--- title: "The Business of Hospitality: How Smart Bets Actually Get Made" description: "Recorded live at CraveCon 2025, this episode of Room for Seconds features guest host Josh Halpern in conversation with Greg Zamfotis, founder and CEO of Gregorys Coffee, for a wide-ranging discussion on passion, product obsession, and building a brand rooted in craft and community. Greg traces his journey back to growing up in a family-run food business in New York City—working deliveries as a kid and learning the fundamentals of hospitality long before launching Gregorys Coffee in 2006. What began as a single shop fueled by a deep love for coffee has grown into more than 50 locations nationwide, all anchored by an uncompromising commitment to the bean. Throughout the conversation, Greg explains why he believes coffee is more complex than wine, why the morning ritual leaves zero margin for error, and how Gregorys has resisted trends in favor of elevating quality—innovating with drinks like cold brew mojitos, biscotti-inspired lattes, and clean, coffee-based energy beverages without ever losing sight of the core product. The episode also explores Greg’s philosophy on menu development, ingredient integrity, and why trust starts with making undeniably great coffee. He shares how inspiration from mixology, global coffee culture, and personal heritage shapes Gregorys’ ever-evolving menu—while still honoring the daily ritual millions depend on. Finally, Greg looks ahead to the next chapter for Gregorys Coffee, including national expansion, franchising, and what it means to invite other operators into a brand built on passion, people, and community. A must-listen for founders, operators, and anyone fascinated by how deep product love—when paired with discipline and vision—can turn a single coffee shop into a scalable, culture-defining brand." image: https://media.craveworthybrands.com/hubfs/RFS-60-BRANDED-1.png --- # The Business of Hospitality: How Smart Bets Actually Get Made 25 Feb 2026 ![Picture of Craveworthy Brands](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Craveworthy-Brands_avatar.png?width=40&name=Craveworthy-Brands_avatar.png) [Craveworthy Brands](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/author/craveworthy-staff) ![Play](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/hubfs/Images%20and%20Graphics/red-play.svg) Watch ![](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/hubfs/RFS-60-BRANDED-1.png) *Matt Ensero and Justin Egan, founders of Wing It On! talk about how a relentless focus on being authentic has catapulted them to be true chicken champs!* ## Key Takeaways 1. [Built Around Operators](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/the-business-of-hospitality-how-smart-bets-actually-get-made#takeaway-1) 2. [The Best Investments Start With People](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/the-business-of-hospitality-how-smart-bets-actually-get-made#takeaway-2) 3. [Branded Hospitality & Craveworthy Brands](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/the-business-of-hospitality-how-smart-bets-actually-get-made#takeaway-3) --- Recorded live at[Crave Con 2025](https://www.craveworthybrands.com/), this special episode of *Room for Seconds* flips the script. Guest host[Josh Halpern](https://publish.blubrry.com/s-3715690/episodes/e-152533293/edit/linkedin.com/in/josh-halpern-168b29) sits down with his longtime collaborator and fellow podcast host,[Jimmy Frischling](https://publish.blubrry.com/s-3715690/episodes/e-152533293/edit/linkedin.com/in/jamesfrischling), co-founder of[Branded Hospitality](https://www.linkedin.com/company/branded-ventures/?viewAsMember=true). Jimmy pulls back the curtain on what it *actually* takes to build the business of hospitality in today’s environment. From investing in restaurant brands and operator-first technology to navigating failure, risk, and rapid change, this conversation is a masterclass in long-term thinking and people-driven leadership.   ### Built Around Operators Jimmy explains that Branded Hospitality can feel overwhelming at first—*like trying to sip from a firehose*. That’s because Branded isn’t just one thing. They own restaurants, invest in operator-centric tech, back restaurant groups, and act as a connective hub for the industry. But at the core, the mission is simple: everything they do starts with supporting operators and helping them succeed. If operators win, the entire hospitality ecosystem works better. ### [The Best Investments Start With People](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/the-business-of-hospitality-how-smart-bets-actually-get-made#takeaway-2) Jimmy is unequivocal about his investment philosophy: **it starts with people, always**. You can’t love an idea but dislike the leadership—that’s a dealbreaker. Whether it’s restaurant brands or technology, Jimmy emphasizes the importance of listening directly to operators, not outsiders building solutions from the guest’s point of view. The restaurant industry is a people business, and the best ideas come from those who understand the workflow, pressure, and realities of running restaurants day in and day out. ### [Branded Hospitality & Craveworthy Brands](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/the-business-of-hospitality-how-smart-bets-actually-get-made#takeaway-3) A major theme of the episode is the natural alignment between Branded Hospitality and Craveworthy Brands. Both organizations operate as platforms rather than single-brand plays, take informed risks, and believe in portfolio thinking over chasing perfection. Jimmy highlights how both groups are building something that didn’t really exist before—creating ecosystems where brands, operators, and ideas can cross-pollinate. It’s a shared belief that not every bet will win, but the collective strength of the portfolio makes everyone better. ### Episode Links - [****Connect with Josh Halpern on LinkedIn****](https://publish.blubrry.com/s-3715690/episodes/e-152533293/edit/linkedin.com/in/josh-halpern-168b29) - [****Connect with Jimmy Frischling on LinkedIn****](https://publish.blubrry.com/s-3715690/episodes/e-152533293/edit/linkedin.com/in/jamesfrischling) - [****Connect with Branded Hospitality on