The state of fast casual, according to one of its OGs

Take-Away with Sam Oches

Nation's Restaurant News

Business, Entrepreneurship

2.5 • 15 Ratings

🗓️ 21 September 2023

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Louis Basile, founder of the Arizona-based fast-casual Wildflower. Wildflower is one of the OGs in the fast-casual industry, as Louis founded the concept in 1995 when most people didn’t even know the term “fast casual” and brands like Chipotle and Panera Bread were years from becoming household names. Since then, he’s expanded it to 16 locations, all in Arizona, and he’s refined the model to emphasize high-quality menu items and a strong focus on hospitality. Louis joined the podcast to talk about how the fast-casual industry has evolved in the past three decades and what keeps him up at night as he continues to drive the business forward.

In this conversation, you’ll find out why:

Even small innovations can grow into game-changing revolutions
Fast casual is like fine dining but giving the guest their time back
Fast casual is a cross section of American consumers who still expect hospitality
Restaurant operators should be more worried about the future of supply
Everyday affordability is the first thing you should worry about when growing your brand
Your building costs have to be in line with your value proposition
By teaching your people to communicate and receive feedback, you can unlock their potential

Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at [email protected].

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey there, welcome to Takeaway with Sam Ocas, a podcast from Nation's Restaurant News.
0:07.8	I am Sam Ocas, editor-in chief here at NRAN, and this is the show where I give you an all-access pass
0:13.3	to the restaurant industry's most influential decision makers.
0:16.9	This week, I'm talking with Louis Bacill.
0:20.0	He is the founder of the Arizona-based fast casual
0:23.1	wildflower. Wildflower is one of the OGs in the fast casual industry, as Lewis founded this
0:29.5	concept way back in 1995, when most people didn't even know the term fast casual casual and when brands like Chipotle and Panera
0:39.2	Bread were years away from being household names. Since then, he's expanded to 16 locations
0:45.9	all in Arizona, and he's refined the model to emphasize high-quality menu items and a strong
0:51.7	focus on hospitality.
0:59.0	Lewis joined the podcast live in Amelia Island, Florida, where we were attending the Prosper Forum.
0:59.9	And he joined to talk about how the fast casual industry has evolved in the past three decades
1:05.3	and what keeps him up at night as he continues to drive the business forward.
1:10.1	In this conversation, you will learn more about
1:12.1	how even small innovations can grow into game-changing revolutions, why restaurant operators
1:18.1	should be more worried about the future of the supply chain, and why everyday affordability
1:24.0	is the first thing you should worry about when growing your business.
1:27.9	Jumping now into my interview with Lewis Bacill, the founder of Wildflower. Also, don't forget
1:33.2	to stick around after the interview, as I will share my seven takeaways from this discussion,
1:38.3	actionable insights that you can take with you on the go.
1:43.8	Right, Louis Bacil, the founder of Wildflower Bread Company. Lewis, thanks for joining me with you on the go. Right.
1:44.5	Lewis Becile, the founder of Wildflower Bread Company.
	...

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