925: Brandon Landry Founder and CEO of Walk-On's

Brandon Landry is the Founder and CEO of Walk-On's, which had its first store open in Baton Rouge, LA. Today, there are 70 Walk-On's locations. Brandon attended LSU where he was a "walk-on" for their basketball team. He learned the importance of being a part of a team at that time, and the essential role that the walk-on has among all the players and staff. Brandon decided to open a restaurant before he graduated in 2000, so he started working in them and found himself a mentor. In 2003, when Brandon and his then-business partner were only 23, the first Walk-On's location opened in Baton Rouge. Since then, the franchise has scaled to 70 locations and has attracted an investment from Saints QB Drew Brees, who is today a co-owner.

Check out episode 915 with Peter Sclafani as mentioned in today's episode!

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Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "People don't care who much you know, they care how much you care."

In this episode with Brandon Landry we will discuss:

• Business plans
• Acquiring funding
• Correcting inconsistencies
• Opening a restaurant and realizing you are not what you wanted to be when you opened
• Identifying and maintaining standards
• Splitting up partnerships
• Franchising

Today's sponsor:

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Work ethic
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Trust too much
3. What's one thing you ask or look for when interviewing/growing your team?
   • "Have you ever been a part of a team?"
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Scaling culture
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Create trust
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • "Rumble" - the team beats on the tables and does a rally cry twice per day
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Start With Why by Simon Sinek
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
   • KDS: Aloha and Toast
9. What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough?
   • Clearly define their purpose
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?
    • Positive people change the world
    • It's not about tough love; you have to love them and then you can be tough
    • Always have to value and foster relationships

Contact:

Website: https://walk-ons.com

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Brandon Landry for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

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