Cruise Ship Crowd's Love of Teriyaki Madness Affirms Franchise Decision

LaDon Mathews and Cory Sanders dreamt of business ownership for years and have finally found the right brand to make that dream a reality: Teriyaki Madness. They've received some encouragement in unexpected places.

“We went on vacation on a cruise, and there were about 5,000 people on this ship,” Sanders said. “People would speak to us and ask us what we do. We mentioned we wanted to open a Teriyaki Madness and so many people were so excited about it. They all said they loved it and nobody had anything bad to say about it."

Sanders worked in network security, first for the military and then in the public sector while Mathews has been an event planner for over 13 years. While they have enjoyed their careers up to this point, they are keen to pursue their entrepreneurial passion and build their own business through franchising. 

They themselves were sold on the brand from the very first time they tasted the food. 

“I haven’t experienced these flavors anywhere else,” said Sanders. “I love Asian food. When we drove up to Charlotte to try it, we tried it the first time and we were sold already. We tried just about everything on the menu because we wanted to be sure.”

The team looks forward to bringing this fresh and new concept to Columbia, South Carolina, in April of 2024. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Mathews and Sanders to hear more about their journey into franchising and their plans for the future. 

FEATURE QUESTIONS

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Sanders: I’m prior service — I did network security in the military. I got out to do network security for the public sector, and I have worked with the state of South Carolina for the past eight years. 

I wanted to work for myself and own my own business and build generational wealth.

Mathews: I’ve been an event planner for close to 13-14 years now. We own an event venue for weddings currently. We are looking to expand into different categories with our career. We looked into a couple different restaurants, and Teriyaki Madness seemed like the best concept.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Sanders: When you get into franchising, it is tough, but it is not as tough as having to start from ground zero without any support. Franchising gives you the support you need to have a good product and maintain a good product. 

I encourage people to get into franchising, get your feet wet and then that way if you want to go it alone then you have the background and knowledge of the whole operation behind the scenes.

Mathews: I like that you are able to make your own decisions within the parameters of the work they have already done in the background to set up the franchise. I like that you’re not alone; a lot of things are figured out for you already.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Sanders: It’s something new and fresh in Columbia. We don’t have any fresh, made to order Asian restaurants. The sauces are unique. I haven’t experienced these flavors anywhere else. I love Asian food. When we drove up to Charlotte to try it, we tried it the first time and we were sold already. We tried just about everything on the menu because we wanted to be sure. 

We went on vacation on a cruise, and there were about 5,000 people on this ship. People would speak to us and ask us what we do. We mentioned we wanted to open a Teriyaki Madness and so many people were so excited about it. They all said they loved it and nobody had anything bad to say about it. 

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Sanders: We definitely want to serve our community fresh, good food. We have plans to expand because we believe in the brand and we believe everyone will love it. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Mathews: We’ve been working very hard to bring this to South Carolina. It has been a difficult process, but it will definitely be worth it because we believe in it enough to go through all that work. 

Sanders: For me, it’s about following my dreams. I made really good money in network security. I was passionate about it, but it wasn’t my dream. I wanted to try something different so I took a leap of faith and did it. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Sanders: Do it!

Mathews: Do it! It’s better than trying to start from scratch. It’s cliche, but you will always wonder “what if” if you never try it. 

ABOUT TERIYAKI MADNESS

Teriyaki Madness is making big moves. Named the #1 Fastest-Growing Big Restaurant Chain in the U.S. by Restaurant Business, TMAD’s secret sauce lies in creating value for franchisees, guests and employees alike. More than 145 shops across three countries deliver big, heaping bowls of fresh, natural ingredients to their communities, creating a cult-like following with customers, employment opportunities for neighborhoods, and profitable margins for the franchisees. Backed by world-class technology including delivery and loyalty innovations and an all-star executive team, Teriyaki Madness’ focus is on sustainable growth and exceptional experiences. Visit franchise.teriyakimadness.com for single and multi-unit opportunities, and join the Teriyaki Takeover.