won-life-g047

'Famous' brunch chain to make Texas debut in San Antonio

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:30:28 GMT

Famous Toastery will make its Texas debut in mid-2026. | Famous Toastery/ Facebook

Southern brunch chain Famous Toastery is finally taking shape for its San Antonio debut. The franchise, known for its "Blah Blah Blah" omelets and flavored flapjacks, will open mid-2026 in The Shops at Babcock at 15301 Babcock Rd.

The franchise, founded in Huntersville, North Carolina, by best friends Brian Burchill and Robert Maynard, first announced the Texas expansion in November 2024, but did not reveal the address. The local unit will be owned by local Army vet Rachell Bonds, according to a company release.

Like a growing number of chains like Snooze: An A.M. Eatery , Pür & Simple , and The Toasted Yolk Cafe , Famous Toastery disrupts the A.M. dining scene long dominated by giants like Denny's and IHOP. Instead of offering all-day breakfast, the restaurant focuses on brunch, serving mimosas and margaritas alongside eggs Benedict.

Among the offerings are hash, huevos rancheros, and French toast stuffed with raspberry, blueberry, Nutella and banana, or strawberry and cream cheese. The "Blah Blah Blah" omelets allow customers to fill in the blanks with a choice of meats, vegetables, and cheeses.

The menu also boasts a few Southern specialties like biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, and mac 'n' cheese. The latter is categorized as a breakfast dish, a move we heartily endorse.

More traditional lunch options include sandwiches like tuna melts, Reubens, and a grilled chicken and bacon wrap. Famous Toastery also serves some lower-calorie salads, protein bowls, and a burrito stuffed with egg whites, avocado, and roasted red peppers. Despite the name, the Toastery is churning out relatively scant toast.

Famous Toastery | Famous Toastery's cocktail menu includes Bloody Marys, margaritas, and mimosas. | Famous Toastery/ Facebook

Guests who want a daytime pick-me-up can choose from several bubbles-based concoctions, including a mimosa flight, Bellinis, and a stouter Rumosa. Other brunch drinks include a classic Bloody Mary and boozy coffees like the Wake Up call with vodka, Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream, and cold brew.

Famous Toastery was originally slated to introduce itself to Alamo City before the end of 2025, but the exact opening date has yet to be determined. Andrew Bagnall of Abiso Real Estate says he expects the first Shops at Babcock tenants to be ready in April or May, 2026.

"My childhood passion for food and cooking only grew stronger over the years, along with a desire to develop a welcoming space where families can come together over shared meals," Bonds said in an earlier release. "I am extremely excited to be part of the Famous Toastery family, where I can create a warm, comfortable dining experience with high-quality, simple scratch meals with 'Famously Fresh' ingredients."

Chef Scott Leibfried brings Italian soul to Charlotte with Fontana Di Vino

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 01:30:33 GMT

SouthPark location now open, Davidson expansion coming in November

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was a great start to the weekend on Charlotte Today, as we were joined by Chef Scott Leibfried, known to many from his stint on Hell's Kitchen and the Food Network challenge. The esteemed Chef, TV personality, and co-owner of Fontana Di Vino, highlighting all his latest creation is serving up in SouthPark.

Teaming up with Robert Maynard, CEO of Won Life Brands and co-founder of Famous Toastery, Leibfried's launch of Fontana Di Vino , blends authentic Italian tradition with modern flair. The SouthPark location is already welcoming guests, while a second outpost in Davidson is set to open in November.

On the show we learned, Fontana Di Vino is more than a restaurant... it’s an experience.

Leibfried sharing the project, was inspired by a transformative trip to Italy, where he and Maynard envisioned a space where guests could linger, connect, and indulge in the art of Italian dining. The concept is rooted in ossimoro , the Italian idea of harmonizing tradition and innovation.

Guests at Fontana Di Vino can expect:

Ricotta Cavatelli : Made in-house with fresh ricotta, served in a pink sauce and finished with pecorino romano—this is the dish Chef Scott will be preparing live in your kitchen.
Roman-style Pinsa : A lighter, crispier alternative to pizza, with gluten-free options available.
Tableside Activations : Including the popular polenta pour, where three types of polenta are served family-style from a cart.
Prime Steaks & Mozzarella Bar : From filet mignon to ribeye, and fresh mozzarella crafted live.

SouthPark & Davidson: Two Locations, One Vision
The SouthPark location, at 4905 Ashley Park Lane, opened in May and features 5,000 square feet of indoor, bar, and patio seating. Davidson’s location will take over the former Davidson Ice House at 416 S. Main St., opening in November.

For more visit Fontanadivino.co or follow on Instagram @fontanadivino

Brunch chain Famous Toastery to open first San Antonio location

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 01:30:29 GMT

Famous Toastery’s San Antonio location location TBD, famoustoastery.comThough it hasn’t secured a location yet, Famous Toastery has announced that a San Antonio location will be the first expansion west of the Mississippi for the chain, which has 25 locations in North Carolina and South Carolina and Virginia. Famous Toastery offers mimosa flights, sandwiches and breakfast fare.

Credit: Courtesy Photo / Famous Toastery

Brunch and comfort-food chain Famous Toastery will make its Texas debut with the opening of a San Antonio location by the end of next year, officials with the North Carolina-based company said.

San Antonio entrepreneur Rachell Bonds, a Louisiana native and a 27-year Army veteran, will own the Alamo City’s forthcoming franchise unit. She hasn’t yet secured a location for the restaurant.

Famous Toastery currently has more than 25 locations in North and South Carolina and Virginia. The San Antonio store will be its first west of the Mississippi River, according to the company.

The chain specializes in creative spins on classic dishes ranging from omelettes and French toast to classic diner sandwiches and fresh salads. The restaurants also feature full bars with drink menus running the gamut from mimosas and bloody marys to a variety of margaritas.

“I am extremely excited to be part of the Famous Toastery family, where I can create a warm, comfortable dining experience,” Bonds said in a statement. “My childhood passion for food and cooking only grew stronger over the years, along with a desire to develop a welcoming space where families can come together over shared meals.”

Famous Toastery expanded rapidly this year by inking franchise deals to grow outside of its Charlotte-area headquarters, The company posted more than $32 million in sales in 2023, according to a recent Franchise Times ranking.

“We’re thrilled to bring Famous Toastery to Texas, marking a significant step in our journey to share our Famously Fresh brand nationwide,” company President Mike Sebazco said in a statement.

New SouthPark restaurant offers interactive tableside dining and fresh pasta

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 01:30:31 GMT

Cioppino ($48) at Fontana Di Vino. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Fontana Di Vino is a new Italian restaurant in SouthPark offering freshly made pastas and interactive family-style dining experiences.

Why it matters: Chef Scott Leibfried brings a fun atmosphere and an engaging menu to Fontana Di Vino, following his time with Gordon Ramsay on "Hell's Kitchen" and his Hawaiian restaurant with Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood, which was destroyed in the 2023 fires, CBJ reported .

Context: Much of Leibfried's extensive background in the restaurant industry influenced his vision for his south Charlotte restaurant. In May, he partnered with Charlotte-based Famous Toastery co-founder Robert Maynard to bring his latest concept to life.

In addition to spending 10 seasons as a sous chef on Hell's Kitchen, Leibfried has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in London, and owned restaurants in Santa Barbara and Manhattan.

What they're saying: Leibfried tells Axios that while working on his Maui restaurant with Fleetwood, they often hosted unexpected live performances— an experience that taught him the value of creating a space that's bold and full of surprises, something he plans to incorporate at Fontana Di Vino.

"We have table-side services, which I've always loved my entire life, but you only see them in environments where, you know, there's white gloves and people are wearing tuxedos. Those are the types of things that I think everybody should have the opportunity to experience," Leibfried said.

