FSR November 2022

YourTake

WILL GARDNER

taurant industry, I will be proud to have taught them all that I know. If they decide to pursue a different path, I will be equally as proud of them for follow ing their passions. After all, I had a few different career pivots before becoming an entrepre neur. Prior to opening my first Angry Crab Shack, I worked at the University of Phoenix and in solar sales. It took me some time to figure out what truly made me happy, but everything I learned inmy previous jobs ledme to where I am today. sons] has mademe an even better father, it has alsomademe a better businessman andmanager to all my employees.” When you bring your kids into your business, be sure to put yourself in their shoes. Starting any job is exciting, but it can also be intimidating—especially if your new manager is also your dad. Have open conversations. Check in with them often, just as you would with any other employee. Find out more about their strengths and aspirations. If they are interested in trying some “When it comes to business, it’s important to see things fromdifferent perspectives. Just as learning from [my Step 3: Build an encouraging environment

ANGRY CRAB SHACK / ADOBE STOCK

thing new, do what you can to help them. Being a father and a manager doesn’t have to mean special treatment. It just means believing in and encouraging them as you would in any other job. Step 4: Learn from them, too Despite my long history in the restaurant industry and my current role as a multi unit Angry Crab Shack owner, I’ve come to find that working with my sons has taught me many valuable lessons. When it comes to business, it’s impor tant to see things fromdifferent perspec tives. Just as learning from them has made me an even better father, it has also made me a better businessman and manager to all my employees. My sons’ generations make up the majority of today’s restaurant work force, so they are the future. If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s how important it is to be open and flex ible. Those who embrace change and are willing to listen to their employees will succeed the most. Step 5: Lean on one another As your kids get older, family time is harder to come by. I’m thankful to have

a close relationship with my sons, and there’s nothing better than getting to work together. The mutual support we’ve had for one another throughout my entrepreneurial journey contin ues to motivate us, and it will forever be an important part of our father-son dynamic. If you’re thinking of bringing your kids into your restaurant business, I would start by sitting them down to go over what you need to do tomake it work, how it may affect your family dynamics, and how you can make sure that work ing together will only make your rela tionship stronger. Will Gardner is the franchise owner of three Angry Crab Shack locations in Arizona. Prior to becoming a multiunit franchisee, Gardner worked nearly every role within a restaurant’s four walls, ranging from dishwasher to bartender. After starting as a server at Angry Crab Shack and taking a brief hiatus to work in sales, he became a partner in the Happy Valley location in 2019, followed shortly by two additional Arizona loca tions in San Tan Valley and Casa Grande.

NOVEMBER 2022

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