Quick Service Market Share Trends for 2026

Otherwise, they get rose-colored glasses about success in the home market and assume it will equate quickly. You discussed expecting 5070% volumes. I've even seen cases where it's just 2530% at launch.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

You need equity sponsors who believe in the vision and the group. Another lesson: you need to open 4 to 6 shops in a new market within 2 to 3 years. That's pricey, but it creates important mass, builds awareness, and validates above-store leadership. Without it, you remain slow and unprofitable.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

At Chop Shop, we intentionally constructed strong bases in Phoenix and Dallas. That offered us the profitability to hold up against slow starts in Houston and Atlanta. And we were lucky that Dallasour second marketwas likewise where our group lived. Having the entire group in-market to support stores, hire, and make sure culture was substantial.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Fast Casual Industry Trends

Individuals typically ignore how important group is to scaling. How have you approached building and scaling your team? This is something I'm truly happy of. Our team took all the important things we hated from previous jobsfeeling underappreciated, underpaid, growth-stifledand built the opposite culture here. We emphasize development state of mind and career pathing.