In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Kaleb Harrell, cofounder and CEO at Hawkers Asian Street Food, a 15-unit casual chain based in Orlando. Hawkers filed for bankruptcy in September 2024, even though it had been enjoying double-digit year-over-year sales growth. The bankruptcy filing was to protect the brand from an overreaching lender, and after settling that dispute earlier this year, Hawkers entered into an equity deal with Utah-based Savory Fund. Harrell joined the podcast to explain the bankruptcy decision and share his tips for selecting the right financial partner. 

In this conversation, you’ll find out why:

• You should give your guests credit for the details they notice
• There’s no finish line when you’re growing a restaurant brand
• Great execution is way more important than fast growth
• Your financial partner’s values must align with your own
• Tenacity and perseverance breed success
• Think through short and long term when choosing a capital partner
• In every great story, the protagonist faces challenges

Register for CREATE, our event for emerging restaurateurs, by clicking here. 

Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at [email protected].