858: Carol Lawrence Owner and President of Red Arrow Diner

With excitement allow me to introduce to you today’s guest, Carol Lawrence. Carol has over 30 years of experience managing and marketing various restaurants, including her own. She started at the age of 12 peeling potatoes. From there she worked her way up to the dishwasher, line cook, at Belmont Hall before making her way to the Weathervane Restaurant where she waitresses for two weeks before being offered the Dining Room Manager position. Carol bought her first restaurant in September 1987 when she was just 23 years old. Since this time, she has earned national exposure for the Red Arrow Diner through print, television, and radio media as well as expanded the brand to three locations across New Hampshire.

Check out episode 827 with Bobby Marcotte as mentioned in today's episode.

Check out Goldbelly as mentioned in today's episode!

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

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Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "Have a diner day."
• "Did I make it better today?"

In this workshop with Carol Lawrence we will discuss:

• Being a first time restaurant owner
• Diner culture and history
• Hiring young people in this industry
• Trust and track
• Mentors
• Negotiating ownership terms
• Meals tax
• Operating a 24/7 restaurant
• Marketing
• Scaling
• Closing a restaurant

Today's sponsor:

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Being present and listening with open ears
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Learning the numbers
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • What are your strengths and weakness?
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • COVID, menuing, price changing, and staff
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Open and honest and communication, love your job
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Ringing the virgin bell (making your guests feels special through events)
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's by Ray Kroc and Robert Anderson
   • In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules by Stacy Perman
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
8. Name one service you've hired.
   • Payroll - Trivantus
9. 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?
   • Keep your history (record so you can remember)
   • Listen to your gut
   • Be open to feedback

Contact info:

Red Arrow Diner website

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 Carol Lawrence for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!