Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders

Summary:

 There are a lot of different brands fighting for market share in the "polished" segment of the restaurant industry. To stand out, you need to offer great food, at great value, in a great atmosphere. But above all, you need to make sure you have the right people at your side.

And if anyone knows the value of people, it's Steve Kislow, the CEO of Firebirds wood-fired Grills. Since joining the Firebirds team in 2003, Steve has helped open dozens of locations, as the brand has grown from three restaurants in two states to 60 plus locations in 22 states.

Steve joins us to talk about Firebirds' approach to innovation, their commitment to customer experience, and their plans to expand their reach even further in the coming years. He also discusses the emphasis Firebirds places on always hiring the best.

Highlights:
  • Path from chef to CEO (2:23)
  • Firebirds' niche (4:27)
  • How Covid Changed Things (6:44)
  • Menu Innovation (8:17)
  • AUVs (11:18)
  • Price Adjustments (12:37)
  • Growth Strategy (13:41)
  • Changes to 'The Box' (15:48)
  • Growing While Preserving Quality (16:58)
  • Changes in Consumer Behavior (19:10)
  • Approach to Technology (21:41)
  • Evolution of the Corporate Culture (22:49)
  • 10 Year Outlook (24:09)
  • Favorite Dishes (25:34)

Links:
Steve's LinkedIn
Firebirds LinkedIn
Firebirds Website
ICR LinkedIn
ICR Twitter
ICR Website


Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, joe@lowerstreet.co.

What is Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders?

In the increasingly crowded and competitive corporate and financial ecosystem, it’s harder than ever for companies to break through the clutter and be heard. The media, investors, agenda-driven influencers, even customers and competitors, are defining your business story on their terms. Therefore, it is imperative that companies take control and proactively drive the conversation with stakeholders in an effort to build & maintain equity value.

In Welcome to the Arena from ICR, Co-Founder & CEO of ICR, Tom Ryan, interviews key business and financial players who influence the fate of public or aspiring public companies in the capital markets. As a former Wall Street Journal ranked sell-side equity analyst and the founder of one of the largest strategic communications firms in the world, Tom understands what it takes to navigate this complex environment.

This is a forum for CEOs, CFOs, institutional investors, sell-side analysts, financial journalists, private equity professionals and other financial community participants to share their stories and give advice in an open and candid conversation.

For more information, visit http://www.icrinc.com