C-Suite Executive Trailblazer I Talent & Diversity Champion I Passionate Builder of Business I Guest-Obsessed Leader I Maniacally Focused on Excellence I Curator of Executive Talent I Gifted Inspirational Speaker
Absolutely exceptional interview with AJ Kumaran, Co-CEO and COO of Raising Cane's, on the challenges of the restaurant industry today, as well as the solutions. It is leaders like AJ and brands like Raising Cane's that unequivocally change lives. AJ's passion exudes through the screen and the benefits that Raising Cane's is offering, and in fact doubling down on in the face of economic headwinds, are not just uncommon but they are life-changing for the next generation of restaurant leaders. Today my role in the industry is a little different but it is one that I love. I have the privilege to support great restaurant brands, including Raising Cane's, in finding top=tier leaders that fit with the brand's DNA, and that unbeknownst to them today, will provide opportunities that they would never have dreamt of. So how does Cane's do it in a historically upended business environment? From my view, it comes down to to the basics, the very reason I fell in love with the industry so long ago but that so many restaurant companies have forgotten. 1. Raising Cane's stays true to their identity, their culture, and their mission of "One Love." I've never seen a brand as insistent on protecting their culture as I have seen with Cane's. 2. Raising Cane's is unrelenting about operations excellence and the pursuit of scratch-made menu items with no excuses for not delivering it fast. 3. It's all about people with Raising Cane's. There are few brands that invest in people both developmentally and financially like Cane's does. And I have worked for some solid companies! The people at Cane's have skin in the game, benefit financially when the company succeeds, and their passion for running restaurants and their brand, is contagious. 4. Finally, Cane's gets marketing right. When I first started my restaurant journey, one thing that connected with me was how engaged in the community many restaurant brands were. Today this is a novelty and community engagement is often a "nod" versus a ideal or value of the brand. For Cane's, value is about a great meal, at a great price, with a great experience. I know it might sound like I am a "fan boy" of Raising Cane's. Although I do love my go to meal, a delicious "Box Combo" sub toast for the slaw, two extra Cane's sauces, and a large Coke Zero, my appreciation for the brand comes right back to what AJ talked about in this interview. When brands listen to customers, stay true to who they really are, and create an environment where their people have skin in the game, they will win! What are your thoughts on what it takes to excel in business today?
Our Co-CEO & COO, AJ Kumaran, sat down with Fox Business to discuss the California minimum wage increase, benefits for our Crew across the country and this week’s Nashville Flagship opening on Broadway. Learn more about how the increase is impacting our business, some of the many benefits we offer our Crew across the country and our latest Flagship opening, the first and only QSR on Nashville’s Lower Broadway! https://lnkd.in/gffV5Hnw
Growing brands through experience innovation | ex-Disney | Host of Making the Fan podcast
1moCulture starts at the top with leaders like AJ. Having peeked a little behind the scenes, their culture sustains and grows through intentionally designed systems and processes from corporate down to the stores, all based off the mindsets you talk about here, Greg. Good stuff!