10 key leadership strategies to scale restaurant brands

“My greatest wish for you is that you make new mistakes, not the same mistakes I made in my own career.” This was the beautiful thought shared by my father when I started my entrepreneurial journey. It’s also the inspiration for the show, FULL COMP.

FULL COMP exists to provide the tactics, tools and strategies of the brightest minds in our industry and few minds shine brighter than one of my recent guests, John Haggai.

John’s rich career has taken him from Outback Steakhouse to pioneering his own restaurant concepts to leading as an executive at Burton’s. In this article, I work to distill the crucial lessons and strategies that helped John navigate the complexities of our industry.

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Meet John Haggai

With over three decades of experience, John has cultivated a rich expertise from corporate chain to executive roles, eventually leading to his innovative leadership at Burton’s Grill & Bar. His approach combines a keen understanding of restaurant dynamics with a strong commitment to quality and community engagement, establishing him as a distinguished figure in the hospitality industry.

Here are my top ten takeaways from our conversation:

1. The Value of a Proven Plan

John’s tenure at Outback wasn’t just a job; it was a masterclass in restaurant management. Starting when Outback was just a budding brand, John witnessed its transformation into a major chain. This experience underscored the impact of structured systems and rigorous training.

Big Idea: Look to the big guys for a winning blueprint. A solid foundation in structured corporate environments can provide the necessary discipline and systems essential for success in an independent venture.

Take Action: Leverage experiences in structured settings to learn and adopt best practices, business processes and training systems in your own restaurant.

2. Embracing Calculated Risks

Moving from the safety of a corporate job to starting his own venture, John exemplified the quintessential risk-taking entrepreneur. This bold step underscored the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone to achieve greater control over one’s career trajectory.

Big Idea: Embracing risk is essential for unlocking new opportunities and personal growth.

Take Action: Evaluate potential risks carefully and take calculated steps towards entrepreneurial ventures that promise greater personal and professional fulfillment.

3. Building Your “Kitchen Cabinet” Board of Advisors

At a recent event, John’s invited an Outback founder to be a guest speaker highlighting the lasting value of maintaining and leveraging professional relationships.

Big Idea: Sustained professional relationships can open doors to learning and opportunities that go beyond immediate business benefits.

Take Action: Continuously engage with your professional network, offering and seeking value, to forge relationships that could be pivotal in future ventures.

4. Developing Transferable Skills

John’s seamless transition from a corporate environment to running his own business demonstrates how skills acquired in a structured corporate setting can be effectively adapted to smaller, personal ventures.

Big Idea: Transferable skills from corporate experiences can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your first entrepreneurial venture.

Take Action: Learn every business inside and out. Identify and adapt valuable corporate practices to fit the scale and scope of your own business, such as rigorous financial management and strategic planning.

5. Customer-Centric Product Development

John’s focus on understanding and meeting customer needs, as evidenced by his attention to dietary restrictions at Burton’s, highlights the importance of a customer-first approach in product and service development.

Big Idea: Deep understanding of customer preferences leads to services and products that are well-received and will distinguish your business in competitive markets.

Take Action: Implement feedback systems to continuously gather and analyze customer feedback to refine and tailor your offerings.

6. The Importance of Adaptability

Reflecting on his time at Outback and later transitions, John emphasized the necessity of adaptability in business strategy, particularly during unforeseen circumstances like the pandemic.

Big Idea: The ability to pivot and adapt business strategies in response to market changes is crucial for sustaining operations and growth.

Take Action: Develop contingency plans that allow your business to quickly adjust to changing market conditions and consumer behaviors.

7. The Power of Operational Efficiency

At Burton’s, John applied lessons from Outback to streamline operations, focusing on efficiency without sacrificing quality, showing how operational excellence can drive profitability.

Big Idea: Efficient operations are a cornerstone of profitability in the restaurant business.

Take Action: Adopt “first principles” and invest in training to enhance operational efficiency and service quality.

8. Stacking Your “Bench”

John’s approach to scaling his business involves not just strategic vision but also building a team aligned with the company’s growth goals, demonstrating the importance of human resources in scaling operations.

Big Idea: A committed and aligned team is essential for effectively scaling business operations.

Take Action: Develop clear career pathways within your restaurant to motivate and retain top talent, ensuring they are aligned with the company’s long-term goals.

9. Embracing Technology for Competitive Advantage

At Burton’s, integrating technology into everyday operations helped streamline processes. John’s proactive approach to adopting technology reflects a broader trend towards digital transformation in the restaurant industry.

Big Idea: Technology can significantly enhance customer service and operational efficiency.

Take Action: Stay abreast of technological advancements relevant to the restaurant industry and be open to adopting solutions that improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

10. Maintaining Consistency

As Burton’s expanded, John maintained a focus on preserving the brand’s integrity and core values, a strategy essential for long-term success, especially in a service-oriented industry like hospitality.

Big Idea: Consistent brand experience supports sustainable growth and customer loyalty.

Take Action: As your business grows, ensure that all new operations and locations adhere strictly to your established brand standards and values to maintain customer trust and satisfaction.

Putting it all together

John Haggai’s journey through the ranks of the restaurant industry reveals a pathway marked by continuous learning, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

For current and aspiring restaurateurs, these lessons are not just strategies but principles that can guide you towards sustained success and fulfillment in our dynamic industry.

Click below to download our Essential Leadership Toolkit, providing you with a breakdown on how to implement these strategies.

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