How I Built This with Guy Raz – MOD Pizza & Seattle Coffee Company: Scott and Ally Svenson

Intro

In this episode of “How I Built This with Guy Raz”, Scott and Ally Svenson, the founders of Seattle Coffee Company and MOD Pizza, share their journey of building two successful businesses from scratch. They discuss their initial struggles, innovative approaches, and the importance of prioritizing their vision and values.

Main Takeaways

Building Seattle Coffee Company

• Scott and Ally started Seattle Coffee Company in London in the mid-1990s and turned it into a successful chain.
• They created a mission statement to provide a Seattle-style coffee experience in the UK.
• Despite initial skepticism, Seattle Coffee Company became a hit, attracting homesick Americans and curious travelers.
• They focused on partnerships, suppliers, and customer-centric approach to ensure success.

Transition to Starbucks

• Starbucks approached Seattle Coffee Company with a proposal to work together instead of competing.
• The deal resulted in all Seattle Coffee Company locations becoming Starbucks.
• Scott and Ally took on executive roles but eventually left to pursue their next venture.

Creating MOD Pizza

• Scott and Ally wanted to create a fast-casual pizza concept that allowed customers to personalize their pizzas.
• They focused on solving the issue of long lines and slow cooking times for pizzas.
• MOD Pizza became one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the US, with over 530 stores nationwide.
• They prioritized inclusivity and hired people with diverse backgrounds, including those who have been justice involved.

Summary

Building Seattle Coffee Company

Scott and Ally Svenson started Seattle Coffee Company in London, aiming to provide a Seattle-style coffee experience in the UK. Despite initial skepticism, they succeeded in creating a hit coffee chain by focusing on partnerships, suppliers, and a customer-centric approach. Their mission statement reflected their vision, and they imported cups and lids from the US to match the experience. Seattle Coffee Company became a favorite among homesick Americans and curious travelers.

Transition to Starbucks

Starbucks approached Seattle Coffee Company with a proposal to work together instead of competing. The deal resulted in all Seattle Coffee Company locations becoming Starbucks, with Scott and Ally taking on executive roles. However, they eventually left to pursue their next venture, as they wanted to focus on building their own businesses rather than managing a great one. The transition to Starbucks was challenging, as the small company’s imperfections were amplified on a larger scale.

Creating MOD Pizza

Scott and Ally wanted to create a fast-casual pizza concept that allowed customers to personalize their pizzas. They aimed to solve the issue of long lines and slow cooking times for pizzas. MOD Pizza became one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the US, with over 530 stores nationwide. They prioritized inclusivity and hired people with diverse backgrounds, including those who have been justice involved. MOD Pizza’s focus on providing opportunities for employment and making a positive social impact has been integral to its success.

Conclusion

Scott and Ally Svenson’s journey of building Seattle Coffee Company and MOD Pizza highlights the importance of innovation, partnerships, and staying true to one’s vision and values. They have successfully created businesses that not only provide quality products but also make a positive social impact. Their story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs to take risks, prioritize inclusivity, and build businesses that go beyond profit.