

How To Be a World Class Operator - Ole & Steen, Wagamama, SoHo House, Caravan Managing Director
18 snips Apr 14, 2025
Graham xxx, Managing Director with a rich background at Ole & Steen, Wagamama, SoHo House, and Caravan, offers invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of the food industry. He candidly discusses the founder-operator tension, emphasizing the art of managing expectations and trust. Graham highlights the danger of diversifying menus, advocating for specialization. He also explores leadership dynamics, effective team communication, and the importance of starting with an 'empty bank account of trust' when joining a challenger brand.
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Focus on One Thing
- Focus on one core offering and execute it flawlessly.
- Avoid expanding the menu too broadly, as it dilutes focus and complicates operations.
Chippy Success
- Graeme built successful chippies by understanding local demographics and consumer preferences.
- Building strong supplier relationships ensured consistent quality and pricing.
Menu Expansion Pitfalls
- Expanding menus beyond core offerings can lead to a decline in core sales.
- Focus on a few key items and execute them well rather than offering everything.