MEAT the man who pioneered the casual dining segment | Season 11, Vol. 2

In today’s episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by George McKerrow, CEO of Ted’s Montana Grill.

George pioneered the casual dining segment with LongHorn Steakhouse, which he founded in 1981 and eventually took public. He later partnered with Ted Turner to bring bison meat mainstream at Ted’s Montana Grill. Now CEO of Ted’s, George reflects on lessons learned over his long career launching concepts and delighting guests.

Key Takeaways:

• [00:08 - 01:46] Live from Pepsi Studios in Scottsdale, Arizona for IFMA the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association's President's Conference
• [03:30 - 08:19] Introducing George McKerrow, CEO at Ted's Montana Grill, talking about opening the first ever LongHorn Steakhouse in 1981 and founding Ted's in January 2002.
• [05:38 - 07:44] George on getting a job for gas at 16, working his way up the restaurant industry, and making Ted Turner a deal he couldn't refuse
• [08:56 - 11:17] George credited with giving birth to the entire casual dining segment by Nation's Restaurant News, and how he turned a single unit of LongHorn Steakhouse into a dining phenomenon
• [09:51 - 11:17] A fun honky-tonk saloon, quality feeds and genuine hospitality
• [11:19 - 14:59] Schatzy and George on bartending, on starting and working your way up the foodchain
• [15:01 - 18:42] The three greatest lessons George has learned in hospitality leadership: financial input, great people, and restaurant unpredictability
• [18:48 - 20:58] Democratization is part of the restaurant industry, there's a career path
• [21:04 - 26:17] Talking Back: George asks what Schatzy and Jimmy think are the next big trends in hospitality
• [21:40 - 23:29] Schatzy: People want to go out more, but you need to give them a reason, the rise of experiential restaurants and smaller footprints
• [23:43 - 25:39] Jimmy: meet the guests where they're at, leveraging technology in labor
• [26:21 - 28:42] The Spice is Right: Cost of a classic chicken sandwich at Popeyes in Route 17 in New Jersey
• [28:43 - 31:11] Branded Quickfire: George's lightning round

Episode Credits:

• Produced by: Branded Hospitality Media
• Hosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy Frischling
• Producer: Julie Zucker
• Creative Director: Adam Levine
• Show Runner: Drewe Raimi
• Post Production: Three Cheers Creative

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