Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore 690: Chris Schultz on Bringing Solutions Instead of Problems
This is Chris Schultz's 2nd time on Restaurant Unstoppable. We met over 4 years ago at the NRA show and he was on a panel I was hosting.
A few months later I hosted Chris on Restaurant Unstoppable, Episode 341!
Hands down, one of my best interviews out of 691 total episodes. It was so good, I re-published it last week.
In that episode, we discuss how Chris helped Starbucks scale from 200 to 20,000 locations. Then we discussed how Chris helped launch and Scale MOD Pizza from its first single unit to 400 locations. When we last left Chris, his focus was on bringing MOD international.
That was 3 years ago. Today, and for the last 2 years, Chris has served as the CEO of VOODOO Doughnut.
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- "Failure is not an option."
In today's episode with Chris Shultz we will discuss:
- Problems are inevitable in restaurants; you have be willing to solve them
- Don't bring a problem; bring a solution
- Finding the right time to leave a role
- Scaling nationally vs. internationally
- Treat it like you own it
- How Chris brought Starbucks and MOD Pizza to the UK
- The degradation of culture through expansion
- Treating people fairly and holding them accountable
- Partners must align with your culture
- Having a "bad day" is mental; avoid it
- Must be tenacious and optimistic; authentic and committed as an operator
- A great a couch shouldn't be surprised when things go right
- What we can learn from observing accomplished sports coaches
- Trust goes both ways for employees, leaders, and investors
- Say "good morning" to everyone
- It's about the experience in today's world of delivery apps
- Listen to your staff AND your customers
- Do the right thing!
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Knowledge bombs
- Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
- Gratitude
- What is your biggest weakness?
- "Sometimes I'm a little full of myself"
- What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
- What are you passionate about?
- What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
- Be honest/transparent
- Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
- Keep enough doughnuts in stock/knowing when to grow
- What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
- Be nice
- What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
- It's Not About the Coffee by Howard Behar and Janet Goldstein GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
- What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
- Take time to reflect/check in with your team
- Name one service you've hired
- Audrey Lincoff for PR at Audrey Lincoff Communications - Seattle, WA
- What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
- 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?
- Be grateful
- Be humble
- Be authentic
Email: chric@voodoodoughnut.com
Instagram: @voodoodoughnut
Twitter: @voodoodoughnut
Facebook: @VoodooDoughnutMain
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 Chris Schultz for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!
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