511: Smart Growth with Keith Richards

After a life changing trip to Greece, Keith Richards and his wife Amy founded Taziki's Cafe in 1998. Over the proceeding 30 years they have since "smartly" grow this "fresh-casual" franchise to 85 locations in 17 states. Richards also heads the company's signature charity, the Hope Program, helping children with special needs.

Show notes…

Favorite Success Quote or Mantra.

"Combine extraordinary food with meaningful connection."

In this conversation with Keith Richards, we discuss:

• The power of human connection and treating your guest like family.
• Failure, not being an option.
• Putting others first.
• Why you should always donate food instead of money to charitable causes. Donate food is better marketing.
• Leveraging technology to tighten systems.
• How technology can weed out the dishonest employees.
• The story and heart behind the branding and the impact it has.
• Providing purpose for special needs individuals.
• Connecting with other restaurateurs in your community to share knowledge and support.

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?

   • Being kind to others.

2. What is your biggest weakness?

   • Focus.
     • Living off a list has helped with this challenge

3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?

   • Are you coordinated?
   • Are you a team player?

4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?

   • Maintaining the same culture while scaling the Tazikis brand.

5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.

   • Respect others.
   • Work together.

6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?

   • Greet people at the door.
   • Pre clearing , even in a fast-casual setting.

7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 

   • Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business 
   • Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable about Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business

8. Share an online resource or tool.

   • QSR Magazine

9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted in your restaurant and how has it influence operations?

   • Square POS
   • Fresh Hospitality  

10. 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?

    1. Take care of others.
    2. Show that your faith will make you successful.
    3. Be a great father.

Contact Info

TazikisCafe.com

@Tazikis

 

Thanks for Listening!

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Huge thanks to Keith Richards for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

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