Behind the Numbers: Meeting the Guest with Flexibility and Optionality

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “Finance Guy”, are joined by Craig Dunaway COO and a member of the Board of Directors of Penn Station East Coast Subs.

Craig recounts his journey, beginning as a young professional at a regional accounting firm in Indiana before venturing into the world of franchising with Papa John’s Pizza and eventually becoming a multi- unit franchisee of Papa John’s and Penn Station East Coast Subs, culminating in his current role as COO.

Key Takeaways:

• Craig talks about his entrepreneurial journey, fueled by a shared vision with a college buddy to garner wealth through real estate. In time, fate steered them towards the owner-operator concept, resulting in Craig opening 11 Papa John’s franchises over the course of a decade.
• Craig’s sale of the largest Papa John’s Franchisee in Cincinnati marks a significant milestone in his career.
• Meeting the menu and the founder of Penn Station and finding a commonality between brands: A focus on food, the franchisee, and profitability.
• The triumph of adaptability over unpredictability: Attaining success through pliability during COVID. Penn Station’s swift pivot to cold sandwiches and integration with third-party delivery platforms.
• Post-pandemic landscape: With 80% of business takeaway now coming from off-premise dining,
• Penn Station responds to evolving consumer preferences as an industry attuned to guest needs through flexibility and choice.
• The debate between quality or convenience in an ever-evolving industry.
• Hot Takes: From ghost kitchens to the integration of smart kitchen appliances, Craig sheds his insight on cutting-edge trends.
• Trivia Tuesday: Separating fact from fiction in a lighthearted battle of wits.

Episode Credits:

• Produced by: Branded Hospitality Media
• Hosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy Frischling
• Producer: Julie Zucker
• Creative Director: Adam Levine
• Show Runner: Drewe Raimi
• Post Production: Three Cheers Creative

www.thehospitalityhangout.com