By Ksenia Steidel
Author:Monique Crapper is a marketing strategist and copywriter with over 15 years of experience helping fintech brands grow and connect with their audiences. Known for combining data-backed strategy with authentic, human-centered storytelling, Monique crafts content that not only informs but also inspires action. Her work turns complex financial topics into engaging, accessible narratives that resonate with real people.
On Episode 2 of the Instant Payments Podcast, host Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, sits down with Tim Gannon, the now-retired co-founder of Outback Steakhouse, for a conversation that’s as much about people and culture as it is about legendary menu items like the Bloomin’ Onion.
From his first job in a French kitchen in Aspen to scaling Outback to more than 1,100 restaurants worldwide, Gannon’s journey is filled with flavor—literally and figuratively—and offers lessons for any business leader on building teams and innovating with purpose.
From Art History to the Restaurant World
Gannon’s career began far from the kitchen, with an art history degree from Florida State and time spent studying in Florence and Paris. It was in Aspen, working for a French chef who traded cooking lessons for English tutoring, that he fell in love with the craft of food. That passion deepened during a decade in New Orleans, where he immersed himself in the city’s rich culinary traditions and learned the art of creating big flavors from humble ingredients.
It was there he developed the recipe that would become Outback’s signature appetizer—the Bloomin’ Onion—born from a mix of Japanese presentation, Cajun spice, and a commitment to affordable ingredients.
In the late 1980s, a restaurant industry colleague, Chris Sullivan (from Gannon’s days at Steak and Ale), invited him to join him in founding a new casual dining concept. The partners didn’t have deep pockets—Gannon arrived in Tampa with just $37 to his name—but they did have a vision: great food, a distinctive experience, and a culture that treated employees like partners.
By 1993, Outback was a publicly traded company. Within a decade, it had expanded to 27 countries, driven by operational efficiency, high-quality ingredients, and an unshakable people-first philosophy.
People-First Culture as the Competitive Advantage
One of Gannon’s proudest innovations wasn’t a menu item—it was the Principles and Beliefs document, a six-page guide outlining their commitments to employees, guests, and investors.
At Outback, hourly team members weren’t an afterthought. The company implemented systems—like smaller table sections for servers, food runners to speed delivery, and precise timing on dishes—that empowered staff to deliver exceptional service and earn strong tips. Manager-partners could invest in a stake in their restaurant, earning a share of the cash flow.
“We wanted to spread the wealth,” Gannon says. “It wasn’t about making ourselves rich—it was about making the people who came to work for us successful too.”
Technology, Service, and the Future of Work
While the fundamentals of hospitality haven’t changed, technology has transformed how restaurants operate. Gannon points to modern POS systems, online reservations, and innovative payroll solutions like Instant’s earned wage access and digital tipping as game-changers for efficiency and employee satisfaction.
Recognizing and rewarding frontline workers, he adds, is essential: “It’s how you treat your employees and how they treat your guests that makes people love coming back.”
Current Project: Partnering with His Son
Today, Gannon advises his son Chris, CEO of Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen—a fast casual brand serving nutrient-packed bowls at approachable prices. With 22 locations across South Florida, Bolay is attracting athletes, health-conscious diners, and anyone looking for flavor without the post-meal slump.
The concept applies many of Outback’s principles—team culture, quality ingredients, efficient operations—while tailoring them to a new generation of diners.
Key Takeaways for Leaders
From the kitchens of Aspen and New Orleans to launching an iconic restaurant brand, Tim Gannon’s career offers enduring lessons:
- Find your flavor niche—specialize in what you do best.
- Build a people-first culture intentionally—write it down, live it daily.
- Empower your people—shared success fuels growth.
- Invest in execution—from fryer capacity to reservation systems, details matter.
- Adapt with technology—tools that improve service and support, employees pay off.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation with Tim Gannon on the Instant Payments Podcast at instant.co/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
