612: Jonathan Horowitz on Avoiding the Bubble

Raised in NH, Jonathan Horowitz attended Rice University then South Texas School of Law. After graduation Horowitz spent 5 years practicing law before joining Lasco Enterprises in 2005 as Vice President of Marketing and Communication and later as their Chief Brand Officer. As a partner Horowitz helped oversee the growth of the business for 10 years, to more than 15 locations and 600+ employees. Today Horowitz serves as CEO for Legacy Restaurants group which consist of The Original Ninfa's on Navigation and 3 Antone's Famous Po' Boys locations.

Show notes… Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Treat people well and they will treat you well."

In today's episode with Jonathan Horowitz, we discuss:

• Treat EVERYONE WELL, not just your customers
• Important to be perceived as someone who is easy to work with
• Self-awareness is key
• Switching dreams/plans early in life
• Opportunities from cold call emails
• Getting into the industry
• Admitting when you need help
• Scaling a small restaurant
• Creating a concept that is welcoming to ALL kinds of people
• Strength-based leadership
• Leveraging your story for marketing
• The importance of getting people to walk through your door
• Relationship marketing
• Growing your business through growing your brand
• Avoiding isolation
• Consistency
• Even if things are good they can always be better
• Collectively deciding what is better in terms of operations, don't adjust without discussion
• Make your staff feel involved and invested
• Simplicity is key
• Seeking advice from other restauranteurs in your community, don't live in a bubble, avoid isolation

Today's sponsor:

Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country — they were even named best online payroll by PCMag. And as a listener, you’ll get three months free when you run your first payroll. Sign up and give it a try at Gusto.com/unstoppable. 

BentoBox helps restaurants grow their business through a connected suite of tools, offering them an integrated website to connect with their guests and drive revenue online. Restaurant owners and operators are able to easily update menus, promote specials, take catering and event inquiries, sell merchandise, gift cards and more.

Revel Systems integrates front of house and back of house operations into a single dashboard. Designed to increase security, stability, ease of use, and speed of service, Revel’s streamlined ecosystem provides businesses with the right tools to grow. Learn more at revelsystems.com/unstoppable.

  Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Empathy
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Procrastination
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • What would your previous subordinates or direct-reports say about you? How have you developed people?
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Labor market. Cast a broader net.
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Be honest
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Contribute to your community at all times
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • We Fed An Island
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Get training in disciplines with which they're not familiar.
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • bMobile route software
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?
    • Do no harm
    • Contribute to your community
    • Take care of your people

Contact info:

Legacy Restaurants 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!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Jonathan Horowitz 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!