Today we’d like to introduce you to William LaFlower.
Hi William, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
https://www.connectsavannah.com/savannah/birth-of-a-burger-brand/Content?oid=21399458
From living in a 95-dodge neon in a Walmart parking lot in high school working multiple jobs from dishwasher to pizza delivery driver to being a training coordinator for Chipotle and GM at 18-19 years old! Having opened countless restaurants in handfuls of states, being blessed to have worked with the best in the industry and given the best opportunities to learn from the greats, being a Director Of Operations at 20 years old, and designing my own restaurants for so many awesome brands! Hiring and teaching the best teams helping develop the best managers in the industry! Priding myself on the relationships built in the restaurant space! I LOVE THIS! I tried to get out at 26 I took a Winnebago across the country and went recluse in the woods for a bit before having to come back because I have a passion for building a brand that can best impact many people’s lives positively! I Love everything about food and the interaction between people and food!
Bandana Burger is my biggest passion other than my love for my family!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Always more to learn! Has been a very rewarding experience. I could go on and on about the ups and downs or give so many stories that are sad, but I’m living in this moment and ecstatic that we are opening our very own restaurant in beautiful Savannah GA! It’s all been worth it!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
A restaurant pro who loves to do things to the highest level! Known for building amazing teams of people and creating the best recipes in the kitchen! Have been a part of many amazing teams and have opened countless restaurants! Was a part of an awesome opening team when I was 16 and was traveling the country for Chipotle straight out of high school! Worked with the best in the industry and have done fantastic things for many brands such as Chipotle, Five Guys, Zunzi’s, and Slutty Vegan… Was a part of the opening team for the first every Slutty Vegan in Atlanta as well as having 9 plus recipes that are still on the Zunzi’s menu today! Shout out to my fellow great restauranteurs Kat, Matt, Chris, and Pinky among many others! Having y’all as a part of my career path and journey has been the best blessing ever, and I appreciate y’all for these best opportunities. Y’alls belief in me has allowed to take things to the highest level; thank you for always treating me as an equal; and seeing my talents then using them to do all the dope things we have done together leading to me being able to open my own restaurants! Also, I’d like to thank the amazing partners I’ve had throughout my restaurant career. Jared, Larry, Jahbarrii, and most importantly Daniel my brother, amazing many others! But above all my wife for believing in me the most and pushing me to be all I can be, and helping me do this for our family! Everything about me sets me apart;) I am most proud of always doing what I say I’m going to do! I am proud to be build my family and creating my brand! I’m so excited to keep going! THANK YOU TO ALL THE FANS OF BANDANA BURGER AND ALL THE RECIPES WE HAVE CREATED FOR Y’ALL!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Be loving and have fun! Build great relationships! I would never be able to do what I do without my wife A’Nia LaFlower, and my brother, Daniel Hoffman!
I’m blessed to have so many people who believe in me and believe in Bandana Burger!
Contact Info:
- Website: bandanaburger.com
- Instagram: @bandanaburgersavannah
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554909980302&sk=about
Image Credits
William
A’Nia LaFlower
Daniel Hoffman
