The Necessary Entrepreneur #143 - Leading Dewey’s Pizza w/ Chuck Lipp | Scaling Culture, People-First Leadership & Building a Beloved Brand
In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Chuck Lipp, President of Dewey’s Pizza, to talk about leadership, scaling culture, and building a beloved restaurant brand across the Midwest.
Chuck shares the inside story of how Dewey’s grew from one location into a 27-store, 1,400-employee company, all while maintaining its famous scratch-made pizzas, open kitchens, and people-first culture. From team hospitality systems that ensure every guest feels cared for, to the leadership lessons of balancing accountability with kindness, Chuck reveals how focusing on people drives sustainable business growth.
Listeners will hear Chuck’s entrepreneurial journey, from his start in the restaurant industry to becoming President, and the philosophies that guide him: creating intentional culture, empowering decision-making, leading with humility, and finding balance between work and life. He and Mark dive deep into topics every entrepreneur can learn from, including:
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How Dewey’s builds and scales culture across multiple locations
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Why training and systems are key to consistent customer experiences
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The difference between managing and true leadership
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Building accountability without drama in large organizations
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The sacrifices and rewards of executive leadership
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Lessons on resilience, ownership, and personal growth
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, or simply a fan of great pizza, this conversation offers actionable insights on leadership, culture, and growth from one of the Midwest’s most respected restaurant leaders. 📌 Find Out More About Chuck Lipp & Dewey's Pizza:https://deweyspizza.com/ https://www.instagram.com/deweyspizza/ https://www.youtube.com/@DeweysPizzaRestaurant https://www.facebook.com/DeweysPizza https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-lipp-6730377/
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