Episode 35: Aaron Lyons

Aaron Lyons came to the restaurant industry to create the guest experience he wanted. With a solid business background and education, but no restaurant industry experience, his years of business travel and dining out inspired his desire to develop a new fresh, farm-to-table concept. Following a career in finance and armed with an MBA, Aaron created a business plan for a new flex-casual restaurant with healthier menu offerings and an improved guest experience.

 

In this episode, we learn how Aaron’s process of concept development, site selection, and raising capital resulted in the launch of the first unit of Dish Society in 2014. 

 

He shares the challenges of a new concept, including long ticket times and inventory management problems, along with the systems and procedures he employed to create consistency.

 

"We are a people-forward company," says Aaron. "A strong team led by my director of operations is why I expanded this concept into a five-unit company within six years." 

 

Earlier in 2022, Aaron and his team opened Daily Gather, a new full-service restaurant and bar with intentions of expansion. Dish Society and Daily Gather utilize current technology to market and operate more efficiently and effectively, with online orders for pickup and third-party delivery accounting for more than 40% of total revenue. 

 

With high unit success and multiple brands in operation, Aaron has no plan to slow down anytime soon. And despite his success in off-premises demand for his brands, says Aaron, "I remain bullish on the dine-in guest experience and believe in the need for people to have a place."