Deep conversations with the best founders and business leaders that go beyond the usual advice to uncover the timeless principles that drive success.
Master the best of what other people have already figured out.
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Deep conversations with the best founders and business leaders that go beyond the usual advice to uncover the timeless principles that drive success.
Master the best of what other people have already figured out.
If you enjoy the show, please hit the follow button.
My guest today is Ron Shaich, founder of Panera and chairman of CAVA.
The headlines will tell you that Ron built Panera into a $7.8 billion company. But the real story is far more interesting.
He went all in on Panera. He sold off every other concept they owned, like Au Bon Pain, to focus on on Panera.
His philosophy is simple: Be long-term greedy, not short-term stupid.
We discuss why profit is always a byproduct (focus on it and you'll lose everything), how to understand the customer, and the real costs of building something great. Today he's repeating the same playbook he used at Panera with CAVA.
At 71, he tracks his glucose continuously and works out every morning at 8am. He runs quarterly reviews on his life with the same discipline he brought to building companies.
This isn't about restaurants. It's about making painful bets when everyone else is optimizing for next quarter, and understanding that real commitment owns you—you never own it.
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The Knowledge Project
Deep conversations with the best founders and business leaders that go beyond the usual advice to uncover the timeless principles that drive success.
Master the best of what other people have already figured out.
If you enjoy the show, please hit the follow button.
