Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore

936: Brad Parker Founder and CEO of Parker Hospitality


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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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Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

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!

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 Brad Parker 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!
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