Founderology

What happens when a visionary Founder and a passionate franchisee come together to build something bigger than burritos? You get a conversation packed with insight, real talk, and game-changing strategies that every restaurant Founder needs to hear.

In this episode of Founderology, I sit down with Randy Wyner, Founder and franchisor of Chronic Tacos, and Caleb Walker, multi-unit franchisee and entrepreneurial powerhouse. Together, they share the inside story of building one of the most craveable brands on the market—and the human relationships and bold moves that made it all possible.

Why Founders Should Listen In:

• Two Sides, One Vision: Randy brings the franchisor's lens—brand building, scale, innovation. Caleb brings the franchisee's boots-on-the-ground perspective—operations, team leadership, customer experience. The magic? How aligned they are in purpose and values. This is a masterclass in healthy, high-impact franchisor/franchisee partnerships.
• The Real Cost of Going Too Fast: Both Randy and Caleb talk candidly about the importance of not rushing into franchising. Founders, if you're thinking about scaling—this episode offers a front-row seat to the right way to do it: with integrity, strategy, and a whole lot of heart.
• Culture Isn't Just a Buzzword: From taco values to real-life leadership, they reveal how intentional culture—both in corporate and in the restaurants—drives loyalty from employees, customers, and franchisees alike.
• How to Make a Brand That Lasts: Chronic Tacos launched in 2002. In 2025, it's still cool, still cravable, and still growing. Founders—if you want staying power in a fast-moving market, this episode delivers the mindset and moves that matter.

Common Ground Between Randy & Caleb:

• Passion for hospitality that goes way beyond the plate.
• A relentless commitment to building great teams and strong relationships.
• Deep respect for the brand and each other.

What Sets Them Apart (and Why It Matters):

• Randy's focus is scaling with purpose and protecting the brand.
• Caleb's focus is delivering every day in-store and in-market.

Together, they show what franchise success really looks like—aligned values, shared vision, and mutual respect.

Whether you're a Founder dreaming of franchising or a restaurant operator ready to expand, this episode will open your eyes, spark ideas, and give you a roadmap for what's possible.

Tune in now. Get inspired. Get moving.

What does it take to build a lasting brand from the ground, and turn a single idea into a multi-brand growth engine?

This week on Founderology – Built to Breaktrough, I sat down with Medhi Zarhloul, the powerhouse Founder of Crazy Pita, Chicken Genius and Salad Madness. His journey began in Casablanca, Morocco, where at just 15 years old, he came to America with $30 in his pocket, no English, and no roadmap — just grit, drive and a dream.

Fast forward to today, and Medhi is building a bold, scalable restaurant group rooted in authentic flavor, relentless innovation and a deep commitment to community. What makes his story so compelling isn't just the outcome — it's how he thinks, leads and grows.

Here are just a few top takeaways for Founders:

• You don't need perfect conditions — you need unstoppable commitment. Medhi's path began with entry-level jobs and early failures, but his determination to learn, lead and grow transformed every obstacle into momentum.
• Have a clear destination — and build your plan around it. One of Medhi's biggest lessons: know where you want to be five, 10 or 15 years from now, and reverse-engineer your strategy. That clarity is what helped him transition from running a lifestyle business to building a legacy brand.
• Innovation is your edge. Whether it's embracing virtual cashiers or streamlining operations with new tech, Medhi stays ahead by leaning into change — not resisting it. He sees every challenge as a catalyst for better systems and smarter solutions.
• Community is not a campaign — it's a commitment. Medhi's investment in his community has become a foundational part of his business model. His belief: when you give first, your community becomes your strongest partner in growth.
• Surround yourself with leaders. Medhi doesn't just hire for skills — he builds teams of leaders who believe in the mission, share the vision and bring their best every day. That's what transforms a good brand into a great one.

