In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, host Jaime Oikle interviews Aaron Anderson, founder of Sunrise Social. Aaron shares his restaurant journey, from buying franchises like The Original Hot Dog Factory (which opened during COVID-19) to experimenting with ghost kitchens. He discusses creating his own breakfast, brunch, and lunch concept, Sunrise Social, now operating two franchise locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Aaron covers key topics including menu engineering for profitability, selecting franchise partners, marketing through social media, staff accountability, and funding strategies. He concludes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: perseverance is essential to success.

Find out more at https://eatsunrisesocial.com/, https://ownasunrise.com/, https://www.instagram.com/sunrisesocialusa, https://www.tiktok.com/@sunrisesocial and https://www.runningrestaurants.com/

Introduction to Aaron Anderson's Journey (00:00:00)

Host Jaime Oikle introduces restaurant entrepreneur Aaron Anderson and his diverse experience in the industry, from franchises to ghost kitchens.

The Unforeseen Economics of Restaurants (00:01:01)

Aaron discusses his initial lack of understanding about restaurant economics, such as food and labor costs, when buying his first franchise.

Launching a Franchise During the Pandemic (00:01:58)

Aaron shares the story of opening his first franchise, The Original Hot Dog Factory, the day before the nationwide COVID-19 shutdown.

Choosing to Buy a Franchise (00:03:02)

Aaron explains why he initially chose to join a franchise system instead of building a restaurant concept from the ground up.

Media Exposure and Brand Discovery (00:03:32)

The brand's feature on "Real Housewives of Atlanta" is discussed, which is how Aaron originally discovered the franchise opportunity.

From Franchisee to Franchisor (00:04:08)

Aaron details his journey operating multiple brands, experimenting with ghost kitchens, and deciding to create his own brand, Sunrise Social.

The Evolution of Sunrise Social (00:05:13)

The concept began as "Brunchaholics" but had to rebrand to Sunrise Social due to a trademark issue, improving operations.

Engineering a Profitable Breakfast Menu (00:07:14)

Aaron explains his strategy for menu profitability, focusing on core ingredients to create multiple items and carefully managing food costs.

Current Footprint and Expansion Plans (00:07:59)

Sunrise Social currently has two locations, with plans to expand into New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Texas, and more.

Selecting Good Franchise Partners (00:08:22)

Aaron outlines the key qualities he looks for in potential franchisees, including their operational involvement, business background, and leadership skills.

Knowing When a Brand is Ready to Scale (00:10:07)

Using data, demographics, and market analysis to determine that the breakfast, brunch, and lunch concept is scalable and thriving.

The Importance of Location (00:12:11)

Aaron discusses the critical factors for selecting a successful restaurant location, including demographics, median income, and the size of the area.

Marketing and Social Media Strategy (00:13:22)

The conversation covers various marketing channels, from email flyers to social media, highlighting TikTok as a particularly effective platform currently.

Hiring and Retaining Staff (00:15:11)

Aaron shares his approach to managing people, emphasizing clear expectations, accountability, and systems like checklists to ensure consistency and performance.

Funding a Restaurant Venture (00:17:30)

Aaron briefly touches on financing options for franchisees and shares that he personally bootstrapped his own ventures to get started.

Prioritizing and Staying Focused (00:18:25)

Aaron explains how he prioritizes tasks and maintains focus on his primary goal of building Sunrise Social into a national brand.

Resources for Entrepreneurs (00:19:09)

Aaron mentions using consultants, his support team, a

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.com

In this episode, host Jaime Oikle interviews Brianna Keefe, founder and CEO of Toastique, a fast casual wellness cafe with over 65 locations across 25 states. Brianna shares how her background as a college athlete inspired the concept, how she bootstrapped the first location in Washington D.C., and how organic customer demand led to franchising. The conversation covers franchise partner selection, store sizing, in-house food preparation, transparency, customer experience, loyalty programs, and community-driven marketing. Brianna also discusses future growth plans, aiming to reach 100 units, while maintaining quality and brand integrity. For more visit https://toastique.com/ and https://www.runningrestaurants.com/

**** Timestamps

The Toastique Origin Story (00:00:56)

Brianna Keefe explains how her experience as a college athlete led to the creation of Toastique for healthy food.

Bootstrapping the First Location (00:03:58)

Brianna discusses starting the business at 24, self-funding with partners, and leveraging their different skills to launch the first store.

From One Store to Franchising (00:06:23)

High customer demand and foot traffic at the first D.C. location validated the concept and sparked the idea to franchise.