Some of their specialty dishes can be prepped and explained at the table. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

The polenta pour can feed two people. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Dig in: Expect a menu that features traditional Italian cuisine with ingredients like black truffles sourced from Italy and fresh pasta, along with innovative touches such as pinsa — a Roman-style flatbread pizza.

The restaurant offers multiple tableside activations — such as a polenta pour and veal chop — where the ingredients are prepped and plated in front of you to create an interactive and educational experience.

Drinks include an extensive selection of Italian and California wines, plus classic cocktails with an innovative twist. Highlights include a sangria topped with sorbet and a lemon drop made with limoncello that tastes like key lime pie.

The Campanelle Tartufo ($55) has a pecorino romano, egg yolk, black pepper and shaved molise black truffle from Italy. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

The Mortadella pinsa is their take on a Roman flatbread with mortadella, provolone, mozzarella, pistachio and stracciatella. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

The vibe: The 5,000-square-foot space has eclectic artwork and indoor bar, table, and patio seating for 160 people. Eventually, they hope to offer weekly live music.

Stop by: Find Fontana Di Vino at 4905 Ashley Park Lane , the space formerly occupied by David Burke's Falcon & Fox , which closed after less than a year in business.

Fontana Di Vino open Sunday through Thursday 4-9:30pm, Friday and Saturday 4-10:30pm.

What's next: By the end of the summer, the restaurant will offer a private counter dining experience served family style. The hope is to also open their second restaurant in Davidson by September.

The wrap around bar has plenty of seating. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

Throughout the restaurant, you'll notice murals and eclectic artwork. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios

New Italian restaurant in Charlotte already has a Lake Norman location coming

Fri, 23 May 2025 01:30:35 GMT

Fontana di Vino’s Spaghetti Pomodoro. Fontana di Vino

It’s been a week since Fontana di Vino opened in the former The Fox & Falcon space in Charlotte, and a second location — in Lake Norman — is already in the works.

A Fontana di Vino sign for that second location has gone up in Davidson, spotted by eagle-eyed onlookers on the Lake Norman Eats Facebook group. It’s outside the former Davidson Ice House building, which held Hot Mess for just a few weeks after the popular neighborhood restaurant closed to rebrand.

The building is tucked in a high-traffic cluster of locally owned dining establishments: charcuterie spot Table & Board, Mediterranean restaurant Habibi Lebanon and The Crazy Pig, which recently merged with The Egg Cafe to serve breakfast in the morning and barbecue for lunch and dinner.

The Hot Mess venture that was most recently in the building was a partnership between former Davidson Ice House chef/owner Jennifer Brulé and Robert Maynard, CEO of Won Life Holdings and co-founder and CEO of Famous Toastery.

Fontana di Vino offers a variety of pasta choices, including Spaghetti Pomodoro (left); Spaghetti alla Nerano (right), with roasted zucchini, basil and pecorino Parmesan; and Rigatoni Sugo, with slow-cooked pork in red wine and marinara. Fontana di Vino

The Italian restaurant, a partnership between Maynard and former “Hell’s Kitchen” chef Scott Leibfried, opened in Charlotte for dinner service Friday, May 16. Daily lunch service and Sunday Supper, from noon-8 p.m., will follow June 2.

Lorna Martinez, vice president of marketing for Won Life Brands, confirmed to CharlotteFive that the Davidson location will open in late 2025.

The chef’s point of view

Leibfried told CharlotteFive that the restaurant’s foundations stemmed from his friendship with Maynard and a long trip to Italy.

“We took everything that we really love about hospitality, about service, about experience, and about escape and about journey — you know, all the things that are really important to me as a hospitality professional — and just really decided it’s time we bring (this) to life in order to have some fun here and really just give people a good time,” Leibfried said.

For Leibfried, making sure that good time extends to everyone involved in the restaurant is crucial.

“What I do want to talk about ... is making people feel noticed and making people feel like they’ve had an experience. And on top of that, making the team that’s doing that and performing that service ... feel as equally as important in the process, and make them feel the same thing that the guests are feeling.

“That’s really important, to me, that we keep on that path.”

Fontana di Vino’s food

As for the food, “I would want people to know is we’re not a traditional red sauce environment — that’s just not who we are,” Leibfried said. “We would want people to embrace who we are for what we do, and not look at us for what we don’t do.”

At Fontana di Vino’s Charlotte location, the menu offers a mozzarella bar and a variety of Italian appetizers including meatballs, mussels and Roman flatbread.

Fontana di Vino’s Marsala Cove Mussels are steamed with garlic, wine, soppressata, red sauce and crema, and come served with ciabatta. Fontana di Vino

The entrees — of course — include fresh pasta made in house. Other options are prime steaks and house specials such as a porchetta chop for two, cioppino and a veal parmesan chop.

The beverage program leans heavily on Italian cocktails such as Negronis and spritzes, and wines with varieties available by the glass and by the bottle.

Fontana di Vino offers several options for prime steak: filet mignon, ribeye, bone-in KC or NY strip, and domestic Wagyu flat iron. Fontana di Vino

Fontana di Vino

Location: 4905 Ashley Park Lane, Charlotte, North Carolina 28210 (now open)

Location: 416 S Main St., Davidson, NC 28036 (opening soon)

Cuisine: Italian

Instagram: @fontanadivino

This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Famous Toastery Accelerates Nationwide Expansion with New Franchise Deals to Kick Off 2025

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 01:30:27 GMT

Breakfast, brunch, and lunch franchise signs 3-unit deal in Arizona, marking its furthest west expansion yet
A new franchise deal in Northern Virginia will strengthen the brand's existing footprint in the Southeast
The better breakfast franchise's recent growth earned recognition on the 2025 Inc. Regionals List for the Mid-Atlantic

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Famous Toastery , the nationally-renowned better breakfast franchise known for its Famously Fresh and simple-scratch menu, is laying the foundation for significant nationwide growth in 2025 after kicking off the year with two new franchise agreements to add a total of four new restaurants between Arizona and Northern Virginia. After achieving impressive franchise growth and development in recent years, expanding into a national brand, Famous Toastery has ranked at #104 on the 2025 Inc. Regionals List for the Mid-Atlantic.

"The first quarter of 2025 has already brought significant momentum for Famous Toastery."

Famous Toastery kicked off 2025 with two new franchise agreements to add a total of four new restaurants between Arizona and Northern Virginia. For information about Famous Toastery, visit FamousToastery.com. To learn about franchising opportunities, visit FamousToasteryFranchise.com.

Nationwide Expansion

Among the recent development agreements is a 3-unit deal to introduce Famous Toastery to the state of Arizona. This marks the brand's third franchise development deal in six months, including two separate agreements to expand beyond its Southeastern roots. In late 2024, retired Army Officer Rachell Bonds signed a franchise agreement to develop a location in San Antonio. That location is on track to open by early 2026, further cementing Famous Toastery's transformation into a national franchise.

Famous Toastery additionally signed a franchise agreement in Northern Virginia, reinforcing the brand's roots in its home region. The better breakfast franchise also continues to see organic growth from within, as evidenced by the Cary location's transition from corporate to franchise-owned operations. This shift reflects the strength of the franchise system, and the confidence of operators in the brand's long-term success.

"The first quarter of 2025 has already brought significant momentum for Famous Toastery, setting the stage for continued growth," said Mike Sebazco, President of Famous Toastery . "Solidifying our presence in Northern Virginia, making our debut in Arizona, and preparing to open our first location in Texas are all important steps in our mission to bring our Famously Fresh, simple-scratch breakfast and brunch experience to even more communities across the country."

