Shows / Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Building a successful franchise requires a map, but scaling one requires a GPS. Whether you just signed your first agreement or you’re managing a growing multi-unit portfolio, Franchise GPS is your bi-weekly roadmap to operational excellence. Hosted by industry veteran Sam Stanovich, this podcast drops twice a month to deliver raw, unscripted conversations with real-world operators, multi-unit owners, and industry innovators who are actively in the trenches. We bypass corporate fluff to bring…
Episodes
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
5 Essential Lessons in Franchising with Paul Samson | Franchise GPS | Ep. 11
In this episode of Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS, host Sam Stanovich and guest co-host Justin Egan travel down to Tampa, Florida to sit down with Paul Samson…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSTaming Restaurant IT & AI Chaos with Andy Freivogel | Franchise GPS | Ep. 10
In this episode of Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS, host Sam Stanovich sits down with Andy Freivogel, Co-Founder of Science On Call, to dive deep into solving the…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Fresh Brothers + Wing It On: SoCal’s Best Pizza Meets America’s Best Wings | Franchise GPS | Ep. 9
In this episode of Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS, guest host Justin Egan (VP of Growth Marketing, Craveworthy Brands and Co-Founder, Wing It On!) is joined by…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
How to Drive Restaurant Sales at the Local Level | Franchise GPS | Ep 8
In this episode of Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS, guest host Justin Egan sits down with Alexis Gillette, Vice President of Marketing at Craveworthy Brands, to…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSThe 2026 Restaurant Marketing Blueprint | Franchise GPS | Ep 7
"Chicago Sam" Stanovich sits down with Donovan McAdams, President of Vendita Digital, to deliver a tactical, unfiltered masterclass on modern franchise…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Franchise Real Estate Strategies & AI Site Selection | Franchise GPS | Ep 6
"Chicago Sam" Stanovich sits down with Brandy McAdams, Chief Revenue Officer at Vendita AII, for an in-depth masterclass on navigating commercial real estate…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
The Truth About AI, Master Data and Commercial Real Estate | Franchise GPS | Ep 5
Are you blindly trusting ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude to map out your next franchise location? In this episode of Franchise GPS, host "Chicago Sam" Stanovich…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSWhy Going It Alone in Franchising Is Your Biggest Risk | Franchise GPS | Ep 4
You don’t have to navigate the complex world of franchising alone—in fact, building a successful brand requires collective strength and proactive protection…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Your Lease Could Destroy Your Franchise Before Day One | Franchise GPS | Ep 3
Everyone talks about franchising like it’s as simple as signing an agreement and opening a restaurant. But the real game begins the exact second you start…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSHow Crave University Turns Restaurant Employees Into Future Operators | Franchise GPS | Ep. 2
What does it take to grow a franchise brand without hollowing it out? In Episode 2 of Franchise GPS, host Justin Egan sits down with Cassie Miller, Chief…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSThe Mistake Most Franchisees Make Before Opening Day | Franchise GPS | Ep 1
Welcome to Episode 1 of Franchise GPS with Sam Stanovich — the podcast where franchise leaders, operators, and entrepreneurs share real-world strategies for…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSDigital Signage and Dynamic Pricing Are Taking Over the Restaurant Industry
Recorded live at CraveCon 2025, this episode of Room for Seconds features guest host Josh Halpern in conversation with Brian Smetana of 25/7 Digital Labs and…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSGetting Found Online Is the Biggest Challenge for Restaurants Right Now with Marqii CEO Avi Goren
In this episode of Room for Seconds, guest host Josh Halpern sat down with Avi Goren at CraveCon 2025, co-founder of Marqii, to unpack one of the most…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSWhy Restaurant Kitchens Are Getting Smaller with Chris McKenty of Edward Don & Company
Filmed live at CraveCon 2025, guest host Josh Halpern sits down with Chris McKenty of Edward Don & Company to explore the hidden systems that make restaurants…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSThe Future of Restaurant Training Is Here
Recorded live at CraveCon 2025, guest host Josh Halpern sits down with Rachael Nemeth, CEO and Co-Founder of Opus Training, to unpack why traditional…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSThe Business of Hospitality: How Smart Bets Actually Get Made
Recorded live at Crave Con 2025, this special episode of Room for Seconds flips the script. Guest host Josh Halpern sits down with his longtime collaborator…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSHow Wing It On Became Champions of the Wing Game
Live from CraveCon 2025, Room for Seconds welcomes guest host Sam Stanovich for an in-depth conversation with Matt Ensero and Justin Egan, the co-founders of…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSGregorys Coffee Was Built by Obsessing Over the Bean
Recorded live at CraveCon 2025, this episode of Room for Seconds features guest host Josh Halpern in conversation with Greg Zamfotis, founder and CEO of…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSFresh Brothers is Building a West Coast Pizza Empire with Scott Goldberg
