Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore 606: Dee Lincoln on Translating Your Vision
Dee Lincoln, a.k.a. the "Queen of Steaks," is recognized as a female powerhouse in the male-dominated steakhouse business. Born on the Fourth of July and raised in New Orleans, Lincoln's humble entrance into the restaurant industry can be traced back to a single Del Frisco's Steakhouse in her hometown. In the early 80's The Del Frisco's brand made its way to Dallas, which is how Dee found her way to Texas.
Fast forward 30 years in the steak business and the Dee Lincoln Brand was born. Today the Dee Lincoln Brand includes a Dee Lincoln's Tasting Room & Bubble Bar at the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium, Dee Lincoln Private Events in Uptown Dallas, and her most recent project, Dee Lincoln Prime, located at the Star in Frisco.
Dee has garnered local, regional and national recognition for her many achievements, including the coveted Restaurants and Institutions' Ivy Award, the winner of which is selected by restaurant industry peers across the country.
Among others, Lincoln also has earned The Texas Restaurant Association's Restaurateur of the Year Award; Savor Dallas's Spirit Award; Dallas Business Journal's Top Women in Business Award; Northwood University's Distinguished Women Award; and Nation's Restaurant News's Fine Dining Award.
Show notes…Favorite success quote or mantra:
"Life is for living"
In this episode with Dee Lincoln we discuss:
- Mentors
- Finding the right business partner
- Overcoming personal tragedy and moving on in the industry
- Opening issues and how to resolve them
- Quirky marketing and how it helps you
- Owners/operators need to be within the four walls
- The importance of touching each table
- Make one location the best it can be before you create a second
- Branding
- Guest should want to come to you for YOU, not just your food
- Understanding leadership
- Understanding the importance of being in your own restaurant daily
- Scaling
- Franchising
- Going public
- If you're not happy, walk away
- Becoming an asset
- The importance of knowing your numbers
- Accountability
- Do one thing great!!!
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Knowledge bombs- Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
- People
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Care too much
- What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
- What are people's immediate goal? Attitude and will over experience.
- What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
- Staffing
- Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
- First name, understanding what they love, like and dislike
- What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
- Be kind
- What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
- Setting the Table GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
- What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or do often enough?
- Hands-on
- What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls and how has it influenced operations?
- POS: Focus
- 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?
- Always be honest
- Stay humble
- Carry on my legend
Website: Dee Lincoln Prime website
Instagram: @deelincolnprime
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!
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Huge thanks to Dee Lincoln for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!
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