2024 was a defining year for Famous Toastery, establishing the momentum that's fueled these new development deals. In fact, the brand's growth trajectory following last year's signed agreements for seven new locations will expand its existing footprint by about 30%. That growth can be directly attributed to Famous Toastery's recognition on this year's Inc. Regionals List, a prestigious list that ranks the fastest-growing privately held companies over a two-year period.

An Elevated Brand Experience

Famous Toastery is continuing to roll out its bright, modern new look across its restaurants this year. Introduced in late 2024, Famous Toastery's brand refresh features two vibrant new logos with bold oranges and complementary teals, a revamped core and cocktail menu, as well as a digital overhaul, including a new loyalty program designed to elevate the guest experience. Now in phase two, the refresh is focusing on updating restaurant interiors to establish an inviting and contemporary in-person dining atmosphere.

"Every aspect of our brand refresh was designed with our guests in mind," said Lorna Martinez, Vice President of Marketing . "Shaped by guest feedback, every element of this refresh – from the colors and logo, to the digital layout and menu design – aims to enhance the overall experience. We want to ensure every visit to Famous Toastery feels fresh, welcoming, and true to what our guests love most about us."

Strengthening Community Commitment

Famous Toastery's commitment to giving back to the community took center stage in 2024. Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene in the brand's home market in September, Famous Toastery immediately jumped into action, raising funds supporting the Boone Chamber of Commerce Foundation . The brand's charitable initiatives for the region continued throughout the remainder of the year, as Famous Toastery held a meaningful giveback campaign for Feeding the Carolinas in the fight against food insecurity. Famous Toastery team members also dedicated time to volunteer with the organization and make a hands-on impact.

"As a Charlotte-founded brand with deep ties to the Carolinas, it was important for us to step up in a meaningful way," said Sebazco . "Restaurants have a natural role to play in fighting food insecurity, and we're proud to support an organization making a real difference in our home region."

For more information about Famous Toastery, please visit FamousToastery.com . To learn about franchising opportunities, please visit FamousToasteryFranchise.com . Follow @FamousToastery on social media to be a part of future contests, giveaways, and more.

ABOUT FAMOUS TOASTERY

Charlotte, N.C. based Famous Toastery is a breakfast, brunch and lunch franchise that encourages its guests, team and franchise owners to "Be Famous" in their local community by offering Famously Fresh meals and a much-needed hub for friends, families and neighbors to get together in a comfortable atmosphere where "every server is your server." The brand began in 2005 before evolving into a franchise system in 2013 and growing to over 25 locations today. In 2023, Famous Toastery was awarded the naming sponsorship rights for The Famous Toastery Bowl played at UNC Charlotte. Famous Toastery has earned recognition from Franchise Times Top 400 Rankings (2024), International Franchise Association Franchisee of the Year (2023), Restaurant Business' The Future 50 (2019, 2020), Entrepreneur Magazine's Top Food Franchises (2019) and Franchise 500 Rankings (2019, 2022). For more information about Famous Toastery, visit FamousToastery.com . To learn about franchising opportunities, please visit FamousToasteryFranchise.com .

ABOUT WON LIFE BRANDS

Won Life Brands, Famous Toastery's parent company, is a premier growth and development company focused on delivering excellent experiences in the communities it serves. Won Life Brands operates company-owned properties and offers franchise opportunities across their brands, which includes Famous Toastery, Cartridge World, Flour Power, BBS: Your Big Burger Spot, Abby's Better Nut Butter and VaVia. To learn about franchising opportunities, please visit www.WonLifeBrands.com .

SOURCE Famous Toastery

FSR NextGen 25: The Restaurants Leading a Full-Service Revolution

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:58:11 GMT

These elevated chains are ready to redefine the future of full-service dining.

Ambition, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence are the qualities that mark the true trailblazers in the restaurant world. As we cast a spotlight on this year's NextGen 25 brands, we're not just talking about restuarants; we're welcoming a new era in full-service dining. The NextGen 25 movement is redefining hospitality and the very essence of eating out by merging cutting-edge culinary artistry with experiences that resonate and connect with guests. These brands are setting a new benchmark with menus that intrigue and inspire, atmospheres that draw diners into another world, and service that raises the bar for what it means to be truly taken care of.

CHECK OUT LAST YEAR'S LIST

Whether these brands are at one or 100 units, eyeing the franchise horizon, or courting the next big investors, each brand in our NextGen 25 list brings something unique to the table. Though their growth strategies may differ, the end goal is the same: to revolutionize the full-service restaurant industry.

For Some Drivers NASCAR’s Next Gen Car Truly Has Been A Game Changer

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 21:29:31 GMT

Among the many things NASCAR’s Next Gen car was supposed to bring to NASCAR’s top tier Cup series was parity. A more level playing field; one that would allow those teams who typically run outside the top 10 to have better performance than in years past.

While some may argue that’s still a work in progress there are some drivers who have been able to step up their game since 2022, the first year of the Next Gen debut.

Chief among them is Front Row motorsports’ Michael McDowell. The Arizona native has raced in the Cup series since 2008. He’s never been with a big budget team, though he did enter a few NASCAR Xfinity races with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2012.

McDowell found a home with Front Row Motorsports starting in 2018. The team, founded in 2004, fields two cars full-time in the Cup series, along with a part time entry and another full-time effort in the NASCAR truck series.

It was with Front Row that McDowell scored his first Cup series win in 2021 emerging from chaos on the last lap to win the Daytona 500 . While that win was the highlight of his career to that point, his overall performance wasn’t something that shined. By the end of 2021 McDowell had 17 top 10 finishes in 390 starts.

But since the Next Gen car debuted, he’s had 22 top 10s in just 79 starts. He’s also led 164 laps, far more than the 114 he’d led in his entire career prior to 2022.

McDowell himself concedes that the Next Gen car has been a factor in allowing his team to become more competitive.

“You're always raising the bar, so to speak on expectations and goals,” he said. “But at the same time, you’ve got to set realistic goals.”

To McDowell, the Next Gen car has in some ways been somewhat of a game changer. He says it allows the team to be much more competitive than in years past.

“That definitely moved the needle,” he said. “To, okay, how do we run top 10 more consistently? Alright, now how do we have top five speeds so we can challenge for wins? …those expectations have yet slowly increased every year over the last three years.

“I feel like for us now we're at a spot at Front Row where we expect to win a race a year. We expect to point our way into the playoffs. And anything less than that would be a disappointment.”

Indeed, the team accomplished that ‘one win a season’ in 2023 when McDowell scored his second career victory in a dominating finish on the road course at Indy . He also made the Playoffs and finished a career high 15th in the drivers’ championship.

In seven races so far this season he has had an admirable start. He won his first career pole at Atlanta and followed that up with an 8th place finish. Once known as a contender at just a few types of tracks, mainly road courses, with the Next Gen car, McDowell has the confidence knowing he has a chance to win each and every week. No longer does he just look towards the superspeedways or road courses for his next best shot at winning.

“It used to be just a handful of races,” he said. “You know, I'd tell you Daytona and Talladega would really be our only shot. And then you add in now all the road courses, I think (now) we have a legitimate shot (everywhere).

“We've had good short track speed here lately…qualified well at Phoenix ran well (he finished 8th) at Phoenix. I feel like we are contenders at a lot of places. So yeah, I don't just have a few tracks circled anymore that are possibilities of a win. I think we have a lot of tracks that we can win at now.”

One thing McDowell has never had to struggle with at Front Row is sponsorship. McDowell receives sponsorship from Love’s truck stops and took them to victory lane at Daytona in 2021. As his on-track stats improved with the Next Gen car however, other sponsors began to take notice. In 2023 Famous Toastery, a restaurant chain, came into NASCAR signing a personal services agreement with McDowell . The chain, based in the Charlotte area, seemed a perfect fit for McDowell who lives in the area.

