Brett Hannah, Chief Operating Officer at Zambrero
On team-building, brand development, and attitude.
QSR Media: What makes you excited about your position?
Brett Hannah: I have been following the Zambrero story for last few years, when I met with the group I discovered synergies and a similar philosophy. I’m genuinely excited to be working with likeminded people with goals and a strategy to attain them. Working alongside founder Sam Prince whose passion for the entire eating experience is motivating and refreshing. Mexican with a Mission is a great place to be!
QSR Media: What are your key business philosophies?
Hannah: People People and People. You need to be attentive and look after everyone who enters your restaurant / premises meaning both customer and team member. If this attitude is adopted it is a win win for both parties, they tend to look after each other and the business owner whist not taking their eye off both, can concentrate on analysing and growing their business. Treat people like you would like to treated, rolls of the tongue easily, but it takes focus, patience and discipline. Our business is not rocket science, but again it takes discipline and focus to do all the same little things day after day consistently with energy. In a modern world customers are savvy and as consumers we have a lot of choice, you need to bring you’re A game on a daily basis and try to delight or surprise your customers regularly.
QSR Media: What three goals are you focused on?
Hannah:
- Develop the brand and team - Be a leader of the culture and philosophy that represent the Zambrero ethos
- Ensuring Zambrero have robust systems in place to achieve targeted growth successfully
- Franchise Partners have the tools and support they need to grow, succeed and achieve ROI
QSR Media: What long-term changes are you planning on?
Hannah: For now it is about immersing myself in the Zambrero world and learning as much I can about the system and network. GM, Karim Messih and I have short term goals in place that will help the business with where it is at today. With 43 new restaurant openings targeted for this financial year, I believe a growing network and an established network require two different focuses whilst working together. For this reason we will be looking at how we manage this over the coming months and years.
QSR Media: What previous positions have prepared you for this one and how?
Hannah: I have been fortunate to hold a number of great positions in my career and truly believe each one has provided diverse leanings and opportunities by working with talented individuals at all levels including exceptional leaders, franchisees, team members and supply partners. Throughout my career these relationships have provided me with clarity on defining my own values as a leader and the important ingredients needed to support a culture of innovation and creativity to create a successful brand and experience for our customers and our people.
I believe there are a lot of synergies with my tenure at Krispy Kreme and its market entry, rapid growth and fostering culture, it is not unlike the Zambrero journey this far with the energy and philosophy at Zambrero. With 43 new restaurants targeted for this financial year, my background in new markets and openings will serve the company well.
