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By Lauren Barnett and Peyton McElaney

You can always count on Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux to let the good times roll. The restaurant brings the high energy and enthusiasm of an SEC game day while maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere. Founded by a pair of Louisiana State University basketball team players, Walk-On’s became part of the Gator Nation in 2010 when College of Liberal Arts and Sciences alumnus Scott Taylor (English ’86) came on board as President and COO.

Over the past 11 years, Taylor’s primary focus has been to expand the restaurant’s reach. By all measures, he’s been extraordinarily successful: Only two Walk-On’s locations existed when Taylor joined the team. Since then, the company has boomed. Walk-On’s was named the No. 1 brand in Entrepreneur’s “Top New Franchises” 2020 ranking. The franchise currently operates more than 50 locations and doesn’t show signs of slowing down —it plans to open 150 new locations over the next five years. The rapid rise put Walk-On’s at No. 13 on the UF’s Alumni Association’s 2021 Gator100 ranking, which celebrates the world’s fastest-growing Gator-affiliated businesses.

Taylor credits Walk-On’s success to a strong sense of culture that grew out of the company’s origin story. Founders Brandon Landry and Jack Warner were walk-ons themselves on the LSU basketball team, and they first sketched out their restaurant concept on a napkin while flying home from a road game. Since joining the company, Taylor has worked to incorporate an underdog’s determination into all aspects of the Walk-On’s experience — even as the restaurant has grown into a major player in the hospitality industry. Along the way, he has also drawn upon the foundation of skills he gained at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to move the business forward.

Taylor reflected on his achievements as a restaurant executive and gave insight into what it’s like to be selected for the Gator100.

Can you walk us through the growth at Walk-On’s and the significant milestones the business has reached along the way?

The overall growth of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux has been an incredible journey from day one. I joined the team in 2010 as Walk On’s focus was shifting to become more than just a typical sports bar — adding fuel to the South Louisiana roots and cuisine our brand is so proud of today. Over the years, we have won numerous restaurant and culinary awards, including being voted the #1 Sports Bar in North America by ESPN. Our growth is primarily franchise-driven in which we currently operate 56 locations in nine states and are set to open an additional seven in 2021 and 25 in 2022.

How did your time with UF’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences prepare you for your career?

My time at UF taught me many things, including the importance of making and building relationships. With the outstanding guidance of the UF professors, I learned how important and effective communication, both written and oral, is in everything I do, and how much of an asset it is with building relationships. I originally planned to attend law school, so a big focus of my curriculum was making compelling and persuasive arguments and winning over the minds and hearts of an audience. As a restaurant executive, I use these skills daily to lead my team, inspire franchisees to strive for excellence and build lasting relationships throughout the restaurant industry and with everyone I meet.

What does a typical day at Walk-On’s look like for you?

As President and COO, my typical day is meeting with department heads, reviewing goals and initiatives and being a sounding board for our team to have company-wide success. My management style provides support and encouragement to our team as they innovate and create the best options and solutions needed. I travel about 50 percent of the time, visiting restaurants, providing cultural orientations and approving potential restaurant locations. There’s never a dull moment in the Walk-On’s world!

How does it feel to be a part of the Gator100?

It feels amazing! Gator100 represents some of the best of the best from the University of Florida. I am very proud of my university and the level of excellence Gators continue to exemplify academically and around the world. It is humbling to be a part of Gator100 and having the chance to represent Walk-On’s as a proud UF alum is an incredible honor!

This story appears in the fall 2021 issue of Ytori magazine. Read more stories from the issue.