Nicholas Valluzzo, 35
Vice President, Valluzzo Companies
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Becoming a fourth-generation McDonald’s owner/operator.
- Helping grow the Valluzzo business by 90% since 2010.
- Winning the Ronald Award, a regional award that is one of the most coveted for a McDonald’s owner to receive, exemplifying a commitment to the brand as well as a commitment to their customers and community.
COMMUNITY:
Woman’s Foundation board member, involved with Dreams Come True and Habitat for Humanity, and a sponsor of LSU and Southeastern athletics.
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I wanted to be a professional baseball player.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
When I was 14 years old I worked at the McDonald’s on Jones Creek Road at the front counter. That made me realize the quick-service restaurant industry is extremely fast paced and you have to have a good bit of energy and drive to keep up with it.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
I can’t say that I’ve ever had one. McDonald’s was my first and only job.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN BATON ROUGE, AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH THERE?
Since I’m in the restaurant business, the majority of my lunches are eaten at work—a Quarter Pounder with cheese, medium fry and bottled water. If I am not eating in one of our restaurants, though, I like to go to Albasha and order the combo salad.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Definitely my family—Marrying my best friend and beautiful wife, Rebecca, and the birth of our children: Carson, Jane and soon-to-be Baby No. 3!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
Growing a business side by side with my father and brother—there is no better feeling.
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL “AHA” MOMENT?
It was in 2010 when I became a McDonald’s owner/operator. My wife, Rebecca, along with my mom and dad surprised me for lunch after my meeting with the corporation. We celebrated and then my dad turned to me and said, “Now the real work begins, son.”
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?
Patience—In the restaurant industry, you must have patience.
WHAT GIVES YOU PROFESSIONAL INSPIRATION?
I enjoy working together with our employees, to be honest. Being a leader in a business where the main focus is people allows me to have impact in their lives. We work shoulder to shoulder from the grill person to the drive-thru window presenter and getting to know a little about them and what they’re about inspires me. People, in general, inspire me.
WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?
When I see former employees who have gone onto different professions, they usually come up to me and give me a hug, where we catch up on life’s happenings for a few minutes. That is one of the best feelings in the world. I like knowing that I made enough of an impact on their lives to where they still acknowledge me as a friend and mentor.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
I have social media accounts, but I rarely log into them and I don’t post anything.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
I text all day long, unfortunately, so way too many to count. Text is the new email! I also send out all of my actual emails usually in the early mornings or afternoons. When I’m in the restaurants, I have a “be here now” mentality. I give the restaurant team my full attention and put my phone away so we can all, collectively, focus on the customers.
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET (IN %) BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
I personally don’t like my phone below 20%. I have a power cord in my car at all times.
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
32
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
Any app that deals with Fantasy Football! I use ESPN and Yahoo’s apps, mostly, for Fantasy Football.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
It’s definitely the iPhone. How we functioned before the iPhone is beyond me.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?
I enjoy technology, so I can’t say I wish something was never invented.
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
5:00 a.m.—I am an early morning person. I like to start early with the mindset of ending my day early, but that never seems to happen.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
Breakfast is my favorite meal. During the week, 50% of my breakfast is eaten at home and 50% is eaten on the go. If it’s on the go, then I eat a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin with a large coffee. It’s hard to beat! On the weekends, though, I tend to eat at home for breakfast.
THE SAYING GOES: “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU “BEING” TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
I’m being positive in a time of so much negativity. Having a positive outlook daily rubs off on the people you come into contact with and spreads. I want to spread the positivity.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP?”
Sept. 19, 2012, at 7 p.m. It was about 30 minutes after my first child, Carson, was born.
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
I would have to say Anguilla. My wife and I went there on our honeymoon. It was beyond amazing.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
Big Bertha Warbird 5 Wood
WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
I would like to fly like Superman because Baton Rouge traffic can be a bit tough at times.
WHAT’S A NICKNAME YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?
I can honestly say I don’t have a nickname.
WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTICIOUS ABOUT?
I don’t have any superstitions, so nothing.
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
My wife—After all these years of being together, I still haven’t completely figured everything out about her. I learn something new every day.
WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
Will Robie—He’s one of the main characters in the David Baldacci books. When I am reading these books, I picture myself as Robie on another mission.
FAVORITE DRINK?
It all depends on the time of year, but I would have to say that I am a bourbon and water guy.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
I really don’t have a specific favorite. I jam to whatever is on the radio usually. I tend to listen to 104.5 ESPN or one of the local radio shows.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
Top Gun
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
Brad Pitt, ha, just kidding. I really don’t know, to be honest.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Look at the glass as half full.
HOBBIES?
I enjoy golfing, hunting, working out and coaching my children in their sports.
TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
The birth of my daughter, Jane, in 2015. Men who have daughters know what I’m talking about.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
I am training for another half marathon in February 2019. The last time I completed one was in 2012. Professionally, I plan to continue the expansion of our business footprint.
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
An outward acceptance of faith. Too often we see people being punished for their beliefs. I grew up in a society where it was acceptable to talk about your faith and I want that for my children.
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?
With the direction McDonald’s is going, as far as technology is concerned, I think the business is on the right track to bring a better experience to our customers. By simplifying the ordering process with the installation of ordering kiosks and the initiation of mobile ordering, McDonald’s is keeping up with the times and I feel we will continue to exceed our customers’ expectations.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Be persistent in doing something you love despite the difficulty or delay in achieving success. Persevere.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
I do. Baton Rouge is home for me and my family. We love this city and all it has to offer.
IF NAMED KING FOR A DAY, WHAT IS ONE CHANGE YOU WOULD MAKE IN BATON ROUGE?
I would make it illegal to turn left in Baton Rouge. People tend to have issues with making left hand turns in Baton Rouge.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN BATON ROUGE; WHAT WORKS AND WHAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT?
The quality of life is great. I enjoy the attractions, food and everything our city has to offer. I wouldn’t change a thing, except for the traffic.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
I don’t really have a bucket list, but my wife and I would like to travel to Europe and visit wine country in the next few years.
See the entire 2017 Forty under 40 class