Franchise Partner Strategy (00:09:22)

The discussion covers how they find and select passionate, owner-operator franchise partners and the importance of protecting the brand during growth.

Finding the Right Location (00:12:11)

Brianna details their ideal store size (1200-1500 sq ft) and the focus on demographics with higher household incomes.

The Importance of In-House Food (00:15:43)

The focus is on making most items in-house, using quality ingredients, and the transparency of their fresh, healthy menu.

Sharing the Brand Story (00:17:08)

How employees personally engage with customers and the open-kitchen concept are key to sharing the brand's story and values.

Marketing and Loyalty Programs (00:19:19)

The use of an app-based loyalty program to reward customers, offer birthday perks, and re-engage patrons is explained.

Lessons from Sweetgreen (00:21:39)

Brianna shares her admiration for Sweetgreen's ability to build a lifestyle brand and create strong community and emotional connections.

Advice for a Younger Self (00:24:35)

Reflecting on early challenges, Brianna discusses the difficulties of expanding nationally too quickly without established brand awareness in new markets.

Challenges of Being a Young Founder (00:26:10)

Brianna talks about the initial struggle of being a young woman in business and gaining credibility with investors and landlords.

Sources of Inspiration (00:28:00)

Inspiration comes from listening to customers, franchise partners, and reading books like "Unreasonable Hospitality" to improve as a leader.

Future Growth Plans (00:31:00)

The company is on track to hit the 100-unit mark next year, focusing on brand awareness and core product offerings.

How to Find Out More (00:32:12)

Brianna shares the company's website and social media handles for listeners who want to learn more about the brand.

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.com

In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, host Jaime Oikle interviews Jodi Boyce, CMO of Teriyaki Madness. Jodi shares her unique career journey, from driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to leading marketing at major restaurant brands. She discusses Teriyaki Madness's rapid growth to 215 locations across 41 states, their data-driven marketing approach, and loyalty program of 1.2 million members. The conversation also covers AI integration, franchisee partnerships, digital ordering (64% of orders), social media strategies, and app-based employee training, offering valuable insights for restaurant operators and marketers alike.

Links: https://teriyakimadness.com/ - https://www.runningrestaurants.com/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiboyce/

** Timestamps

Jodi Boyce's First Job (00:00:48)

Jodi discusses her unique first job out of college, driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile around the country for a year.

Previous Restaurant Experience (00:01:50)

Jodi shares her background with major restaurant brands like Quiznos during its rapid growth, Einstein Bros Bagels, and Smash Burger.

The Teriyaki Madness Concept (00:02:21)

An overview of the brand's menu, focusing on customizable, made-to-order teriyaki bowls with high-quality ingredients and fresh vegetables.

Marketing the Healthy Options (00:03:55)

Discussion on how fresh, daily-chopped vegetables and plant-based options like spicy tofu are a key differentiator for the brand.

Brand Growth and Expansion (00:05:26)

Jodi details the brand's rapid growth to over 215 locations in 41 states, with plans for continued expansion.

Finding the Right Franchisees (00:06:25)

The process of vetting and selecting franchisee partners who can follow a system, ensuring brand consistency across all locations.

Scrappy, Data-Driven Marketing (00:08:20)

How the brand uses a data-driven, scrappy mindset to make smart marketing decisions without large investor-backed budgets.

Leveraging AI for Actionable Insights (00:09:44)

Teriyaki Madness is using AI to analyze data and provide franchisees with actionable insights to improve profitability and operations.

The AI-Generated Ad (00:13:04)

Jodi explains the decision to create a fun, cost-effective, and intentionally unrealistic commercial using AI, fitting their brand's personality.

Loyalty Program Strategy (00:14:30)

How the brand grew its loyalty database to 1.2 million members, focusing on rewarding customers to earn their own rewards.

Customer Communication Frequency (00:16:30)

The strategy for contacting loyalty members, aiming for 4-6 targeted messages per month while monitoring unsubscribe rates.

Modernizing Employee Training (00:17:23)

The shift to short, app-based training modules to accommodate the shorter attention spans of younger employees and improve effectiveness.

Social Media and Digital Ads (00:18:52)

The brand's focus on Meta and TikTok for edgy, fun content and targeted social ads to track sales conversions.

Managing Franchisee Social Media (00:20:11)

Using a platform to provide guardrails and approve franchisee posts, ensuring a consistent brand voice across all location pages.

The Rise of Digital Ordering (00:21:27)

A discussion on how 64% of all orders originate digitally, with about 80% of food being for takeout.

