Check out my new book Shaggy's Cheeseburgers... A true story of resilience, hope, and a cheeseburger that changed everything

Buy the book Read a chapter

Shaggy's Cheeseburgers isn't just the story of a restaurant, it's a masterclass in resilience, vision, and purpose. Ron Ladner shows how you can turn disaster into opportunity and build a legacy rooted in joy, community, and impact. Every entrepreneur and leader should read this.

Dan Hendrix

CEO and Chairman of Interface (Nasdaq: TILE)

A $1 billion Global Manufacturer of Commercial Flooring

What readers are saying

This might be the best book you read this year...this is not your average book, mainly because there is nothing average about Shaggy’s or its founder.

Tom Ward

Award-winning author of the “Mississippi Novel Series”

By the time I got to page 10, I had a lump in my throat. We all know the dread of hurricane evacuation and the aftermath...The comments from employees and photos were a big plus. I think it will appeal to a wide range of audiences as well. It's full of heart and honesty....The story is compelling, engaging, and kept me turning the pages.

Shelly Johnson

Owner/Editor “Island Times” Newspaper Pensacola Beach

Shaggy’s Cheeseburgers is an inspirational read that reflects on how Ron Ladner defeated the hardships and misfortunes caused by Hurricane Katrina through a waterfront restaurant that would breed the innovation to build a lasting culture of love, respect, and safekeeping.

Warren Miller

Presidential Appointee as the Senior Advisor in the Office of Disaster Assistance

Shaggy’s Cheeseburgers is a heartfelt, inspiring memoir of Ron Ladner’s path from humble roots to rebuilding after Katrina. Turning hardship into opportunity and a bait-and-tackle lot into a beloved Gulf Coast restaurant. It’s a love letter to home, partnership, and family, especially his mother, Jo Ann and wife, Laura. Celebrating resilience, gratitude, and giving back.

Lori West

CEO, Humane Society of South Mississippi

I knew my friend was special. I didn’t know he could ever sit still long enough to write a book. It is TRULY special. He weaves his experiences, failures, friendships, loyalties, ideas, and hard work into the basket that holds SUCCESS."

Chris Carter

Retired Entrepreneur

Watch the trailer for Ron’s new book

Shaggy's Cheeseburgers

A Real World Tragedy to Triumph Story

About the Book

A story that's juicy, satisfying, and impossible to put down

Hey, I'm Ron,

In 2004, we traded our Atlanta life for coastal living in Pass Christian, MS—my hometown. We poured our hearts into our new waterfront home, only to see it wiped out in one night by one of the worst hurricanes in human history—her name was Katrina. All hope was sucked out of our souls. We would miraculously rebuild our community and, in the process, accidentally create a restaurant to serve our neighbors, a place where we could come together, laugh, and find hope, comfort, peace, and love.

Shaggy’s Cheeseburgers is my new book that tells the story of how we overcame many disasters and changed the lives of thousands, how we embraced change with courage and turned those outcomes in our favor...one cheeseburger at a time. If you think you’re down and out, think again. Let our story inspire you to dream and achieve what you deserve in this life. Shaggy's Cheeseburgers is a real-world tragedy-to-triumph story.

Click on the book cover to read an excerpt!

Signature

All orders come with a side of delightful storytelling and your choice of hardcover or e-book.

From the Shaggy's team

Real voices from real people at our company.

  • Ron and Rimmer treat everyone with respect, hold everyone accountable. That’s why I’m still here…and I'm gonna be here for the rest of my working days. They’d have to grab my shoes and drag me out.

    -Matt Roberts
    Fort Biloxi, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2020

  • It was kind of abnormal for me, coming from a casino where you're just a number, and then coming here where they care. It was just such a...nice feeling. I really, truly wake up and love doing what I do. And it makes a…big difference when you enjoy what you do.

    -Brandy Smith
    Pass Christian, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2021

  • I had recently become a widow when I first started working for Shaggy's, and Shaggy’s has been there to support me through everything. I know that if I ever fell on hard times, my Shaggy's teammates and our owners would do everything in their power to help me get through it.

    -Carrie Barraza
    Waveland, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2019

  • When I say, 'It’s the best job I've ever had,’ that isn’t hyperbole—it’s the literal truth. I wake up and I look forward to going to work at Shaggy’s every single day…and this is the best job I've ever had in my life…and Shaggy's blows them all out of the water.

    -Nathan Paige
    New Orleans, Louisiana
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2019

  • I have a family at Shaggy's, and I wouldn't change it for anything. I’ve never worked anywhere before where the owners are so involved.

    -Rayanna Rasco
    Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2022

  • I’ve always felt like [Ron and Rimmer] were investing in me and in us, and I sensed that right away…which is why I decided to stay.

    You're gonna feel like you're on vacation when you go to Shaggy's. It's the perfect escape…Your money is gonna go to an experience.

    -David Dowjat
    Ocean Springs, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2020

  • …Ron and Rimmer do a lot for the community, and I think a lot of people like that. [Our guests] love it that they get taken care of, that Shaggy’s is a fun, relaxed beach environment, that we give them what they’re looking for...good fun, good food, and good people.

    -Meghan Ellis
    Biloxi, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2024

  • Working for Shaggy’s made me come out of my shell. It's made me more confident in myself, in my choices in my life, and as a mom.

    We're all happy to be there, and people wanna come back to have fun with us.

    -Margaret Farley
    Pass Christian, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2022

  • I'm a single mom with two kids…Since working at Shaggy's, I've graduated college…I'm in the steps of buying my first home. Yes. I can take care of my kids proudly…Shaggy's has given me that, and I couldn't be thankful enough.

    Shaggy's is like a family. I don't just consider them friends anymore. So when one's down, we're all down.

    -Keely “Rae Rae” Ray
    Biloxi, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2019

  • Shaggy's is made of great people. All of my superiors—Ron, Rimmer, Adam—they do ask a lot of me, but they all care, and they will give you back anything tenfold. If you ever need anything, they are the first to say, give me a call. I'm a phone call away.

    They want for you to do well. They want for the store to do well, and they show that in their actions. They're not just saying it.

    -Kyle Busimelle
    Biloxi, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2019

  • It's more than food. From the ownership down to the people who greet you at the door, it's the best of the best. It’s not just a restaurant job. It's a career. And because of Ron and Rimmer, they wanted that for us.

    -Kristen Handler
    Biloxi, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2019

  • [Shaggy’s] changed me tremendously because…I was into a lot of stuff. I used to be real negative. And…talking to Rimmer and being close to Rimmer—he helped me get anger management. He helped me get counseling classes.

    Being in [the Shaggy’s] environment changed me so, so much. And I'm thankful for all of them—even the managers here now. But the owners? Perfect!

    -Anthony Lofton
    Biloxi, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2012

  • It’s just a great company to work for. They really care about their employees. We have a 401(k). We have insurance. You know, it’s a great place to work.

    I’m saving money. I’m doing, you know, what I’m supposed to be doing.

    It’s made me into who I am today.

    -Kacie Adams
    Biloxi, Mississippi
    Shaggy's Team Member Since 2013

Where to Buy

Order your copy of Shaggy’s Cheeseburgers today.

Amazon

Fast shipping & Prime eligible

Buy Now