Hey there, welcome to Takeaway with Sam Okis, a podcast from Nation's Restaurant News. I am Sam

Okis, editor-in-chief of NRN, and this is the show where I give you an all-access pass to the

restaurant industry's most influential decision-makers. This is a special bonus episode of

Takeaway, and I'm sharing a conversation with Lance London, the founder and CEO of the Carolina Kitchen Bar and Grill,

a regional chain serving a taste of southern cuisine in the Washington, D.C. area.

I sat down with Lance at the recent Prosper Forum in Amelia Island, Florida,

to learn more about the Carolina Kitchen story, which, as you will hear,

is a wild, nearly 30-year ride that's now culminating with Carolina Kitchen, as you will hear,

growing from four locations to nine locations in the next couple of years. Lanz is a fantastic

storyteller and has an incredible passion for his brand,

which you will clearly hear in this interview.

Jumping now into my interview with Lance London,

the founder and CEO of the Carolina Kitchen Bar and Grill.

Enjoy the conversation and stay tuned for our regular episode of Takeaway this Thursday.

I'm here with Lance London, the founder, owner, and CEO of the Carolina Kitchen

out of Washington, D.C.

Lance, thanks for joining me today.

It's an honor and a privilege to be here.

Of course.

It's great to have you.

So tell me about your story.

How did you get into the restaurant industry? Well, you know, years ago when I was a kid, my dad at the dinner table, all he talked about was at the time it was known.

...