Kyle Inserra
Closed Monday
Ever wonder what it really takes to go from one location to ten? Every Monday, top restaurant operators share their actual playbooks for scaling - from site selection and systems to funding and team building. No basics, no fluff – just real conversations about what works (and what doesn't) in multi-unit growth.
Author
Kyle Inserra
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jun 26, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
What Is Tail Spend and Why Is It Killing Your Margins? 26.06.2026 7:35
Kyle sits down with Ty Wilson, co-founder of Tab Commerce, on the floor of the National Restaurant Association Show to talk about the financial blind spot costing restaurant operators real margin. The conversation covers tail spend, the roughly 50% of purchases that happen across a team in smaller, harder-to-track transactions, and why that's where margin actually disappears in most restaurant...
The CEO of a 500-Unit Global Brand Just Shared His Real Estate Playbook 16.06.2026 23:39
Live from the National Restaurant Show, Pepper Lunch CEO Troy Hooper joins Kyle Closed Monday to talk restaurant real estate at scale. Site selection, co-tenancy strategy, AI-powered site scorecards, franchisee support structure, and the B-minus site mistake they made against their own instincts and what it cost them. If you're a franchisee, franchiseor, or multi-unit operator thinking about y...
What Should You Actually Negotiate in a Restaurant Lease? (It's Not the Rent) 26.05.2026 16:54
Everyone fights over the rent. And every operator moves it about five percent. Meanwhile, the other 30 pages of the lease go untouched. In this episode, Kyle breaks down the five terms that actually determine whether your restaurant location is profitable. If you're about to sign a lease, or you already signed one without negotiating these, this is the episode Questions This Episode Answers Wh...
70,000 People & No One Talking About This 14.05.2026 26:35
In this episode, Kyle sits down with Shawn Walchef , founder of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media to preview the 2026 National Restaurant Show and call out the conversation nobody's having: restaurant real estate. Shawn runs a 220-seat barbecue restaurant where off-premise revenue now exceeds dine-in. The show floor he's preparing to walk has 70,000 people and barely any conversation about lease...
The Quiet Way Restaurants Overpay for Space 30.04.2026 17:50
Kyle breaks down one of the most overlooked real estate problems in the restaurant industry right now: the off-premise lease mismatch. Over 50% of restaurant revenue is now coming from delivery and takeout, but most leases are still written for a dining-room-first business model. That gap is costing operators real money in ways that never show up on a P&L. Questions this episode answers: Shoul...
Robots Are Killing Corner Locations 08.04.2026 8:32
Kyle saw a delivery robot in Jersey City. And it changed how he's thinking about restaurant real estate. In this episode he breaks down what autonomous delivery — robots, tiered fulfillment, short-radius economics — actually means for the location decisions you're making right now. Delivery data isn't just a revenue number. It's a map. And it's already telling you where your ne...
How Tech Is Reshaping Franchise Site Selection 26.03.2026 40:51
In this episode, Kyle sits down with Grant Director, Managing Director at Crexi, and Adam Siegel, VP of Product Growth at Crexi, two guys who spend every day building the data infrastructure that operators and brokers use to make site decisions to break down how PropTech is reshaping the way restaurant brands find, validate, and commit to new locations. If you're running a handful of locations...
The Blind Spot In Franchise Due Diligence 05.03.2026 19:01
Understanding a restaurant franchise’s true health extends beyond financial statements, your digital footprint holds powerful insights. In this episode, Kyle dives into how franchisees and investors can evaluate social media presence to gauge authenticity, demand, and brand strength. Get clear on what to look for before committing your resources. 📲 Let’s Connect Instagram: @kyleinserra LinkedIn:...
You Snooze, You Lose... 05.02.2026 16:18
In this episode Kyle talks about trusting your broker when they say you need to act quickly! This market is fast and unforgiving, if you see a site, that checks even some of the boxes for your brand, you better move it, because it won't be there when you circle back around. 📲 Let’s Connect Instagram: @kyleinserra LinkedIn: Kyle Inserra Website: www.10rep.co or www.kyleinserra.com
Is Your Tech Stack Feeding or Bleeding Your EBITA? 22.01.2026 15:07
Kyle breaks down why most restaurants don’t have a tech stack, instead they have a “subscription drawer.” He gives a simple filter for every tool you’re paying for: it must lower labor, increase throughput, prevent waste, or improve acquisition efficiency. If it doesn’t, it’s probably not helping your EBITDA it’s just adding friction, and expense. Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Tech Stack in Res...
Using Consumer Data To Choose Better Sites 19.11.2025 43:21
In this weeks episode, Kyle sits down with Nicole Larson, National Manager of Retail Research at Colliers to discuss the future of retail and how it impacts site selection. Nicole highlights the expected consumer behavior changes, indicating a slight pullback in spending, while also stressing the importance of regularly monitoring sales trends. Get in touch with Nicole LinkedIn: https://www.linked...
How Long It Really Takes to Find and Secure a Location 31.10.2025 26:33
In this episode, Kyle breaks down the real restaurant real estate timeline, from onboarding to site search to lease execution. Kyle explains how long the process actually takes, what slows it down, and how to set the right expectations for your brokers, franchisees, and your internal team. Whether you’re a franchisor trying to manage your pipeline or a franchisee itching to open your first unit, t...
