What's Your Story, Dimitri Syros? Breakfast, legacy, and the recipe for hustle

In this vibrant and fast-paced episode, we sit down with Dimitri, owner of The Breakfast Company, one of Sarasota’s most beloved breakfast spots. But this isn’t just a tale of pancakes and pastries. Dimitri shares how his multi-generational restaurant legacy, two grandfathers named George and Dimitri, and his own unexpected pivot from law school to launching a booming breakfast brand all shaped his journey.

From negotiating restaurant leases while studying property law to now running five locations (and counting), Dimitri gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a thriving business based on service, culture, and cinnamon rolls.

Key Topics Discussed

Growing up in the family restaurant world
* Dimitri shares memories of working in restaurants as a kid and how that laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial drive.

From classrooms to cooktops
* With a psychology degree, a master’s in education, and a law degree, Dimitri’s path wasn’t linear but everything led back to the family business.

Turning heartbreak into hustle 
* After losing both of his grandfathers and his father, Dimitri leaned into purpose and created something meaningful in their honor.

Opening a restaurant during Covid
* The story of how The Breakfast Company was born during a global pandemic with no culinary background but plenty of heart.

Building a brand with soul
* From staffing challenges to menu innovation, Dimitri shares what it takes to scale a restaurant while keeping its heart intact.

Partnership and purpose
* How his wife joined him in the business, and how their partnership continues to shape the culture of The Breakfast Company.

Memorable Quotes

“I didn’t sign up for this but I realized pretty quickly, I was built for this.” – Dimitri

“You can’t please everybody. But you can control your service, your quality, and your culture.” – Dimitri

“Everything we do here has our family name on it so we don’t cut corners.” – Dimitri

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Where to listen & watch:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/v3iG1pRhLXE
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/mtkxjcez
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yhkw24v7
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/2hnfynpm

Connect with Dimitri:
Website: https://www.thebreakfastcompanyfl.com/
Instagram: @thebreakfastcompanyfl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebreakfastcompanyfl

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