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Have you ever had a Potbelly’s sandwich? If you happen to stay in America, chances are high you’ve. They’re in 32 states, have over 400 areas they usually’re unbelievable. On this episode of The CEO Series, I broke bread with Potbelly CEO Bob Wright and acquired his secret recipe for this nationwide powerhouse franchise’s success.
Under are some highlights of that dialog, which have been edited for size and readability. Watch the complete video above.
On being a CEO
“I’ve had lots of jobs in my profession, and I feel the very best half about being a CEO is bringing all of that have collectively, however nonetheless targeted on the identical actual factor. Considered one of my mentors warned me that being the CEO may be lonely, and in reality, he gave me good recommendation to search out others in related positions who you’ll be able to join with and switch to. I belief the leaders on my group. I like participating with my senior management group. They’re the neatest and the very best within the enterprise. However everyone seems to be seeking to the CEO to have a management place and to have a thought in regards to the imaginative and prescient, the technique, or the choices of the day.”
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On his enterprise beginnings
“The summer season after my freshman 12 months in faculty, I wished a job that summer season that might pay me not solely a wage however give an opportunity to earn ideas. And I need to not have been minimize it ready tables as a result of I attempted for nearly a month. I walked right into a Domino’s in Houston and requested in the event that they had been hiring. The man requested me if I had blue pants. So I feel that was my interview! I instructed him I did (which was a lie truly) and he stated, ‘All proper, see you again right here at 4 o’clock.’ So I went to the mall and purchased blue pants and began working at Domino’s and I used to be there for 12 years. I did not understand that taking alternatives that had been offered to you would be as precious as they could possibly be for those who had been simply prepared to take the prospect.”
The key of Potbelly’s success
“We sit proper within the candy spot of the fast-casual shopper with this wonderful differentiated menu of sandwiches which might be scorching and toasted at 500 levels, in addition to soups and salads made contemporary if you organize them. Our cookies are the very best on the planet. Our sugar cookie is best than anybody I’ve ever had in my life. I have been a fan of this model for 20 years and have all the time thought that it had nice potential. It is acquired nice heritage, too.”
On tendencies in quick informal eating
“I might say a few of it has its roots within the pandemic, however quick informal is clearly the place the patron goes. Increased high quality, extra worth for the cash, and extra flexibility and alternative to make use of that model in the best way that matches your life. Certain, individuals are going out, sitting down round a desk, getting waiter service and so forth. However quick informal is the place all the huge development is as a result of that is the place the patron is.”
On studying
“I like to learn biographies of individuals which have been achieved, have been nice leaders, have been founders of our nation. I assumed David McCullough was an interesting author — Truman, 1776, these had been, these had been superior books. I feel you study extra from watching than from being instructed. And biographies are a means for us to look at what different folks have finished.”
Take a look at extra profiles of revolutionary and impactful leaders by visiting The CEO Series archives.
