Franchise Interviews

We are meeting with James Markham the architect of the fast-casual pizza segment.  James will share how and why he designed something out of nothing and proves that innovation is never-ending.  Markham, a longtime pizza business veteran and big Chipotle fan, came back from opening pizza restaurants in China in 2007 and thought, "Why can't pizza be customizable, fast and fresh?"  So, he opened the first ever fast-casual pizza place, MOD Pizza, in Seattle in November of 2008 before moving on to found Pie-ology in Fullerton, Calif. Taking lessons from each concept, Markham launched Project Pie in 2012 - a culmination of his best ideas for the ultimate custom pizza establishment, where customers get to choose unlimited toppings for one price and watch their pizza being made and served all in under five minutes.  Currently with two locations - the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and San Diego - Project Pie has four more about to open and international expansion into the Philippines is happening this year.

I can't think of a better word but "cool".  The technology in franchising today is truly amazing.  Find out why by listening to today's show.  We are meeting with Mary Kennedy Thompson, President of Mr. Rooter (The Dwyer Group), Paul Martino from A&W Restaurants Paul Martino, Chief Operating Officer of A&W Restaurants, Inc. and Keith Gerson Keith Gerson, FranConnect President of Global Operations. Some of the questions we will address are the following: 1. What are the most common tech or operation challenges franchise brands face today? 2. What tech innovations have emerged to improve franchise systems and franchisees profitability? 3. How much of an impact does tech advancements have on franchise brands ability to grow?

We are meeting with John Pelletier, Founder and CEO of Margaritas Mexican Restaurant. Margaritas Mexican Restaurant has become an experience warmly embraced by people looking for a place to visit as well as a place to enjoy delicious Mexican food. Every visit to Margaritas is an individual journey, constantly evolving, always surprising and open for interpretation and discovery. Much like the subtle nuances that differentiate each hand-painted ceramic sculpture in our restaurants, no two Margaritas are identical and no two experiences are exactly the same. But every visit is undeniably Margaritas. Festive and fun.

We are meeting with Michael Mohammed, CEO of Chronic Tacos, Chronic Tacos is the fast casual concept that offers the taste of Mexican cuisine in a fun, laid back atmosphere.   Chronic Tacos was founded in 2001 by Randy Wyner and Dan Biello. The pair had an idea that fast, fresh, made to order Mexican food could be served up with authentic recipes in a fun and friendly atmosphere. They envisioned great Mexican food with California style. By 2004, Chronic Tacos became a local sensation and the owners found that customers were flocking not only from Newport Beach, where the first location opened, but from nearby cities as well. It was at this point they realized it was time to expand.

We are meeting the founder of the Your Pie's franchise  Drew French. Your Pie is the world’s originator of the quick-serve, brick-oven, customized personal pizza concept. Your Pie owner and originator Drew French tapped his restaurant background and knowledge of the conveyor-driven quick-serve and married it with brick oven technology to create the highest quality pizza available at incredible speed. Drawing from family recipes from the island of Ischia, Your Pie uses only fresh ingredients, homemade pizza sauces and salad dressings, and offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free pizzas, as well as traditional pizzas. Customers who dine at Your Pie have come to expect a custom-made and delicious pizza delivered to their table well within 10 minutes of ordering – the definition of fast casual. As a result, the Your Pie brand is synonymous with success and a fan favorite of families in the communities it serves. For more information about Your Pie or franchising opportunities.

We are meeting with Chuck Schwalbe, Director of Marketing, for Erbert & Gerbert’s.  Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop is a quick service restaurant serving up the best sandwiches on the planet. In a complicated and fast-paced world, our operation is simple, proven, efficient and easily trainable. Find out how and why their unique and engaging brand is growing.

We are meeting with Dave Messanger, who is the director of market expansion, About ServiceMaster Clean ServiceMaster Clean is part of the ServiceMaster family of brands, one of the world's largest and most versatile service networks. The ServiceMaster family of brands include TruGreen, Terminix, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and AmeriSpec. ServiceMaster Clean is committed to its franchise owners. The ability to offer qualified prospects up to 80 percent financing through its affiliate, a ServiceMaster wholly-owned finance company, ServiceMaster Acceptance Company, is only one of the benefits of a ServiceMaster Clean franchise.  In part 2 we hear from the legendary Michael Gerber from our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.

We are meeting with Bill Chemero, Executive Vice President of Jake’s Wayback Burgers. Wayback Burgers began in 1991 as Jake's Hamburgers with a single restaurant in Newark, DE which still occupies its original location on Route 273. Home to the University of Delaware, Newark is also known for its automotive plants (little known fact: reggae icon Bob Marley worked in one) and Main St. shopping district. A simple, unassuming "burger joint," Jake's soon became several stores and home to one of the region's favorite burgers. Jake’s Hamburgers had always served big, juicy hand-made burgers and real milkshakes, crafted to order by a friendly staff. Delivering the freshest, most delicious food possible was Jake’s only philosophy. Fast forward 20 years: many fast-food chains are selling some version of a “premium” burger. Most of these are just larger versions of their frozen “hockey-puck” burgers, mass-produced and shucked at customers from under heat lamps. Celebrity chefs got in on the act too, selling overpriced burgers for $20 at their upper-crust burger boutiques. None of this felt right to the people at Jake’s. Burger lovers deserve better than that, and Jake’s wanted to remind people that they can still get a better burger, made just the way they like it, in a warm and comfortable restaurant that feels like home. That’s how they did it way back when, and that’s what they still do today. So, in August 2010, Jake’s Hamburgers changed their name to Jake’s Wayback Burgers. They still serve the best burgers under the bun.   Part 2 is our interview on CBS.

We are meeting with Brian Cygan, Founder and CEO of Exercise Coach The Exercise Coach franchise is a comprehensive, turnkey business system that is extremely rewarding to those who are passionate about delivering high-quality service that truly helps people.  We provide custom solutions in each and every area of the business operations.  The Exercise Coach system allows franchisees to operate a personal training studio with no previous fitness experience, and to deliver the most advanced and effective workouts in the world. Personal training has always been a personality-driven industry.  If a trainer leaves a gym or area, the clients are left trying to find the next trainer they can trust with their fitness goals.  The Exercise Coach advantage over traditional training is our proven process of service delivery.  Our studio owners and clients are not reliant on a superstar trainer to make the studio successful.  It is about the process and protocols, not the trainer.

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., French Fry Heaven was created in 2010 by Scott Nelowet and is first and leader in the “Gourmet Fry” market – home to the World’s Best French Fries. The mission of French Fry Heaven is to serve the best fries on earth, be everywhere people are hungry, leave you with a smile on your face and make a significant positive impact on the world.