Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

For Brayden Steven, entrepreneurship runs in the family. The Wichita, Kansas native always looked up to her family’s path of hard work and self-made success. Now, she’s carving her own with her father, Johnny, bringing Teriyaki Madness to the Midwest. While Johnny discovered the brand on business trips to California, Brayden committed to stepping into a leadership role along with Noah Calcagno and this fueled their decision to open three locations in Wichita. Starting with the Shops at Avante, and soon expanding to Central and Hillside, this team is excited to introduce the fast-growing, flavor-packed brand to their hometown.

“The brand is new and relevant, and they do a great job of staying young and current,” Brayden said. “The voice is very young and fun — not like any other. I really enjoy the way they present themselves. Being on the newer side but still an established brand, it’s exciting to be on that side of it.”

1851 spoke with the Stevens to learn more about their backgrounds, what drew them to the Teriyaki Madness brand and their plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Brayden Steven: We’re very excited to start something new in Wichita. There’s not much here that compares to it. We fell in love with the brand in California. It’s growing fast, and we really feel like we’re on the front of a growing franchise that’s getting cool.

Johnny Steven: What really drew us to the franchise is Teriyaki Madness itself. We really connected with the theme and the product and the model. I would never have gotten into this business without the brand. It’s healthy and fresh.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Brayden: I was born and raised in Wichita, and our family is very entrepreneurial. I’ve been looking for the next step. When my dad came to me, we were excited to get this going. I’ve always been in the hospitality industry.

Johnny: I’m in the insurance business. My brother and I started Eddy’s Insurance Group in 2014, as part of our larger vision to open insurance agencies in dealerships. When the dealership business brought the family to California, I started doing insurance work there, too. I travel out to L.A. at least once a month. That’s how I discovered Teriyaki Madness. I had it every single time I went out there over two years. I even bought it for big meals at the dealership. Catering is real big with them.

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

Brayden: I always looked up to our family starting their own path, working hard and reaping their own rewards. I saw how hard work can get you when you’re your own boss. When the opportunity came up, we couldn’t resist.

Johnny: We weren’t even thinking about getting into the restaurant business. We just really fell in love with the food.

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

Brayden: The brand is new and relevant, and they do a great job of staying young and current. The voice is very young and fun — not like any other. I really enjoy the way they present themselves. Being on the newer side but still an established brand, it’s exciting to be on that side of it.

Johnny: The food is so good. It’s a fast-casual concept with made-to-order Japanese food. Some of it is mad spicy — I’m a spicy guy. The spice is what made me fall in love with it.

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

Brayden: We’re starting with the Shops at Avante at 37th and Ridge. The next one will be near Central and Hillside, and then an East Side location. All three Wichita restaurants should be open within two years. After that, we’ll start looking at cities around Wichita. The Midwest barely has it at all — we think it’s about to explode here, and we want to be a part of that.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Johnny: Brayden just really fits this business. She’s always had a knack for hospitality, and she brings a lot of heart and leadership to the table. This suits her perfectly. We’re proud to be building this together.

ABOUT TERIYAKI MADNESS

Teriyaki Madness is making big moves. The secret sauce lies in TMAD’s uncompromising support systems that allow new business owners to achieve success through their proprietary training and support programs with teams dedicated to each franchisee’s unique needs. More than 185 shops across two countries deliver big, heaping bowls of fresh, healthy, natural ingredients to their communities, creating a cult-like following with customers, employment opportunities for neighborhoods, and a high average unit volume for franchisees. Backed by leading-edge technology, including delivery and loyalty innovations, and an all-star executive team, Teriyaki Madness focuses on providing delicious, healthy food to communities. Visit franchise.teriyakimadness.com for single and multi-unit opportunities.