Recorded live at CraveCon 2025, this episode of Room for Seconds features guest host Sam Stanovich in conversation with Fresh Brothers co-founder Scott…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSGregg Majewski’s Fireside Chat at the 2024 Prosper Forum
At the 2024 Prosper Forum, Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands, captivated attendees with his fireside chat alongside Michael Gottlieb. The discussion…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSBuilding the Next Generation of Leaders with David Jobe
In this episode from the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, Gregg Majewski sits down with David Jobe, founder of The Prosper Company, to…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSShawn Walchef is Building Community & Storytelling in the Restaurant Industry
Filmed at the site of the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, IL., Gregg Majewski sits down with Shawn Walchef—the podcast king of the…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSRoom for Seconds Turns One: 5 Unforgettable Moments from a Year of Game-Changing Conversations
We’ve hit a major milestone—one full year of Room for Seconds—and to celebrate, we’re bringing you five unforgettable moments from the past 53 episodes that…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSInside the Deal: How Craveworthy Brands Acquired Big Chicken
In this repurposed episode of Hospitality Hangout, hosts Michael Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling are joined by industry leaders Gregg Majewski, CEO of…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSScaling Craveworthy Brands: Insights from CEO Gregg Majewski
In this repurposed episode of The Builders Podcast, John Busby speaks with Gregg Majewski about his proven strategies for restaurant growth, franchising, and…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSLoyalty Strategies That Work with Steve Fusco, President of Rewards Network
In this episode of Room for Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with Steve Fusco, President of Rewards Network, to explore how independent restaurants can drive…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSThe Secret to Scaling Your Restaurant with Josh Kopel
In this episode of Room for Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with restaurant industry expert Josh Kopel to discuss the biggest growth opportunities for…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSTech, AI & Leadership with Tony Smith of Restaurant365
In this episode of Room for Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with Tony Smith, CEO and co-founder of Restaurant365, to explore how technology is transforming…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSGregg Majewski Details His Journey to Franchise Success
In this repurposed episode of #ClockedIn with Jordan Edwards, Gregg shares his extraordinary journey of setbacks, bold moves, and ultimate success in the…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSLeading the Legacy: Reilly Berk on Family Business, Branding, and the Future of Packaging
In this episode of Room for Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with Reilly Berk, CEO of Berk Enterprises, to discuss her journey as a third-generation leader in…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSHow Dave’s Hot Chicken Became a Franchise Powerhouse
On the latest episode of Room for Seconds, host Gregg Majewski sat down with Jim Bitticks, President & COO of Dave’s Hot Chicken, to discuss the rapid rise of…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSThe Future of AI in Restaurants: Innovation Without Losing the Human Touch
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the restaurant industry, helping operators manage costs and streamline operations. However, as Greg Majewski…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSReviving Legends: Paul Mangiamele on Bringing Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale Back to Life
On this episode of Room For Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with industry icon Paul Mangiamele, the visionary behind the revival of Bennigan’s and Steak &…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSLeveraging Systems and AI in the Restaurant Industry
In this episode of Room for Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with Matt Wampler, co-founder of ClearCogs, to explore how technology and systems are reshaping…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSDisrupting Hospitality: Jimmy Frischling on Tech and the Future of Dining
In this episode of Rooms for Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with Jimmy Frischling, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Branded Hospitality Group, for a…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSThe Real Story of Mr. Beef: The Restaurant That Inspired The Bear
In this episode of Room for Seconds, host Gregg Majewski sits down with Chris Zucchero, the man behind the iconic Chicago restaurant Mr. Beef—the real-life…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSTech, Transparency, and Transformation: Gregg Majewski on the Future of Fast-Casual Dining
In this repurposed episode of Fast Casual Nation, industry leaders Gregg Majewski, CEO and Founder of Craveworthy Brands, and Heather Leed Neary, President and…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSWisking It All: Uncommon Growth Tactics for Restaurant Operations
In this repurposed episode of the Wisking It All Podcast, Angelo Esposito interviews Gregg Majewski, founder and CEO of Craveworthy Brands. They discuss the…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSBecca McIntyre: Culinary Mastery and Innovation at Craveworthy Brands
Becca McIntyre, Craveworthy Brands' VP of Culinary and Supply Chain, speaks with Josh Kopel on the Full Comp Podcast about her extensive experience in…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSFrom Bartender to Venture Capitalist: Michael Schatzberg’s Journey in Hospitality and Tech
