Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore 1165: Scott Lawton, Co-Founder, former CEO, and Chairman at Bartaco
Mar 10, 2025
Scott Lawton, co-founder and former CEO of Bartaco, shares insights into the brand's growth and unique service model. He emphasizes introspection and emotional intelligence, crucial for a learning culture. Scott discusses the impact of technology and data on operations, including customer engagement through Olo and OneDine. He navigates challenges like labor legislation and the importance of strong leadership. Personal sacrifices made during Bartaco's scaling and the core values of transparency and guest experience are highlighted.
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Practice Introspection And Straight Talk
- Be introspective and require emotional intelligence from your team.
- Talk straight and create a safe place to surface mistakes so the team can learn fast.
Healthy Unit Economics At Scale
- Bartaco reached 34 locations and sustained strong unit economics.
- Average unit volume sits around $5.2–$5.5M with prime costs mid-50s percent.
From Steward At Tribeca To Operator
- Scott interned at Tribeca Grill and worked as a steward checking in salmon and cleaning.
- The experience immersed him in high-volume operations and vendor negotiation skills.
