Steve Shlemon is the president of Ford’s Garage, a popular burger and craft beer restaurant franchise with locations across the country. While many may think that these large chain restaurants started with multiple locations, the reality is that each of them began as a single restaurant. In order to successfully grow an independent brand into a nationally recognized franchise with over 1,000 locations, a careful and methodical approach is necessary. Steve Shlemon, having gone from one restaurant location to more than two dozen, emphasizes the importance of staying focused and disciplined to achieve similar success with a restaurant franchise brand.
One key aspect of growing a brand successfully is to go slow in order to go fast. Steve Shlemon advises being careful and deliberate, focusing on one restaurant at a time rather than trying to expand too quickly. By allocating resources and effort towards enhancing successful establishments, overall outcomes can be improved. It is essential to prioritize the training and development of employees, as well as putting the right people in place to run the brand effectively. Without great people and a strong company culture, even the best restaurant recipes and brand will not succeed.
Getting the real estate right is another crucial strategy in growing a restaurant brand. It is important to carefully select locations and consider the return on investment for each site. Working closely with franchisees to develop a plan for opening new locations can help prevent costly mistakes. Maintaining quality is also paramount, even as the brand grows. Consistency in terms of menu, atmosphere, and overall guest experience is key to ensuring that the brand’s reputation remains strong across all locations.
Additionally, it is important to never stand still and always look for ways to improve and elevate the brand. Whether it’s focusing on product quality, the physical building, or the people within the organization, continuous improvement is necessary for sustained success. By following these tips and prioritizing the right people and locations, a brand can navigate the transition from a single restaurant to a nationally recognized franchise with confidence. Ultimately, careful navigation, prioritizing the right people and locations, maintaining quality, and continuously striving for improvement are key factors in successfully growing a restaurant franchise brand.