an executive coach, psychologist, restaurateur, writer, speaker, athlete and dad. His clients typically run at 3 – 5 times above median profit within our industry, and they get there within contract periods. He is…
1224: Three Elements that Define Excellence with Rudy Miick, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:44
Rudy's an executive coach, psychologist, restaurateur, writer, speaker, athlete and dad. His clients typically run at 3 – 5 times above median profit within our industry, and they get there within contract periods. He is…
1223: Oli Petit, Co-Founder/Co-Owner of The Red Bar and Louis Louis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:09
Oli Petit is the Co-Owner and co-Founder of The Red Bar, located in Grayton Beach, Florida. Oli is the son of a successful Belgian restaurant professional and moved to the United States in 1986 to begin his restaurant ca…
1222: Three Elements that Define Excellence with Rudy Miick, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:09
Rudy's an executive coach, psychologist, restaurateur, writer, speaker, athlete and dad. His clients typically run at 3 – 5 times above median profit within our industry, and they get there within contract periods. He is…
1220: Why Every Restaurant Needs a VA with Rashmi Bhat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:49
Rashmi Bhat is the co-owner of 7 Monk's Cafe in Braunfels, Texas. She is also the co-owner of Lazy H Retreats, a property management company, as well as Rezo Hospitality, a boutique hotel management company. In this epis…
1219: Aaron Lyons, CEO and Founder of Five 12 Restaurant Concepts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:11
Aaron Lyons is the CEO and Founder of Five 12 Restaurant Concepts, based on Houston, TX. Aaron was previously a guest on Restaurant Unstoppable in 2019 for episode 608. Back then, there were five locations of his flagshi…