Ever wonder why some restaurants handle mobile orders like a well-oiled machine while others feel like organized chaos? In this eye-opening episode, Kyle breaks down why your pickup area might be the hidden trouble spot you never knew you had. From delivery drivers blacklisting your restaurant to customers doing the awkward hover-dance by your counter, Kyle shares the real talk on fixing these common headaches.

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💡 Actionable Takeaways:

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A lot of independent restaurant families look at franchising like it's the dark side. But what happens when a father-son team with 50 years of Italian restaurant experience decides to make the switch?

James and Mike Simone had a beloved Brooklyn spot for 20 years. Good sauce, cold drinks, and most importantly - great neighborhood vibes. Then COVID hit. After losing everything, they had a choice: rebuild their independent empire, or try something completely different.

In this episode, we sit down with James and Mike to talk about their surprising journey from classic Italian restaurateurs to health-focused franchise operators. We get into:

Plus, some wild stories about their Brooklyn days, including how they turned their restaurant into the unofficial staff cafeteria for Barclays Center (and scored some amazing concert tickets along the way).

Come for the business insights, stay for the family dynamics and real industry talk. This one's for anyone who's ever thought about making a major pivot in the restaurant world.

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Just when we think we understand how to scale a franchise, someone comes along and completely flips the playbook on its head. Enter Jeff Fenster, Founder & CEO of everbowl who looked at the traditional franchise model and said... checks notes... "Nah, I'm just going to build everything myself"?

Excuse me? A franchise founder who manufactures their own equipment, runs their own construction company, AND imports their own ingredients?

That's exactly what happened at Ever Bowl, and the results are kind of mind-blowing. We're talking 60% lower build-out costs, two-year payback periods, and franchisees actually making money (imagine that!).

But here's the real kicker - while everyone's chasing fancy AUVs and store count milestones, Jeff's over here focusing on something revolutionary in franchising: actual profitability. Wild concept, right?

In this episode, we dive into how Jeff built this vertically integrated franchise powerhouse, why he thinks AI is about to turn site selection on its head, and what it really takes to hit that elusive 100-unit milestone that only 4% of franchises ever reach. Plus, he shares some brutally honest advice about what you should be asking (but probably aren't) before signing that franchise agreement.

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In this episode, Kyle discusses essential strategies for evaluating shopping centers before signing a lease. He shares real-life experiences and emphasizes the importance of due diligence to avoid costly mistakes. Get your pen and paper or your Ipad - this conversation will equip you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and protect your investment.

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In this episode, Kyle discusses the importance of evaluating past performance and setting new goals for growth as we enter 2025. He introduces the 3M framework, which focuses on Money, Management, and Market, to help operators assess their business effectively, and plan for growth.

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In this episode, Kyle sits down with and Michael Ball discuss the challenges and experiences in the restaurant industry, the importance of technology integration, and the balance between hospitality and technology. Michael shares his journey from pizza delivery to leadership roles, emphasizing the significance of creating a positive customer experience and adapting to changing circumstances in the industry. The discussion also covers the significance of digital presence, training technology, and the challenges of staffing in the restaurant industry. Looking ahead, Ball outlines ambitious growth plans and the unique franchising opportunities available at Vicious Biscuit.

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In this weeks episode Kyle sits down with Sebastian Stahl - the visionary CEO and founder of Breadth, a strategic restaurant marketing agency. With over 17 years of unwavering dedication to the hospitality industry,Sebastian's journey has been characterized by a fervent passion for helping transform restaurants with a focus on long-term success. His extensive experience includes owning and operating multiple restaurant concepts and serving as the esteemed Head of Marketing and Partner at an award-winning restaurant group in South Florida. Sebastian's illustrious trackrecord speaks volumes about his expertise, as he has played a pivotal role in transformingnumerous restaurants across the country, driving remarkable revenue growth.and delve into the complexities of the restaurant industry. Sebastian shares valuable insights from his journey as a restaurant owner and marketing agency founder, emphasizing the importance of systems, scaling strategies, and the challenges of franchise marketing. They discuss the role of technology and AI in enhancing restaurant operations while maintaining a human touch. Sebastian is also the author of The Restaurant Marketing Insider and the host of the podcast Restaurant Leaders Unplugged.

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In this weeks episode, Kyle sits down with D.J. Costantino to discuss insights from the 7Shifts 2025 Restaurant Workforce Report. D.J. Costantino is a writer, marketer, and podcast host based in Atlanta, Georgia. D.J. is currently a content marketer for 7shifts, a restaurant software company, where he writes for the company blog and hosts the in-house Pre-Shift Podcast. The Pre-Shift features guests from all across the restaurant industry and has been streamed more than 60,000 times since 2021. DJ is a journalist by trade, and has written extensively about the restaurant industry for a decade.They explore the challenges faced by restaurant managers, the importance of flexible scheduling, and the impact of wage differences across regions. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of tipping and how restaurants are adapting to changing consumer preferences. In this conversation, Kyle Inserra and D.J. Costantino discuss the evolving landscape of the restaurant industry, focusing on the impact of rising costs, the shift towards smaller restaurant footprints, and the critical importance of employee benefits and retention strategies. They emphasize the need for restaurant owners to engage with their staff, understand their needs, and adapt to changing market dynamics to thrive in the future.

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In this episode, Kyle discusses three critical financial formulas essential for restaurant success: the Sales to Investment Ratio, Payback Period, and Rent Factor. The importance of these metrics in making informed decisions, attracting investors, and ensuring sustainable growth - can not be overstate The conversation provides practical insights into calculating these formulas and highlights common pitfalls to avoid in restaurant site selection

Free Restaurant Financial Formula Calculator Pack - Click here!

Takeaways

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In this episode, Kyle sits down with Devin Schneider, the Director of Marketing and Technology at Jeremiah's Italian Ice to discuss the strategies they are implementing to build their customer base in the digital era.

Learn more about franchising with Jeremiah's Italian Ice by clicking here.

Or email Rick Schanz at [email protected]

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