Grounded

1. Precision and accountability can be taught—and enforced. Jeff shares Coach Don James’ “Timex” lesson: being “on time” meant being early, and if you missed the bus, it left without you.
2. Hopdoddy focuses on unscripted, authentic hospitality. Instead of scripting greetings, they hire for attitude and personality—then tell team members to “just be yourself.”
3. Variety and quality are core differentiators—not marketing fluff. Beyond beef, Hopdoddy offers bison, turkey, chicken, a veggie patty (“sole patty”), and a sashimi-grade ahi tuna burger that’s ground and seared to avoid the “dry filet” experience.
4. Supplier relationships are built for the long haul, not annual price shopping. Jeff describes “true partnerships,” shaped by who showed up during COVID, and annual supplier meetings where both sides share how to be better partners.
5. Growth and innovation require guardrails to protect operators. Hopdoddy balances trend-spotting (especially via social media) with operational mastery by making intentional menu updates three times a year—and measuring brand health heavily through retention and turnover.

“We don't script our team on how to greet people, what to say. We just want them to be themselves.”
 — Jeff Chandler, President & CEO, Hopdoddy Burger Bar

• Jeff Chandler — President & CEO, Hopdoddy Burger Bar
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-chandler-02881545/
  • Website: https://www.hopdoddy.com/