511: Smart Growth with Keith Richards

511: Smart Growth with Keith Richards

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee August 1, 2018 Duration: 1:38:39

After a life changing trip to Greece, Keith Richards and his wife Amy founded Taziki's Cafe in 1998. Over the proceeding 30 years they have since "smartly" grow this "fresh-casual" franchise to 85 locations in 17 states. Richards also heads the company's signature charity, the Hope Program, helping children with special needs.

Show notes…

Favorite Success Quote or Mantra.

"Combine extraordinary food with meaningful connection."

In this conversation with Keith Richards, we discuss:

  • The power of human connection and treating your guest like family.
  • Failure, not being an option.
  • Putting others first.
  • Why you should always donate food instead of money to charitable causes. Donate food is better marketing.
  • Leveraging technology to tighten systems.
  • How technology can weed out the dishonest employees.
  • The story and heart behind the branding and the impact it has.
  • Providing purpose for special needs individuals.
  • Connecting with other restaurateurs in your community to share knowledge and support.

Today's Sponsor

Soundtrackyourbrand.com

Soundtrack Business lets you play 250 music channels guaranteed to fit any type of business. An easy-to-use dashboard lets you find great music, control all your locations and schedule your sound.

BarRestaurantSuccess.com

Discover How To Get New Customers In Your DoorsAt A Profit In 48 Hours Or Less, Without Spending A Penny On Advertising Using The "VOP" Strategy! For a limited time receive a 15 minute case study video that reveals how 4 different bar and restaurant owners from around the country brought in between $5,213 to nearly $15,000 in sales using the all new "VOP" strategy! Best part is, this takes zero marketing dollars

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?

    • Being kind to others.
  2. What is your biggest weakness?

    • Focus.
      • Living off a list has helped with this challenge
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?

    • Are you coordinated?
    • Are you a team player?
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?

    • Maintaining the same culture while scaling the Tazikis brand.
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.

    • Respect others.
    • Work together.
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?

    • Greet people at the door.
    • Pre clearing , even in a fast-casual setting.
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
    GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 

  8. Share an online resource or tool.

  9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted in your restaurant and how has it influence operations?

  10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?

    1. Take care of others.
    2. Show that your faith will make you successful.
    3. Be a great father.

Contact Info

TazikisCafe.com

@Tazikis

 

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Keith Richards for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

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
793: Rory Balkin, Donut Digest, Refresh and Remarket Your Catering [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:56
Rory is a donut blogger turned restaurant marketing coach and event organizer. She helps busy donut shops and bakery owners create compelling marketing so that they can turn followers into customers. Rory also connects d…
792: Vincenzo Betulia chef/founder of Campagna Hospitality Group [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:27
With excitement, allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Chef/Founder of Campagna Hospitality Group Chef Vincenzo Betulia. Check out episode 791 with Guy Clarke as mentioned in today's episode! Show notes… Calls to A…
BONUS EPISODE Peer Mentoring with Adam Rosenbaum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:35
Join the RUNetwork to gain access to the experts. After Adam joined RU for an interview, he joined the RUNetwork for a peer mentoring session. Listen in! Adam joined The Meatball Shop in the spring of 2017 as Chief Execu…
790: Steve Simoni, founder and CEO of Bbot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:32
With Excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Founder and CEO of Bbot, Steve Simoni. The company creates mobile ordering technology for bars, restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality providers. Show notes…
789: Ken Schwartz President of SSA Foodservice Design + Consulting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:52
SSA is a global hospitality design and consulting firm established in Tampa by Ken Schwartz in 1987. SSA specializes in food and beverage service design and is known for their Bespoke design solutions. President & CEO SS…
788: Adam Rosenbaum, Chief Baller in Charge, The Meatball Shop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:03
Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mant…
787: Amanda Robinson, The Digital Gal, Facebook Ads workshop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:20
Today's guest in Amanda Robinson, the Digital Gal. She is widely recognized in the digital marketing industry for her knowledge, training, skills and coaching as a Facebook Ads expert with her Swift Kick In the Ads Membe…
786: Becky Mulligan CEO of The Little Beet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:27
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, CEO of The Little Beat, Little Beat Table, Le Pain Quotidien. For nearly 16 years Becky Mulligan was living the "intrapreneurial" lifestyle while climbing the e…
785: Rudy Miick Workshop - Costing Secrets Nobody Told You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:05
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…