Medhi's journey is more than a great story — it's a roadmap for every Founder ready to level up. Whether you're navigating your next big leap, refining your model or scaling with intention, this conversation delivers real-world insight and bold inspiration. If you're building something that matters, this episode will remind you exactly what's possible.

Paths to Success: Achieving the American Dream 

What if your next breakthrough came from a dishwasher-turned-Founder or a tech innovator who transformed chaos into a scalable business? This episode of Founderology – Built to Breakthrough is packed with real-world insights for Founders building bold growth for lasting impact.

In “Paths to Success: Achieving the American Dream,” you’ll hear the powerful journeys of Shawn Lalehzarian, Founder of Red Chickz, and John Dorer, Founder of EB3.Work. These are journeys of success—they're living proof that with vision, grit, and the right strategies, anything is possible.

Inspiring Paths for Making Your Dream a Reality

From Dishwasher to National Brand Builder: Shawn came to the U.S. from Iran not knowing English. He started in the dish pit and never left the restaurant industry. Today, he’s leading Red Chickz with over 1 million TikTok followers, multiple locations, and a growing franchise system. 

Shawn’s ability to transform setbacks—like a one-star Yelp review—into fuel for growth is a strategy every Founder can learn and be inspired by as they grow they transform their dream to reality. 

Workforce Solutions that Fuel Growth: John Dorer saw the labor crisis in the restaurant industry and stepped up with a smart solution. His company, EB3.Work, helps multi-unit restaurant operators overcome high turnover and chronic staffing shortages by connecting them with qualified international workers through the EB-3 visa program. 

These are vetted, committed team members who want to build long-term careers in hospitality—providing operators with the stability and reliability they’ve been struggling to find.

Key Founder Insights from Shawn and John

Your past is preparation: From early jobs to hard lessons, every experience is equipping you for what’s next.

Use adversity as a catalyst: That one-star review? Shawn turned it into his blueprint for franchising. Your criticism could be your next great idea.

There is no one path to success: John develops the paths for highly qualified international workers to  connect with multi-unit operators so they both can achieve their vision and goals. 

Solve real problems with real systems: From TikTok marketing to immigration support, these Founders built solutions that deliver results.

Focus on solutions, not setbacks: “Spend 30 seconds on the problem—and three minutes on the solution.” That mindset alone can transform your leadership.

If You’re a Founder with Big Goals, this is 40 Minutes Well Spent

Whether you're trying to grow your brand, build a high-performance team, or solve your staffing crisis—this episode offers practical insights and bold strategies to help you do it better, faster, and with more purpose.

Discover what’s possible when you align your passion with purpose—and your systems and solutions with scale.

The restaurant industry is still the one industry where anyone at any time can put themselves on a path to living their American Dream. 

Listen now to “Paths to Success – Achieving the American Dream” on Founderology – Built to Breakthrough.

Every once in a while, you meet a Founder who reminds you why you started in the first place. The passion. The purpose. The powerful vision that you just can't let go of no matter what.

That's exactly what happened when I sat down with Denise Tran, founder of Bun Mee, on this episode of Founderology: Built to Breakthrough. And I'm telling you right now — this is another conversation you want to take notes as you listen.

Denise's story is what I call a "power of one" moment — one decision, one trip, one bite of a Vietnamese sandwich that changed everything. She went from being an attorney (yes, a legit practicing probate attorney) to creating an award-winning Vietnamese fast-casual brand — all without a single day of restaurant experience.

Sounds impossible? Not to Denise.

What she did have was a clear vision, fierce passion, and a fearless mindset — and in this episode, she walks us through exactly how she trusted her instincts and built something extraordinary from the ground up.

Here's a taste of what you'll hear:

• Why Denise walked away from a successful law career to pursue her vision of being the "Shake Shack" of Vietnamese sandwiches.
• The "day one" moment when she knew Bun Mee was going to work.
• How she strategically grew into one of the top airport restaurants in the world (thank you to Bloomberg for the recognition!)
• Her secret to scaling without selling out.
• And yes — the one thing every Founder should stop waiting for: __________.

