Webinar/Podcast
Kendall Ware a Restaurant Franchise Specialist
Welcome to the Corner Booth!
Join host Chris Tripoli and guests for a podcast for anyone who is starting a restaurant business, growing an independent restaurant business, or dreaming about starting an independent restaurant business.
Learn from successful restaurateurs who share their stories WHY they got into the business and HOW they created and built their winning concepts.
Corner Booth is a production of RestaurantOwner.com.
So grab your favorite beverage, have a seat, and listen in!
In this episode of Corner Booth, Chris Tripoli interviews Kendall Ware, a seasoned restaurant industry leader and franchise consultant. Kendall shares his journey from bussing tables at age 16 to becoming CEO of major brands like Cinnabon and Orange Leaf. His experience spans opening nearly 100 restaurants and leading six national brands, giving him unique insights into the franchising process. For restaurant owners exploring growth, Kendall emphasizes the importance of understanding why you want to franchise and ensuring your concept is scalable before taking the leap.
Kendall outlines the critical steps for turning a profitable restaurant into a franchise brand. These include trademarking your name, drafting a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and creating a comprehensive operations manual tailored for franchisees. He explains why legal compliance, operational systems, and supply chain strategy are essential for sustainable growth. Kendall also warns against common pitfalls, such as overspending on initial setup or expanding too quickly without regional support. His advice focuses on building a strong foundation that protects both franchisor and franchisee while maintaining brand standards.
Beyond legal and operational preparation, Kendall stresses the importance of fostering trust and collaboration between franchisor and franchisee. He introduces the concept of “Friendship”—a blend of partnership and relationship—to replace the outdated “us vs. them” mindset. According to Kendall, healthy franchise relationships drive faster adoption, stronger brand consistency, and higher profitability. For emerging brands, his consulting approach offers affordable, practical solutions to scale nationally while avoiding costly mistakes.
Key Takeaways
Franchising starts with your “why” – Kendall Ware explains why defining your motivation for franchising is the first step toward success. Tune in to hear how this question shapes your entire growth strategy.
Legal and operational prep is critical – From trademarking your brand to creating a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and operations manual, Kendall breaks down what you need to know. Listen to learn why these steps protect your business and your franchisees.
Avoid costly mistakes – Overspending on setup or expanding too quickly can derail your growth. Kendall shares practical tips in the podcast to help you scale smart and save money.
Relationships matter most – Discover Kendall’s concept of “Friendship” and why strong franchisor-franchisee relationships drive long-term success. Hear how trust and collaboration can transform your brand.
Step-by-step guidance for emerging brands – The episode dives into validating demand, building supply chain strategies, and creating scalable systems. Don’t miss Kendall’s proven playbook for turning your restaurant into a thriving franchise.
