In this episode of FranchiseU!, Your host, Dr. Kathy Gosser, interviews Ricky Richardson, CEO of Eggs Up Grill, one of the fastest-growing breakfast, brunch, and lunch franchises in the country. Ricky shares his extensive experience in the restaurant industry, including his significant tenure with TGI Fridays, where he served as US President and Global Chief Operating Officer. He discusses his leadership philosophy, the importance of culture and guest experience, and the challenges and rewards of scaling a franchise. Ricky also delves into the unique aspects of Eggs Up Grill, their community-centered culture, and the robust support system they provide to franchisees, many of whom are new to the restaurant business. The conversation highlights Ricky's passion for the industry and his commitment to making each guest experience exceptional.

Key Highlights Include:

· Introduction to Scaling a Breakfast Brand

· Meet Ricky Richardson: Career Highlights

· Ricky’s Key Leadership Experiences

· Lessons from TGI Fridays

· The Breakfast and Brunch Market

· Recognition and Culture at Eggs Up Grill

· Future Vision and Personal Reflections

Click below to listen and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you enjoy your favorite shows.

Don’t miss out on all things FranchiseU!:

Website: FranchiseU!

Instagram: @franchiseu_podcast

Facebook: @FranchiseU Podcast

Twitter: @franchiseupod

TikTok: @franchiseupod

Reach out directly to Dr. Kathy Gosser via LinkedIn.

This episode proudly brought to you by the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville College of Business.

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser takes a deep dive into the rise of Layne’s Chicken Fingers, one of the fastest-growing brands in the QSR space. Kathy sits down with Garrett Reed, CEO of Layne’s, and Eli Cohen, a rapidly expanding multi-unit franchisee, to explore their journeys, their philosophies, and the culture that makes Layne’s Chicken Fingers stand out.

Garrett shares how his roots in College Station and his extensive career in commercial real estate development with Starbucks, Corner Bakery, Dunkin’ Donuts, Radio Shack, and Zale’s prepared him to steward Layne’s into its next era. After co-founding Main & Main Capital Group and developing more than 200 franchise units across 37 states, he purchased the iconic College Station chicken shack in 2016. Since then, he has elevated operations, opened multiple corporate locations across DFW, and set an ambitious goal: 100 Layne’s Chicken Fingers restaurants in the next five years. Garrett also explains the beloved Astro Chicken concept and how it embodies the brand’s values, quality, and guest experience.

Eli brings a franchisee’s perspective to the conversation. As Founder and Operator of C5 Restaurants, he leads one of the country’s strongest Fazoli’s platforms and is actively developing Smalls Sliders and Layne’s Chicken Fingers across West Texas. With a background in real estate investment banking at Citigroup, private-sector development at the World Bank, and more than $600 million in real estate acquired through Cohen Rojas Capital Partners, Eli describes his transition into franchising and why Layne’s culture, support, and product made it the perfect fit.

Together, Garrett and Eli unpack what makes a successful franchisee, the role culture plays in brand growth, and why Layne’s Chicken Fingers is poised to become a national favorite. Their enthusiasm for the food, the franchise partners, and the future is unmistakable.

Topics Covered:

· The Challenges and Learnings of Franchising

· Layne's Unique Brand and Culture

· The Complexity of Space Travel

· Balancing Technical and Laid-Back Approaches

· Franchising as a Growth Strategy

· Qualities of a Successful Franchisee

Click below to listen and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you enjoy your favorite shows.

Don’t miss out on all things FranchiseU!:

Website: FranchiseU!

Instagram: @franchiseu_podcast

Facebook: @FranchiseU Podcast

Twitter: @franchiseupod

TikTok: @franchiseupod

Reach out directly to Dr. Kathy Gosser via LinkedIn.

This episode proudly brought to you by the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville College of Business.