Dan Reese, President of Milkshake Factory, discusses his time at Heinz & Kraft, the scaling of Milkshake Factory, and why they may become a great premium brand. They talk about the economics of the business, franchising, and centralized operations in the milkshake industry.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
The Milkshake Factory experienced rapid growth and success by expanding into the milkshake business, which proved to be more successful than the chocolate side of the business.
The decision to adopt a franchise model was driven by the desire for growth and scalability without the need for vast amounts of capital.
Prospective franchisees go through a rigorous evaluation process that includes understanding the business, financial assessment, experiencing the operation, and meeting the team.
Deep dives
Background and Introduction
Dan Reese is the president of Milkshake Factory, a small chocolate business that has expanded to include milkshake stores. The business has experienced rapid growth and success, opening 10 stores in the Pittsburgh area. Dan discusses his background in the industry, including his experience working at Heinz and Kraft. He also talks about his time working with 3G Capital and their aggressive cost-cutting model.
The Growth of the Milkshake Factory
The milkshake side of the business initially started as an afterthought, but quickly gained traction and proved to be more successful than the chocolate business. The company opened a store in PNC Bank's global headquarters, which led to further expansion and success. The Milkshake Factory has a menu with a variety of shake options, and revenue is distributed across different shakes and other menu items.
Franchising and Expansion
The decision to adopt a franchise model was driven by the desire for growth and scalability without the need for vast amounts of capital. The company partnered with Franworth, a franchise development company, to navigate the franchising process. The ideal franchisee is someone who deeply understands the business, is financially qualified, can build a strong culture, and provide friendly customer service in a clean store. The start-up costs for franchisees range from $490,000 to $650,000, dependent on location and size. The goal is for franchisees to achieve a cash-on-cash return within three years.
Evaluation and Quality Assurance
Prospective franchisees go through a rigorous evaluation process that includes understanding the business and financial assessment. Furthermore, a discovery day is arranged where franchisees get to experience the operation and meet the team. The qualitative assessment is also significant, with positive reviews being an essential indicator of success. The company prioritizes factors like friendly customer service, cleanliness, and a positive customer experience.
Future Outlook and Conclusion
The Milkshake Factory has experienced significant success with its current stores, and the franchise model provides opportunities for further growth and expansion. The company has a strong focus on culture, teamwork, and building a brand that delivers exceptional milkshakes and memorable customer experiences. The primary aim is to maintain the quality, consistency, and profitability of each store while scaling the business nationally through franchising.
Dan Reese is the President of Milkshake Factory. In this conversation, we talk about his time working at Heinz & Kraft, his interactions with 3G Capital and their ruthless prioritization of cost cutting, scaling of Milkshake Factory, economics of the business, and why they may become one of the next great premium brands in food & beverage.
=======================
Auradine, a leader in web infrastructure solutions including blockchain, AI, and privacy, has unveiled the world's first 4nm Bitcoin mining systems, featuring breakthrough EnergyTune™ technology, setting new standards in performance and energy efficiency. The Teraflux™ product line from Auradine offers best-in-class performance, efficiency, and total cost of ownership (TCO), positioning it as the optimal choice for Bitcoin mining needs. With EnergyTune™, a patent-pending technology, Auradine's Teraflux™ systems enable rapid demand response and optimal energy usage, fostering a symbiotic relationship with electrical grids, and contributing to sustainable energy practices. Designed and manufactured in the US, Auradine's Teraflux™ product line not only ensures cutting-edge technology but also mitigates supply chain risks and provides increased supply chain resiliency. Visit www.auradine.com for more information the Teraflux bitcoin mining systems.
=======================
Cal.com is leading the charge of scheduling platforms in the open-source sphere, offering you the chance to harness the efficiency previously reserved for elite corporations and tech gurus. That's right, Cal.com is transforming sophisticated calendar management into an accessible tool for all via a user-friendly interface. Discover how countless users are optimizing their time in unprecedented ways. Use code “POMP” for $500 off when you set your team up with Cal.com.
=======================
Pomp writes a daily letter to over 250,000+ investors about business, technology, and finance. He breaks down complex topics into easy-to-understand language while sharing opinions on various aspects of each industry. You can subscribe at https://pomp.substack.com/
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode