Frank Fiume and guest co-host Drew Alfano sit down with Russell Clark, founder of American Kolache, a fast-growing franchise redefining breakfast with hand-stuffed, comfort-filled kolaches. From steakhouse dreams to viral sausage-and-gravy success, Russell shares how he built a business with low overhead, high demand, and deep local roots. Learn why American Kolache offers big opportunity in a wide-open category—and how they’re scaling smart with culture, care, and kolaches.

GUEST: Russell Clark

WEBSITE: https://www.americankolachefranchising.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to American Kolache and Its Unique Offerings

04:34 The Journey from Pizza to Kolache

06:55 Franchising: The Next Step for American Kolache

09:45 Finding the Right Franchisees

14:26 Keys to Success in the Kolache Business

16:08 Building a Franchise Network

17:31 The Founder’s Journey and Challenges

19:10 Adapting to Change: Lessons from COVID-19

21:28 Growth Plans and Regional Expansion

22:41 Crafting a Unique Menu Experience

24:58 Franchise Investment and Operational Insights

27:07 Catering and Business Verticals

27:47 Why Invest in American Kolache?

29:41 Future Vision: A Household Name

31:14 The Founder’s Personal Insights

34:54 Introduction to Kolache and Its Uniqueness

34:55 Russell's Journey from Pizza Franchisee to Franchise Owner

DOWNLOAD FRANK'S FREE FRANCHISE TIPS E-BOOK!

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For More Information and Extra Resources Visit:

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Books Mentioned in this Episode:

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

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PODCAST LINKS

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Episode Shot and Edited at BlueBox Studios Tampa

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