Personal Life Lessons (00:24:08)

Jodi shares her personal philosophy of taking food seriously but not life, and the advice to not waste time on regrets.

Sponsor Link: https://www.RestaurantFormula.com

https://restaurant.mysamcart.com/products/

Dan Simons, co-founder of Founding Farmers, a farmer-owned restaurant group generating $100 million in annual sales across eight locations, joins Jaime Oikle, show host and RunningRestaurants.com founder. Dan candidly shares his journey from early failures, bankruptcy, and mental health struggles to building a thriving, values-driven business. He discusses Founding Farmers' unique farmer-equity model, strategic growth plans, and product innovations. The conversation also covers profitability challenges, AI tools transforming restaurant operations, mental health investment as good business practice, and Dan's commitment to mentoring underrepresented entrepreneurs. Learn more at https://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com and https://www.runningrestaurants.com

Timestamps

Introduction to Dan Simons and Founding Farmers (00:00:00)

Dan introduces himself, his family, and the scale of his restaurant business, which includes 1500 employees and multiple concepts.

Early Career Struggles and Personal Challenges (00:01:11)

Dan discusses his first restaurant's failure, bankruptcy, living in a basement, and personal struggles with mental health and an eating disorder.

The Farmer-Owned Business Model (00:05:10)

Dan explains how Founding Farmers is majority-owned by American family farmers, which influences their long-term, quality-focused business strategy.

Growth Strategy and Future Plans (00:08:28)

Discussion on the company's growth, focusing on regional density, maintaining quality over scale, and expanding into direct-to-consumer products like chocolate.

Navigating Restaurant Profitability (00:13:20)

Dan addresses the increasing difficulty of profitability in the full-service restaurant industry and the need for innovation to adapt.

Advice for New Restaurant Entrepreneurs (00:18:49)

Dan encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to be brave but also to plan meticulously and be ready to adapt their initial playbook.

Utilizing Technology and AI in Operations (00:21:46)

Dan shares his positive experiences with native AI companies like Hermetic and Slang AI for improving sales and operational analytics.

The Importance of People and Mental Health (00:27:47)

Dan explains his philosophy on prioritizing employee mental health as a core business strategy to improve performance and ROI.

Practical Steps for Supporting Employee Mental Health (00:32:01)

Dan offers free, culture-based advice for leaders to support their teams, such as being open and human during shift meetings.

Book Recommendations for Operators (00:36:15)

Dan recommends several books, including "Smart Brevity" for communication and others focused on psychology's role in business and hospitality.

Teaching Entrepreneurship at George Washington University (00:37:44)

Dan talks about his experience as an adjunct professor, what he teaches, and what he learns from the younger generation.

Mentoring Female and Minority Entrepreneurs (00:39:30)

Dan discusses his passion for giving back by mentoring entrepreneurs who face greater challenges in the industry.

The "Founding D.C." Podcast (00:42:28)

Dan describes his podcast, where he interviews founders from the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area to uncover their real stories.

"Our Last Straw" Non-Profit Initiative (00:43:50)

Dan explains his pre-COVID non-profit work focused on creating practical, affordable, and sustainable alternatives to plastic straws for restaurants.

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

https://restaurant.mysamcart.com/products/

Rushi Patel, co-founder of Homebase joins Running Restaurants founder & show host, Jaime Oikle, to talk about managing restaurant staff effectively. Drawing from a workplace survey of over 3.5 million hourly workers, Rushi reveals that while pay attracts employees, community, culture, and strong management drive retention. He highlights how AI is increasingly helping operators streamline scheduling and payroll, freeing managers to focus on human connection. Rushi also debunks the myth that employees only care about wages and emphasizes investing in relationships, especially during an employee's first 30 days, as key to reducing costly turnover.

Highlights include...

- Challenges in managing restaurant staff

- Insights from Homebase's workplace report on employee retention and turnover

- Importance of pay, community, culture, and management in employee satisfaction

- The role of AI technology in restaurant operations

- Differences in AI adoption between restaurant operators and hourly employees

- The impact of managerial relationships on employee retention

- Metrics for effective labor management in restaurants

- The significance of scheduling practices for employee satisfaction

- Recommendations for books related to hospitality and local business management

- Encouragement for restaurant operators to utilize technology tools for business improvement

Links:

- https://www.joinhomebase.com/

- https://www.joinhomebase.com/blog/local-workplace-pulse

- https://www.runningrestaurants.com/

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rushipatel-gsd/

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeoikle/

Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.com

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

RunningRestaurants.com founder and podcast host Jaime Oikle interviews Darren Spicer, founder of Clutch Coffee Bar and 110 Ventures. Darren shares his journey from working at Dutch Bros at 18 to building and selling Clutch Coffee Bar back to Dutch Bros. Through seven impactful quotes from Kobe Bryant, Mark Cuban, Simon Sinek, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Ray Lewis, Darren discusses leadership, work ethic, servant leadership, and entrepreneurship. He also covers scaling a drive-through coffee brand, capturing customer data, developing young leaders, and his current ventures, including an energy drink, a BBQ rub, and a remote staffing agency.

