941: Barry Sorkin Co-Owner of Smoque BBQ

Barry Sorkin is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Smoque BBQ in Chicago, IL. He got his first taste of the restaurant industry when he worked at Red Lobster as a bar tender and a manager in his 20s. He left the industry to pursue a career in journalism and IT. Feeling unsatisfied, he quit his job in 2005 and, with the help of 4 partners, opened Smoque in Chicago in December of 2006. Smoque quickly proved to be too popular and too busy for their space so they expanded their existing 3 years later.

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Favor success quote/mantra:

• No mantra. "Take it as it comes/don't get bored."

In this episode with Barry Sorkin we will discuss:

• Business plans
• Management
• Labor and food cost
• Pricing
• BBQ
• Opening a restaurant
• Partnerships
• Delegation

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Determination
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Organization
3. What's one thing you ask or look for when interviewing/growing your team?
   • Character
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Labor
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Respect
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Treat people like family
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Raving Fans by ken Blanchard
   • Zingerman's Guide To Great Service by Ari Weinzweig
   • 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?
   • xtrachef
9. What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough?
   • Thank their employees
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?
    • Treat people with respect
    • Take pride in what you do
    • Enjoy the ride

Contact:

Email: barry@smoquebbq.com

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 Barry Sorkin for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

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