Scaling a 360+ Unit Restaurant Empire and Launching Taco Bell Cantina

On today’s episode, we sit down with SG Ellison, the powerhouse behind a 360+ unit franchise empire and the first-ever Taco Bell Cantina.

SG didn’t scale by cutting corners—he scaled by investing in people, pushing innovation, and playing the long game. From buying his first 85 units to developing the highest volume Taco Bell in the world, SG’s story is a masterclass in thoughtful, purpose-driven growth.

In this episode, SG shares:

-How he built a 360-unit portfolio across multiple QSR brands

-The origin of Taco Bell Cantina and what made it work

-How he retains top leaders after major acquisitions

-What it means to grow with purpose—not just profit

-Why franchisees need a seat at the table in policy conversations

“Our purpose is to positively impact the lives of the team and the communities that we serve. And that's it.”

If you’re serious about scaling smart, leading with intention, and being the kind of franchisee brands fight to land, this episode is unmissable.