S2E63 - Uncommon Growth Tactics for Restaurant Operators

In this episode, Angelo Esposito interviews Gregg Majewski, founder and CEO of Craveworthy Brands. They discuss the journey of scaling restaurants, the importance of culture and leadership, and the innovative approach of Craveworthy Brands in the restaurant industry, including the use of virtual brands and shared kitchens to maximize efficiency and profitability.

In this conversation, Gregg shares his insights on building a strong team culture, the importance of employee growth and retention, and his leadership philosophy that prioritizes the well-being of his team. He discusses the challenges faced by the restaurant industry, particularly in terms of operational hurdles and pricing strategies, while also emphasizing the need for embracing technology to enhance customer experience.

Looking ahead, he outlines ambitious goals for Craveworthy Brands and the importance of supporting franchisees in achieving their dreams.

• Craveworthy Brands aims to support emerging and legacy brands.
• Scaling from 30 to 300 locations requires a strong belief in the business plan.
• Culture and leadership are crucial for restaurant success.
• Systems and procedures must be in place for growth.
• Transitioning to Craveworthy Brands was a planned move for Gregg.
• Virtual brands can significantly increase revenue without additional overhead.
• Speed and efficiency are key components of restaurant operations.
• Franchisees' success leads to long-term success for the brand.
• Innovative concepts like shared kitchens can optimize resources.
• The restaurant industry is about adapting and evolving with market demands. Building a team culture is essential for success.
• Employee growth should be prioritized over personal gain.
• Great leaders support their team's aspirations.
• Paying employees well can reduce turnover.
• Technology should enhance, not replace, hospitality.
• Operational challenges are prevalent in the restaurant industry.
• Pricing strategies need to be flexible and responsive.
• Setting ambitious goals drives progress.
• Understanding the value of technology is crucial.
• Leadership involves getting hands-on and staying connected with the team.

00:00 Craveworthy Brands: Supports emerging brands, franchise-focused growth. 05:04 Passionate culture, commitment drove unique sandwich success. 09:00 Create duplicable systems; manage failures; retrain/improve. 10:45 Invested in restaurants after family-focused career. 15:32 Menu designed for existing kitchen equipment use. 18:55 Supporting personal growth, even if leaving company. 20:22 Overpay to increase employee retention and loyalty. 24:30 Leaders succeed by engaging and performing duties. 27:53 Focus on perfecting one tech item completely. 29:11 Prioritize needs; avoid feature distractions with checklists. 32:30 Set impossible goals, work towards achieving them.