Introduction (00:00:00)

Darren Spicer, founder of Clutch Coffee Bar, and previews the episode's leadership topics.

Darren's Journey with Clutch Coffee Bar (01:26)

Darren discusses Clutch Coffee Bar's acquisition by Dutch Bros, where he worked in his youth, and his current consulting work.

The Meaning Behind 110 Ventures (03:25)

Darren explains the name of his company, 110 Ventures, representing the extra 10% effort they bring to clients.

Quote 1: Kobe Bryant on Sacrifice (04:08)

Darren discusses a Kobe Bryant quote about the sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness and the importance of a relentless work ethic.

Quote 2: Kobe Bryant on Laziness (06:20)

A second Kobe Bryant quote is shared about not relating to lazy people and being allergic to doing the bare minimum.

Growth Challenges: From One to Many Locations (07:18)

Darren talks about the challenges of expanding Clutch Coffee Bar, especially entering new markets and building brand awareness from scratch.

The Importance of Customer Experience (09:03)

The conversation covers the obsession with customer service, guerrilla marketing, and creating a memorable experience to drive repeat business.

Capturing Customer Data (10:35)

Darren explains his strategy for capturing customer data during grand openings to build loyalty and enable targeted marketing efforts.

Quote 3: Mark Cuban on Failure (13:19)

A Mark Cuban quote is discussed, emphasizing that you only have to be right once, no matter how many times you fail.

Lessons from Selling the Business (15:08)

Darren shares insights from the process of selling Clutch Coffee Bar, highlighting the critical importance of real estate in acquisitions.

Quote 4: Simon Sinek on Servant Leadership (17:42)

Darren introduces a Simon Sinek quote about leadership being about taking care of those in your charge, not being in charge.

Developing Young Leaders (19:21)

The discussion shifts to the responsibility of teaching life skills and building confidence in young employees, illustrated with a success story.

Darren's Current Business Ventures (22:05)

Darren details his current projects, including an energy drink, a coffee-infused BBQ rub, and a remote staffing agency.

How to Manage Multiple Projects (24:20)

Darren shares his methods for staying organized and managing multiple businesses, emphasizing delegation and the help of a remote assistant.

Quote 5: Simon Sinek on Leaders Eating Last (25:26)

Another Simon Sinek quote is shared, reinforcing the concept of servant leadership by taking care of your team first.

Quote 6: Gary Vaynerchuk on Winning (26:30)

Darren discusses a Gary Vaynerchuk quote about surrounding yourself with people who are driven and want to win.

Mentoring Student Athletes (29:27)

Darren talks about his volunteer work mentoring student athletes at the University of Oregon, helping them navigate life and careers.

Quote 7: Ray Lewis on Attitude and Effort (32:03)

The final quote from Ray Lewis highlights that attitude and effort are the two things you can always control in life.

Final Advice for Entrepreneurs (33:57)

Darren encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to act now, have a plan, and not be afraid to fail, viewing setbacks as learning opportunities.

Book Recommendation: Positively Outrageous Service (36:16)

https://www.110-ventures.com.

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

Sponsor Link: https://www.RestaurantFormula.com

We welcome back Jordan Boesch, CEO of 7Shifts, to discuss their 2026 report "What Restaurant Employees Want". Key findings reveal that understaffing remains the top employee stressor, great coworkers matter more than pay, and offered benefits often mismatch what employees actually value. Jordan emphasizes the power of manager recognition and strong team culture in driving retention. The conversation also touches on AI in restaurant operations, stressing the importance of solving real problems rather than adopting technology for its own sake.

Key highlights Included...

- Overview of the 2026 report "What Restaurant Employees Want" by 7Shifts.

- Key factors affecting restaurant employee satisfaction, including staffing and team dynamics.

- Importance of offering relevant benefits that align with employee preferences.

- The role of manager recognition in boosting employee morale and retention.

- Discussion on the impact of understaffing as a major stressor for employees.

- Insights on how positive workplace culture can enhance employee engagement.

- Exploration of the use of AI in restaurant operations and product development.

