Restaurant Owners Uncorked Episode 649: Simple Scales, Fancy Fails: The Konala Blueprint for Growth
In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil interviews Trace Miller, the founder and CEO of Konala, a health-focused fast-casual brand. Miller shares the incredible personal story that anchors his business: his own childhood battle with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy that began at age three. While doctors predicted he would be brain dead by age 13, Miller credits his mother with being the "desperate" researcher who refused to give up, eventually finding the medical professionals and the strict nutritional protocol that cured him. This life-altering experience with the power of food, combined with Miller’s military background and his "Simple scales, fancy fails" philosophy, serves as the foundation for Konala’s mission to provide delicious, high-protein, and convenient whole-food meals to the public.
10 Key Takeaways
Trace Miller’s Personal Miracle: Miller himself was the patient who suffered from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; he was cured through a strict medical ketogenic diet after a grim prognosis.
A Mother’s Relentless Research: The cure was discovered not by doctors, but by Miller’s mother, who spent years researching alternative medical texts and articles to save her son.
"Simple Scales, Fancy Fails": This is Miller’s primary business mantra, emphasizing that operational simplicity is the key to successful expansion, while over-complication leads to failure.
Nuanced View on Seed Oils: While Miller personally avoids them and recognizes their inflammatory nature, he acknowledges they "play a role" in the industry as an affordable fat that can be "helpful" for managing margins.
The Philosophy of Via Negativa: Miller applies the concept of "improvement through subtraction," focusing on removing unnecessary or harmful elements from the menu to enhance the final product.
Focus on Metabolic Health: Konala was built to address the American metabolic crisis, specifically targeting the 74% of the population that is overweight or obese.
The Paradox of Choice: Miller keeps the Konala menu intentionally small (around 12 to 20 items) to reduce decision fatigue for customers and operational friction for staff.
Military Discipline and Self-Education: Miller’s leadership style and business acumen were largely shaped by his time in the military and his commitment to being a "perpetual student" through reading.
The Value of Consistency: Miller argues that long-term success requires the discipline to "do the boring things" consistently for 15 years rather than chasing "flashy" or "fancy" shortcuts.
Strategic Franchising: Konala focuses on partnering with franchisees who have multi-unit experience to ensure the brand’s high standards are maintained during growth.