David Burgess is no stranger to the restaurant franchising industry.
For about 16 years, he worked his way up the corporate ladder with California Pizza Kitchen. After starting out as a line cook, Burgess eventually became the brand’s East Coast senior manager, a role that required him to oversee more than 100 restaurants while at the same time helping the brand grow in the right direction. After successfully implementing systems that streamlined California Pizza Kitchen’s expansion, he decided it was time for a change. That’s when he discovered a brand raising the bar in the rapidly growing breakfast industry—Famous Toastery.
What initially drew him in was the brand’s family environment and sense of community. Famous Toastery isn’t just known for serving delicious breakfast and brunch meals—it’s also a place where guests’ experiences are valued above all else. Right off the bat, Burgess knew the brand had created something special. So he decided to jump on board as Famous Toastery’s new vice president of operations.
“Our ‘every server is your server’ mentality is what we live and breathe. It’s completely engrained in our DNA and culture across the entire Famous Toastery system,” said Burgess. “That kind of environment is something other restaurant brands struggle to attain. But because it’s an essential part of the Famous Toastery model, we’re already in a perfect position to grow.”
That growth is evident in the nation’s only better breakfast franchise’s performance. Today, Famous Toastery boasts more than 15 locations across the Southeast. And the brand is expected to open another 25 restaurants in the next year alone in both new and existing markets across the country.
“We’re thrilled to have Burgess on the Famous Toastery team, especially as we continue to establish our nationwide presence. We’re selling franchises at record rates—we couldn’t ask for better business momentum going into a new year,” said Robert Maynard, Famous Toastery’s founder and CEO. “There’s a real need for our concept in the restaurant industry. We’re filling in a gap that no one else has tapped into yet.”
As the Famous Toastery brand continues to expand across the country, Burgess’ mission is simple: to put better systems in place to support all of the brand’s franchisees. With the better breakfast segment on the verge of exploding—and Famous Toastery’s position as an innovator leading the way—Burgess knows how important it is for the brand to build on a solid foundation.
“The better breakfast industry doesn’t quite exist yet. We’re really leading the charge and setting our own pace. That gives us an incredible opportunity to get in on the ground floor and set trends that will be followed for years to come,” Burgess said. “There’s no doubt it’s an exciting time for me to become a part of the Famous Toastery family. I’m looking forward to setting the brand pillars that will impact how the we reach that 100-unit mark and beyond.”