Franchise Interviews 4.0

Franchise Interview with Costa Vida

We are meeting with Sean Collins, the CEO of the Costa Vida franchise opportunity. Costa Vida is inspired by the beautiful Baja Peninsula Coast and the lifestyle that pushes you to catch the wave rather than stand on the sidelines to let life pass you by. This coastal lifestyle is a vision of the satisfaction of things done correctly. Cost Vida believes that food created with passion, from scratch daily, tastes better!

Franchise Interview with Cornbread Farm to Soul

We are excited about our upcoming interview featuring Adenah Bayoh, the co-founder of Cornbread Farm to Soul. Established in 2017 by Adenah Bayoh and Elzadie “Zadie” Smith, Cornbread specializes in delectable soul food offerings, including baked mac & cheese, collard greens, yams, chicken, signature cornbread, and other unique menu items. Located in New Jersey, Cornbread currently operates three open locations in the NYC/NJ area.
 

Legends in Franchising - Doc Cohen

Today, we are genuinely asking the frantrepreneur who owns one. We are meeting with franchise Hall of Famer Lawrence Doc Cohen; Doc is a veteran of the franchise industry who became a franchise owner of Great American Cookies over three decades ago. Doc became the first-ever franchisee inducted into the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame includes quick-serve greats like Dave Thomas, Ray Kroc, Fred DeLuca, and Col. Harland Sanders. Mr. Cohen’s Houston-based Cookie Associates also owns TCBY, Coffee Beanery, and Pretzelmaker.
 

Franchise Interview with Chronic Tacos

We are meeting with Michael Mohammed, CEO of Chronic Tacos. Chronic Tacos is a 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 thought fast, fresh, made-to-order Mexican food could be served with authentic recipes in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

Franchise Interview with Charley's

Over the years, Franchise Interviews has discussed many great stories on franchising. In today's interview, it all started with a wrong turn made right. A gentleman named Charley was taking a family vacation when a missed exit brought him to South Philadelphia. His first encounter with a local delicacy, a Philly Cheesesteak, was love at first bite. Captivated, he returned his findings to Columbus, Ohio, and began testing recipes on his college buddies.
 

Franchise Interview with California Tortilla Franchise

We are meeting Bob Phillips and Keith Goldman of California Tortilla, a fast-casual Mexican-inspired restaurant.
Falling in love with the brand's bold flavors and fun, laid-back attitude, the duo felt the concept would be perfect for a world they were familiar with - franchising. Together, they have built more than 50 restaurants in eight states over the past fifteen years and hope to introduce restaurants outside the mid-Atlantic.
With Goldman's 40 years of restaurant experience and Phillip's previous experience owning dozens of franchises, the pair works like a well-oiled machine. Phillip's expertise in financial business models and bookkeeping and Goldman's operations proficiency complement one another.
In 2002, experienced restauranteurs Bob Phillips and Keith Goldman opened their first California Tortilla.
With Goldman's 40 years of restaurant experience and Phillip's previous experience owning dozens of franchises, the pair works like a well-oiled machine. Phillip's expertise in financial business models and bookkeeping and Goldman's operations proficiency complement one another.
 

Franchise Interview with Cafe2u

Cafe2U is proud to pioneer the mobile cafe industry within Australia. Cafe2U launched its prototype mobile coffee business in 2000 on Sydney's northern beaches. With this first vehicle, the mobile cafe concept and the potential profitability of this new mobile coffee business model were tested.

Franchise Interview with Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Marty McDermott, the host of Franchise Interviews, holds Forrest Gump as one of his favorite movies. When Scott Barnett, the author of "Gumption: Taking Bubba Gump from Movie to Restaurant," completed his book, it caught Marty's attention, prompting him to invite Scott onto the show. The decision to utilize franchising for global expansion was made by the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. In the interview, Scott shares compelling stories, delving into the experiences detailed in his book.
Scott Barnett's journey in the restaurant industry commenced as a teenage parking attendant at a popular steakhouse in Palm Desert, California. 

Franchise Interview with Bruegger's Bagels

We enjoyed meeting with Chris Cheek of the Brueggers franchise opportunity. Brueggers is known for authentic boiled and baked bagels; Bruegger's bakers lend their expertise to crafting a variety of other stone-hearth baked breads, such as Ciabatta and the exclusive Softwich™, a softer, square bagel ideal for sandwiches.

Franchise Interview with Brix Holdings

We are meeting Craig Erlich, President of BRIX Holdings, the parent company for brands like Red Mango, Smoothie Factory, RedBrick Pizza, and Souper Salad. We will speak with Craig about BRIX’s position in the healthy food market and the healthy portfolio of brands they have built. We also discuss the following topics:
Red Mango recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, while other brands have long since come and gone in this space.
As consumers demand healthier options, BRIX is seeing a growing popularity of non-traditional locations for the brands (inside gyms, casinos, college food courts)