What if giving back wasn't something your business did as an afterthought, but was an important piece of how you became successful?
Kyle Gordon, Co-Founder & CEO of Dillas Quesadillas, https://dillas.com/, joins me on Worthy for Thirty to unpack how a mission-driven entrepreneur can build community impact directly into the DNA of a growing company. Sounds familiar? Hello, Mission Craft Cocktails!
Well before Dillas became an 11.5 (listen to learn the why) location fast-casual restaurant brand Kyle had an idea: take the simplicity and scalability he saw emerging in fast casual restaurants and build an entire concept around the quesadilla.
But he didn't jump straight from concept to founder.
Kyle spent seven years at Raising Cane's learning the ropes: restaurant operations, leadership, culture, and scalability, including lessons from founder Todd Graves.
This type of patience still shapes Kyle's approach to the business today.
We talk about why Dillas considers itself a people-first company, why Kyle believes food quality and culture are non-negotiable, and why he refuses to grow faster than the talent and infrastructure supporting the business.
Then we get into the heart of this show's premise: Can doing good actually help a company do well?
For Dillas, giving back isn't an afterthought or a check written at the end of the year. Kyle shares the story of volunteering with Minnie's Food Pantry before opening his first restaurant, and spending $200 on two fundraising candles when he estimates the fledgling company had only about $1,000 left in its operating account.
That decision became an inflection pointl: generosity would be part of the culture from day one.
Today, Dillas' purpose is to “build community through Primo Quesadilla Meals.” Kyle explains how community involvement, charitable giving and cause marketing can create a virtuous cycle: as sales grow, giving grows; that investment strengthens the community; and stronger community relationships can help the business grow again.
We also delve into:
• Why aspiring founders should get experience in an industry before trying to disrupt it
• The lessons Kyle learned working inside Raising Cane's growth story
• Why Dillas chooses people over maximizing short-term profit
• How to scale a restaurant franchise without diluting its culture
• Why systems and consistency matter as much as the original idea
• How Dillas evaluates potential franchise partners
• Why community involvement can become a competitive advantage
• The difference between authentic giving back and performative cause marketing
• Why entrepreneurs don't need money to start making an impact
• Kyle's advice to founders: Give time. Show up. Find a yes.”
• Why mentorship, patience and a long-term mindset still matter even after you've built a successful company
Kyle's story is a case study in mission-driven entrepreneurship, restaurant franchising, founder leadership, giving back, cause marketing and purpose-driven business and in what can happen when community impact isn't bolted onto a business model, but built into it.
Because doing good while doing well doesn't have to be a tradeoff.
Sometimes, each can make the other stronger.
Follow Worthy for Thirty for more conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, executives, and nonprofit leaders building businesses where success serves others.
