Brand Champion: Mike Lott
06 May 2015
Following a 20 year career as a Whataburger franchisee and 10 years with Love Truck Stop, Mike Lott was ready to retire and enjoy fishing. After giving retiring a try, Mike’s desire to be back in the restaurant industry kicked in. He started researching online when he discovered Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and soon found a location nearby that he took over in 2011
“I really wasn’t planning on doing a franchise at all, but I met with Roland Dickey, Jr. and that meeting sold me,” said Mike. “It was exactly like when I entered the Whataburger franchise in the 1970s with the growth offering a pretty good return on my investment.”
Following taking over his store in Clear Lake, NASA, the biggest employer to area had severe layoffs which hurt businesses in the area.
Today, a lot of businesses are on the rebound with two new hospitals in the area. Mike works a lot with the pharmaceutical businesses, averaging two to three caterings a week at doctor’s offices. He averaged over 64k last month and averages over 2k a day.
“We’re never late or miss a beat with our caterings which is key to keeping the businesses coming back,” said Mike. “I have relationships with all the chemical plants in the area and they order from us once or twice a week, accounting for 85k of our business last year.”
Mike knows integrating in the community is crucial. His location is near a church converted from a bowling alley. Following its opening, his Sunday business doubled. He regularly offers specials to the church in return for help with overflow parking. Last Christmas, through a ministry charity, Mike helped feed 300 disadvantaged children in the 3rd Ward of Houston.