“It's a place where my family and I, we've been customers for a long time,” he said. “It was a cool natural fit.

“Their brand is expanding, and as they're opening up new restaurants and they're looking for new franchisees and new restaurant owners, I’m helping them in that process and they're helping me build my brand in the process.”

The company recently signed an extension with McDowell through 2025.

"Since beginning our partnership with Michael, we have seen incredible success and have achieved our initial goal of broadening our audience to build awareness of our brand across the country," said Mike Sebazco, president of Famous Toastery. "I think this success can be attributed to partnering with someone who aligns so incredibly well with our brand's values, and we look forward to seeing what more we can accomplish in the next year working with Michael.”

While the level playing field that the Next Gen car was supposed to bring to the table might still be a work in progress for drivers like Michael McDowell it’s very nearly there. With better performance on the track and new sponsorships, the Next Gen car has been a game change for him. He no longer looks to contend only at certain tracks but feels he can win each and every race on the NASCAR Cup schedule.

“I think we're better now than we've ever been,” McDowell said. “We just got to keep that momentum rolling."

Michael McDowell's process paying off with Front Row Motorsports' hot start to 2024

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 04:35:10 GMT

In Year 6 with his race team, McDowell spoke to CBS Sports about FRM's growth and speed to start the year

Getty Images

When Front Row Motorsports hired Michael McDowell to drive their No. 34 car in 2018, the idea was the then-journeyman driver would play a significant role in making the organization something it, to that point, had never been before.

Up to that point in its history, Front Row Motorsports grew gradually and modestly, but on very few occasions could claim to be a team capable of running at the front consistently or winning races -- save for happy occasions in 2013 and 2016, when they scored their first two wins in major upsets. At times in their first years together, it seemed difficult to see exactly how or if the growth they envisioned would ever happen -- particularly with McDowell, who had never truly been in a position to succeed in a Cup car.

But that growth has now happened, and it's happened in spades. Front Row Motorsports has won the Daytona 500 and they've won at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with McDowell at the wheel. Those wins have made McDowell a playoff driver in two out of the last three seasons, with 26 of McDowell's 38 career top 10s coming since 2021 began. And that's not even accounting for the team's start to 2024, which included McDowell's first career pole at Atlanta, the outside pole for the Daytona 500, and poise at the front of the pack unlike what the team has ever shown before through becoming a Tier 1 team at Ford Performance and forming a technical alliance with Team Penske.

That poses a fairly straightforward question for McDowell: Is this what he, team owner Bob Jenkins, and general manager Jerry Freeze envisioned when they joined forces some six years ago?

"I hope so," McDowell laughed when posed that question by CBS Sports. "My thought moving to Front Row and the opportunity that I had was even though I'd been in the sport a long time and had a decent amount of experience, it wasn't in cars that were capable of winning races. And so for us, it was all about how do we build the team and the program to the point where we have what we need to go out there and contend and be a legitimate frontrunner.

"And it was a slow growth and a slow process, but we were doing it at the rate that we could sustain from a business standpoint. ... And then be able to actually put processes in place and work things slowly and try to get to where we wanted to be. I think if you ask Bob and Jerry, it's taken us longer than we've wanted. But the goal was always the same. The goal was always to put ourselves in position to be a frontrunner and to win races and to challenge for wins."

In an era of NASCAR where team-building feels like less of a fanciful idea and more of a distinct possibility -- particularly as disruptors like Trackhouse Racing and 23XI Racing have quickly become challengers to the established order of Hendrick, Penske and Gibbs -- Front Row's performance to start the year has both proven revealing by itself and reinforced what the team has become over the past several seasons. Atlanta marked a banner weekend for the team in particular with McDowell winning the pole and their two cars leading 85 of 260 laps -- an all-time single-race mark for the team, which included Todd Gilliland leading a race-high 58 laps -- and McDowell finishing ninth.

Front Row cars running well is no longer a surprise, and wins by McDowell are no longer upsets -- he was dominant in his win at Indianapolis last year, starting fourth and leading 54 of 82 laps on his way to victory. Getting the team to that point has not necessarily been an easy process, nor has it been quick. However, it has made goals that were completely grandiose at many points in company history now seem perfectly possible.

"I think the last few years has definitely helped us, internally with the team, and all the people that work at Front Row from top to bottom realize that we're pretty close," McDowell said. "We're getting there. And if we keep the foot down and we keep working on all the things that we know we can still work on. And there's a lot of areas for growth for us, and we still know that, and we covered some of those gaps this offseason, and we're starting to get some of the tools and the equipment in that we need to really make those final steps.

"The expectations are high, but the expectations I also feel like are not unrealistic. I mean, the fact of the matter is that it's super challenging to win in the Cup Series. The races are so long, the competition's so great that you have to not just have fast cars, but you also have to execute perfectly in order to do it. And so it's not an easy thing to just throw out there that, 'Oh, we're gonna win races this year, we're gonna get both cars into the playoffs.' It's tough. You see a lot of great organizations that have struggled to do that. But we feel like we have the people and we have everything in place to do that if we go out there and do our jobs well."

In McDowell's estimation -- and though he cautioned that the team isn't quite where it needs to be yet -- Front Row Motorsports has the potential to become a championship contender. The team's expanded partnership with Ford and new technical alliance with Penske should help greatly to that end, as should the sponsorships McDowell and his team have acquired -- including with Famous Toastery, a Charlotte-based breakfast chain that recently extended its partnership with the 2021 Daytona 500 champion.

"For me, it's more of a family partnership because we've been customers for a long time there and really enjoy going to Famous Toastery, and we have as a family for a long time," McDowell said. "It's a cool partnership because it came together very organically just being around and being in the restaurant often and just getting to know everybody. And as they're growing and expanding their brand and trying to branch out with new franchisees and new markets, it was a great way for us to work together and build that brand together. And they're helping build my brand too, which is great."

Given their start to the season, McDowell said the goal for Front Row Motorsports was to keep up its momentum and speed from the first two weeks of the season into the two-week stretch of races on the West Coast. That got off to an uneven start last week at Las Vegas, when McDowell led four laps on strategy but ultimately finished 25th, just behind teammate Gilliland in 24th. However, the team now has a trip to Phoenix to look forward to after a ninth-place finish by McDowell in last year's season-finale, a notable feat given where the Phoenix native has been in his career and the point he has now reached.

In McDowell's days of driving start-and-park cars, and even later on when he was running from start to finish in back-marker cars, his homecoming trips to Phoenix offered little opportunity to put on a good performance for family and local fans, and the very notion of running well or even winning was an outright impossibility. Now, there is far more of a sliver of hope for McDowell that he can be competitive at Phoenix, which has greatly changed the way he anticipates and approaches race weekend at his home track.

"10 years ago, winning at Phoenix was never a dream. I couldn't even see that being a possibility. And now it truly is a possibility," McDowell said. "It's fun to be able to go there and have high expectations and run well and see the fans pumped for you. We have such great fans in Phoenix -- I think everybody says that, but when you look at the campground and you look at the stands, it is a packed house. To be a local driver and represent The Valley is something that is fun and it's an honor. Now that we're running good, it's even better.

"Winning races and running well always helps everything. We've just got to keep that going."

NASCAR: Michael McDowell embracing new 'underdog' partnership

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 04:14:27 GMT

After forming a partnership in October, NASCAR Cup Series driver Michael McDowell and Famous Toastery recently announced an extension that runs through January 2025.

Michael McDowell, Front Row Motorsports, NASCAR / Sean Gardner/GettyImages

Famous Toastery , the renowned better breakfast franchise known for its Famously Fresh and simple-scratch menu, recently announced an extended partnership with Front Row Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series driver Michael McDowell.

