# Famous Dave's: Dave Anderson

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2020-11-02
- Length: 1h 15m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-02-famous-daves-dave-anderson

## Summary

Dave Anderson, founder of Famous Dave's, recounts his journey from a working-class Chicago upbringing and early business failures to building a massive barbecue chain. He details the obsessive product development of his recipes and sensory restaurant experience, the rapid scaling that led to going public in 1996, and the subsequent loss of control to corporate executives who diluted the brand. Anderson describes his eventual ouster, the brand's decline, and his emotional return to help restore the company's heritage and quality standards.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-02-famous-daves-dave-anderson#t=0) Introduction: Dave Anderson and Famous Dave's
- [4:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-02-famous-daves-dave-anderson#t=260) Early Life, Education, and First Business Failures
- [16:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-02-famous-daves-dave-anderson#t=965) Terrarium Business and Consulting Success
- [28:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-02-famous-daves-dave-anderson#t=1718) Indian Gaming and Grand Casinos
- [35:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-02-famous-daves-dave-anderson#t=2118) Developing the Famous Dave's Concept and Recipes
- [39:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-02-famous-daves-dave-anderson#t=2379) Opening the First Restaurant and Sensory Branding
- [50:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-02-famous-daves-dave-anderson#t=3036) Rapid Expansion and Going Public
- [55:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-02-famous-daves-dave-anderson#t=3309) Loss of Control, Ouster, and Brand Decline
- [1:04:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-11-02-famous-daves-dave-anderson#t=3890) Return to the Company and Recovery

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up, established companies

## Mentioned

- Famous Dave's (company)
- Grand Casinos (company)
- Zig Ziglar (other)
- Eddie Bauer (company)
- Harvard (other)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- McDonald's (company)
- Target (company)
- Costco (company)
- Sam's Club (company)

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- [Founder Feature: Sam Davis-Allonce of  Hot N Saucy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-07-26-founder-feature-sam-davis-allonce-of-hot-n-saucy) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
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