In this episode of Room for Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with Michael "Schatzy" Schatzberg, Co-Founder of Branded Hospitality Ventures, to unpack his…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSBuilding a Winning Catering Program with Kelly Grogan
In this episode of Room for Seconds, catering expert Kelly Grogan, co-founder of Crumbs, shares her insights on creating and scaling successful catering…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSHow Pepper Lunch is Redefining Fast-Casual Dining with CEO Troy Hooper
In this episode of Room for Seconds, host Gregg Majewski welcomes Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palette America, to discuss the unique challenges and strategies of…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSFranchising for Everyone: Success Strategies from Franchise Consultant Kim Daly
In this episode of Room for Seconds, host Gregg Majewski sits down with Kim Daly, a seasoned franchise consultant and business coach, to explore the world of…
Chicago Sam's Franchise GPSBuilding Community, Consistency, and Craveability in Hospitality with Sam Stanovich of Big Chicken
In this episode of Room for Seconds, Gregg Majewski welcomes Sam Stanovich, Senior Vice President of Franchise Leadership at Big Chicken, to uncover the…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Gregg Majewski’s Fireside Chat at the 2024 Prosper Forum
At the 2024 Prosper Forum, Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands, captivated attendees with his fireside chat alongside Michael Gottlieb. The discussion…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Justin Egan on The Full Comp Podcast: Crafting Success Through Strategic Messaging
Justin Egan, co-founder of Wing It On!, speaks with Josh Kopel on the Full Comp Podcast about secrets behind building a standout brand in a crowded market…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
PR Expert Zack Fishman Shares Secrets For Building a Cult Brand
In this episode of Rooms for Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with Zack Fishman, Chief Growth Officer of Fishman PR, to discuss the shifting landscape of…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Revolutionizing Restaurant Loyalty with Jennifer Bell of Lettuce Entertain You
Jennifer Bell, CMO of Lettuce Entertain You, brings her extensive marketing expertise to the Room For Seconds podcast, hosted by Craveworthy Brands CEO Gregg…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Texas Restaurant Association CEO Dr. Emily Williams Knight on Reenergizing the Restaurant Industry
In her recent appearance on Rooms for Seconds, powered by Craveworthy Brands, Dr. Emily Williams Knight, President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Brandon Barton: Exploring the Future of Restaurant Technology
Gregg Majewski’s interview with CEO of Bite Brandon Barton about the O’Neal Family Secret Menu, small chain essential investments, and AI in third party…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
The impact of a great mentor: Gregg Majewski talks with Bob Norman
Interview between Gregg Majewski and Bob Norman about leading by example, the importance of training, and Jimmy John’s impact on his career Takeaways…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Gregg Majewski on The Making IT Podcast: Leading with Franchisees First
In his appearance on the Making It Podcast with host Jon Davids, Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands and former key player in Jimmy John’s growth, shared…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Big Chicken, partnering with Shaquille O'Neal and winning daily with CEO Josh Halpern
On the Room for Seconds podcast with Gregg Majewski, Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken, shared his strategic vision for ensuring success at every level of the…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Ashwin Kamlani: Juicer CEO Talks Data-Driven Pricing Strategies
On the latest episode of the Room for Second podcast, hosted by Gregg Majewski, Juicer CEO and Co-Founder Ashwin Kamlani offered an insightful look into how…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
People-First Approach and Team Development with Amy Hom
In the fast-paced world of the restaurant industry, effective leadership is crucial to success. Amy Hom, a seasoned leader in the field, offers valuable…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Optimizing Real Estate Management for Restaurants with Taj Adhav
Episode Summary In this episode of Room for Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with Taj Adhav, Founder of Leasecake to discuss the evolving world of real estate…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Gregg Majewski + Sam Stanovich Fireside Chat at WFM 2024
At the Workforce Management Summit 2024, Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands, captivated attendees with his fireside chat alongside Sam Stanovich. The…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Maria Rivera: The Transformative Leader Building Brands and Empowering Teams
Maria Rivera, CEO of Smalls Holdings LLC and Smalls Sliders career is a testament to her exceptional ability to disrupt, transform, and build brands. With a…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
How to Find More Local Customers with Gregg Majewski
Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands, shares strategies for local growth and customer loyalty in the restaurant industry. In this discussion with Justin…
- Chicago Sam's Franchise GPS
Gregg Majewski Talks Empowering Teams and Achieving Consistency on the FranchiseU! Podcast
Majewski attributes Craveworthy Brand’s meteoric success to an exceptional team that aligns with the company's vision and values. He believes strongly that the…