Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS

You don’t have to navigate the complex world of franchising alone—in fact, building a successful brand requires collective strength and proactive protection. In this episode of Franchise GPS, Chicago Sam sits down with Paul Rocchio, the VP of Membership for the International Franchise Association (IFA), to discuss how the organization champions both franchisors and franchisees on a global scale. F...

Everyone talks about franchising like it’s as simple as signing an agreement and opening a restaurant. But the real game begins the exact second you start looking for commercial real estate. One bad lease, an unreliable general contractor, a delayed permit, or a location chosen for the wrong reasons can bleed your dream business dry before you ever open your doors. In this episode of Chicago Sam’s...

What does it take to grow a franchise brand without hollowing it out? In Episode 2 of Franchise GPS, host Justin Egan sits down with Cassie Miller, Chief Marketing Officer at Craveworthy Brands, for a conversation that cuts to the heart of one of franchising's hardest problems: scaling without losing the soul. Cassie has been in the trenches of building and expanding emerging restaurant concepts —...

Welcome to Episode 1 of Franchise GPS with Sam Stanovich — the podcast where franchise leaders, operators, and entrepreneurs share real-world strategies for building successful businesses and thriving community brands. In this debut episode, Sam sits down with Nandini Mangroo, multi-unit franchisee of Taffer's Tavern and one of the original operators to join the Jon Taffer franchise family. From o...

Recorded live at CraveCon 2025, this episode of Room for Seconds features guest host Josh Halpern in conversation with Brian Smetana of 25/7 Digital Labs and Adam Salinas of LG Electronics USA . Together, they explore the major shifts reshaping the restaurant industry, starting with the evolution of digital signage from a perceived expense into a long-term cost-saving and revenue-driving tool. Wha...

In this episode of Room for Seconds, guest host Josh Halpern sat down with Avi Goren at CraveCon 2025, co-founder of Marqii , to unpack one of the most overlooked—but critical—drivers of restaurant success: discoverability. As the guest journey becomes more fragmented than ever, Avi explains why simply having great food and service is no longer enough. Restaurants today have to win before the cust...

Filmed live at CraveCon 2025, guest host Josh Halpern sits down with Chris McKenty of Edward Don & Company to explore the hidden systems that make restaurants actually work — from kitchen design to equipment strategy. Chris walks through the critical role that kitchen layout plays in the success of a restaurant. Often designed months before a location opens, the kitchen acts as the operational...

Recorded live at CraveCon 2025, guest host Josh Halpern sits down with Rachael Nemeth , CEO and Co-Founder of Opus Training , to unpack why traditional restaurant training is failing today’s workforce — and what operators must do next. Rachael shares the core insight that sparked Opus: while roughly 80% of the global workforce is deskless, nearly all training technology has historically been built...

Recorded live at Crave Con 2025 , this special episode of Room for Seconds flips the script. Guest host Josh Halpern sits down with his longtime collaborator and fellow podcast host, Jimmy Frischling , co-founder of Branded Hospitality . Jimmy pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build the business of hospitality in today’s environment. From investing in restaurant brands and operat...

Live from CraveCon 2025, Room for Seconds welcomes guest host Sam Stanovich for an in-depth conversation with Matt Ensero and Justin Egan , the co-founders of Wing It On — a brand redefining what a modern wing concept can be. The episode opens with the origin story behind Wing It On, from late-night wing experiments and a coffee-shop naming moment to building a fast-casual concept rooted in authen...

Recorded live at CraveCon 2025 , this episode of Room for Seconds features guest host Josh Halpern in conversation with Greg Zamfotis , founder and CEO of Gregorys Coffee , for a wide-ranging discussion on passion, product obsession, and building a brand rooted in craft and community. Greg traces his journey back to growing up in a family-run food business in New York City—working deliveries as a...

Recorded live at CraveCon 2025 , this episode of Room for Seconds features guest host Sam Stanovich in conversation with Fresh Brothers co-founder Scott Goldberg —aka “The Pizza Man”—for a deep dive into the entrepreneurial journey behind one of the West Coast’s most respected pizza brands. Scott traces his origin story back to 1985, when he took a leap of faith and used $7,000 of his college tuit...

