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Xeddy Tip Of The Week #10
This week's tips come from the CEO and president of Hopdoddy Burger Bar and Hi-Bar Hospitality Group. He spoke on "The Tastemakers" podcast and shared his early journey and his approach to running a successful business. Check out our read below.
Basil Udo
January 13, 2024
TIPS TO GROW YOUR FOOD BUSINESS
Xeddy Suggestions
Facilitated by Basil Udo · Jan 13, 2024 · 2 min read
Hi! Thanks for your interest in receiving tips. This weekly push is meant to share knowledge among business owners like yourself.
Tips Of The Week
Optics and reality have to be one and the same.
If team members keep an open mind, we are better off for it.
- Jeff Chandler, CEO at Hopdoddy Burger Bar
About Hopdoddy + Tips Context
Credit: Hopdoddy / Facebook
Jeff Chandler, raised in the restaurant industry by his tavern-owner father in the U.S. Northwest, navigated his way to Hopdoddy Burger Bar in Austin, Texas, in 2016, thanks to a private equity connection. At Hopdoddy, he was drawn to its commitment to quality, uniqueness, and variety, and its continual innovation.
The pandemic introduced a new dimension: convenience. Hopdoddy's approach to dining, blending experiential elements with practicality, enabled them to adapt during the pandemic while retaining their core on-premise experience. Jeff highlighted the importance of this adaptation; for instance, they provided detailed instructions and packaged labels allowing customers to recreate the Hopdoddy dining experience at home.
In an interview with Tastemakers, the discussion turned to Hopdoddy's culture and how they measure it through sentiment tracking. Jeff emphasized the significance of employees feeling valued and cared for, noting this as a key factor in reducing turnover in the high-attrition restaurant industry. He stressed the importance of authenticity, where both optics and reality align in showing genuine care for team members.
Further, Hopdoddy celebrates individuality among its staff, resisting a conformist culture in style and dress, which has crafted an “indie” brand identity, as the interviewer noted. The only expectations are basic courtesies like politeness and eye contact, while encouraging staff to be themselves. According to Chandler, this inclusivity stems from an open-minded ethos.
Jeff also touched upon Hopdoddy's focus on hospitality technology innovation. They critically assess new technologies for their potential to enhance guest and team experiences, as well as operational efficiency. This holistic approach underlines Hopdoddy's commitment to evolving while maintaining its unique brand ethos.
To check out this episode, click here for the Apple Podcast link.
..Keep an open mind, we’re better off for it.