- Emphasis on solving real customer problems with AI rather than using it for its own sake.

- Examples of creative benefits tailored to different employee demographics.

- The significance of open communication and feedback mechanisms in understanding employee needs.

Be sure to visit...

- https://www.7shifts.com/

- https://www.7shifts.com/what-restaurant-employees-want/

- https://www.runningrestaurants.com/

- https://www.facebook.com/RunningRestaurants

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeoikle

- https://www.twitter.com/jaimeoikle

- https://www.instagram.com/jaimeoikle/

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.com

In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, host Jaime Oikle sits down with Alison Anne (Restaurant Revolution) and Darren Denington (Service with Style), co-presenters of the Restaurant Management 201 and 301 workshop series. Together, they share practical strategies for strengthening restaurant leadership teams, including building clear org charts, defining roles and responsibilities, establishing consistent communication systems, and conducting meaningful one-on-one check-ins. They also discuss recruiting, leadership development, and mentoring future managers. The episode wraps up with details about their hands-on workshops, available at major restaurant industry trade shows across California, Florida, and New York.

Highlights included:

- Assessing and organizing restaurant leadership teams using an organizational chart.

- Clarifying roles and responsibilities within the leadership team.

- Establishing effective communication methods among team members.

- Importance of regular meetings to align on expectations and standards.

- Conducting brief one-on-one check-ins with staff to build relationships.

- Strategies for recruiting and hiring effective leadership team members.

- Developing leaders within the restaurant through mentorship and structured practices.

- Importance of consistent management practices and accountability.

- Overview of workshop series "Restaurant Management 201" and "Restaurant Management 301."

- Focus on actionable steps for improving restaurant operations and leadership effectiveness.

Find out more at:

- https://restaurantmanagement201.com

- https://servicewithstyle.com

- https://www.restaurantrevolution.me

- https://www.runningrestaurants.com

https://restaurant.mysamcart.com/products/

Guest Brett Linkletter, CEO of Dishio speaks with RunningRestaurants.com founder Jaime Oikle about how AI and data-driven marketing are transforming the restaurant industry. Brett explains how restaurants can prove marketing ROI using Google and Meta advertising, collect first-party customer data through QR codes, and leverage automation for personalized outreach. He also discusses Dishio's upcoming reservation platform, hyper-personalization through AI, and future innovations like dynamic pricing and AR menus. Brett emphasizes that despite technological advances, genuine hospitality must remain at the core of the restaurant experience.

Episode Highlights include: 

- Challenges in demonstrating return on investment (ROI) from restaurant marketing spend.

- Comparison of advertising platforms: Google vs. Meta (Facebook/Instagram) for customer acquisition and retention.

- Importance of collecting first-party customer data through digital tools.

- Effective marketing tactics for tracking ROI in restaurants.

- Use of AI for personalized ad campaigns based on customer behavior.

- Strategies for capturing customer information during in-person visits.

- The role of automation in marketing and customer engagement.

- Future trends in restaurant technology, including hyper-personalization and dynamic pricing.

- Insights on the importance of hospitality in the restaurant industry.

- Advice for independent restaurants on starting marketing efforts with limited budgets.

For more: https://get.dish.io/ and https://www.runningrestaurants.com/

https://restaurant.mysamcart.com/products/

Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.com

RR host Jaime Oikle sits down with Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group, to explore seven impactful quotes shaping his leadership philosophy. Jeffrey shares insights from his career in hospitality, discussing themes of loyalty, commitment, trust, and long-term thinking. He reflects on early career struggles, including a team mutiny that transformed his leadership approach. The conversation also highlights how AI is revolutionizing hospitality through personalized staff coaching and data-driven insights. Geoffrey emphasizes people-first leadership, goal setting, and building trust as cornerstones of effective management in a global, fast-evolving industry. Learn more at https://frontlinepg.com/ and https://www.runningrestaurants.com/

Key highlights include:

- The importance of loyalty and team cohesion in leadership.

- Goal setting and its role in achieving success and direction.

- Integration of technology and AI in enhancing service and sales in hospitality.

- The significance of trust and relationship-building in leadership.

- The impact of personal experiences and early career challenges on leadership development.

- The role of empathy and self-reflection in effective leadership.

- Long-term thinking versus short-term gains in business decisions.

- Strategies for attracting and retaining talent in the hospitality industry.

- And more...

- https://frontlinepg.com/

- https://www.runningrestaurants.com/

https://restaurant.mysamcart.com/products/

Sponsor Link: https://www.RestaurantFormula.com