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Episode 192: John Lane – Co-Owner of the Winking Lizard Tavern

John Lane, the Co-Owner of Winking Lizard Tavern, joins the show to share his journey from test-flying helicopters in the Army to creating some of the most beloved restaurants in Cleveland. Hear how to scale a restaurant, differentiate with your name and logo, provide a crowd-pleasing assortment of craft beers, his favorite wings flavor, and the coolest experience he’s had at a brewery. This episode covers everything from the actual lizards to Belgian beers. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• What’s the most impactful lesson John learned from visiting Germany as a kid
• How did he and the team decide who focused on what
• What’s his philosophy with the wide assortment of craft beer they provide
• Michael Jackson (not that one)
• What’s John’s signature recipe
• How did the Winking Lizard keep scaling
• A very cute lizard
• How did John become a Belgian Knight

Connect with John at WinkingLizard.com.

Enjoy the shoooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• Intro & The Army
  • [0:30] Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool
  • [0:44] Connect with John at WinkingLizard.com
  • [2:44] When did John know he wanted to be a part of the restaurant industry
  • [3:21] U.S. Army
  • [3:54] Is it more stressful in the Army or running a restaurant
  • [4:44] What’s the most impactful lesson John learned from visiting Germany as a kid
  • [5:00] It’s true
  • [6:30] Eyepening (it’s a word I swear)

• The Winking Lizard Tavern Story
  • [6:54] How did John first get involved with the Winking Lizard
  • [7:04] Jim Callam
  • [7:12] Bedford Heights
  • [7:31] Frankfurt, Germany
  • [7:46] John Carroll University
  • [7:53] Shoutout Adele & Henry!
  • [8:20] Rust Belt
  • [8:58] Aha!
  • [9:54] How did John and the team decide who focused on what
  • [10:07] Twinsburg (Twin City Tavern)
  • [11:00] Independence, Peninsula, Canton
  • [11:31] Inventory
  • [12:13] How did the Winking Lizard keep scaling
  • [12:22] What’s that
  • [12:30] Mission Statement
  • [13:56] Get ready for the new John
  • [14:29] How did he and the team create the Winking Lizard name and logo
  • [15:19] It’s very cute (see below)
  • [15:40] Same
  • [16:03] Cleveland Browns
  • [16:30] Customers
  • [16:45] It’s authentic
  • [17:02] Sierra Nevada, Bell’s Brewery
  • [17:40] What’s John’s philosophy with the wide assortment of craft beer they provide
  • [18:36] Samuel Smith Brewery (England)
  • [18:58] Sure does! Ha
  • [19:29] Michael Jackson (Beer Writer)
  • [19:58] Tour of Beers
  • [20:47] Miller Lite
  • [21:03] Wheat Beer
  • [21:16] Is Dana up for the challenge?
  • [21:39] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool

• Rapid-Fire Q&A
  • [22:46] Caribbean Spice Wings
  • [23:02] Orval
  • [23:38] Delirium Tremens, Duvel
  • [23:28] What’s a weird talent John has
  • [23:52] What’s his signature recipe
  • [24:02] Loudness of the Lambs
  • [24:55] Dogfish Head, Stone Brewing, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Fat Head’s Brewery
  • [25:08] Sam Calagione, Greg Koch
  • [25:51] Guy Fieri, Food Network, Travel Channel
  • [26:22] Nice one
  • [26:48] Connect with John at WinkingLizard.com
  • [27:20] What are John’s Final Thoughts
  • [27:33] Michel Moortgat, Belgian Knight
  • [28:35] Follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about the podcast. And 5 stars on Apple Podcasts & Spotify if you’re feeling super nice
  • [28:56] Check out the Wild Business Growth Podcast on GoodPods, where you can see what your favorite people are listening to
  • [28:59] Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @MaxBranstetter
  • [29:02] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool
  • Theme music: Freestyle Percussion Magik – “Jungle Tribe” – provided by Jamendo

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur joins the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share the wildly creative and unusual ways they grew their business – and teaches you how to do it, too. Hear the minds behind WordPress, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Drybar, the voice of Bart Simpson, and more wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding podcast for your brand, but don’t want to deal with the time commitment of all those behind-the-scenes details? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to John Lane on the Wild Business Growth Podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about it. And meet up with them at The Lizard for a drink, food, watching sports, and also drinks & food. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!