Lisa Starnes by no means imagined she’d in the future run a $10 million enterprise. Within the Eighties, she was 22 and dealing as a secretary on the then-parent firm of Captain D’s, a quick-service seafood restaurant (ranked #272 on the 2025 Franchise 500). In reality, again then, she knew extra about what she did not need to do than something. “I had two issues I wasn’t going to do,” she tells Entrepreneur with amusing. “I wasn’t going to be a instructor, and I wasn’t going to be a secretary. And, after all, I went to work as a secretary.”

In 1994, her husband bought 10 Captain D’s eating places within the Dallas–Fort Price space. The choice wasn’t hers, she mentioned, however she supported it whereas elevating two younger boys, one among whom was on the autism spectrum. “I used to be targeted on my children,” Starnes says. “I did not actually consider it as my factor.”

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“I’ve acquired this chance, and I have to make it work.”

That modified the next 12 months, when her husband suffered a coronary heart assault and will not be concerned within the enterprise. Instantly, Starnes was answerable for a struggling portfolio of 10 eating places that had already misplaced cash of their first 12 months. “He had a dream, and I acquired a job,” she says.

Starnes admits she was shy and inexperienced. However she rapidly started internet hosting weekly supervisor conferences, attempting to be taught as a lot as doable from her extra seasoned crew. She spent nights at her kitchen desk calculating meals prices, all the way down to the variety of servings in a batch of coleslaw. “It wasn’t fairly,” she says. “As a matter of reality, a few of it was form of ugly. However I assumed, I’ve acquired this chance, and I have to make it work.”

The early days examined her resolve. Inside two years, the enterprise had misplaced $700,000, forcing Starnes to make painful selections, together with closing 4 underperforming shops. Advisors instructed her to file for chapter or promote what she might. One outdoors marketing consultant even recommended she promote her automotive and hitchhike again to Texas. As an alternative, she pushed ahead. “The joke reply I give is that I wasn’t good sufficient to stop,” she says. “The true reply is that I knew how uncommon this chance was, and I needed to give it every thing I had.”

“I needed to give it every thing I had.”

By 1998, Starnes had paid off the $700,000 debt. From there, her eating places stabilized and commenced to develop. She expanded fastidiously, opening a brand new retailer in 2008, in the midst of the Nice Recession. She survived the pandemic as properly, counting on her long-tenured staff. Lots of her managers have been along with her for greater than 20 years, and a few for greater than 30. “When occasions are nice, we’re all doing nice and being profitable. After we’re struggling, we’re all struggling collectively,” Starnes says.

Her eating places have constantly outperformed Captain D’s company averages, together with hitting $10 million whole income — because of what she calls “unreasonable hospitality.” Staff often transcend expectations, resembling serving to aged company into the restaurant. Starnes says one couple even gave a retailer supervisor tickets to a Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day recreation in appreciation.

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“I am so glad I did not pay attention.”

At present, Starnes operates seven Captain D’s areas throughout Dallas-Fort Price and is getting ready to open her first new retailer in 15 years — a contemporary endcap in Arlington, Texas, with a walk-out drive-thru door scheduled to open in October 2025. “Captain D’s retains discovering new methods to make an idea that began in 1969 nonetheless be related in 2025,” she mentioned. “The previous is terrific as a result of it brings you right here, however I need to be a part of the long run too.”

Trying again, Starnes is grateful she ignored the recommendation to stroll away. “I am so glad I did not pay attention; if I had, I by no means would have had this chance.” She has easy recommendation for anybody who’s coping with skilled and private turmoil: “You are able to greater than you notice. If you happen to put your head down, work exhausting and maintain your focus, you may make it. If I can do it, anyone can do it.”