Andrew Dana is the Founder and Co-owner of Timber Pizza Company and Call Your Mother Deli. He started both successful restaurant concepts in Washington, D.C., establishing them as local favorites known for their high-quality and creative food offerings. Prior to launching his two restaurant brands, Andrew served as the Director of Business Development at Everfi, a company that powers social impact through education. He prides himself on being a new dad, a Washington D.C. native, and an encyclopedia of carbohydrate knowledge.

Opening just one successful restaurant takes passion, persistence, and a focus on creating an unforgettable customer experience. But what are the primary factors in building a whole brand of thriving restaurants?

According to Andrew Dana, Co-owner and Founder of Call Your Mother Deli and Timber Pizza Co., the key to building a successful restaurant brand involves a few core elements. First, it's crucial to have a deep passion for the product — developing a unique, high-quality menu item through trial-and-error and a focus on quality ingredients is vital. However, Andrew emphasizes that the experience is just as important as the food itself — creating a fun, memorable atmosphere through factors like music, ambiance, and exceptional customer service. At the heart of Andrew's approach is cultivating a vibrant, engaged work culture. He prioritizes hiring people who will have fun and enjoy coming to work every day, offering them perks like gym memberships, language classes, and opportunities for career growth to incentivize his team and show they are valued.

On this episode of the Top Business Leaders Show, Andrew Dana, Co-owner and Founder of Call Your Mother Deli and Timber Pizza Co., chats with Rise25's Chad Franzen about keys to building successful restaurant brands. Andrew shares his passion for carbohydrates and how it inspired his pizza concept. He explains how starting with a mobile pizza oven allowed him to learn the business before opening his first brick-and-mortar location, and emphasizes the importance of creating a memorable customer experience.