Closed Monday

With any brick and mortar business, choosing the right location is crucial. But for franchisees, especially those new to the game, site selection can be intimidating. Unlike seasoned restaurant operators, first time franchisees often find themselves navigating two unfamiliar worlds at once—the complexities of franchising and the nuanced language and hidden pitfalls of commercial real estate. I've witnessed firsthand how franchisees (and franchisors for that matter...), eager to expand, have completely underestimated the importance of understanding real estate terminology, overlooked subtle lease terms, or missed critical market insights, leading to costly mistakes. One misunderstood lease term can result in financial strain, operational headaches, or even franchise failure. This isn't about instilling fear—it's about empowering clarity. The most successful franchisees and franchisors aren't afraid to confront tough questions head-on: ? How can franchisees effectively navigate the site selection process? ? What are the subtle yet warning signs in a site that newcomers might miss? ? How can franchisors better support franchisees to mitigate real estate risks? I'm curious about your experiences: - What challenges have you experienced? - What crucial lessons have you learned that could help our community? - Have you had a success story that transformed your approach? Join us at the Closed Monday Collective —a private forum crafted specifically for franchisors, operators, and ambitious franchisees looking for clarity and strategic growth. We're hosting an exclusive live event in April, featuring a special guest, who has extensive experience on the landlord side, who will take your questions and talk to us about how to best present yourself to when chasing a site. Comment below or DM me to gain access to the Collective, where the conversations are real, insightful, and actionable.

Episode #219 with @everbowl founder and CEO, @fensterjeff is live! Thinking about growing your brand? Here's a thought—what if your concept was one of the top ten landlords were fighting over? The more units you open, the smarter your business intelligence gets. Data isn't just numbers—it's leverage. The brands that scale successfully aren't just guessing; they're using real insights to land the right locations before anyone else even knows they're available. The future? Landlords won't just wait for businesses to come to them—they'll be using AI and analytics to find you. So the question is, when that moment comes, will your brand be on their list? Grow smart. Build with data. And make sure when opportunities open up, you're the one getting the call. #restaurants #restaurantowner #restaurantbusiness #closedmondaypodcast

Sometimes the path to growth means adapting your business model. When James & Mike's investor (who happened to be family) pushed them toward franchising over independent restaurants, it revealed a crucial insight: Even with a proven track record of successful restaurants, investors are much more comfortable with the structured approach and proven systems that come with franchising. Listen to the full episode to hear how they navigated this transition and what they learned along the way. #restaurants #restaurantowner #restaurantbusiness #closedmondaypodcast #franchise #scalesmarter

Thinking about starting your own restaurant? Cool. Do you have a crystal clear vision that's gonna shake up the market? If you've got that disruptive idea that keeps you up at night and you know exactly how you're going to stand out, then go for it. But if you're just looking to make some moves, franchising might be the better bet—lower risk, bigger upside. #restaurants #restaurantowner #restaurantbusiness #closedmondaypodcast #franchiserestaurants

?? Beyond the Numbers: Why Smart Franchise Evaluation Goes Deeper Than AUV "The biggest mistake I see entrepreneurs make is getting starry-eyed over average unit volume numbers without understanding the full profit picture," shares Jeff Fenster award-winning entrepreneur and founder of everbowl. Jeff knows what he's talking about - his quick-serve restaurant chain just nabbed the Top 500 Franchise Award for 2024! ?? Key takeaway from our chat: Looking at AUV alone is like reading only the first chapter of a book. The real story lies in: - Cost structure - Labor efficiency - Real estate strategy - Supply chain optimization - Leadership support ???Listen to the full episode to hear Jeff break down his proven framework for evaluating franchise opportunities that actually drive PROFIT, not just revenue. #restaurants #restaurantowner #restaurantbusiness #franchise #restaurantfranchise #closedmondaypodcast

?? NEW EPISODE ALERT ?? 'When you chase dollars, they run. When you do the right things fundamentally, you attract the dollars.' - @fensterjeff dropping ?? knowledge on scaling restaurant brands. Just dropped a conversation with @everbowlcraftsuperfood founder, Jeff Fenster about turning a single store into a 100-unit powerhouse. Key gems: ?? Why Jeff built a 50,000 sq ft manufacturing facility after his FIRST store ?? The real risk vs. reward equation in franchising that no one talks about ??♂? His success formula: Make fast decisions, fail fast, fix fast, keep moving ?? Plus the one piece of advice every new franchisee needs to hear Hit the link in bio to listen to the full episode! ?? Drop a ?? if you're ready to learn how to scale smart, not just fast! #restaurantgrowth #franchising #restaurants #scalesmarter #closedmondaypodcast

After years of late-night conversations and hundreds of podcasts about leases, location strategies, and really just restaurant life in general, I'm launching 'The Pass' - a weekly dispatch for restaurant owners chasing smart growth. In the first issue - I get personal about burnout, sustainability, and why watching the Avicii documentary hit differently for those of us in hospitality. But included is also a real framework for 2025 growth Why 'The Pass'? The Pass is that crucial spot in every kitchen where the chef's vision meets execution, and is intertwined with the front of the house - this newsletter, similarlu, bridges the gap between your growth goals and strategy. What you'll get: ?? Market Intel ?? The latest in real estate strategies ?? "From-the-trenches" growth frameworks ?? A former chef's take on the interesection of running a business and growing your business First issue is live - Would love to hear what you think!

?? The Vicious Biscuit Secret Sauce ?? It all starts with one thing - the REAL ESTATE! ??? But that's just the beginning. You're also going to need: ?? A killer product that keeps people coming back. ??*Efficient throughput to handle the rush without breaking a sweat. ???? An amazing team that delivers unforgettable experiences. When you nail these three—AND pair them with the right real estate—everything else falls into place. ?? ??? Want more insights on scaling your business. Check out the latest episode with Mike Ball, VP of Operations at Vicious Biscuit - link in bio. #restaurants #restaurantowner #restaurantbusiness #closedmondaypodcast #franchise

Restaurants today aren't just about great food—they're about technology, strategy, and unforgettable experiences. This week, Kyle sits down with Michael Ball VP of Operations at @viciousbiscuit to talk about what it really takes to scale a restaurant brand. ??? Key Insights: ?? From the Kitchen to the Boardroom: How Michael's journey from Chick-fil-A Restaurants to Vicious Biscuit shaped his leadership style. ?? Tech That Works: How platforms like Toast and Restaurant365 are streamlining operations and improving customer experiences. ?? Hospitality Wins Every Time: How Vicious Biscuit uses tech without losing the human touch. ?? Scaling Smart: The challenges (and solutions) of expanding into new markets with both corporate and franchise models. ??? Whether you're a seasoned vet, or just getting started, this episode is packed with insights you can use. #restaurantech #scalingrestaurants #restaurants #restaurantowner #restaurantbusiness #closedmondaypodcast