LinkedIn****](https://www.linkedin.com/company/branded-ventures/?viewAsMember=true) - [****Visit Branded Hospitality Online****](https://brandedstrategic.com/) - [****Listen to the Hospitality Hangout****](https://www.thehospitalityhangout.com/) - [****Watch the Hospitality Hangout on YouTube****](https://www.youtube.com/@HospitalityHangout/videos) - [****Follow the Hospitality Hangout on Instagram****](https://www.instagram.com/hospitality_hangout/) ### ABOUT JIMMY FRISCHLING Jimmy Frischling is an entrepreneur and experienced finance professional with over 3 decades in the financial services, capital markets and hospitality industries. He is a board member at a number of Branded’s Portfolio Companies including Blanket; Brizo Foodmetrics; Copia; Cut+Dry; Incentivio; Minnow; Ovation; Simple Marketplace; Spendgo; TapRm; Targetable; and Usual Wines. Jimmy holds his Series 79, 7, 24 and 63 licenses with FINRA, a B.A. from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. ### ABOUT JOSH HALPERN Justin Egan is the Co-Founder of Wing It On! and Vice President of Marketing & Franchise Development at Craveworthy Brands, where he plays a central role in shaping brand strategy, franchise growth, and consumer engagement across the company’s portfolio. Currently the CBO for Craveworthy Brands and CEO of Big Chicken. Over 20 years of professional and leadership experience in industries ranging from Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG), to retail and now the restaurant business. [![Spotify Logo](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/hubfs/Images%20and%20Graphics/spotify.svg) Listen on Spotify ](https://open.spotify.com/show/4ioMIq0aeraoy9KLt8dT4G) [![Apple Podcasts Logo](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/hubfs/Images%20and%20Graphics/apple.svg) Listen on Apple Podcasts ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/room-for-seconds/id1737506338) [![YouTube Logo](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/hubfs/Images%20and%20Graphics/youtube.svg) Watch on YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnoDJBRl8k--uSzQfVFpLeiJmqjzQIfFq) --- ### 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. Craveworthy Media is Majewski’s gift back to the industry that has given him so much. The goal of Craveworthy is to inspire the up and coming industry leaders by providing important information, stories, and insights from titans past and present. #### Connect with Gregg - [Follow Gregg on Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/greggmajewski) - [Follow Gregg on TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@greggmajewski) - [Follow Gregg on X (Twitter)](https://x.com/Gregg_Majewski) - [Follow Gregg on Threads](https://www.threads.net/@greggmajewski) - [Connect with Gregg on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggmajewski/) #### Connect with Craveworthy - [Follow Craveworthy Brands Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/craveworthybrand) - [Visit Craveworthy Website](https://www.craveworthybrands.com/) - [Learn About Franchise Opportunities with Craveworthy](https://www.craveworthybrands.com/franchising) - [Checkout the Craveworthy Portfolio of Brands](https://www.craveworthybrands.com/our-brands) - [Discover Investment Opportunities with Craveworthy](https://invest.profitandsense.com/craveworthy-brands) - [Sign up to Receive Updates from Craveworthy](https://www.craveworthybrands.com/contact-us) #### Connect with Room for Seconds - [Subscribe on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@CraveworthyBrands) - [Subscribe on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/4ioMIq0aeraoy9KLt8dT4G?si=5039ce22c6d54dfb) - [Subscribe on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/room-for-seconds/id1737506338) - [View Past Episodes on Craveworthy Website](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/tag/podcast) #### Nominate a Guest Do you know someone who would be great on this show? Let us know by emailing us at roomforsecondspodcast@gmail.com or sending a DM on social media @craveworthybrands ### Share: [Share on Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/the-business-of-hospitality-how-smart-bets-actually-get-made&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [Share on LinkedIn ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/the-business-of-hospitality-how-smart-bets-actually-get-made&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [Share on Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/the-business-of-hospitality-how-smart-bets-actually-get-made&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/the-business-of-hospitality-how-smart-bets-actually-get-made&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20Business%20of%20Hospitality:%20How%20Smart%20Bets%20Actually%20Get%20Made) [Videos](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/tag/videos), [Podcast](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/tag/podcast) ## Related posts Search [Gregorys Coffee Launches Franchise Program, Opening The Door for Entrepreneurs to Grow With Proven Specialty Coffee Brand](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/gregorys-coffee-launches-franchise-program-opening-the-door-for-entrepreneurs-to-grow-with-proven-specialty-coffee-brand) [Craveworthy Brands Founder and CEO Gregg Majewski Named 2026 Chicago Titan 100 Honoree](https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/craveworthy-brands-founder-and-ceo-gregg-majewski-named-2026-chicago-titan-100-honoree) Search ### Sign up for Craveworthy News! ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Craveworthy Brands", "url" : "https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/author/craveworthy-staff" }, "dateModified" : "2026-02-25T18:27:32.516Z", "datePublished" : "2026-02-25T18:23:28.000Z", "headline" : "The Business of Hospitality: How Smart Bets Actually Get Made", "image" : [ "https://media.craveworthybrands.com/hubfs/RFS-60-BRANDED-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://media.craveworthybrands.com/blog/the-business-of-hospitality-how-smart-bets-actually-get-made", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://media.craveworthybrands.com/hubfs/Craveworthy-Media_Alternate_2_print_logo_red-on-white-1.png" }, "name" : "Craveworthy Brands" } } ```