Hospitality, Leadership, and the Road to 1,000 Restaurants with Lance Juhas

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Lance Juhas, Co-CEO of Piada Italian Street Food, for a conversation about leadership, hospitality, growth, and what it really takes to scale a restaurant brand without losing the culture that made it successful in the first place. With more than 36 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Lance shares the journey behind Piada's growth from a single concept inspired by the street food culture of Italy into a rapidly expanding brand with more than 60 locations and a bold vision for the future. Along the way, he offers an inside look at the unique co-CEO structure that helps drive the business and explains why disciplined growth has always been more important than growth for growth's sake. Throughout the conversation, Carly and Lance explore the role hospitality plays in creating lasting success. Lance explains why taking care of employees is just as important as taking care of customers, and how understanding people's personal goals, aspirations, and motivations helps build stronger teams and stronger businesses. The discussion also covers leadership development, site selection, company culture, operational excellence, and the importance of creating systems that support sustainable expansion. Lance shares why Piada has remained committed to company-owned locations, how leaders earn the right to grow, and why genuine human connection remains one of the most powerful competitive advantages any business can have. This episode is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to build a business that grows without sacrificing its values.   Key Themes Hospitality Is a Business Strategy, Not a Department Lance believes hospitality extends far beyond customer service. Creating exceptional experiences for both employees and guests builds trust, loyalty, and long-term success that competitors cannot easily replicate. Great Leaders Invest in People's Dreams One of Lance's leadership philosophies centers on understanding what team members want out of life and helping them achieve those goals. When people feel supported personally and professionally, performance and culture naturally improve. Growth Must Be Earned Through Excellence Rather than expanding aggressively at every opportunity, Piada focuses on building strong operational foundations first. Lance explains why patience, consistency, and disciplined execution are essential for long-term success.   Memorable Quotes "The secret of the sauce is taking care of the guests. Taking care of your internal guests, which are your team members, and taking care of your external guests." "Hospitality will always be a part of the business. The day you forget about that, your business is in trouble." "We wanted to earn the right to grow, and not grow too fast."   About Lance Juhas Lance Juhas serves as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Piada Italian Street Food and also holds the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Development Officer. He oversees operations, operational services, real estate, and development strategy while helping guide the company's long-term growth and scalability. Since joining Piada in 2016, Lance has played a pivotal role in strengthening operational performance, building scalable systems, and creating the foundation for future expansion. Prior to Piada, he spent 16 years with Bravo Brio Restaurant Group and held leadership positions with J. Alexander's and Houston's. Known for his people-first leadership style and deep operational expertise, Lance has built his career around creating high-performing teams, exceptional guest experiences, and businesses designed for sustainable growth.   Connect with Lance http://www.mypiada.com/