843: Patrick Whalen CEO at 5th Street Group

Working as a dish-washer all the way up to executive level management, Patrick has developed a service-centered style where knowledge, passion, and a drive to excel are paramount. After almost a decade of learning the trade by working in New York City, Patrick, bound to his North Carolina roots, moved his family back South and was hired as Butter NC's General Manager. Under his leadership, Butter NC became established as the premier nightclub establishment in the Southeast and received numerous awards for excellence in service. Guided by his entrepreneurial spirit, Patrick was in search of a strategic, collaborative partnership to open a new type of restaurant that complements his passion for good food and his detailed business acumen. Friends and former colleagues Alejandro Torio and Mills Howell expressed similar thoughts and their combined strengths led to the creation of 5Church Restaurant.

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Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "Why not us?"
• "There's only we."

In today's episode with Patrick Whalen we will discuss:

• Running a casino
• Advice on restaurant openings
• Being empathetic
• Retaining staff
• Events
• Tip pool systems
• Personal life informing career decisions
• Public perception of your company
• False-modesty
• Balancing ego and modesty
• Recognizing initiative
• The "Tip The Kitchen" system

Today's sponsor:

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Very good public speaker
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Impatient
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • What do you want to do?
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Unreasonable people
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Say what you mean and do what you say
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Highly unscripted at tables
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • The Art Of War by Sun Tzu
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
8. What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Share information with their employees
9. Name one service you've hired.
   • The Bradley Projects - architecture
10. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
    • Avero - unlock your restaurant's potential
11. 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. Be empathetic
    2. Be reasonable
    3. Work hard

Contact info:

Twitter: @tip_kitchen

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Patrick Whalen 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!