Food & Beverage

Teriyaki Madness' CEO on how food that 'makes you feel like a million' fuels brand growth

"No gut bombs." That's part of the brand promise for Teriyaki Madness, along with a pledge to serve customers food that "makes you feel like a million bucks." And it turns out customers are taking Teriyaki Madness up on those promises in ever-increasing numbers in ways that are fueling rapid brand growth.

Teriyaki Madness CEO Michael Haith stands by his food as both incredibly good and good for you. (Photo provided)

July 16, 2021

Some restaurateurs might say the quality of being a little bit "mad" for the restaurant business is a prerequisite for going into this particular industry with its crazy hours and insanely high energy demands. But the brand leader spotlighted today on the podcast is fully embracing the idea that an almost rabid addiction to pleasing people is an asset when it comes to leading an innovative fast casual brand like Teriyaki Madness.

Brand CEO Michael Haith steps into the podcast "hot seat" today to explain things like why the 100-store brand makes pledges to its customers like "no gut bombs" and promising that the fast casual's food "makes you feel like a million bucks" in a restaurant environment where customers are more than ready to hold a brand to such promises on social media and elsewhere.

In this relaxed, but fun conversation with Haith, we also learn what he most loves about leading this brand — the business side or the culinary side — and why. The answer might surprise you.

We'll find out how the brand manages to keep a healthy share of its offerings in the lower-calorie category, without really trying, and whether that even matters to its customers.

It's all in today's podcast, brought to you by location-based marketing and advertising company, Gimbal.