Shaggy's Cheeseburgers

A Real World Tragedy-To-Triumph Story... Through Hope, Love and Change

By: Ron Ladner

An uplifting and inspiring business memoir for readers who loved Kitchen Confidential, Shoe Dog, A Pirate Looks at Fifty, or anyone seeking inspiration about resilience, leadership, community, and finding joy in life's simple pleasures.

What if a simple cheeseburger held the secret to rebuilding your life—and your community?

When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast, entrepreneur Ron Ladner lost everything. But from the wreckage emerged something extraordinary: Shaggy's, a restaurant that would become far more than a place to grab a burger. It became a symbol of hope, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of a community determined to rise again.

In Shaggy's Cheeseburgers, Ladner serves up a deeply personal story that's equal parts memoir, business blueprint, and love letter to the Gulf Coast. With warmth, humor, and unflinching honesty, he reveals how a simple cheeseburger became the foundation for rebuilding not just a business, but an entire way of life.

This isn't just another entrepreneur's success story—it's a masterclass in:

• Turning catastrophic loss into opportunity to start over
• Building a business culture that puts people first
• Finding purpose through service to others
• The power of community in overcoming adversity
• Why the simplest pleasures often hold the deepest meaning

From childhood adventures on the Mississippi coast to the heart-wrenching aftermath of Katrina, from the first uncertain days of opening Shaggy's to watching it become an iconic Gulf Coast restaurant, Ladner's story will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the extraordinary power of ordinary moments.

Featuring candid testimonials from Shaggy's team members and community members whose lives were touched by this remarkable restaurant, Shaggy's Cheeseburgers reminds us that sometimes the most profound truths come wrapped in the simplest packages—like a perfectly crafted cheeseburger, shared with the people who matter most.