429: Growth from within with Raji Sankar

In this episode with Raji Sankar, we discuss: Freedom by way of discipline.  Anything being possible. The story behind Choolaah. Creating jobs where people meet their full potential. Buying into a franchise model to learn the business. What Raji learned from operating a 5 Guys Burgers and Fries franchise. The result of growing too fast and desperately. Not sacrificing your values. Growing slowly outward.  Growth from within. Using competency charts with monetary incentives. Never ending learning.  Outsourcing and surrounding yourself with the best.  Getting people aligned with the same cause. Creating systems and tracks for training. Educating your guest especially when you're doing something strange or unfamiliar.  Educating your team.  The importance of everyone buying into your mission, vision, and values when scaling. Using success stories from your team to grow your brand.  Raji Sankar left a life of science, tech, and consulting to pursue the life of a restaurateur. In 2004 they started Wholesome International, the business entity that would start opening 5 Guys Burgers and Fries throughout PA, and Oh. It didn't take long before her own vision for Choolaah began to sprout. Today, Wholesome International operates a total of 20 5 Guys locations and they're opening their 5 Choolaah Indian BBQ Location.