Denise's journey is about heart, hustle, and holding the line when the world says, "that'll never work." And let me tell you — Denise's wisdom is gold. She shares how Founders can leverage their intuition, the power of clarity in leadership, and why saying no to the wrong opportunities is just as important as saying yes to the right ones.

If you're a Founder who's in growth mode, at a crossroads, or just looking for a serious dose of inspiration — this is your episode.

At the end of the day Denise show, it's not about being the most experienced person in the room — it's about being the most committed to your vision.

Treat yourself and grab your earbuds, hit play on Founderology: Built to Breakthrough, and let this be your reminder: you've got what it takes. And just maybe, like Denise, your big breakthrough is already on the way.

Two Broke Bartenders Turn Big Bet Into Thriving Hospitality Group

What happens when two broke bartenders take a big risk, bet on themselves and turn a handshake deal into a booming restaurant brand? That's the story of James Bonanno, founder and CEO of Upstream Hospitality Group, the company behind Tap Room, Bango Bowls and a growing portfolio of waterfront restaurants.

On the latest episode of the Founderology podcast, we sat down at the newest Tap Room location in Ronkonkoma, New York, to discuss the journey — the wins, the challenges and the lessons every founder needs to hear.

The moment that changed everything

James and his co-founder, Dave, didn't have deep pockets when they started. What they had was a vision, a relentless work ethic and a willingness to bet on themselves. After walking away from a handshake deal with nothing in the bank, they spent a week scrambling to raise six figures — and Tap Room was born. What really proved their concept? Location number two.

James said. "When we opened our second location — 30 minutes from our hometown, with no local connections — the floodgates opened. That's when we knew we had something bigger than just a neighborhood bar."

A bold decision to propel growth

"We didn't have an ego about it," James said. "We knew we had a great concept, but we also knew there was a lot we didn't know. So we brought in a growth strategist who had helped other brands scale nationally. That decision set us up for everything we've accomplished today."

Scaling from four to nine locations in 12 months

Growing at this pace isn't for the faint of heart. James shared how he made the crucial mindset shift from running a restaurant to running a company — and how that changed everything.

The secret? Delegation with intention. He didn't just work harder — he worked smarter, freeing himself to focus on growth.

Growth requires capital, and in a world where funding isn't easy to come by, James found a way to make it happen. How? You'll have to listen to the episode to find out.

The Upstream mentality: Why mindset is everything

The name Upstream Hospitality isn't just a brand — it's a belief. James explains how thinking differently, making bold moves and staying intentional helped him push past challenges that stopped others.

One of the most powerful moments? When James shares a simple but effective mindset shift that could change the way you lead your business. It's a must-hear.

On this episode of Founderology - Built to Breakthrough, Kathleen Wood chats with Ellis Winstanley about his entrepreneurial journey through the hospitality industry and beyond. Starting with his passion for revitalizing distressed restaurant brands in college, Ellis has built an impressive portfolio of ten unique businesses. He shares his insights on the importance of solving problems, creating innovative solutions, and the power of unconventional decision-making.

Throughout the episode, Ellis emphasizes the importance of staying true to your purpose and principles while remaining adaptable and flexible. He shares his experiences navigating the challenges of COVID-19 and how his bold decision to legalize alcohol delivery in Texas not only helped his businesses but also impacted the entire state.

Ellis's advice to founders is to "stay tenacious and listen and pay attention to what's going on around you and be flexible. Don't be afraid to change your mind when you learn new information, but stay the course on the underlying mission." He also recommends the book "Range" by David Epstein, which explores how generalists thrive in a specialist's world.

This episode is a must-listen for any founder looking to break through and achieve their goals. Ellis's story is an inspiration, and his insights are invaluable.

What does it take to go from an unhappy lawyer to a trailblazing entrepreneur transforming a childhood recipe into a thriving restaurant business? Erin Wade, founder of Homeroom Mac+Cheese and the author of "The Mac and Cheese Millionaire," Kathleen Wood on the Founderology podcast to share her story.

