Interview with Full Comp Podcast host Josh Kopel and Craveworthy Brands CEO Gregg Majewski on simplifying leadership, the three legged stool of success and learning from Dave Thomas.
Key Takeaways
Simplicity in Leadership
Gregg Majewski has the leader over a large number of other leaders. For him, a simplified approach to leading with heart and by the Golden Rule has proven to be most effective.
Three-Legged Stool in Restaurants
There are pillars of successful business that Gregg Majewski believes need to occur simultaneously. Much like a stool, if one leg of that business is lacking, the business cannot stand.
Learning from Dave Thomas
Gregg Majewski has had the opportunity to be mentored by some of the greats in the restaurant industry, such as Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, who shared with him the importance of giving back to the industry.
Majewski’s philosophy has been shaped by personal experiences and mentorship from industry legends like Dave Thomas, legendary founder of Wendy's, who advised him to revolve his leadership approach around doing the right thing at the right time and treating his team with the same care and respect as family.
"His thing was, make sure that you give back and help the next guy become great. And I looked at him, I said, absolutely.” said Majewski.
Majewski compared successful business operations to a three-legged stool, stressing the importance of a strong team culture, great operations, and excellent food. He believes that this three pillars should not only be present, but that owners should go above and beyond to ensure that all three are abundantly clear in all businesses.
"If you don't have your core principles locked down, you can't grow and you can't get to that next level." he says. “Those are the three things in the restaurant industry or any business. And whatever you do…if you do those three things well, nine out of ten times you have a better chance at success than without.”
These insights from Majewski underscore the importance of empathy, mentorship, and a strong team culture in leadership, offering valuable lessons for anyone in the industry.
"I think leadership is not as hard as everyone else thinks it is... you do the right thing at the right time and you lead with your heart." said Majewski.
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About Josh Kopel
Josh Kopel is a seasoned restaurateur, tech pioneer, and environmental advocate from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With a family background in bootlegging and retail, Kopel was naturally inclined toward the hospitality industry. Over his 20+ year career, he has managed diverse venues, from the rustic Alligator Bayou Bar to trendy Hollywood nightclubs. In 2010, Kopel went independent, opening Five0Four, a New Orleans-inspired bar on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. He later launched the Michelin-rated fine dining concept Preux & Proper and South City Fried Chicken, which was recognized as the best fried chicken in Los Angeles by LA Weekly. Despite his success, Kopel identified fundamental issues within the industry and decided to address them head-on.
In 2018, Kopel founded FLO Hospitality Solutions to leverage technology in enhancing customer service. His first product, FLO, launched in 2019, provides a comprehensive communication solution for restaurants, saving labor hours and boosting profits. During the 2020 pandemic, Kopel created FULL COMP, a podcast, blog, and video series aimed at helping restaurateurs navigate challenges by drawing on insights from industry thought leaders. In 2021, he developed the Restaurant Scaling System, a program designed to help restaurant owners scale their businesses efficiently. Additionally, Kopel holds influential positions, including board seats on the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council and the California Restaurant Association, and co-founded Friends of Runyon Canyon, a non-profit dedicated to protecting local Los Angeles park areas.
About Gregg Majewski
Gregg Majewski has a vast amount of experience as a corporate executive in the restaurant industry. As the former CEO of Jimmy John’s, he played a major role in expanding the franchise from 33 to 300+ stores in just 5 years by surrounding the company’s marketing strategy around the innovative approach of delivering sandwiches and being “freaky fast”. Majewski has worked to develop restaurant concepts over the last two plus decades, before starting Craveworthy Brands in 2023, which currently includes a growing portfolio of restaurant brands.
- Gregg Majewski Instagram
- Craveworthy Brands Instagram
- Craveworthy Online
- Gregg Majewski LinkedIn
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