Brand Expansion with David Bloom of Capriotti’s and Wing Zone
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It is a rare occurrence to have a leader in the franchise space that operates two distinct brands! But today, David Bloom joins me as the Chief Development and Operating Officer of two different franchises: Capriotti’s and Wing Zone. In this episode, David describes the differences and similarities of both franchises, both within the casual dining space. His early career with iconic brands both in the hotel and restaurant industries prepared him for his current role and he was able to learn how to strategically accelerate brand expansion. Now in leadership with two brands, he has been successful in scaling both to new heights with 190 current Capriotti’s locations and 300 more in development. **** Key Takeaways: [2:24] - It’s not the norm to have someone lead two different brands simultaneously. [3:09] - David shares his background and how he found himself working in casual dining and hotels. [4:26] - Although having worked in different industries, David’s main love is restaurants. [6:46] - There are several brands that have been incredibly successful and they have something in common. [8:05] - Capriotti’s is all about the food. They have won several awards for the quality of food they offer. [9:29] - There are about 190 Capriotti’s locations and 300 in development. [11:32] - David shares what is focused on when it comes to staying on the same page as franchise partners. [13:31] - There are several decisions that are important to make early on, especially when it comes to investing in technology. [15:24] - Wing Zone is a little different from Capriotti’s. There are some things that were kept when acquired, but others that were improved upon. [17:45] - When Wing Zone was acquired, it was set up as a single operator model. [19:31] - Who is the ideal franchisee for Wing Zone or Capriotti’s? [22:01] - The gross income has to make sense for a multi-unit operator. [23:48] - The company is very value driven. [25:29] - Co-branding hasn’t been a focus as the ideal real estate for a Wing Zone is different from Capriotti’s. [27:30] - Growth is fueled by finding the right franchise owners. [29:12] - What is the future of third party delivery companies? [31:15] - David recommends a book to read before making big decisions. [33:19] - We need to be prepared for the average customer’s expectation to have things immediately. [36:28] - Get involved and make connections. Get to know the people who are really doing it.   Mentioned in This Episode: Capriotti’s Website) **Wing Zone Website)