Building Standards of Excellence
“The small acts, done well and done together, will define who we are.”
When you’re building a business, it’s easy to get caught up in the scoreboard. Sales numbers, growth, expansion plans—they all feel urgent. But real, enduring success doesn’t come from chasing numbers. It comes from creating standards—clear expectations for how we do things, big and small—and then living by them every day.
Bill Walsh, the legendary football coach, called this the Standard of Performance. His idea was simple: focus on how you prepare, how you act, how you execute, and the results will follow. In other words, the score takes care of itself.
That resonates with where we are right now at The 601 Group. We’re still defining our own standards of excellence. Some are obvious, almost instinctive: greet every customer within seconds of them walking in the door, with a genuine smile. Others are harder to articulate but just as important: the way we design our spaces, the way we explain an experience, the way we treat each other behind the counter.
The truth is—we’re still learning. We don’t have a polished handbook of principles (yet). But we know that if we’re going to scale this business, we need to start codifying the things that matter most. The small acts that define who we are. The details that make guests feel seen and cared for. The habits that turn good service into hospitality worth remembering.
This isn’t about creating rigid rules. It’s about clarity and consistency. Standards help us keep things simple. They allow us to grow without losing what makes our businesses special. And they give every team member a shared understanding of what “great” looks like, whether it’s their first day or their five-hundredth.
We’re still early in this process. We’ll make mistakes. We’ll refine as we go. But committing to standards—and embedding them in our DNA—is how we’ll build not just more locations, but a culture of excellence that lasts.
Because if we get the little things right, day in and day out, the rest really does take care of itself.
Our Starter Standards
Here are a few universal standards we’re working to build across The 601 Group:
Every guest welcomed immediately. A genuine greeting within moments of arrival.
Every product delivered with care. Whether it’s a plate, a drink, or a takeaway item—it should always feel intentional and crafted.
Every space ready for guests. Clean, inviting, and thoughtfully designed, no matter the concept.
Every interaction creates connection. Conversations, explanations, and experiences should make guests feel included and valued.
Every teammate respected and supported. How we treat each other behind the scenes is just as important as what guests see.
These are just the beginning. Over time, we’ll add, refine, and expand this list. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. By learning together and committing to simple, repeatable standards, we’re laying the foundation for something that lasts.
- Gina and Mike