“The quality and taste of the food that Costa Vida offers to consumers is rare if not unmatched in fast casual segment of the [restaurant] industry. With a focus on freshness, along with the coastal feel that the brand embodies, we are confident that the residents of Gainesville, Sarasota, and Tampa will be incredibly impressed with everything Costa Vida has to offer.” - Sam Haddock, Multi-unit Franchisee of Costa Vida

This week's guest on Franchise Today is 40-year restaurant industry veteran, Sam Haddock. Joining co-hosts, Stan Friedman and Paul Segreto, Sam shares his experience as both a franchisee and a franchisor, owning and operating restaurants such as Donato’s Pizza, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Rally’s Hamburgers, and Wendy’s Hamburgers, and serving as director of operations for Rally’s Hamburgers, COO of Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, COO at Winnter’s International and Managing Partner & COO at J.Christopher's Restaurants. In addition, Sam describes his most recent venture as he and two partners are currently bringing Costa Vida to Florida with a 10-store multi-unit franchise agreement. Their first unit is projected to open soon.

Franchise Today airs LIVE Wednesdays at 11AM CT / 12PM ET with on-demand access on iTunes, and is sponsored by FRM Solutions and Franchise Foundry.