Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue I, 2013 | Page 46

MEGA

reconnect

menu, which includes soups, salads, and
spuds, the concept’s appeal to women, a
strong daytime presence, and a focus on
service. He sold his pizza operation in
2004 to concentrate on developing the
McAlister’s brand, particularly in Texas,
the company’s best-performing state. In
2009, Saxton added the upscale Pinkberry
Frozen Yogurt to his portfolio, the first
Pinkberry franchise awarded outside of
California and New York.
Five years ago, when we profiled
The Saxton Group (then called Saxton
Pierce Restaurant Corp.), it already was
the largest McAlister’s franchisee, with
30 units spread across Texas, Oklahoma,
Mississippi, and Kansas. Late last year,

Saxton’s organization got even bigger with
an acquisition that added 20 McAlister’s
in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. That
acquisition—of Bothwell Saxton Restaurants, a company in which The Saxton
Group had been a partner with Craig
Bothwell—brought the Saxton Group’s
number of McAlister units to 50, with
sales expected to reach $100 million in
2013. Saxton said he plans to add five or
more McAlister’s locations a year.
Along the way, sons Adam and Matt
joined the company, working their way up
through the ranks to their current positions as vice presidents. Both grew up in
the restaurant industry, starting as teenagers. Adam, a graduate of SMU, focuses

his analytical skills on long-term strategic
real estate plans and brand positioning.
Younger brother Matt, who earned his
degree in hospitality management from
the University of North Texas, works
closely with vendors, architects, and
contractors involved in new restaurant
construction.
So how do the Saxtons, who often
dine, work out, and vacation as a family,
work and play so well together?
“We can disagree and at the end
of the day we are fri ends who have a
healthy respect for each other,” the elder Saxton says. “It is most important
to us—my wife and me—that we have
the family dynamic first and business is

PERSONAL
First job: I flipped burgers at my grandfather’s diner in South Hutchinson,
Kansas. I guess that means that I’ve been in the restaurant business my whole
life! I come from several generations who have worked either in restaurants or
in the food industry.

Exercise/workout: I work out nearly every day at the Cooper Fitness
Center in Dallas and do a variety of cardio and weights. I use a personal trainer
there several times a week. I’ve also come to really enjoy Pilates, something
my wife and I do together.

Key accomplishments: I really have focused on creating a strong identity
for The Saxton Group that goes beyond the brands we operate, and I feel like
that’s been a key accomplishment. Many franchisees associate themselves
very closely with the brands they operate. but we want our people to think of
themselves as part of The Saxton Group team first. Investing deeply in our own
organization allows us to grow quicker, perform at a higher level, and create
opportunities for our people.

Favorite tech toys: Hands down, my iPad. I also really enjoy the Jambox
speaker from Jawbone.

Smartest mistake: I’ve never heard of a smart mistake. If I made mistakes
along the way, I’m sure they weren’t smart ones.
Decision I wish I could do over: With 20/20 hindsight I could have
made a lot of decisions differently, but that’s not what will take our business to
the next level. I’ve never spent a lot of time on mistakes. I’m a wake up and
do my very best that day kind of guy.
Work week: Whatever it takes! I’ve assembled an incredible team that have
taken much of the day-to-day responsibility for the business out of my hands,
but that doesn’t mean I find myself working any less! I’m able to focus on
areas where I believe I can have the biggest impact, like strategic growth, the
occasional acquisition, and developing other leaders in our organization.
How do you spend a typical day? I’m an early riser and work on my
iPad from my kitchen in the mornings. I make my own protein shake that I
drink every morning! I usually arrive to the office around 9 a.m. and dive into
reviewing sales results from the previous day. I have lunch with my management team every day, and some of our best ideas come out of those lunchtime
discussions! I spend a lot of time on the phone discussing our business with the
leaders of our franchise brands and business partners.
Favorite fun activities: I enjoy working out, dining out, collecting red
wine, especially Pinot Noir, and spending time with my family.

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Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s ue I, 2013

What are you reading? The iPad.
Do you have a favorite quote? I’m sure I’m not the first one to say
this, but people around my office quote me as saying, “Slow don’t pay!” That
means it’s the restaurant business. We’re supposed to be busy, we want to be
busy, we better be busy.
Best advice you ever got: Get started. Do something. Make it happen.
Nothing is going to happen just because you want it to. Take steps, any steps,
to get started.
What gets you out of bed in the morning? I enjoy my work, I enjoy
my family, I enjoy our employees. I’m happy to report that I’m all-around
happy, and that makes taking on each new day pretty easy.
What’s your passion in business? Growth. I am most thrilled when I
am growing our company, and that creates opportunity. I consider my position
the Chief Executive of Creating Opportunity.
How do you balance life and work? My wife helps me do that, and
without her, I probably wouldn’t be able to.
Last vacation: Montecito, Calif.
Person I’d most like to have lunch with: Seriously, I draw so much
knowledge and information from sitting down and having lunch with members
of our team at The Saxton Group. Sure, there are plenty of people who could
be interesting to have lunch with, but I’m lucky enough to have lunch nearly every day with a group of people I honestly find interesting and engaging.