936: Brad Parker Founder and CEO of Parker Hospitality

Brad Parker is the Founder and CEO of Parker Hospitality in Chicago, IL. Brad worked at Starbucks as a teenager and needed up getting into real estate after college. He started his entrepreneur journey by starting a luxury car rental service in Chicago. He eventually, along with his business partner, decided to open a bar. American Junkie opened in 2013 and Brad and his partner sold the business in 2015. That same year, Brad opened The Hampton Social as a sole proprietor. The Hampton Social intentionally targets women 25-40 because Brad's sister claimed American Junkie was too male-oriented. Brad also puts an emphasis on making his restaurant spaces Instagram-friendly, so that guests naturally and enthusiastically do his marketing for him. The Hampton Social currently has 8 locations with more on the way in cities such as Miami and Nashville.

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Favor success quote/mantra:

• "Anything is possible, but you need to put one foot in front of the other."

In this episode with Brad Parker we will discuss:

• Opening a bar with a partner
• Operating a bar
• Systems, systems, systems
• Food costing
• Importance of checklists
• Public perception
• Raising capital
• Growing too fast
• Changing customer habits
• Dealing with online review culture

Today's sponsor:

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • I rarely sleep
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Not the best listener
3. What's one thing you ask or look for when interviewing/growing your team?
   • Do they fit our culture?
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Labor and consistent culture
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Always find a way
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Every customer leaves happy
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Row the Boat by P.J. Fleck and Jon Gordon
   • 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?
   • Sunday - pay at the table
9. What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough?
   • Focus on the asset and not the people
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?
    • Take a chance and do it
    • You can't take your money with you
    • You want to be known for how you treat people, not what you built

Contact:

Website: https://www.parkerhospitality.com

Instagram...

Parker Hospitality: @parkerhospitality

Hampton Social: @thehamptonsocial

Brad: @bradparker_hospitality

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Brad Parker for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

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