SSA is a global hospitality design and consulting firm established in Tampa by Ken Schwartz in 1987. SSA specializes in food and beverage service design and is known for their Bespoke design solutions.

President & CEO SSA Foodservice Design + Consulting Ken Schwartz has been selected as one of the top 12 design consultants in the world and the SSA team has grown from a single office to multiple locations in the US and Europe. SSA project engagements range from small boutique coffee establishments to $2.6 billion resorts. Brands, architects, and interior designers within all sectors of foodservice design (ie restaurants, casino, hotels, resorts, healthcare, workplace dining, sports venues, airports and college/universities) engage SSA for its extensive knowledge, creativity, and collaborative approach.

Show notes…

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Favorite success quote or mantra:

"We take our work incredibly serious, but not ourselves."

In today's episode with Ken Schwartz we will discuss:

The journey to success
The packaging of your to-go orders is part of your brand, even though it is trash
Restaurant design
Controlling costs
When to scale

Today's sponsor:

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Knowledge bombs

Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
- Attention to detail
What is your biggest weakness?
- Attention to detail
What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
- Do they fit with the brand
What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
- Travel
Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
- The work has to be pristine
What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
- Think about things logically
What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
- Who Moved My Cheese? An A-Mazing Way To Deal With Change In Your Work And In Your Life by Spencer Johnson
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What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
- Clean
What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
- Handheld devices - Toast POS
If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
- Love each other
- Respect each other
- Embrace each other

Contact info:

website: www.studiofs.com

Instagram: @ssafsd

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Ken Schwartz for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

789: Ken Schwartz President of SSA Foodservice Design + Consulting

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789: Ken Schwartz President of SSA Foodservice Design + Consulting