Thunderdome Restaurant Group: 9 restaurant concepts, 1 vision

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Editor's note: This is part 3 in a series featuring founders of restaurant concepts answering five questions about building their companies.

The human element of change: managing emotions and building trust

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Successful business change is primarily dependent on leaders acknowledging and managing the emotional impact it has on employees through empathy, transparent…

Fueling delicious growth: Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream

In this episode of Founderology: Built to Breakthrough, we talk with Donna and Daniel Golik, Mother and Son Founders of Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream – craveable…

TAP brothers building a cultural bridge with Brazilian flavors

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The four-unit chain hopes to reach 20 corporate stores by 2030, with a stronghold in urban wellness hubs like NYC and Miami. Franchising will launch in 2026.

Founderology Growth Summit: The breakthrough experience Founders must attend

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Built for Founders. Powered by Founders.

Founderology Growth Summit: The Breakthrough Experience Founders MUST Attend

The Founderology Growth Summit is a breakthrough experience designed for Founders who are looking to scale. Every moment, from the first conversation to the…

Breaking boundaries: Derrick Hayes on purpose, power, building Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

In this episode of Founderology – Built to Breakthrough, Derrick Hayes opens up about the decisions, setbacks, and breakthroughs that shaped his path. He…

Why Tacomasa's founder built a debt-free company

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Editor's note: This is the first in a series featuring founders of restaurant concepts answering five questions about building their companies.

From Maine to Milan: The global journey of Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls

How do you take a Maine lobster roll and build a brand that stretches from the East Coast to the heart of Milan, Italy? That’s the kind of breakthrough story…

From Nigeria to DC: A founder's quest to take African food mainstream

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Nigerian-native Ada Osakwe, an angel investor and former banker, is bringing her African fast casual concept, Nuli, to Washington, D.C.

Thriving through uncertainty: The power of resilience

by Jim Knight — Founder & CEO, Knight Speaker

Let's be honest — uncertainty is here to stay. From industry shake-ups to disruptive tech, shifting markets, and yes, even global crises, unpredictability is…

How Slutty Vegan Founder turned $20M in debt into a $100M comeback

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

In this episode of "Founderology – Built to Breakthrough," Pinky Cole Hayes shares her “PhD. lessons” and mindset that fueled her comeback.

Keeping the Maine thing the main thing: How 2 'Cousins' built a global brand

In this episode of Founderology: Built to Breakthrough, Sabin Lomac—co-founder of Cousins Maine Lobster—shares how one wild night idea with his cousin Jim…

How Fry the Coop founder traded everything for freedom (and fried chicken)

On this episode of Founderology: Built to Breakthrough, we sit down with Joe Fontana who went from being stuck in a cubicle to running one of the most…

Cousins Maine Lobster surpasses $1B systemwide sales

June 30, 2025

Cousins Maine Lobster, a national food truck and fast-casual dining concept, has surpassed $1 billion in systemwide sales since its founding in 2012. The…

There is nothing 'soft' about soft skills

by Felicia White — President, CHART

The skills frontline managers require are categorized as "hard" and "soft" skills. The "hard skills" (which I noted in my initial blog post) are those focused…

From Teen Entrepreneur to Hospitality Powerhouse - Daniella Senior’s Mission to Scale the Colada Shop

This week on Founderology, I sat down with powerhouse entrepreneur Daniella Senior — the Founder and CEO of Colada Shop, Bresca, Serenata and Zumo. You’ll hear…

L&L Hawaiian co-founder publishes franchising guidebook

June 13, 2025

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue co-Founder Eddie Flores Jr. is offering insights and practical advice for aspiring and current franchise owners in his book…

From Founder to franchisee: How Chronic Tacos built a Brand still breaking through

In this episode of Founderology, I sit down with Randy Wyner, Founder and franchisor of Chronic Tacos, and Caleb Walker, multi-unit franchisee and…

Are you the tallest tree in your 'business forest?'

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Have you ever heard the phrase, "You can't see the forest for the trees"? This metaphor is particularly relevant for Founders, as it highlights how we can…