On today’s episode, we sit down with Amer Wahab, the operator behind one of the most impressive unit economics in fast casual—$5.3M in sales from a single Kettlemans Bagel location.
Amer built a powerhouse brand with industry-leading retention, a cult following, and a model that’s built to scale. Even through the darkest days of COVID, Kettlemans came out stronger, smarter, and more profitable than ever.
In this episode, Amer shares:
- The exact systems behind his $5.3M AUV
- Why cash flow beats EBITDA in real-world operations
- How he slashed turnover to just 37% in an industry averaging 90%
- The power of “stay interviews” and culture-first leadership
- Why keeping things simple and consistent fuels growth
“COVID taught us a valuable lesson... EBITDA is important, but cash is king. When those things happen, you need cash.”
– Amer Wahab
If you're a franchisee, operator, or aspiring multi-unit owner, this episode is loaded with insights on how to build a business that scales without losing its soul.
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