Teriyaki Madness to Debut in Wyoming, Driven by Local Franchisee Couple’s Passion for Small-Town Growth and Healthy Dining

Candice and Matt Kindred are on the brink of making history in Wyoming by introducing the state’s very first Teriyaki Madness restaurant to their beloved hometown of Sheridan. Coming from professional backgrounds — Candice in automotive retail and Matt in oil and gas — they sought to plant roots and contribute to the town they had grown fond of. Sheridan's small-town charm and close-knit community appealed to them, making it the perfect place to start a new business venture. Their desire to provide healthy, fast casual dining options, which were lacking in the area, led them to explore various franchising opportunities.

Through a franchise consultant, they discovered Teriyaki Madness, a brand that resonated with their personal tastes and aligned with their community-oriented values. Candice, with her Filipino heritage, found a personal connection to the Asian-inspired cuisine, while both appreciating the fresh ingredients and health-conscious menu. The corporate culture and strong support system offered by Teriyaki Madness further solidified their decision to franchise with the brand, as it felt like joining a family rather than just a business partnership.

Their vision extends beyond Sheridan, with plans to grow within Wyoming and eventually expand into the Dakotas. They are passionate about bringing the conveniences and quality of fast casual dining from larger cities to smaller communities without altering their unique essence. By starting with three shops in Wyoming, they aim to prove the efficiency and effectiveness of the Teriyaki Madness model, setting the stage for future growth.

Candice and Matt's commitment to Sheridan is evident in their approach to business. They cherish the opportunity to know their customers personally and support local initiatives, believing that good quality food can serve as a meaningful connection point within the community. Their complementary skills and shared values position them well to succeed in bringing Teriyaki Madness to small towns, fostering a sense of community while offering healthy dining options.

1851 Franchise recently spoke with the Kindreds about their journey into franchising with Teriyaki Madness, their passion for the Sheridan community and their plans for the future.

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

Candice Kindred: My background is primarily in automotive retail — I have retail experience outside of automotive, but I've spent the lion's share of my career in automotive retail. Matt and I fell in love with this community and wanted to plant roots here. I was at a place in my career where I was dealing with a transition, so we had a conversation about opening a business here. 

We love the outdoors, the state of Wyoming and everything it has to offer. We began exploring what that would look like, seeking a business partner that would allow us to scale and grow. We worked through a franchise consultant who brought us some opportunities, but living in a small town, many franchises wouldn't consider a partnership due to the population size. Thankfully, one of the options we were given was Teriyaki Madness. We loved the idea of fast casual food, being active people used to fast casual options in larger cities. Teriyaki Madness fit perfectly with what we wanted.

Matt Kindred: Like Candice said, we looked for a lot of different opportunities. She had some space in her schedule to really take on the full-time lead for running the shops and getting them built and operating. 

I come from an oil and gas background. I started working in Wyoming around 2007-2008 and fell in love with the area. Sheridan was always a place I wanted to move to, and I got that opportunity right after COVID when a friend opened a business here. We both wanted to establish deeper roots in the community. It's a small town, with a population of 18,000 people, so everyone knows everyone. We wanted to be a part of that.

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?

Candice: My perspective from the automotive side is that franchising is a great opportunity to find the right partner to build a business with. I'm a firm believer that, as an operator, you have to have a good playbook and execute it well. If you can find a franchising partner with a proven model of success, it's a great opportunity. I've had favorable opinions of franchising but understand the importance of picking the right partner. You need to know your deficiencies and where that partnership can benefit you. For us, finding not just the next exciting thing but what truly fits was crucial.

Matt: In the past, I saw franchises as corporate entities you paid money to, and then they cut you loose, which involved a lot of risk. With Teriyaki Madness, it felt more like joining a family. The amount of support we've received, even just in getting the lease agreement moved forward, has been amazing. The playbook they have laid out reduces the risk for new franchisees like us. Teriyaki Madness invests in their franchisees and their brand's expansion, which is what we wanted to see.

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

Candice: We wanted to plant roots in the community and were looking for a business that would allow us to scale. Teriyaki Madness was one of the few franchises that considered smaller communities. The fast casual food concept appealed to us, as it provides healthy, quick and convenient options that are lacking in Wyoming. Additionally, the fresh ingredients and the Asian influence resonated with me personally, as my mom is Filipino. We loved the food and the corporate culture of Teriyaki Madness, making it an easy decision.

Matt: As Candice mentioned, we explored various options. What stood out about Teriyaki Madness was the culture and the support from the corporate team. They interviewed us as much as we interviewed them — it was a thorough process that made us feel confident in our decision. The brand's approach to business and their dedication to supporting their operators were significant factors for us.

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

Candice: We hope to establish a strong reputation in Wyoming so that when people consider food options, they immediately think of Teriyaki Madness. Our plan is to grow within Wyoming — starting in our own community — and eventually expand into the Dakotas. We are passionate about smaller communities and want to bring the conveniences of larger cities to them without changing their essence.

Matt: We're starting with three stores in Wyoming, proving the model's efficiency and effectiveness. If successful, we plan to expand to every town in Wyoming and eventually into the Dakotas. We want to dedicate the rest of our careers to expanding Teriyaki Madness and bringing good quality food to these communities.

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

Candice: We are passionate about our community and the smaller communities specifically. We love being able to know our customers and bring conveniences of larger cities to smaller communities while acclimating to them. Personally, I don't cook, which makes it funny that I'm opening a restaurant. But finding the right business partner and being passionate about what you're doing can make it happen.

Matt: This franchise allows us to serve good quality food and be involved in the community. It's meaningful to be able to provide fast casual options and support local initiatives. The alignment with our values and the reason we are here in Sheridan make this the perfect fit.

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

Candice: First, figure out what you're passionate about. There are thousands of franchising opportunities, so you need to do some soul searching. Then, research companies that align with your passion and interview them. A franchise consultant can be helpful, but you can also research on your own. Don't get caught up in the latest trends; make sure the franchise fits you and your community.

Matt: Entering into a franchise, just like any business, involves taking on responsibility and risk, so you need to be willing to commit. Run the numbers, do your background research and ask hard questions. Find a franchise that aligns with your values and community needs. It's essential to assess both the opportunities and risks independently.

Candice: Look at both sides of the coin — opportunity and risk. Do an independent analysis of each. Don't let yourself be swayed by one side more than the other. We found that we complement each other well in this regard, which has played a crucial role in our success.

Matt: We are optimistic about our success with this franchise model. We have had successful independent careers and are now bringing that experience together in a complementary way that aligns with Teriyaki Madness's values.

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 150 shops across three 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 profitable margins for the franchisees. Backed by leading-edge technology including delivery and loyalty innovations and an all-star executive team, Teriyaki Madness’ focus is on providing profitable opportunities for TMAD franchisees by providing delicious, healthy food to communities. Visit franchise.teriyakimadness.com for single and multi-unit opportunities.