Piada’s co-CEO on why now is the time to grow — 16 years after launch

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Lance Juhas, co-CEO of Piada Italian Street Food, a Columbus-based Italian fast casual that has grown to 62 locations in 16 years. Piada was founded by Bravo Brio cofounder Chris Doody and it’s earned a reputation over the years as a great operator with a one-of-a-kind menu — one that’s helped it enjoy 29 straight quarters of same-store sales growth. But to this point Piada’s growth has been slow and deliberate as the company pieces together the right playbook for growth. That playbook is ready, and Lance — whose career included 16 years with Bravo Brio after stops with J. Alexander’s and Hillstone Restaurant Group — is steering the brand into its next growth phase. He joined the podcast to talk about all the little details that go into a great restaurant experience, and about the right way to evolve a restaurant business.

In this conversation, you’ll find out why:
Your customers will tell you what your star menu item is
Hospitality is the ingredient that brings customers back
You should never take the crab out of the crab cakes
Customization is not for everybody
You’ve got to earn the right to grow
A guest’s endorsement is gold — and harder and harder to get

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Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at sam.oches@informa.com.