Podcast Summary: Mind The Business - Small Business Success Stories Featuring Brandon Littleton of Bag Ladies Fry Joint

Host(s):

• Janice Torres
• Austin Hankowitz

Guest:

• Brandon Littleton, Co-Founder of Bag Ladies Fry Joint, Nashville, Tennessee

Release Date: March 4, 2025

Introduction and Setting the Stage (00:38 - 05:11)

Janice Torres and Austin Hankowitz welcome listeners to another episode of "Mind the Business: Small Business Success Stories," a podcast produced by Intuit QuickBooks and Ruby Studio from iHeartMedia. This episode is recorded live from Bag Ladies Fry Joint in Nashville, Tennessee—a bustling restaurant renowned for its mouth-watering french fries and vibrant atmosphere.

Notable Quote:

Janice Torres [00:48]: "I am surrounded by the delicious smells of french fries."

Brandon Littleton’s Journey: From Family Recipes to Thriving Restaurant (05:11 - 07:59)

Brandon Littleton shares the inspiration behind Bag Ladies Fry Joint, tracing it back to his grandmothers, Vesta and Irene. The foundation of the business lies in their unique method of preparing fries—hand-cut, brined, and seasoned with love. Despite facing initial challenges in securing bank financing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brandon and his brother James pivoted to a food truck model. This strategic move proved successful, allowing them to open their first brick-and-mortar location in Nashville.

Notable Quotes:

Brandon Littleton [05:11]: "Our grandmothers had this special process of making fries... and that's where we kind of got the nickname Bag Ladies."

Brandon Littleton [06:39]: "A lot of it has been organic... being active is what created all the noise for us."

Leveraging Intuit QuickBooks for Business Management (07:28 - 10:20)

The conversation shifts to the importance of data management in running a successful business. Brandon emphasizes how Intuit QuickBooks has been instrumental in tracking essential metrics like Profit and Loss (P&L) statements. By monitoring these daily, they ensure that their business aligns with industry benchmarks, allowing for informed decision-making regarding expenses, marketing, and inventory.

Notable Quotes:

Brandon Littleton [07:40]: "So all of that comes from QuickBooks, to be honest with you. We look at our P and L every day..."

Janice Torres [07:59]: "I think there's no such thing as being too involved with your numbers as a business owner."

Analyzing Data for Continuous Improvement (10:20 - 14:00)

Brandon discusses how real-time data analysis has helped Bag Ladies identify and rectify inefficiencies. For instance, they noticed high labor costs and adjusted staffing to optimize prime costs without compromising service quality. Additionally, a loyalty program integrated with their Point of Sale (POS) system provides insights into customer behavior, enabling them to streamline their menu based on popular items.

Notable Quotes:

Brandon Littleton [10:20]: "If you manage your prime costs well, you are always looking at your margins and it's going to be healthy."

Brandon Littleton [12:40]: "We have a loyalty program which gives us reporting... it allows us to make more informed decisions when it comes to what needs to be on the menu."

Balancing Analytical and Creative Leadership (14:06 - 22:22)

The hosts explore Brandon's transition from a finance background to the culinary world. His analytical skills complement his brother James's creative instincts, creating a balanced leadership dynamic. This synergy has been pivotal in designing the restaurant's ambiance, which nostalgically mirrors the 90s—a nod to their childhood memories.

Notable Quotes:

Brandon Littleton [15:27]: "I always wanted to do business ownership to replicate what I saw from successful clients in my finance career."

Brandon Littleton [22:22]: "We balance each other out. I'm highly analytical, and my brother is very extroverted. It covers all bases when it comes to growing a scalable brand."

Overcoming Challenges and Learning from Failures (20:43 - 25:04)

Brandon candidly shares instances where certain menu items, like the jerk chicken loaded fries, did not perform as expected. By leveraging data, they determined the lack of customer interest and made the strategic decision to remove underperforming items. This approach underscores the importance of data-driven decision-making over mere intuition.

Notable Quotes:

Brandon Littleton [21:32]: "If you have the data, you can't refute that."

Brandon Littleton [20:09]: "Being recognized by our community and greater Nashville was something we were not expecting but it was extremely valuable."

Future Plans and Expansion (25:07 - 26:59)

Looking ahead, Brandon announces the launch of their franchise program aimed at expanding Bag Ladies Fry Joint across the Southeast, particularly within Tennessee. This expansion is grounded in the success and scalability of their initial model, which has been validated through consistent customer satisfaction and financial performance.

Notable Quotes:

Brandon Littleton [20:12]: "We just launched our franchise program... we have proven that the model works."

Key Takeaways and Host Reflections (26:59 - 27:36)

The hosts reflect on the episode's insights, highlighting Brandon's meticulous attention to financial data and his ability to translate numbers into actionable business strategies. They emphasize the critical role of tools like Intuit QuickBooks in enabling small business owners to manage their operations efficiently and make informed decisions.

Notable Quotes:

Janice Torres [25:22]: "He really emphasized the importance of being involved with the data with the numbers."

Austin Hankowitz [25:57]: "It's not just knowing your numbers, but know when to take action as to what your numbers are telling you."

Conclusion and Closing Remarks (27:38 - 28:09)

The episode wraps up with expressions of gratitude towards Brandon and encouragement for listeners to engage with Intuit QuickBooks for their business needs. Listeners are invited to follow the podcast on social media and leave reviews to stay updated on future episodes.

Overall Insights:

Brandon Littleton's journey with Bag Ladies Fry Joint underscores the significance of combining family heritage, data-driven decision-making, and balanced leadership to build a successful business. Utilizing tools like Intuit QuickBooks has enabled his restaurant to thrive through strategic financial management and customer-centric approaches. This episode serves as an inspiring case study for aspiring entrepreneurs aiming to navigate the challenges of small business ownership.