At the 2024 Prosper Forum , Gregg Majewski , CEO of Craveworthy Brands , captivated attendees with his fireside chat alongside Michael Gottlieb . The discussion centered on his unique philosophy on leadership, employee rewards, and franchise success. From his commitment to building millionaire employees to his focus on franchisee profitability, Gregg reveals the values that drive his approach to b...

In this episode from the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, Gregg Majewski sits down with David Jobe, founder of The Prosper Company, to discuss how the Prosper Accelerate program is transforming restaurant industry leadership. They explore building better tables by building better businesses, the importance of mentorship, and why developing the next generation is the key to a t...

Filmed at the site of the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, IL., Gregg Majewski sits down with Shawn Walchef —the podcast king of the restaurant industry, owner of Cali BBQ in San Diego, and founder of Cali BBQ Media . Shawn shares his journey from struggling barbecue joint to industry influencer, highlighting how building in public, embracing social media, and staying curious...

We’ve hit a major milestone—one full year of Room for Seconds —and to celebrate, we’re bringing you five unforgettable moments from the past 53 episodes that showcase the grit, growth, and game-changing ideas shaping the restaurant industry. From Super Bowl champ turned restaurateur to the minds behind Big Chicken and Badass Breakfast Burritos , these conversations are packed with leadership insig...

In this repurposed episode of Hospitality Hangout, hosts Michael Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling are joined by industry leaders Gregg Majewski , CEO of Craveworthy Brands , and Josh Halpern , CEO of Big Chicken , to break down one of the most talked-about moves in hospitality—Craveworthy Brands acquiring Big Chicken. Go behind the scenes as they reveal how the deal came together, the strategic thi...

In this repurposed episode of The Builders Podcast , John Busby speaks with Gregg Majewski about his proven strategies for restaurant growth, franchising, and operational excellence. When Gregg joined Jimmy John’s , the brand had just 30 locations—under his leadership, it expanded to over 300, revolutionizing fast-casual dining with its freaky fast delivery model and an unshakable commitment to qu...

In this episode of Room for Seconds , Gregg Majewski sits down with Steve Fusco , President of Rewards Network , to explore how independent restaurants can drive revenue through smart loyalty strategies. Steve shares how partnering with global rewards programs—like airlines and hotels—helps restaurants attract full-price paying customers without relying on discounts. They also discuss the power of...

In this episode of Room for Seconds , Gregg Majewski sits down with restaurant industry expert Josh Kopel to discuss the biggest growth opportunities for operators today. Josh shares why catering and B2B sales are the secret weapons for restaurant profitability, how most owners waste time on social media instead of focusing on high-intent platforms, and the one strategy that can increase guest fre...

In this episode of Room for Seconds , Gregg Majewski sits down with Tony Smith , CEO and co-founder of Restaurant365 , to explore how technology is transforming the restaurant industry. Tony shares the story behind founding Restaurant365, discusses key challenges like labor and inventory management, and highlights how AI and data insights are shaping the future of restaurant operations. They also...

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 pitfa...

In this episode of Room for Seconds , Gregg Majewski sits down with Reilly Berk , CEO of Berk Enterprises , to discuss her journey as a third-generation leader in the foodservice packaging industry. From stepping into the CEO role at just 24 to navigating family business dynamics and driving innovation in sustainable packaging, Reilly shares her insights on leadership, growth, and branding in the...

On the latest episode of Room for Seconds , host Gregg Majewski sat down with Jim Bitticks , President & COO of Dave’s Hot Chicken , to discuss the rapid rise of one of the fastest-growing restaurant franchises in the U.S. From humble beginnings as a parking lot pop-up to over 270 locations and counting, Jim shares the strategies, challenges, and bold moves that have fueled Dave’s explosive gr...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the restaurant industry, helping operators manage costs and streamline operations. However, as Greg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands , discussed in this repurposed episode of a Fireside Chat with Opus CEO Rachael Nemeth , restaurants must be careful not to lose sight of their customers and the hospitality that defines the industry. Here are three...