The initial partnership began in October 2023, just before the end of last season, and the new deal between the Charlotte, North Carolina-based breakfast, brunch, and lunch franchise and the 2021 Daytona 500 winner has now been extended through January 2025.

"It's kind of a cool story, just because my wife and I and our family have been going to Famous Toastery for 10 years now, and so it's kind of our local spot," McDowell told Beyond the Flag. "We live right in between Davidson and Mooresville, so we kind of bounce between the two Famous Toasterys there, and so we just built a relationship and got to know those folks, being customers and coming in all the time and kind of hanging out.

"It just all kind of came together really organically through a couple friends. It's cool because I feel like it's like a local kind of like hometown, grassroots partnership that allows us to help them grow their brand. They’re a growing franchise, and hopefully in 10 years, they'll be nationwide and a big brand that everybody will know, so hopefully we're a part of that development."

Michael McDowell and Famous Toastery: A perfect fit

McDowell, whose Cup Series career dates back to 2008 and includes an ample amount of perseverance prior to his Daytona 500 breakthrough three years ago, feels that the partnership is a perfect fit, so an extension only made sense.

He views himself as somewhat of an "unknown", and Famous Toastery is in the same boat in terms of trying to grow their brand. It began in 2005 and evolved into a franchise system in 2013. There are now more than two dozen locations, many of which in North Carolina.

"I kind of consider myself a little bit of an unknown, and they're helping me grow my brand and get my name out there as well, so it's been a really good partnership."

The former "start-and-park" driver, whose first full-time ride didn't come until his 10th season in the sport, even embraced the "underdog" label, considering his long and winding path to where he is now in NASCAR -- and the brand's similar path to where they are now within the restaurant business.

"Yeah, definitely," McDowell said. "I think everything aligned when I met with Robert [Maynard, CEO] and met with Michael [Sebazco, President]. Our stories are very similar, just trying to make it and seeing a need and working hard, but more than anything, just prioritizing family and community and trying to do it the right way.

"It was a really easy fit for us to just start working on what it could look like, and obviously it's grown over the last 12 months, and hopefully it'll continue to grow as they're bringing out new franchises in new areas and territories and keep expanding the restaurant brand."

As a part of the initial deal between the two parties, McDowell had the opportunity to participate in the ceremonial coin toss before December's Famous Toastery Bowl game at Jerry Richardson Stadium. The game was played on the campus of the UNC Charlotte, and it was an overtime thriller between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Old Dominion Monarchs.

"That was a lot of fun," McDowell said. "Growing up racing, I didn't do a lot of other sports and didn't participate in a lot of other sports and really didn't even watch a lot of other sports because I was racing every weekend, so it was a cool experience to go down on the field, and to be right there where the action is."

He described his experience during the coin toss.

"The coin toss was, as silly as it sounds – it's like it's not that big of a deal, you’re just flipping a coin right? – but all of a sudden, it was like cameras, ESPN – don't screw this up, do I grab it, do I not grab it, do I let it hit the ground? – I started thinking about all this stuff like it was qualifying! But no, it was a lot of fun and we enjoyed it," he continued.

Famous Toastery wasn't initially supposed to be a part of any NCAA football bowl game last year. This particular game was originally planned as the Bahamas Bowl, but it ended up being renamed and relocated due to renovations at its usual site in the Bahamas, Thomas Robinson Stadium.

That big break, similar to that which McDowell experienced when he landed a full-time ride with Front Row Motorsports six years ago, helped launch the brand into the national spotlight, and now both Famous Toastery and McDowell are capitalizing with an expanded partnership.

NC-based Famous Toastery named title sponsor for Charlotte college football bowl game

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 04:02:50 GMT

A Charlotte-based chain will have its name on the Queen City’s latest bowl game. ESPN Events announced Tuesday morning that Famous Toastery will be the title sponsor of the upcoming bowl game in Charlotte. The Famous Toastery Bowl is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 18, at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

“The Famous Toastery Bowl is a perfect showcase for those that are not quite familiar with Famous Toastery and the city of Charlotte,” Mike Sebazco, president of Famous Toastery, said in the release about the company’s first sports partnership. “We’re extremely proud to be involved with the game and the opportunity it presents to these student athletes.”

This bowl game, which will kick off at 2:30 p.m. and air on ESPN, was moved to Charlotte for this year after the Bahamas Bowl announced it wouldn’t be held this year due to stadium renovations. This bowl, usually featuring teams from the Mid-American Conference and Conference USA, is expected to return to the Bahamas in 2024.

“We’re thrilled to have such a beloved locally-based company like Famous Toastery as the sponsor for our college football bowl game in Charlotte,” Clint Overby, vice president of ESPN Events, said in the release. “The move to the Charlotte 49ers’ Jerry Richardson Stadium and this sponsorship all came together very quickly, and we are very thankful to have such supportive partners for this bowl game.”

The matchup and ticket information will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 3.

9 Must-Try Burgers in Greensboro, NC (+ Map!)

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 03:58:14 GMT

Food at CharBar No. 7, one of the best restaurants for burgers in Greensboro, NC

Whether you want to enjoy a classic burger or one that comes with unique ingredients, there are many places where you can get all kinds of delicious burgers in Greensboro.

Besides getting one of the burgers that’s on the menu of one of the restaurants, at some restaurants, you can also create your own by choosing all the ingredients that you like. Greensboro also has several places where you can get great vegan options, and there’s a restaurant that only serves plant-based burgers.

If you’re looking for the best places to get a burger in the city, this Greensboro burgers guide got you covered!

Best Burgers in Greensboro

Big Burger Spot

Big Burger Spot is a restaurant where you can get delicious burgers that are made using high-quality ingredients. The restaurant also makes a lot in-house, such as its pimento cheese, veggie burgers, chili, and dressings.

The restaurant has three locations, of which two are in the city of Greensboro.

The gourmet burgers at this restaurant are served on a toasted brioche bun, and there are three sizes.

One of the best ones is the “Carolina”, which is made with cheddar cheese, claw, chili, mustard, and onions.

Another great one is the “Backyard BBQ”, which comes with American cheese, BBQ sauce, applewood smoked bacon, and crispy onions.

The “Black & Blue” is a great option too. It is made with applewood smoked bacon and blue cheese.

Besides choosing one of the options on the menu, you can also build your own by choosing the toppings that you like.

In addition to gourmet burgers, you can also get other dishes, including hot dogs, sandwiches, loaded fries, and much more.

Address: 510 Nicholas Rd, Greensboro, NC 27409

CharBar No. 7

CharBar No. 7 is a restaurant that was established in 2011. It has several locations in North Carolina and Alabama, and you can find the Greensboro location at 3742 Lawndale Drive.

You can get delicious food for lunch and dinner at CharBar No. 7, including many different types of burgers that are served with any of the house sides.

One of the best ones to get is the “Mos”, which is made with marinated mushrooms, caramelized onions, garlic aioli, and Swiss cheese.

The “Leap Year”, which comes with American cheese, garlic aioli, bacon, lettuce, a medium fried egg, tomato, and onion, is a delicious option too.

A great vegetarian option is the “Black Bean Burger”. This one is made with a handmade black bean patty, lettuce, tomato, smoked tomato aioli, and onion.

The menu of CharBar No. 7 also includes grilled salmon, fish & chips, steaks, salads, quesadillas, and many other options.

Address: 3724 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455

M’Coul’s Public House

M’Coul’s Public House is a restaurant that was founded in 2002 where you can get great burgers in Greensboro. You can find it on West McGee Street and it has a menu with many types of food options.

You can choose between two burgers for lunch or dinner at M’Coul’s Public House.

One of these is the “Dublin”. This one is made with an all-beef patty or a veggie patty, lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo, and American cheese.

The second option is the “Old Glory”. You can get this one with an all-beef patty or a veggie patty too. The burger also comes with bleu cheese, Thai chili sauce, and fried onion straws.

