Founderology Forum
Thunderdome Restaurant Group: 9 restaurant concepts, 1 vision
October 15, 2025 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Editor's note: This is part 3 in a series featuring founders of restaurant concepts answering five questions about building their companies. 
Although Thunderdome Restaurant Group was founded in 2012, its founders' roots go much deeper. After working for restaurant groups in Boston and Chicago, brothers Joe and John Lanni took off on their own in 2005, opeing Currito, a fast casual brand focused on grain bowls, salads and real fruit smoothies.
By 2011, the brothers had 12 locations and reunited with their former colleague, Alex Blust, to open a new concept, Bakersfield in Cincinatti. Focusing on tacos, tequila, and whiskey, the concept took off, and a second location in Indianapolis quickly followed. With the addition of the Bakersfield concept, the existing Currito locations and a deep passion for exceptional hospitality, Thunderdome Restaurant Group was born. The company now has nine concepts with over 50 locations and recently began franchising Currito.
This is the story of Thunderdome Restaurant Group, told through five key moments from Joe Lanni's journey.
1. What is one thing you wish you had known before you began your Founder journey?
A. There have been a lot of lessons along the way but I do think that these lessons were best learned "the hard way" and I'm a better leader for having experienced what I have.
2. What has been the best decision you have made to date that accelerated the growth of your business?
A. We hired a business coach and got ourselves organized. Making the jump from an entrepreneur led organization where my brother and I needed to be in every decision to a well run operation with multiple executives around us making their own decisions in most cases has set us free.
3. What is your growth plan?
A. Double our unit count to 50 in the next 3 years.
4. What's one piece of advice you would give a Founder who is trying to build a business to break through?A. Be prepared to be relentless, this won't get easier.
5. What is minimally one menu item every customer must try on your menu?
A.Nutella Milkshake
Want to particpate in the Founders: Take 5? Send email to geline@kwoodpartners.com.
About Cherryh Cansler
