Franchise Interviews 4.0

Subzero Ice Cream Meets with Franchise Interviews

Franchise Interview with Subzero Ice CreamIf you're a fan of Shark Tank, you're likely familiar with Sub Zero Ice Cream. We have the pleasure of meeting with Jerry Hancock, the founder of Sub Zero Ice Cream. Sub Zero Ice Cream utilizes liquid nitrogen at a chilly negative 321 degrees to freeze and hand mix each personalized order, employing a unique patented process. In addition to its distinctive and visually captivating freezing technique, Sub Zero Ice Cream accommodates various dietary requirements. The brand offers six bases, including classic premium custard, low-fat custard and yogurt, as well as lactose-free, vegan, and sugar-free options. After selecting a base, customers can further customize their orders with mix-ins, providing endless possibilities for crafting personalized ice cream treats. We also discuss Jerry's experience on Shark Tank. 

Submarina Meets with Franchise Interviews

Franchise interview with Submarina
You may be familiar with Subway, Jersey Mikes, and Jimmy John's, but have you ever heard of Submarina? After our interview with Bruce Rosenthal, President of Submarina, you might find yourself craving a submarine sandwich. Bruce delves into the franchise opportunity that Submarina offers. Since taking the helm of the company in 2009, Rosenthal has been dedicated to revamping Submarina. During his tenure as president and CEO, Rosenthal has boosted margins and sales, strengthened the balance sheet, and expanded the chain nationwide.
 
 
 

Stockade Companies Meets with Franchise Interviews

Franchise interview with Stockade Companies
We are meeting with Terry Harstad from Stockade Companies, the franchisor for three distinct brands: Montana Mike's, Coyote Canyon, and Sirloin Stockade. They are currently offering remarkable deals on real estate and exciting incentives for both new and existing franchisees. 

Southern Classic Chicken Meets with Franchise Interviews

Franchise Interview with Southern Classic Chicken
We have a podcast scheduled with Tom O’Keefe, Managing Director of Southern Classic Chicken. The brand, known for its home-style fried chicken, operates using a drive-thru or walk-up model in each location. This approach has positioned the concept for further growth during and after the pandemic. Last year, the brand experienced a 20% increase in system-wide sales, reflecting the nationwide trend towards off-premises dining, which is now becoming a standard practice in the fast-food industry.

Smoothie King Meets with Franchise Interviews

Franchise interview with Smoothie King.
From a kitchen experiment to a successful international company, all stemming from a single purpose, Smoothie King introduced the nutritional fresh-blended smoothie in 1973. Founder Steve Kuhnau began blending real fruit, nutrients, and proteins at home, noticing a positive impact on his health. This led to the creation of the first Smoothie King.
Smoothie King Franchising Launch
In 1989, Smoothie King became the first smoothie franchise in the United States. Since then, the brand has expanded its offerings, with each "Lifestyle Center" also providing healthy retail solutions like sports beverages, energy bars, snacks, supplements, herbs, minerals, and other sports nutrition products.
 

Slapfish Meets with Franchise Interviews

Franchise interview with SlapfishToday's show features an interview with Andrew Gruel, television star and CEO/Founder of Slapfish Restaurant Group, LLC. Slapfish has revolutionized the way people perceive healthy, chef-driven seafood by making it approachable and affordable to all. Their menu boasts signature items like the 'lobsticle,' baja mahi sandwich, and original house-made dipping sauces.
Slapfish embodies a chef-driven, sustainable American seafood concept, offering a fresh and fast-casual dining experience. The brand's innovative approach has earned it a spot on FastCasual's list of the industry's Top 100 Movers & Shakers.
 

Shots Meet with Franchise Interviews

Franchise interview with Shots
We have a podcast scheduled with Oscar Zapata, the CEO and founder of Shots, an interactive shot bar. At Shots, they specialize in offering a unique experience centered around shots, props, and fun. It's more than just a bar; it's a movement, and you're encouraged to join in and experience it firsthand. Their carefully crafted signature menu is designed to cater to every palate. The highlight of the experience is that each shot comes with its own show, putting you in the spotlight as the star! 

Schlotzsky's Meets with Franchise Interviews

Franchise Interview with Schlotzsky'sThis week, Franchise Interviews is meeting with Schlotzsky's to explore their franchise opportunity. Approaching its 45th anniversary, Schlotzsky's, known for its signature round toasted sandwich, The Original®, has embarked on a significant transformation. The brand's new image is attracting a fresh wave of customers and reigniting franchise growth nationwide. The brand overhaul, aptly named "All ‘Round ‘Lotz Better," includes a revamped restaurant design featuring lively colors, playful slogans, modern furniture and artwork, and a partnership with Cinnabon, offering franchisees the opportunity to operate two brands in one location. Schlotzsky's has also introduced a new service model where staff personally deliver food to tables. Our discussion with Schlotzsky's President Kelly Roddy will delve into the rebranding process and the chain's recent partnership with Cinnabon.
About Schlotzsky's - Since its inception in 1971, Schlotzsky's has been known for The Original® toasted sandwich. Over time, the menu has evolved to include high-quality sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and soups. Schlotzsky's has a global presence, with restaurants in Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Costa Rica, Jordan, and Kuwait. Schlotzsky's is owned by FOCUS Brands Inc.®, which also operates over 2,200 Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Schlotzsky's®, Moe's Southwest Grill® locations, and Seattle's Best Coffee® in certain military bases and international markets.
 
 

Salad Station Meets with Franchise Interviews

Franchise podcast with Salad Station
Our podcast is scheduled with Scott Henderson from Salad Station, a brand that has achieved success through its unique pay-by-the-pound business concept and the straightforwardness of its franchise-ready business model. Salad Station has become known for its delicious salads sold by weight, allowing customers to choose how much they want to eat while minimizing waste. Additionally, the brand offers tasty soups and gourmet wraps, catering to a wide range of tastes. Since its establishment in 2012, Salad Station has been commended for providing healthy and affordable options to a previously underserved market. With an extensive and fully customizable menu, customers can create their ideal meal while providing opportunities for future growth and innovation.
"We strongly believe that what we've developed here is truly exceptional," said Scott Henderson, Co-Founder and CEO of Salad Station. "While the pandemic presented challenges, our team has persevered, laying the groundwork for a genuine, gourmet, and fresh brand. I'm excited and looking forward to what lies ahead for us and our entire Salad Station community."
 

Russos Italian Restaurant Meets with Franchise Interviews

A franchise podcast with Russo's Italian Restaurant
As highlighted on our "About Us" page, each business has its own unique story, and ours begins in Italy. In 1978, the Russo family relocated from New York to Texas, where they opened "Russo's Italian Restaurant." This establishment, renowned for its fine dining, showcased recipes passed down through generations. Anthony Russo, a first-generation Italian, was raised in a family where both parents had immigrated from Sicily and Naples, Italy, to New York in 1962. From a young age, Anthony immersed himself in the culinary world, spending time in the kitchen with his family and other influential Italian chefs, mastering the art of preparing exquisite Italian dishes and New York-style pizza. His father's mantra was: "If you can't make it fresh, don't serve it!" Today, we are privileged to speak with Anthony Russo, the driving force behind Russo's NY Pizzeria and Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen. In part 2 of our discussion, we delve into the three-legged stool of franchising, as featured on our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.