In this kickoff episode, Carolyn Grillo flips the script and interviews chef Matt Jennings, co-founder of MAJC, about his journey from acclaimed chef to founder. Matt opens up about what he got wrong in business and how that experience shaped his mission today.

Takeaways:

• Prioritize business systems and financial literacy from day one
• Profitability requires structure, not just passion and creativity
• Proactive leadership beats reactive decision-making

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

From debt to equity to grants, Lauren Fernandez breaks down the full range of capital options restaurant founders can access and how to match funding to your stage of growth.

Takeaways:

• Align capital choices to your stage, control preferences, and risk tolerance
• Explore debt, SBA loans, angel investors, and private equity options
• Don’t overlook grants, fellowships, and other non-dilutive capital sources

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

Equity is a powerful tool. Lauren Fernandez explains how founders can share upside while protecting ownership and preserving future capital flexibility.

Takeaways:

• Grant equity carefully and only when it drives real retention
• Use employee profit pools or profit shares instead of voting shares
• Create internal, flexible programs that align with long-term goals

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

Money and management aren’t the same thing. Lauren Fernandez explains how to define operating roles, accountability, and partnership structure from day one.

Takeaways:

• Clarify responsibilities and job titles inside your partnership
• Distinguish between passive investors and operational partners
• Document reporting lines, hiring authority, and accountability systems

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

Lauren Fernandez outlines the most common legal mistakes operators make during fundraising and how to protect your business, your future, and your team.

Takeaways:

• Separate investment agreements from promised services or perks
• Do due diligence on your investors, including background checks
• Include buy-sell clauses, dispute resolutions, and exit strategies in agreements

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

Lauren Fernandez shares why it’s critical to evaluate people, not just capital, before you take investor money—and how to avoid costly partner mistakes.

Takeaways:

• Prioritize integrity, transparency, and humility in partner selection
• Assess how a new partner would support your team long-term
• Set clear personal filters to guide decisions

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

Lauren Fernandez breaks down how to structure multiple entities inside a growing restaurant group, and why it’s critical for managing risk, minimizing taxes, and planning for expansion.

Takeaways:

• Form parent LLCs with separate operating subsidiaries
• Separate intellectual property, franchising, and manufacturing entities
• Use ownership structures to insulate risk and simplify future deals

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

Lauren Fernandez reveals the most common and most expensive scaling error operators make: choosing the wrong location.

Takeaways:

• Vet real estate decisions with full data and on-the-ground observation
• Understand customer patterns beyond income levels
• Use brokers, site analytics, and franchise disclosure documents as resources

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

Your grand opening plan can make or break a new restaurant launch. Lauren Fernandez shares her blueprint for generating buzz and driving momentum.

Takeaways:

• Build a 90-day marketing ramp-up before opening day
• Create organic local buzz through grassroots outreach
• Avoid opening to an empty parking lot by building social proof early

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.

As you expand locations and partnerships, brand consistency becomes everything. Lauren Fernandez breaks down how to define, document, and protect your brand DNA.

Takeaways:

• Define your mission, tone, and core brand personality
• Go beyond basic brand books to capture voice, style, and story
• Align all vendors, agencies, and teams to one clear brand vision

Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.