We were lucky to catch up with Lauran Meadow recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lauran, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I hope to build a legacy rooted in growth, development, and raising the bar in the restaurant industry. Having been brought up from within the industry myself, I know firsthand the impact of strong leadership, mentorship, and being given the chance to grow. That experience shaped how I lead today — with empathy, accountability, and a genuine desire to see others succeed.

I want to be remembered not just for operational excellence, but for the way I invested in people — creating teams that felt empowered, valued, and motivated to grow both personally and professionally.

In such a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, I strive to be the kind of leader who brings consistency, calm, and direction — someone who turns challenges into learning moments and helps others see their potential, even when they don’t see it themselves.

I hope people say that I helped create opportunities — that I built strong teams, promoted from within, and inspired others to pursue leadership roles of their own. That I pushed for high standards not for the sake of perfection, but out of pride in what we do and who we do it for.

Most of all, I want to be remembered as someone who cared — about the food, the guest experience, but most importantly, the people behind the counter. Someone who led with purpose, who left each store, each team, and each person better than they were before.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m someone who truly grew from the ground up in the restaurant industry. I didn’t come into this field from the outside — I started at the entry level, learned every station, every role, and grew into leadership through hard work, curiosity, and a deep love for the team-driven culture that restaurants offer.

What first drew me in was the energy — the fast pace, the people, the constant problem-solving. But what made me stay was the opportunity for growth, both personally and professionally. I found that I wasn’t just passionate about running great operations — I was passionate about building great people.

Now, I specialize in operational leadership, team development, and culture-building within restaurant brands. Whether it’s improving labor efficiency, increasing profitability without sacrificing guest experience, or coaching managers into confident, empowered leaders — my work is about elevating every part of the business by focusing on its core: the people.

What sets me apart is that I’ve walked the path I now coach others through. I understand the unique challenges of this industry because I’ve lived them — from closing shifts to hiring during crunch times, to staying cool in the chaos. I lead with empathy, but I also bring structure, clarity, and accountability.

I’m most proud of the teams I’ve helped grow and the careers I’ve been able to support along the way. Watching someone go from doubting themselves to leading a high-performing crew — that’s the kind of success that means everything to me.

If there’s one thing I’d want potential partners, clients, or even followers to know, it’s that my mission is to build lasting impact — not just in profits or performance, but in the lives of the people who make it all happen. I believe great brands are built from within, and I’m here to make sure that foundation is as strong, healthy, and inspired as possible.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Lead by example with a fun, positive attitude that reflects the brand.
Celebrate Often
Recognize wins daily—whether it’s hitting sales goals or nailing peak rushes.
Communicate Openly
Encourage Feedback
Actively listen to staff suggestions or concerns—and follow up with action.
Empower Your Team
Set High Standards

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy I’ve used to grow clientele has been actively engaging with the local community—not just waiting for customers to find us, but meeting them where they are. That means getting out of the store and into the neighborhoods, schools, and events that make up the heartbeat of our area.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://playabowls.com
• Instagram: meadowlauran55
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ lauran-meadow-87120635b