CEOs have it rough these days. The restaurant industry is constantly changing, and today faces stiff headwinds in rising costs and falling guest traffic. As company leader, the chief executive has to chart a course through these choppy waters while always keeping their eyes on the horizon.
Elisia Flores and Beto Guajardo, the respective CEOs of L&L Hawaiian BBQ and Blaze Pizza, are two such leaders tasked with overcoming strong headwinds but with very bright futures ahead of them. Each joined NRN’s editor in chief live at the Restaurant Leadership Conference for the latest episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches to talk about what it takes to be the leader of a restaurant brand at a time when the challenges are many and the change is frequent, and demonstrate how passion for your brand can be the core ingredient helping you to conquer hard times.
In this conversation, you’ll learn more about why:
- Global flavor profiles are on the rise
- Leaders of franchise businesses live to fulfil others’ American dreams
- You need to find a balance between the bells and whistles and the things customers loved you for in the first place
- Expect fast-casual pizza to be a big player in the value wars
- There is opportunity in leaning into your headwinds
Contact Sam Oches at [email protected].