The Weekly Run

In this engaging conversation, Jeff Perera and Chris Cohen discuss their shared love for bagels, the intricacies of running a restaurant, and the importance of community support in the food industry. They explore the challenges and rewards of being restaurant owners, emphasizing the personal connections that develop within local communities. Takeaways Community support is vital Restaurant ownershi...

The conversation explores the evolution of a bagel shop into a community-centric brand, emphasizing the importance of guest feedback and emotional connections. Jeff and Aaron discuss how real-time feedback tools enhance customer service and operational insights, ultimately shaping a culture that transcends traditional restaurant experiences. Takeaways Building community matters Feedback drives imp...

The conversation revolves around Jeff's nostalgic reflections on his early days running a single store, contrasting it with the complexities of managing multiple locations. He shares insights on the joys of direct customer interactions, the challenges of scaling, and the importance of maintaining a personal connection with the community as the business grows. The conversation explores the importan...

In this conversation, Jeff and Lauren discuss the journey of Jeff's Bagel Run, Lauren's transition from teaching to working at the bagel shop, and the importance of mental health and community support. They also touch on personal opinions regarding social etiquette, particularly in the context of air travel. Takeaways Embrace personal transitions Prioritize mental health Chapters 00:00 Introductio...

In this conversation, Jeff and Ken discusses his journey as a real estate agent and content creator in Orlando, emphasizing the importance of community and storytelling. He shares personal anecdotes about his early jobs, the significance of food in building relationships, and his vision for fostering community in Orlando through his media company. Takeaways Building community through storytelling...

In this episode, Jeff Perera and Glen share their journey through coffee and bagels, exploring the evolution of their businesses, the importance of quality and simplicity, and their vision for the future of coffee. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 00:17 Celebrating National Coffee Day with free coffee 01:11 The story of Jeff's Coffee Run and Otis brand 02:20 Glen's journey into cof...

The conversation delves into the theme of constant evolution and change, highlighting the thoughtful approach to innovation and the impact and responsibility associated with it. It explores the journey from idea to execution, the importance of thoughtful planning and execution, the process of triage and prioritization, the franchisee experience and feedback loop, and the significance of real-time...

The conversation covers the excitement and challenges of new store openings at Jeff's Bagel Run, as well as the complexities of health insurance and the operational intricacies of running a bagel shop. It also delves into the experiences and learnings from setting up and operating new stores, as well as the community support and challenges faced by franchisees. Takeaways New store openings bring e...

A conversation between Jeff Perera and Lindsay, a working mom and dance teacher, covers topics such as career transitions, bagels, family, and the challenges of infertility. The conversation also delves into the creation of bagel flavors and the joy of indulging in unique food combinations. Takeaways Career transitions and pursuing passions The impact of infertility on personal growth and empathy...

The conversation explores the impact of free giveaways on consumer behavior and brand loyalty. It delves into the power of brand identity and the evolution of branded merchandise, highlighting a shift in consumer engagement and the creation of brand loyalty through giveaways. The conversation delves into the influence of FOMO and social momentum, as well as the sensory experience of bagels. It als...

The conversation revolves around the current trend of opening bagel shops and the growing competition in the bagel industry. It explores the reasons behind the bagel boom, the consumer sentiment driving it, and the different categories of bagel shops emerging in the market. The conversation delves into the evolution of the bagel business and its parallels with the chicken industry. It explores the...

The conversation delves into the influence of seasonal flavors on consumer behavior, the impact of retail and e-commerce on seasonal product availability, conditioning and societal expectations around seasonal consumption, and the role of seasonal foods in shaping consumer preferences. Takeaways Seasonal flavors drive consumer demand Retailers and manufacturers influence seasonal product availabil...

The trio discusses their podcasting debut and the dynamics of their collaboration. They then delve into the concept of scheduling creativity and the challenges of planning innovative bagel flavors. The conversation explores the intersection of creativity, strategy, and customer engagement in the context of bagel development. The conversation delves into the creative process of themed weeks, explor...

Jeff and Aaron discuss the new pumpkin bagels at Jeff's Bagel Run, tasting and reviewing each flavor. They explore the flavor profiles, pairings, and the experience of pumpkin season. Takeaways Pumpkin bagels offer a variety of flavor profiles, from sweet to savory. Pairing bagels with different spreads enhances the overall taste experience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pumpkin Season 01:46 Expl...

The conversation delves into the impact of operational execution on sales, the importance of in-store engagement, and the challenges of implementing kiosks in the restaurant industry. It also explores the evolution of store layout and processes, as well as the balance between speed and customer engagement. The conversation delves into the operational and experiential aspects of running a bagel sho...

The conversation covers a range of topics, including reflections on the summer, planning ahead for the future, the importance of family time and recharging, the idea of on-the-go bagels, and the innovation in beverage offerings. The discussion also highlights the fast-paced nature of menu innovation and the impressive work of a small, scrappy team. The conversation covers the introduction and succ...

Jeff Perera introduces the first solo episode of the weekly run, expressing nervousness and excitement. He discusses the popular Lox spread, the impact of hot weather on the bagel shops, his exploration of the LA bagel scene, the right way to make a bagel, and the exciting times at the Bagel Run. Takeaways The introduction of the Lox spread has been a hot topic at the Bagel Run. The impact of hot...

The conversation begins with the introduction of Glen as a guest host, followed by a discussion on the evolution of the podcast and the exploration of food innovation. The focus then shifts to the matcha journey, its role as a beverage platform, and the future of matcha in the industry. The conversation covers a range of topics including the passage of time, seasonal marketing, sports, youth sport...

The conversation covers the topics of virality, finding joy in work, and the transition from college to post-grad life. It also explores the importance of investing time in doing something you like and the role of patience in finding joy in work. Takeaways Virality is short-lived Invest time in doing something you like Patience is key to finding joy in work Chapters 00:00 The Spicy Abby Returns 03...

The conversation covers Jeff's Bagel Run summer tour, expansion and growth in North Carolina, franchise growth in Georgia, the community-focused establishment, franchisee success and store openings, blueberry week and bagel lineup, international flavors week, and the World Cup and its cultural impact. The conversation covers topics such as global community and cultural exchange, challenges of stor...

The conversation covers the topics of franchise expansion, building a brand, marketing strategy, and starting a business with family or friends. It delves into the challenges and strategies involved in each of these areas, providing valuable insights for entrepreneurs and business owners. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including building a brand online, empowerment and autonomy in...

The conversation covers the introduction to the Exchange, engaging with business students, founding Jeff's Bagel Run, technology and business operations, grading and student participation, choosing Bagel Run locations, engaging with students, customer engagement and expansion, innovation and product expansion, and decision-making and execution. The discussion delves into the challenges and strateg...

In this conversation, Jeff Perera and Abby discuss the 'Abby Bagel' and its spicy variant, as well as the preference for everything bagels. They also touch on the recent sports victories and the tradition of the Stanley Cup. The conversation transitions from bagel discussions to sports victories and the Stanley Cup tradition. The conversation covers a range of topics including sports events, store...

The conversation covers the expansion into the Salt Lake City market, the franchisee selection process, the understanding of risk in franchising, and the viability of franchising as a business model. It emphasizes the importance of fit, alignment, and transparency in the franchisee selection process, as well as the elimination of entrepreneurial risk in franchising. Takeaways Importance of fit and...

The conversation covers the experience of speaking at the University of Central Florida, the impact of brand awareness, the importance of hospitality in retail, and the concept of ownership in customer service. It also delves into the significance of making customers feel seen and appreciated, as well as the value of creating regulars through engagement and loyalty programs. The conversation cover...