How do you take a regional food concept and build a growing franchise? In this episode of CHOMP, Sebastian Kahn visits Kolache Factory in Tustin, California, to go behind the scenes with Ted, a franchisee and owner of the California locations. Ted shares what it took to introduce Kolache Factory to California, from choosing the right location and managing costs to building a loyal customer base and maintaining consistency across the franchise. The episode also explores the operation behind the counter, including fresh baking, kitchen preparation, menu consistency, employee retention, and the challenges of competing in the fast-service breakfast market. For restaurant owners and aspiring operators, this episode offers practical lessons on franchising, location strategy, operations, customer experience, and sustainable growth. Watch the full episode to learn how Ted built the business and what comes next for Kolache Factory in California. Restaurant Association is an independent global organization representing restaurant owners and focused on improving business outcomes. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any other national, state, provincial, or local restaurant association. Membership is completely free. Sign up on the official website to access valuable resources, including weekly restaurant hacks, tips, tutorials, strategies, and secrets. Members also gain access to exclusive shows, eLearning courses, webinars, and operations templates designed to elevate restaurant performance. About Restaurant Association Restaurant Association is an independent global organization representing restaurant owners and focused on improving business outcomes. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any other national, state, provincial, or local restaurant association. Membership is completely free. Just sign up on the official website to access valuable resources, including weekly restaurant hacks, tips, tutorials, strategies, and secrets. As a member, you'll also gain access to exclusive shows, eLearning courses, webinars, and operations templates designed to elevate your restaurant's performance. Restaurant Association Resources Website: https://restaurantassociation.com/ Free Membership: https://restaurantassociation.com/v2/unified/signup/ Shows: https://restaurantassociation.com/shows Resources: https://restaurantassociation.com/resources #kolachefactory #restaurantbusiness #franchisebusiness #restaurantoperations #restaurantgrowth #fastservice #foodbusiness #chomp #restaurantassociation

Great food deserves attention. But posting beautiful food photos alone isn't an Instagram strategy anymore. In this Restaurant Association Masterclass, we break down how restaurants can use Instagram to capture attention, build trust, reach more local customers, and ultimately turn content into business. You’ll learn: - Why Instagram has changed and what restaurants need to do differently - The Attention → Trust → Conversion Content System - Why the first few seconds of a Reel matter so much - How to create restaurant Reels people want to watch - How Stories can create urgency and drive action - How to use local content, customer tags, and creators to build visibility - The biggest Instagram mistakes restaurants should avoid You don't need every Reel to go viral. You need a content system that consistently keeps your restaurant in front of the people who matter. About Restaurant Association Restaurant Association is an independent global organization representing restaurant owners and focused on improving business outcomes. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any other national, state, provincial, or local restaurant association. Membership is completely free. Just sign up on the official website to access valuable resources, including weekly restaurant hacks, tips, tutorials, strategies, and secrets. As a member, you'll also gain access to exclusive shows, eLearning courses, webinars, and operations templates designed to elevate your restaurant's performance. Restaurant Association Resources Website: https://restaurantassociation.com/ Free Membership: https://restaurantassociation.com/v2/unified/signup/ TV Shows: https://restaurantassociation.com/shows Resources: https://restaurantassociation.com/resources/templates #restaurantmarketing #instagrammarketing #restaurantowners #restaurantgrowth #restaurantsocialmedia #restautantassociation

Caribou Coffee appoints Zane Thomas-Rogers as Chief Operations Officer to strengthen execution across its expanding coffeehouse network.

Compare the top 10 restaurant POS systems in the USA for 2026. Explore features, pricing, pros, cons, and the best POS options for every restaurant type.

Learn how to handle restaurant payroll yourself, from calculating hours and wages to managing tips, taxes, and final paychecks.

Restaurant labor management helps owners optimize staffing, control labor costs, improve productivity, monitor overtime, and maintain efficient restaurant operations.