Founderology

I have been inspired by Derrick Hayes and Big Dave's Cheesesteaks starting as an Instagram follower and then as a customer. I actually drove from Tampa to Orlando to try his Classic Dave's Chicken — wow — was it worth the drive and the many more drives I will continue to make to Big Dave's. Hopefully, Tampa is on the list for new locations!

Derrick's vision, his grit, and his heart for community and family sets h...

How do you take a Maine lobster roll—yes, the classic, buttery, delicious kind—and build a brand that stretches from the East Coast to the heart of Milan, Italy?

That's the kind of breakthrough story we love to feature at Founderology: Built to Breakthrough. And it's exactly what unfolds in this powerful episode with Dan Beck, Founder of Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls.

Dan's story is not built on flash or shortcuts....

I have been a fan and follower of Pinky Cole Hayes and Slutty Vegan since her first opening in Atlanta. Her entrepreneurial drive is unmatched. She has built a brand that reimagines vegan food, empowers her community and sets a new standard for Founder-led success.

I recently visited her latest opening in Tampa and enjoyed a Chik'N Head sandwich with crispy hot fries. Pinky Cole Hayes is the embodiment of the Founder spirit. If...

What do late-night drinks, a lobster roll, and a cross-country cousin connection have to do with building a national brand?

Everything.

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 Tselikis, turned into a Shark Tank deal, 100+ locations, international expansion, and a brand that still runs on family, hustle, and heart.

No expe...

How far would you go to escape a life that's crushing your spirit? Would you:

• Walk away from a steady paycheck?
• Sell your house?
• Move across the country with a newborn?
• Start a restaurant… with no sign, no money, and no guarantees?

One Founder — Joe Fontana, Founder of Fry the Coop — did all four.

And what happened next? You'll have to hear it to believe it.

On this episode of Founderology: Built to Breakthrough, we sit...

What if the key to scaling a great brand was reconnecting with your roots?

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 Daniella share how her journey began at just 13 years old, when she launched a holiday bakery business out of her parents' home in the Dominican Republic. That business didn't just take ...

What happens when a visionary Founder and a passionate franchisee come together to build something bigger than burritos? You get a conversation packed with insight, real talk, and game-changing strategies that every restaurant Founder needs to hear.

In this episode of Founderology, I sit down with Randy Wyner, Founder and franchisor of Chronic Tacos, and Caleb Walker, multi-unit franchisee and entrepreneurial powerhouse. Together, t...

What does it take to build a lasting brand from the ground, and turn a single idea into a multi-brand growth engine?

This week on Founderology – Built to Breaktrough, I sat down with Medhi Zarhloul, the powerhouse Founder of Crazy Pita, Chicken Genius and Salad Madness. His journey began in Casablanca, Morocco, where at just 15 years old, he came to America with $30 in his pocket, no English, and no roadmap — just grit, drive and a ...

Paths to Success: Achieving the American Dream 

What if your next breakthrough came from a dishwasher-turned-Founder or a tech innovator who transformed chaos into a scalable business? This episode of Founderology – Built to Breakthrough is packed with real-world insights for Founders building bold growth for lasting impact.

In “Paths to Success: Achieving the American Dream,” you’ll hear the powerful journeys of Shawn Lalehzarian, F...

Every once in a while, you meet a Founder who reminds you why you started in the first place. The passion. The purpose. The powerful vision that you just can't let go of no matter what.

That's exactly what happened when I sat down with Denise Tran, founder of Bun Mee, on this episode of Founderology: Built to Breakthrough. And I'm telling you right now — this is another conversation you want to take notes as you liste...

Two Broke Bartenders Turn Big Bet Into Thriving Hospitality Group

What happens when two broke bartenders take a big risk, bet on themselves and turn a handshake deal into a booming restaurant brand? That's the story of James Bonanno, founder and CEO of Upstream Hospitality Group, the company behind Tap Room, Bango Bowls and a growing portfolio of waterfront restaurants.

On the latest episode of the Founderology podcast, we sat d...

On this episode of Founderology - Built to Breakthrough, Kathleen Wood chats with Ellis Winstanley about his entrepreneurial journey through the hospitality industry and beyond. Starting with his passion for revitalizing distressed restaurant brands in college, Ellis has built an impressive portfolio of ten unique businesses. He shares his insights on the importance of solving problems, creating innovative solutions, and the power ...

What does it take to go from an unhappy lawyer to a trailblazing entrepreneur transforming a childhood recipe into a thriving restaurant business? Erin Wade, founder of Homeroom Mac+Cheese and the author of "The Mac and Cheese Millionaire," Kathleen Wood on the Founderology podcast to share her story.

"The episode highlights the power of resilience, innovation and leadership," Wood said. "Erin doesn't j...

We've all heard the stats about 30% of restaurants failing, and while it's a scary number, it means 70% find success. I'm no math major, but those seem like good odds but many leave many wondering why some brands thrive while others die.

To answer those questions and to give restaurant founders a voice, FastCasual has teamed up with Kathleen Wood, founder of Kathleen Wood Partners, known for coaching restaurant founde...