Both burgers are served on a potato roll and with one side.

There are many sides to choose from, including pub fries, onion rings, and mashed potatoes.

Address: 110 W McGee St, Greensboro, NC 27401

Wicked Burgers, Tacos, and Brews

Wicked Burgers, Tacos, and Brews is an indoor axe-throwing venue with a bar and grill.

The food menu of this restaurant includes many delicious options, including the “Wicked Burgers”. These are made with a house blend of Angus beef, sirloin, brisket, and ground chuck, and they are served on a brioche bun, a lettuce wrap, or a gluten-free bun.

The burgers are all served with French fries or another side, and it’s possible to substitute each patty with a black bean burger.

One of the best ones to get is the “El Buli”, which comes with grilled mushrooms, onions, and poblano peppers.

The “Some Like It Hot” is a great one too. It comes with pickled jalapeño, lettuce, pepper jack cheese, tomato, and an ancho honey sauce.

Besides choosing one of the specialties, you can also create a burger yourself by choosing all the toppings that you like.

Other dishes on the menu include tacos, wings, and nachos.

Besides going here for delicious food, you can also go to Wicked for faxe throwing. The facility has several lanes where you can throw an axe at a wooden target.

Address: 2415a Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27408

PorterHouse Burger Company

The PorterHouse is a local and family-owned restaurant that was established in 2012 where you can get delicious burgers and some other dishes.

You can create your own by choosing the patty, bread, cheese, toppings, and sauces, or you can choose one of the specialties.

One of the best specialties is the “Shroom & Swiss”, which is made with Swiss cheese, grilled mushrooms, onions, and garlic aioli.

Another great option on the menu is the “Twisted Carolina”. This one comes with pepper jack cheese, house-made chili, jalapeño coleslaw, honey mustard, and red onions.

The restaurant has great vegetarian options too. One of the best ones is the “Veggie”, which comes with a house-made black bean veggie patty, Monterey Jack cheese, tomato, lettuce, onions, and a house-made tomato jam.

Other items on the menu of The PorterHouse include sandwiches, salads, and desserts.

Address: 4608 W Market St, Greensboro, NC 27407

Stumble Stilskins

Stumble Stilskins, a restaurant that was established in 2004, is also great if you want to have a burger in Greensboro. You can find Stumble Stilskins in Downtown Greensboro at 202 West Market Street, and you can go here for lunch or dinner.

The burgers at Stumble Stilkins come with two hand-crafted patties, and a choice of fries, tots, or house salad. Each one is also available as a lettuce wrap.

One of the best options on the menu is the “Classic”, which is made with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and red onion.

The “Stumble Smash” is a great one too. It comes with American cheese, caramelized onions, shredded lettuce, pickles, and 1000 island dressing.

You can also get a delicious black bean burger at Stumble Stilkins.

In addition to great food, you can also choose from many types of drafts, including IPAs, ales, hard ciders, lagers, and pilsners.

Sometimes you can attend an event at Stumble Stilkins. For example, there are trivia nights. Going to Stumble Stilskins is also one of the most fun things to do at night in Greensboro.

Address: 202 W Market St, Greensboro, NC 27401

Romeo’s Vegan Burgers

Romeo’s Vegan Burgers is a plant-based restaurant with two locations in North Carolina, of which one is situated at 413 South Tate Street in Greensboro.

The menu of the restaurant includes many types of burgers that are made with patties by Beyond Meats and Impossible Foods, vegan buns, plant-based cheeses, and homemade vegan sauces.

One of the best options on the menu is the “Mexico Romeo”. This one comes with lettuce, pico de Gallo, chipotle mayo, and jalapeño peppers, and it is topped with cheese.

Another great option is the “Where Are Thou Romeo”. This burger is made with a house sauce, lettuce, grilled onions, tomatoes, vegan cheese, and pickles.

The “Romeo All American”, which comes with cheese, tomatoes, ketchup, mayo, pickles, onion, and mustard, is a delicious option too.

In addition to great food, you can also get delicious house-made lemonades and milkshakes that are made with soy ice cream.

Address: 413 Tate St, Greensboro, NC 27403

Hops Burger Bar

Hops Burger Bar is a restaurant where you can get burgers that are made with a blend of Angus beef, fresh produce, and local dairy.

They are served on a bun of your choice. You can choose between a brioche bun, a whole wheat Kaiser roll, a siracha bun, a pretzel roll, and a gluten-free bun. They are also served with a choice of chips, fries, sweet potato fries, cole slaw, veggies, onion rings, or a side salad.

One of the best options on the menu is the “Cuban Cow”. This one is made with grilled ham, Carolina pulled pork, Swiss cheese, Bourbon-marinated pickles, and lime-dijon aioli.

Another great one is the “Diablo”, which is a spicy one that is made with pepper jack cheese, guacamole, lettuce, jalapenos, sauteed onion, and jalapeno bacon. It is served on a sriracha bun.

You can also get different types of patties as a substitute, including house-made veggie patties.

Also, sometimes there are featured burgers that are made with unique ingredients. To see the current week’s feature, you can go to the website of the restaurant.

In addition to the specialties, you can create your own burger by choosing all the ingredients that you like.

The restaurant also serves different types of fries, including parmesan jalapeño fries and truffle oil and parmesan fries.

Address: 2419 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27403

SouthEnd Brewing Co

SouthEnd Brewing Co. is a family-owned and operated brewing company that was established in 2019.

The brewery has a food menu that includes many different types of dishes, including a delicious burger.

You can get the Black Bean & Sweet Potato Burger at SouthEnd Brewing Co., which comes with tomato, yellow onion, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle mayo sauce. It is served on a taste pretzel bun.

In addition to this option, there are many sandwiches, specialty fries, flatbreads, wraps, and other dishes.

You can also get many types of beer at the brewery. There are five core beers that are made with high-quality ingredients, as well as rotating beers, including seasonal and experimental styles of beers.

A variety of events takes place at SouthEnd Brewing Co., such as trivia nights and game nights.

SouthEnd Brewing Co. is also one of the best breweries in Greensboro.

Address: 117B W Lewis St, Greensboro, NC 27406

Greensboro Burgers Tips

At some of the restaurants that I mentioned in this Greensboro burgers guide, you can get other types of dishes as well. For example, at CharBar No. 7, you can also get steaks, quesadillas, and much more. When you want to get a burger and you want to go to a restaurant with someone who prefers other food, I recommend going to such a restaurant.

Burgers in Greensboro Map

This was my list of the best burgers in Greensboro, NC. I hope you liked it!

Angela Goodman of Famous Toastery Awarded Franchisee of the Year by International Franchise Association

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:02:26 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Seth Goodman

sgoodman@fishmannpr.com

(847) 945-1300

Angela Goodman of Famous Toastery Awarded Franchisee of the Year by International Franchise Association

PHOENIX, Feb. 19, 2024 – The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Angela Goodman, owner of Famous Toastery in Ashburn, Va., as a 2023 Franchisee of the Year. Goodman was honored at the 64 ^th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.

“Franchisees of the Year exemplify what franchising is all about – providing opportunity, serving others, and fulfilling the American Dream,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “We are proud to recognize Angela with the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and I have no doubt her work is changing lives and making a lasting community impact.”

The Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their involvement in their communities, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit, fostering a strong and healthy culture with their workforce, and assisting their fellow franchisees when called upon.

After frequenting one of Famous Toastery’s original locations as a guest, and spending 15 years in corporate America working for a Fortune 500 company, Goodman decided she wanted more of a connection to her community. She took a chance on herself and decided to bring Famous Toastery – a brand that aligned with her own core values – to her new hometown in Northern Virginia. While she entered the restaurant industry with no prior experience in 2016, she has since become a leader among the brand by building relationships with staff and customers alike to create success. Goodman continues to foster those community ties as she helps grow Famous Toastery’s reputation for Famously Fresh food in a welcoming atmosphere.

