Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue I, 2016 | Page 18

PERSONAL
First job: Swabbing decks at McDonald’s around age 14.
Formative influences/events: There are too many to list. I’ve had the
blessing of being able to work with several founders of companies: Dave Thomas
of Wendy’s, Norman Brinker with Steak and Ale, and Dan Scoggin, founder of
TGI Fridays. Throughout the years it’s been my benefit to work with folks who
either started companies or grew companies to very large sizes. They inspired me
to want to stay in the industry. I learned the right things to do, and just as importantly, what not to do.
Key accomplishments: I’m most proud of the people I have worked with who
have gone on to great things. This business is really about people. It’s about serving the guests and doing that well, which is paramount, but also the mentorship
and guidance of people who work with and for you.
Biggest current challenge: We purchased this as a group of restaurants
spread across Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. That span is a challenge. Being
able to invest the right money to make restaurants that have been around for 20plus years relevant also is a challenge.
Next big goal: It is a combination of two things: 1) sustainable, profitable
growth, and 2) maintaining profitability at core restaurants. Growth is certainly an
opportunity for us. We have a contract to grow our Dairy Queen footprint inside
the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We also have plans to grow in Oklahoma, specifically
in Tulsa and the surrounding cities and towns. We want to continue reasonable
and profitable growth. We need to grow sales and transactions in the core units.
First turning point in your career: I don’t know if there was any one first
turning point, but the greatest turning point for me was when I was transferred
from Miami to Dallas with Burger King. I was traveling 70 percent of the time and
had two young kids. I got a call from a friend of mine who said he was with a
young company that he enjoyed and thought I’d be able to grow with. That was
TGI Fridays. I got to experience so many different roles and areas of the restaurant
business there.
Best business decision: My career turning point was also my best decision.
TGI Fridays founder Dan Scoggin was a guy who gave you opportunity and then
let you run with it. So my stint there gave me the freedom to grow at a young
age and experience things I wouldn’t have been able to do in other systems. To
be a young guy in my 20s and work at a company that vibrant and growing that
quickly put me in a great position moving forward.
Hardest lesson learned: Don’t take success for granted because it can fall
away very quickly. We sometimes get a little too heady with the success we’ve
achieved. Becoming arrogant or cocky will cause you to lose focus and then lose
that success. Stay humble, always keep learning. Be sure you’re reaching out and
helping people where you can. Make sure you’re providing a positive environment
for others to thrive. Your success will continue because the people you work with
will help you succeed. Arrogance kills a concept.
Work week: Unfortunately, it’s a whole lot of meetings. Monday typically is
spending time with those who report directly to me, making sure we’re on focus.
On Tuesday and the middle of the week I’m out in the field. On Friday it’s time to
catch up to make sure I’m aware of everything that happened during the week.
On the weekend I’ll visit a Dairy Queen restaurant unannounced. I also have to

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spend time with my wife—that’s a very important part of my week. You have
to balance your personal and professional life. Otherwise, things get out of whack
in a hurry.
Exercise/workout: I walk four or five days a week, typically about four miles
a day. I try to stick to that routine. I try to do weights two days a week, too. My
wife and I are talking about joining a gym to stay active together. I watch my diet,
which is hard to do in the restaurant business, but I try to offset that with walking.
I’m an early riser, so that helps.
Best advice you ever got: I don’t know if there is one thing, but what
stands out from all the folks I have worked for and with is that they were incredibly honest and forthright individuals and they cared. They had a great passion for
what they did and they cared about people. That was true for every single one of
them.
What’s your passion in business? Seeing people be successful. I get
excited about working with someone who has a specific desire to accomplish an
objective and then seeing them become successful in that endeavor. That’s the
greatest joy you can possibly have in business. Additionally, I am passionate about
giving back in the communities we serve, and Dairy Queen is an amazing brand
for this. At Vasari we support two large charities: Children’s Miracle Network,
which is supported by all of Dairy Queen, and No Kid Hungry, which we support.
We have raised over $300,000 in the past two years that has provided more
than 3 million meals to needy kids. We also provide fundraising for our communities through our PTC school fundraising program. It’s extremely important to me
that we give back.
Favorite book: I enjoy reading business books from people who have unique
insight. Stepping Up: How Taking Responsibility Changes Everything by John Izzo
is a great one. Also, Dare To Serve: How To Drive Superior Results by Serving
Others by Cheryl Bachelder; 212°: The Extra Degree by Mac Anderson and Sam
Parker; and Dave Thomas’s book, Dave Says Well Done!: The Common Guy’s
Guide to Everyday Success.
Favorite movie: I’m really looking forward to the new “Star Wars” movie. I
like movies where things blow up. I love action movies. The Bond movies, any
action movies, I’m a fan.
Pet peeve: My biggest one is people who do not take accountability for what
they do. We have a saying from John Izzo’s book Stepping Up about taking 100
percent accountability [