How Famous Toastery is Investing in Its Corporate Team to Support Franchise Growth

Famous Toastery, the 26-unit breakfast, brunch and lunch franchise, is experiencing major growth this year as it aims to open 50 units — practically doubling its current footprint — by 2024. To meet this ambitious goal, Famous Toastery has announced the addition of several new members to its executive team through both internal promotions and external hiring. These qualified leaders and industry veterans will collaborate to cultivate a business model and support infrastructure that encourages franchisees to “Be Famous.” 

Michael Mabry, who joined Famous Toastery’s executive team as president in November 2021, emphasized that an investment in the corporate leadership team is one of Famous Toastery’s most critical growth strategies for 2022.

“As we look back at the first two quarters of 2022, we really put everything through our ‘Be Famous’ lens. That is really what has propelled us to achieve year-over-year sales increases,” said Mabry. “We are focused on three major strategies for the year: to build sales at the unit level through marketing efforts and upgraded operational support, to put the right people in place on the leadership team, and to build possibilities at the restaurant level for franchisees.”

Another new executive to join the Famous Toastery executive team is Joe Gillie, Vice President of Operations.

Gillie brings many years of experience in the restaurant industry. Most recently, Gillie worked as Chief Financial Officer for Charleston Hospitality Group, which includes several restaurant brands, including Toast All Day. Before that, Gillie worked with many legacy QSR brands, including Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, in operations and the finance department. Gillie also has experience on the franchisee level as the Chief Operating Officer for a restaurant group that owned 18 Popeyes franchise locations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

“I’ve worked in every role imaginable in the restaurant industry,” said Gillie. “I started working in restaurant kitchens 30 years ago and have worked my way up to general manager, franchisee and executive.”

Eric Gustafsson joined Famous Toastery’s executive team as Vice President of Franchise Development earlier this year.

Gustafsson brings a wealth of experience in franchising to the Famous Toastery team. Most recently, Gustafsson worked as Director of Business Development for REEF, a global ghost kitchen technology company with 400 operations worldwide. Before that, Gustafsson was a franchise business consultant with Goddard Systems, Inc., as well as an area director for both Jerry’s Subs & Pizza and Hurricane Grill & Wings. Gustafsson also has experience on the franchisee level as an owner of Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids and Dryer Vent Wizard International.
 

“My background is in everything franchising,” said Gustafsson. “I’ve overseen everything from operations for private preschool franchises to development for full-service dining restaurants. I’ve sold franchises, offered operational consulting, oversaw profitability coaching for franchisees and handled a little marketing."

Mabry said, with the addition of Gustafsson, “the goal is to ensure the brand has extensive coverage from a unit level.” Since joining the team, Gustafsson’s focus was less about signing on a specific number of franchisees, and more about doing a deeper dive into the Carolinas. His primary objective is “to bring on the right franchise owners.”

Robert Maynard, Founder and CEO of Famous Toastery, echoed that sentiment while reiterating the importance of properly investing in the company’s corporate team.

“To meet our goals, we must hire the right people and have a great marketing team in place,” said Maynard. “We have hired several industry veterans that have some of the best ideas and the expertise to execute those ideas. It’s not possible to run a franchise brand from the top without innovative leadership and team members with a clear vision.”

In addition to adding new talent to its roster, Famous Toastery has also unveiled a new franchising website to showcase what the brand is about and what they aspire to accomplish as they develop. The company is confident that it is the strongest better-breakfast restaurant in the Carolinas, and it wants to convey that to talented franchises interested in “Being Famous.”

“When it comes to successful expansion, it is all about people,” said Mabry. “From the top to the bottom. It doesn’t matter how great the food is; if we don’t have the people to execute on ideas, we won’t succeed. Our goal at this stage is to build the best team possible, and these first horses step in that direction.”

The cost to open a Famous Toastery franchise ranges from $575,500 to $999,500 including a franchise fee starting at $45,000. To learn about franchising opportunities, please visit www.bestbreakfastfranchise.com.