🎙️ From Adrenaline Rush to Pizza Passion: Carl Bachmann's Journey to Building Riko's National Brand

In this inspiring episode, Carl Bachmann, President and COO of Riko's Pizza, shares his remarkable 30-year journey in the food and beverage industry, from washing dishes to leading major restaurant chains through transformational growth. Carl reveals how a near-death COVID experience reshaped his leadership philosophy and led him to Riko's, where he's building something truly special - a unique tavern-style pizza concept that lets toddlers hold their own slices. Through personal stories of triumph over adversity, Carl demonstrates how servant leadership, passion for people, and the right foundational pillars can transform both businesses and lives.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• The five foundational pillars for scaling restaurant chains successfully

• Why tavern-style pizza creates magical family dining experiences

• How to hire for passion over experience and train the right attitude

• Building company culture through servant leadership principles

• Real estate selection strategies: growing like a bush, not a vine

• Learning management systems that actually engage restaurant employees

• Franchising approaches for sustainable geographic expansion

• Crisis leadership lessons from managing during early COVID pandemic

• The power of vulnerability and authentic leadership in business growth

• How personal adversity can redirect career priorities toward meaningful work

🌟 Carl's Key Mentors:

• Kent State Football Coaches: Taught technique, teamwork, and keeping your eyes up

• Early Restaurant Managers: Instilled passion for service and joy in hospitality

• BurgerFi and Smashburger Teams: Collaborated on turnaround strategies and restructuring

• Rico (Founder): Demonstrated authentic passion for people, product, and community impact

• Hospital Staff During COVID: Showed true servant leadership during life-threatening crisis

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about building restaurant empires, overcoming life-threatening illness, and how finding your true purpose can transform both personal fulfillment and business success.

🔗 Connect with Carl Bachmann:

Email: [email protected]

Website: rikospizza.com

📄 Transcript Available:Five Pillars of Restaurant Success: Carl Bachmann's Riko's Pizza Revolution

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