In this repurposed episode of #ClockedIn with Jordan Edwards, Gregg shares his extraordinary journey of setbacks, bold moves, and ultimate success in the restaurant industry. He opens up about the lessons he’s learned—from taking big risks to building powerhouse franchise teams. He reveals what made Jimmy John’s thrive, including the transition from single-unit to multi-unit operations, the pitfalls of bad advertising advice, and the power of strong franchisee relationships. Plus, hear how he turned a $43 million asset into a $1 deal—proving that smart strategies and the right mindset can lead to incredible opportunities.

Looking ahead, Gregg lays out his vision for transforming the restaurant space by 2025, leveraging technology, real estate, and consumer-packaged goods. Since launching Craveworthy Brands in 2023, he’s grown it to 225 restaurants across 15 brands, driving $225 million in system-wide sales. Through stories of negotiation, leadership, and betting on yourself, Gregg offers insights that every restaurant operator, franchisee, and entrepreneur can learn from.

Takeaways:

1. Fueling Success with a Chip on Your Shoulder - For Gregg, proving doubters wrong was more than motivation; it was a driving force behind his success. At just 22 years old, he set out to become a CFO, despite those who said it was impossible. That same mindset carried into Jimmy John’s, where he and his team set out to build a brand that could go toe-to-toe with industry giants like Subway. They didn’t just aim to succeed; they aimed to dominate. The secret? A relentless, all-in culture where every team member was aligned with the same mission. 
2. The Biggest ‘No-No’ in Franchising - One of the biggest mistakes a franchise can make is growing too fast in the wrong way. Cannibalization—placing stores too close together—may seem like a way to increase sales, but it often does the opposite. According to Gregg, maintaining a 15-20% profit margin for franchisees should always be the goal. If that number isn’t met, it’s the franchisor’s responsibility to step in and make adjustments. 
3. Big Risks, Bigger Rewards: Betting on Yourself - Great opportunities don’t always come wrapped in a perfect package—sometimes, they look like chaos. Gregg Majewski took a gamble when he purchased a struggling $43 million brand for just $1. The lesson? If you have the infrastructure, vision, and ability to execute, don’t be afraid to take a calculated risk. The biggest wins often come from betting on yourself when others are too afraid to take the leap.

EPISODE LINKS:

• Listen to #ClockedIn with Jordan Edwards
• Visit Edwards Consulting Online
• Subscribe to Jordan Edwards on YouTube
• Follow Jordan Edwards on Facebook
• Follow Jordan Edwards on Instagram
• Connect with Jordan Edwards on LinkedIn

ABOUT JORDAN EDWARDS:

Jordan is the Founder of Edwards Consulting and Host of the #Clockedin Podcast. Jordan strives to create an exciting life through incredible experiences. From Hiking the Inca Trail to Traveling around the world (25 countries thus far). To Interviewing the Founder of Reebok, Joseph Foster and running the NYC Marathon to name a few. Also, Jordan helps businesses lower merchant processing fees through his relationships with experts in the field. Jordan shares these insights with his audience and clients!

ABOUT GREGG MAJEWSKI:

Gregg Majewski has a vast amount of experience as a corporate executive in the restaurant industry. As the former CEO of Jimmy John’s, he played a major role in expanding the franchise from 33 to 300+ stores in just 5 years by surrounding the company’s marketing strategy around the innovative approach of delivering sandwiches and being “freaky fast”. Majewski has worked to develop restaurant concepts over the last two plus decades, before starting Craveworthy Brands in 2023, which currently includes a growing portfolio of restaurant brands.

Connect with Craveworthy

• Follow Gregg Majewski on Instagram
• Follow Craveworthy Brands on Instagram
• Visit Craveworthy Online
• Connect with Gregg Majewski on LinkedIn
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NOMINATE A GUEST — Do you know someone who would be great on this show? Let us know by emailing us at [email protected] or sending a DM on social media @craveworthybrands

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