Clifford Hudson | The CEO who grew Sonic Drive-In from $800 million to $5.5 billion

Show Notes

The CEO who grew Sonic Drive-In from $800 million to $5.5 billion shares how he grew the brand from $800 million to $5.5 billion, how Sonic kept him involved for 35+ years, how to climb the corporate ladder, and more

Website – cliffordhudson.com

1. Yes, yes, yes and yes! Thrivetime Nation on today’s show we are interviewing Clifford Hudon who is the former CEO of Sonic Drive-In and the author of the new book, Master of None: How a Jack-of-All-Trades Can Still Reach the Top! Clifford, welcome onto the Thrivetime Show, how are you sir!?
2. FACT: From 1995 Sonic grew $800 million to $5.5 billion
3. Clifford Hudson I know that you’ve had a ton of success at this point in your career, but I would love to start off at the bottom and the very beginning of your career. What was your life like growing up and where did you grow up?
4. When did you first figure out what you wanted to do professionally?
5. Many of our guests say that they had a key mentor or a key book that they read that really helped them to change their mindset and their approach to success…do you have a key book or mentor in your life that has impacted you the most…I would love to hear that story?
6. Clifford Hudson When did you first feel like you were truly beginning to gain traction with your career?
7. Clifford Hudson So what inspired you to write your new book, Master of None: How a Jack-of-All-Trades Can Still Reach the Top?
8. Profit margins?
9. Clifford Hudson Benefits of buying a franchise?
10. Food eatage / shrinkage?
11. Clifford Hudson What do you look for in good employees?
    1. Interpersonal skills
    2. A ready smile
    3. A people person
    4. A solid work-ethic
    5. Their timeliness
12. Humor in marketing?
13. Clifford Hudson How to manage employees on a daily basis?
14. I understand that in your book you write about 3 basic rules and I would love for you to break them down for our listeners?
    1. Principle 1 – Don’t plan, explore – What does this mean?
    2. Principle 2 – Don’t specialize, generalize – What does this mean?
    3. Principle 3 – Don’t keep your head down, turn it up toward opportunity – Break this down for us? 
15. Today, I’d love for you to share with the listeners about the kinds of projects that you are up to?
16. Clifford Hudson You come across as a very proactive person…so how do you typically organize the first four hours of your and what time do you typically wake up?
17. What are a few of your daily habits that you believe have allowed you to achieve success?
18. You’ve got the mic, what is one thing that you want to share with the Thrive Nation before you drop the mic?