"The episode highlights the power of resilience, innovation and leadership," Wood said. "Erin doesn't just talk about how she built one of the most beloved mac and cheese brands in the country — she shares her journey of what it really takes to create a business that stands out in a crowded industry."

Other highlights include:

• The beginning of Homeroom Mac+Cheese: Imagine spending years in law school, landing a prestigious job, and then realizing you're miserable. Erin was fired from her job as a lawyer and began a journey to find a workplace she would love. Ultimately, founding a workplace she loved — Homeroom Mac+Cheese.
• Breaking the norms: The success of the restaurant was just one part of her vision. She also wanted to build a restaurant culture like no other. It needed to be a collaborative, transparent, people-first business model in an industry known for high turnover and challenging work environments.
• The Color Code of Conduct, a simple yet powerful system that has helped prevent harassment and ensures a safe work environment for her team. It was so effective that it spread beyond Homeroom to businesses around the world, including being adopted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• Knowing when to walk away: After a decade of leading Homeroom, Wade faced one of the toughest decisions any Founder can make: Should she sell her business? She shares how she knew it was time to exit and the opportunities that followed her exit. Including her best-selling book "The Mac and Cheese Millionaire: Building a Better Business by Thinking Outside of the Box."
• Lessons every founder needs to hear.

We've all heard the stats about 30% of restaurants failing, and while it's a scary number, it means 70% find success. I'm no math major, but those seem like good odds but many leave many wondering why some brands thrive while others die.

To answer those questions and to give restaurant founders a voice, FastCasual has teamed up with Kathleen Wood, founder of Kathleen Wood Partners, known for coaching restaurant founders, to launch our newest podcast: "Founderology — Built to Breakthrough."

Wood, who for the past two decades has worked with Founder-led businesses like Raising Cane's, Walk On's Bar and Bistreaux, Homeroom Mac+Cheese, McAlister's Deli, Tap Room-Long Island and many more, will interview restaurant founders twice per month about how and why they created their concepts, challenges they faced and what it takes to be in that coveted 70%.

It takes passion, self-awareness and especially confidence, according to Founderology's first guest, Hawaiian Bros Island Grill co-founder Cameron McNie, who said all founders should begin with the end in mind.

"It's believing that you can be something bigger," he said, pointing out that Hawaiian Bros was building its second location before the first opened. "Looking back, I'm like, 'That might not have been the smartest thing,' but it was part of what we were beginning with the end in mind. We knew we wanted to be a chain, of course we're going to start opening locations before we prove out the concept for two or three years. We had confidence in it."

Episode 2 will feature Wood chatting with Erin Wade, founder of Homeroom+Mac Cheese, and will post Feb.18.

"Founders are the heartbeat of innovation and the backbone of the restaurant industry," Wood said. "Their journeys are filled with resilience, passion, and game-changing strategies that are inspiring for everyone. With Founderology, we're shining a spotlight on these trailblazers, sharing their real stories, and breakthrough moments that turn bold visions into thriving brands."

The Founderology Forum debuts on FastCasual

As part of our dedication to giving founders a platform to help up-and-coming founders, we've also created the "Founderlogy Forum," a content area on the website dedicated to information, stories and the inside track specifically for Founders in areas that matter most, short-cuts to drive sales and profitability, building high-performing teams, operational efficiencies, scaling for growth, unleashing the power of data, building enterprise value, funding growth, creating wealth, and so much more!

"I've dedicated my career to working with Founder-led businesses because I believe in their ability to drive extraordinary success when given the right tools, resources and insights," Wood said. "I am excited about having the Founder Forum so Founders will have access to tools and resources specifically to support Founders in accelerating the growth of themselves, their teams, and their businesses!

Calling all founders! If you have a story to share with other founders, email Wood at [email protected]