“I am honored to be nominated by Famous Toastery for this award,” said Goodman. “Being selected by the IFA and joining a list of incredible leaders is very humbling. It is great to have my efforts recognized, and I’m ready to pay it forward and help other franchisees.”

“It is very exciting for the Won Life Brands family to have Angela of Famous Toastery and the Rosario family, who own and operate two Flour Power Studios in Georgia, awarded this prestigious honor,” said Robert Maynard, Founder of Won Life Brands. “They are both role model franchisees for our brands and exemplify what it means to represent Won Life Brands within their communities.”

There are over 800,000 franchised businesses across the U.S., providing over 8.7 million direct jobs and generating over $850 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics , franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities.

About Famous Toastery

Charlotte, N.C. based Famous Toastery is a breakfast, brunch and lunch franchise that encourages its guests, team and franchise owners to “Be Famous” in their local community by offering “Famously Fresh” meals and a much-needed hub for friends, families and neighbors to get together in a comfortable atmosphere where “every server is your server.” The brand began in 2005 before evolving into a franchise system in 2013 and growing to 25 locations today. In 2023, Famous Toastery was awarded the naming sponsorship rights for The Famous Toastery Bowl played at UNC Charlotte. Famous Toastery has earned recognition from Restaurant Business’ The Future 50 (2019, 2020), Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Food Franchises (2019) and Franchise 500 Rankings (2019, 2022), as well as CNBC as a top franchise to buy (2018), FSR Magazine as a Top 14 restaurant chains ready for lift-off (2018), Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing companies, and Franchise Times’ Top 200+ franchise opportunities (2018). For more information about Famous Toastery, visit www.famoustoastery.com . To learn about franchising opportunities, please visit www.bestbreakfastfranchise.com .

About Won Life Brands

Won Life Brands is a premier growth and development company focused on delivering excellent experiences in the communities it serves. Won Life Brands operates company-owned properties and offers franchise opportunities across their brands, which includes Famous Toastery, Cartridge World, Flour Power, BBS: Your Big Burger Spot, Abby’s Better Nut Butter and VaVia.

About the International Franchise Association

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 806,270 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.7 million direct jobs, $858.5 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.

Famous Toastery president has unique link to ODU, shares just hours before bowl matchup vs Western Kentucky

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:30:03 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WAVY) — Call it a match made in heaven, call it a coincidence, or call it whatever you want. Old Dominion is in the Famous Toastery Bowl, and the fact that it is the Famous Toastery Bowl is the reason why it’s ironic.

A lot of people may have been looking at this game thinking “What the heck is the Famous Toastery Bowl?”

You would be valid for thinking that, because not a lot of people outside of the Charlotte area may know what it is, considering it’s a brunch establishment with only 25 total locations.

Mike Sebazco is the president of Famous Toastery, and actually has a very unique but interesting connection to Monarch nation. His nephew, Cole Stringer was an All-Conference USA midfielder on the ODU men’s soccer team. Now, Mike said Cole was going to go to the game, but recently brought his newborn baby into the world.

That baby is already donning the ODU colors, as you can see. Adorable.

Kick off at UNC Charlotte is Monday, December 18, at 2:30 p.m.

Famous Toastery’s Parent Company, Won Life Brands, Announced as Finalist for “Best in HR” Award in Charlotte, NC

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:04:20 GMT

October 20, 2023 // Franchising.com // CHARLOTTE, NC – Won Life Brands – parent company of Famous Toastery has been announced as a finalist for The Charlotte Business Journal’s 2023 Best in Human Resources Award. “At Won Life Brands, our commitment to excellence in human resources is unwavering,” said Robert Maynard, Founder and CEO of Won Life Brands. “This recognition serves as a testament to the dedication of our incredible team and we will continue to strive for excellence and innovation in HR, making people's lives better one career at a time."

The Journal’s annual award – which will be presented on Thursday, October 19, honors the vital work human resources professionals do to make companies in the Charlotte region successful. They, along with their businesses, are responsible for the positive impact on employees and the overall organization.

“Our focus is to find and develop great talent that allows us to continue to grow and scale our brands,” said Schyler Houck, Vice President of Human Resources for Won Life Brands.

“Human Resources plays a pivotal role in helping any company succeed, especially as work culture and balance remain among the top priorities for employees,” said Mike Sebazco, President of Famous Toastery. “Won Life Brands’ commitment to HR and their employees is evident throughout the work they’ve done while helping Famous Toastery grow and develop.”

Famous Toastery not only owns brunch, it makes it Famous: The brand believes food should be both decadent and nutritious, uncompromisingly fresh, and served to order quickly with service that is just as satisfying as the menu. With an emphasis on perfecting classic breakfast items while simultaneously injecting craveable twists to their food and cocktail menus, Famous Toastery prides itself in serving a fresh, simple-scratch made breakfast and brunch menu in a welcoming atmosphere. A perfect destination for anyone who appreciates delicious, home-style cooking, Famous Toastery’s menu consists of decadent recipes expertly crafted with the freshest ingredients and, of course, 100% Grade A pure maple syrup.

SOURCE Famous Toastery

Won Life Brands, Famous Toastery’s Parent Company, Named Among Best Places to Work in Charlotte

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:02:02 GMT

October 30, 2023 // Franchising.com // CHARLOTTE, NC - Won Life Brands, parent company of Famous Toastery, has been announced as a finalist for the Best Places to Work award by The Charlotte Business Journal. The award highlights local employers – big and small – that have perks, practices and policies to attract and keep top talent.

“As a company with just one year under our belt, we’re incredibly honored to be already making waves in the Charlotte area as finalists for this ward,” said Robert Maynard, Founder and CEO of Won Life Brands. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer a place in Charlotte where people not only want to work, but where they’re proud to work.”

Earlier this year, The Charlotte Business Journal recognized Won Life Brands as one of the Best in Human Resources in the area. Winners for the outlet’s Best Places to Work Award will be announced at a celebration event on November 2.

“Won Life Brands demonstrates the unique ability to not only help businesses grow, but also cultivate talent within their brands, ensuring brand success,” said Mike Sebazco, President of Famous Toastery. “Partnering with a company that values creating a desired work environment is of the upmost importance to us. Won Life Brands’ profound dedication to the communities their brands serve is contagious and can be felt throughout the entire Famous Toastery franchise.”

Famous Toastery believes food should be both delicious and nutritious, uncompromisingly fresh, and served to order quickly with service that is just as satisfying as the menu. A perfect destination for anyone who appreciates mouthwatering, home-style cooking, Famous Toastery’s menu consists of decadent recipes expertly crafted with the freshest ingredients and, of course, 100% Grade A pure maple syrup.

SOURCE Famous Toastery

Best Burgers in Greensboro

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 03:33:49 GMT

Burger and fries at Big Burger Spot

The restaurant has three locations, of which two are in the city of Greensboro.

The gourmet burgers at this restaurant are served on a toasted brioche bun, and there are three sizes.

One of the best ones is the “Carolina”, which is made with cheddar cheese, claw, chili, mustard, and onions.

Another great one is the “Backyard BBQ”, which comes with American cheese, BBQ sauce, applewood smoked bacon, and crispy onions.

The “Black & Blue” is a great option too. It is made with applewood smoked bacon and blue cheese.

Besides choosing one of the options on the menu, you can also build your own by choosing the toppings that you like.

In addition to gourmet burgers, you can also get other dishes, including hot dogs, sandwiches, loaded fries, and much more.