Smart Scaling and Market Dynamics for 2026 11.10.2025 28:16
In this episode, Kyle discusses the critical year of 2026 for restaurant franchises, focusing on strategies for success in the evolving landscape of restaurant real estate. 2026 Franchise Growth Playbook Download your free copy here . 10Rep Services ✅ Lease Review – Send me your draft lease, and I’ll use AI + expert insight to highlight what’s worth pushing back on. 👉 Click here to request your...
Starbucks' Strategic Shift, What Does It Mean For Your Growth Plan 02.10.2025 18:57
Summary In this conversation, Kyle discusses the recent closures of Starbucks locations and the implications for commercial real estate. Chapters 00:00 Starbucks Store Closures: An Overview 07:18 Understanding the Implications of Store Closures 15:36 Navigating Opportunities in Commercial Real Estate 🔎 Need Another Opinion Before You Commit To A Location? ✅ Lease Review – Send me your draft leas...
The SBA Rule Changes That Could Stall Your Growth w/ Robert Withers, President, M1 Capital 24.09.2025 34:10
In this episode, Kyle sits down with Robert Withers, from M1 Capital, and seasoned pro in commercial real estate finance, to discuss the recent changes in SBA rules and their implications for franchisors and franchisees. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Robert Withers and His Journey 01:32 Understanding SBA Rule Changes 03:03 The Importance of Equity in Lending 05:01 The Shift in Lending Practices 0...
The Secret Real Estate Market Brokers Don’t Want You To Know About 18.09.2025 19:40
Did you ever wonder why the best restaurant sites always seem to get scooped up before you even hear about them? In this episode, Kyle pulls back the curtain on the hidden world of commercial real estate for emerging franchise brands. He talks about why so many prime locations never hit the market, and what it actually takes to get in the door. From building real relationships with brokers and lan...
The 1-Minute Tool Every Operator Needs Before Opening a Location. 11.09.2025 12:27
In this episode, Kyle introduces his "Restaurant Site Profitability Calculator". He emphasizes the need for operators to understand key financial metrics such as rent to sales ratio and sales to investment ratio. By leveraging these tools, you can make informed decisions about site evaluations and avoid costly mistakes. Do NOT sign a lease with out using this! Chapters 00:00 Introduction...
The Nine-Figure Exit: Lessons from Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Mokas Coffee & Eatery 25.08.2025 51:57
In this episode, Kyle interviews Scott Redler, co-founder of Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, who shares his journey in the restaurant industry, the growth of Freddy's, and his new venture, Mokas Coffee. Scott discusses the importance of franchisee success, data-driven decision-making, and the critical role of real estate in restaurant success. He emphasizes the need for transparency in f...
Inside the Mind of the CEO Revolutionizing Frozen Treat Franchising 13.08.2025 48:21
In this episode,speaks with Michael Keller, the CEO of Jeremiah's Italian Ice, about his journey to the top, the unique challenges of the frozen dessert industry, and the importance of franchisee satisfaction. They discuss the strategies for selecting franchisees, building a resilient community, and innovating product offerings like ice cream cakes. Keller emphasizes the need for a strong team and...
This Is How CAVA Took Over Prime Locations Nationwide 08.08.2025 17:23
In this episode, Kyle Inserra delves into the disciplined real estate strategy that propelled CAVA to scale successfully without losing control. Discover how CAVA's structured approach to expansion can serve as a masterclass for emerging brands. Chapters 00:00 CAVA's Successful Expansion Strategy 01:44 Key Location Selection Criteria 04:23 Economic Considerations and Leasing Strategies 07:...
The $1 Million Lease Mistake 24.07.2025 12:30
In this episode, we uncover the significant financial repercussions of overlooked lease escalation clauses in commercial real estate. Learn how these hidden clauses can lead to unexpected costs, draining resources and impacting profitability. We'll explore real-world examples, discuss the importance of thorough lease reviews, and share strategies to prevent these costly mistakes. Whether you&#...
Is Your Expansion Strategy Biased? 17.07.2025 11:09
In this episode, we dive into the critical role of data quality in AI-driven decisions. Discover how flawed, outdated, or biased data can undermine your growth plans and why it's essential to ask the right questions about your data sources. Learn from real-world examples and gain insights into how AI can be a powerful tool when fed with accurate and relevant data. Join us as we explore the nua...
This Is Why Your Broker Isn't Calling You Back 10.07.2025 9:43
Your broker isn’t ghosting you because they’re lazy, they’re ghosting you because your deal is soft. In this straight-shooting solo episode, Kyle breaks down the real reason you’re not getting callbacks, tours, or deals done and spoiler: it’s probably you. From missing financials and vague site criteria to relying on flashy branding instead of real preparation, this episode is your wake-up call. I...
How To Eliminate Frustrating Growth Barriers 03.07.2025 30:36
Here’s the dirty secret about franchising: most brands never make it past 10 units, not because they can’t find franchisees, but because they’re not built to scale. In this no-holds-barred solo episode, Kyle breaks down exactly why growth stalls, what separates breakouts from burnouts, and what franchisors need to fix if they ever want to go from 10 to 50, or 50 to 100. Whether you're a founde...
Navigating The Pace of Your Growth 14.06.2025 19:51
Ever feel like you’re sprinting toward your next location only to realize you picked the wrong site? Or maybe you’re overanalyzing every option and missing out altogether? In this no-notes, off-the-cuff episode, Kyle opens up about a last-minute guest cancellation that turned into something even better: a raw, honest breakdown of the tension between moving fast and moving smart when growing a fran...
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