When I first got involved in the restaurant business as a teenager, I never imagined I would one day be leading multiple brands and helping them grow into scalable businesses. Today, as CEO of Carbone Restaurant Group, I’ve had the opportunity to not only run successful restaurant operations but also explore franchising and business expansion. Over the years, I’ve learned that scaling a business—especially through franchising—requires more than just a great concept; it requires strong leadership, clear systems, and a focus on people.
Leadership is the Foundation
The first principle I want to share is that leadership sets the tone for everything. You can have the best idea, the most innovative menu, or the trendiest concept, but without strong leadership, it won’t matter. Leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about creating a culture where your team feels empowered, valued, and motivated to achieve the brand’s vision.
When I became managing partner of Carbone in 2011, we had just one location. My first priority was to ensure that everyone on the team understood not just their role, but how they contributed to the bigger picture. Scaling a business doesn’t happen by chance; it happens when every person in the organization is aligned and invested in success. As you expand, maintaining that culture becomes even more critical.
Build Strong, Replicable Systems
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in franchising is that the brand is only as strong as the systems behind it. To scale a restaurant successfully, you need operations, training, and processes that are replicable across multiple locations.
For example, with Fast Fired by Carbone, we created a concept that was simple, consistent, and easy to replicate without compromising quality. Every new franchisee receives detailed training and access to proven operational procedures. Systems allow your team and your partners to deliver the same experience to every customer, no matter where they are. Without these systems, scaling becomes messy and inconsistent, and that’s a recipe for failure.
Choose the Right Partners
Franchising is a partnership, and choosing the right people to grow your brand is essential. Not every entrepreneur or investor is the right fit. I’ve found that the most successful franchisees share your vision, values, and commitment to excellence. They care about the business as much as you do, and they understand that scaling a brand requires patience, dedication, and attention to detail.
When evaluating partners, I look for people who are not just capable, but who are aligned with the culture and mission of our brands. This alignment ensures that the customer experience remains consistent, and that every location reflects the brand’s standards.
Leadership Means Adaptability
Scaling a business through franchising also requires adaptability. Each market has its own unique challenges, from local regulations to customer preferences. Leaders need to be able to listen, learn, and make adjustments without compromising the core values of the brand.
Over the years, I’ve learned that being rigid in your approach can slow growth and alienate customers. On the other hand, being adaptable—while maintaining the integrity of the brand—allows you to succeed in diverse markets. Leadership in franchising is about balancing consistency with flexibility.
Support Your Team and Franchisees
Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Your team and your franchisees need ongoing support to thrive. This includes training, guidance, and access to resources that make them successful. I’ve always believed in leading by example, being available to mentor, and sharing lessons learned from experience.
Supporting your team and partners doesn’t just help them perform better—it strengthens the brand as a whole. When franchisees succeed, the brand succeeds. And when your internal teams are empowered, they can execute the vision more effectively, no matter how many locations you open.
Focus on the Customer Experience
Franchising can sometimes make entrepreneurs focus on growth numbers, but the customer experience should always remain the priority. Every decision, from operations to marketing to menu development, should revolve around creating a memorable, high-quality experience.
If customers feel valued and enjoy the product, they will return and spread the word. That’s the engine that drives sustainable growth, and it’s even more critical when scaling through franchising, where consistency across locations defines the brand.
Patience and Persistence
Finally, scaling a business and growing through franchising requires patience. It’s tempting to rush growth, but doing so without the right systems, partners, or culture in place can be disastrous. Persistence is equally important—there will always be challenges along the way, from operational hurdles to market shifts. The key is to stay committed, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward with purpose and focus.
Franchising and scaling a business successfully doesn’t happen by accident. It takes strong leadership, replicable systems, the right partners, adaptability, and a relentless focus on supporting your team and delivering an exceptional customer experience.
Looking back, the journey from managing a single Carbone location to leading multiple brands and exploring franchising opportunities has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. For anyone looking to scale their business, my advice is simple: lead with vision, invest in your people, build systems that work, and never lose sight of why you started in the first place. When you do that, growth becomes more than just expansion—it becomes a sustainable, lasting legacy.