Address: 510 Nicholas Rd, Greensboro, NC 27409

How the Famous Toastery Bowl came to be

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 05:09:54 GMT

This is the story of how a 24-unit regional breakfast-and-lunch chain with a marketing staff of two pulled off the title sponsorship of a nationally televised college bowl game … on six weeks’ notice.

Stadium renovations forced the move of the 2023 Bahamas Bowl to Charlotte, N.C.—the home turf of Famous Toastery. The chain had recently inked a partnership with NASCAR driver (and 2021 Daytona 500 champ) Michael McDowell, who connected ESPN events with Famous Toastery, according to VP of Marketing Lorna Martinez.

And, thus, the Famous Toastery Bowl, which took place on Dec. 18 between Western Kentucky University and Old Dominion University at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, was born, complete with toast mascot racing at half time, the chain’s first TV ad, and WKU’s victory celebration that featured players with fistfuls of toast, making “toast angels” on the field and throwing slices of bread into the sky.

“We are a small bunch when it comes to Famous Toastery,” Martinez said. “You would think that a brand like this has, you know, at least some sort of division of PR or marketing. We’re a marketing team of two … We’re a small group but we all knew we would pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and make this happen. So, I think that’s the beauty of it. It felt like, all right, this is our underdog brand that could, the little engine that could … And, so, there was never a doubt in our minds that, you know, six weeks, let’s just get it done.”

Getting it done included a long punch list, one most sponsors take a year to complete. Among the tasks: Creating a media plan to announce the bowl game, preparing for the coin toss and half-time show, building a 30-second TV spot from scratch, creating a logo, writing radio ads, developing a social media strategy and, perhaps most importantly, figuring out how to capitalize on the Famous Toastery Bowl long after the stadium had emptied.

Famous Toastery pulled together a bowl sponsorship on six weeks' notice. | Photo courtesy: Famous Toastery

“The goal is franchise development,” Martinez said. “Bringing Famous Toastery to these other communities and getting that brand recognition, getting that brand curiosity for people who are not in our markets … I don’t want it to be kind of like ‘and we once did a bowl game.’ I want it to still feel pertinent and resonate with people, more of a validator of us in the space when it comes to franchise development.”

Famous Toastery made sure that all of the marketing materials it created for the bowl would be evergreen, so it would have a range of radio ads, TV spots and more that it could employ this year and next.

“So now we have that kind of toolbox and we have all those tools in the toolbox that we didn’t have before,” she said.

Martinez declined to say how much Famous Toastery spent on the sponsorship or its preparations.

Bowl watchers will likely recall that Famous Toastery wasn’t the only breakfast carb-hawker that sponsored a big game this season.

The inaugural Pop-Tarts Bowl generated a raft of memes thanks to its scene-stealing edible live mascot who emerged centerfield from a giant toaster.

For Famous Toastery’s part, sharing the toaster spotlight was just fine, Martinez said. People were tagging Famous Toastery on social media following the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

“We loved it,” she said. “And it benefited us in the sense that we were now part of a conversation that maybe we weren’t a part of, and reaching their audience … It all weaves together to help us a raise awareness and visibility in a fun, light-hearted way.”

Famous Toastery Boosts Its Brand With A College Bowl Game

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 05:50:02 GMT

Famous Toastery, with 24 locations, has raised its profile by sponsoring the college football, Famous Toastery Bowl, in Charlotte. Pictured is its Mooresville, N.C. location.COURTESY OF FAMOUS TOASTERY

A recent sports article in The Athletic (owned by the New York Times NYT +0.7% ) highlighted the slew of sponsored college bowl games that have sprung up over the years that sound more like advertisements than sporting events including Duke’s Mayo Bowl, the PopTarts Bowl and Cheeze-It Citrus Bowl. From that one bowl game, Duke’s Mayonnaise said it generated 35 million social media impressions and attracted nearly 2.7 million viewers.

And on December 18 came the Famous Toastery Bowl, representing the restaurant chain Famous Toastery that owns 24 locations, with 17 franchised and 7 company-owned. It’s a breakfast and lunch eatery, which closes at 3 p.m. and launched in Huntersville, N.C., outside of Charlotte, in 2005. Its located in three states, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Since it doesn’t serve dinner, it competes against other breakfast, brunch and lunch chains such as First Watch and Snooze A.M.

At the Famous Toastery Bowl, Western Kentucky beat Old Dominion University in a thrilling game, 38 to 35, by kicking a field goal in overtime at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Famous Toastery started its corporate involvement by sponsoring Michael McDowell, a Daytona 500 NASCAR racer. McDowell introduced them to ESPN, which was looking for a sponsor after the Bahamas Bowl was cancelled.

Going From Regional to National

Mike Sebazco, the president of Famous Toastery, seized on the opportunity to get its name associated with an ESPN broadcast. “Our goal was to take Famous Toastery from a regional name to a national level,” he explains. Asked how much Famous Toastery paid to sponsor the game, he declines to disclose that sum.

Several Bowl Game Benefits

Sebazco says it achieved several goals in sponsoring that college football bowl including: 1) Raising its brand’s visibility, 2) Familiarizing people with Famous Toastery who didn’t know the brand, 3) Helping increase franchise development by luring in new franchisees, 4) Intensifying its national visibility because of ESPN’s massive presence and help it extend to new markets.

A breakfast and lunch eatery, Famous Toastery has uplifted its brand by associating with a college football bowl, mirroring brands such as Pop Tarts and Cheeze-It.

Asked the bowl’s effect on the brand, Sebazco noted that via all of its social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (now called X), it generated one million impressions in December, a 10% spike over November. Sales at Famous Toastery locations that month increased by 5%.

Sponsoring a bowl game exceeds the reach of targeted ads on Facebook or TikTok, which many regional restaurant chains employ. Sebazco said that most social media ads reach “people that already follow you. With this bowl game, we were able to reach a national audience for three hours straight, from branding on the field and commercials, to our national trophy presentation.”

Social media impressions flick by in a fleeting way. With the bowl competition, he expected that the “buzz would continue after the game.”

He hopes it will attract more potential franchisees. “We expect that increased name recognition and credibility will help expand our reach beyond our current markets,” he says

Sebazco describes the core menu at Famous Toastery as “fresh, daily breakfast and lunch items whether you’re having brunch with family, breakfast with co-workers or lunch with friends.”

Its three most popular items selected include: 1) The blah-blah-blah omelet, based on three selected items, 2) Breakfast combo of flapjack or French toast with two eggs any style, 3) Its Famous Toastery Bowl, which are two eggs done “your way” with a choice of sausage gravy or hollandaise served over potatoes.

It also generates about 15% of its overall revenue from off-premises sales including using most third-party deliverers and its own to-go orders via its own app.

Why Its Business Model Resonates with Franchisees

Furthermore, Sebazco notes that the breakfast and lunch business model works well for many franchisees because “it’s a one-shift model. They get to have a life after closing their doors for the day.” So it eliminates the dinner shift and late nights and establishes better work-life balance.

In 2024, it plans on extending its boundaries beyond its three existing states, and opening its first locations in Florida, starting in Jacksonville and then adding four more.

Asked the three keys to its continued success, Sebazco replies: 1) Choosing the best ingredients in the space, 2) Creating a community for guests to gather in, 3) Being a reliable partner to staff, guests, and local charities.

Big Burger Spot poised to get a lot bigger with Famous Toastery owner now the majority stakeholder

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An "Almost" sized Carolina style burger, priced at $8.49, with a side of Cajun fries ($2.49) at the Big Burger Spot near the intersection of Hornaday Road and Guilford College Road in Greensboro.

With experience from other brands like Famous Toastery, a new majority owner expects to grow the home-grown Big Burger Spot to 35 locations across Carolinas. It could be the biggest thing for the local burger chain since comedian Steve Harvey visited.

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