André Vener, managing partner at DogHaus and founder of The Absolute Brands, has demonstrated a unique approach to business that combines staying true to the company’s DNA, strategic growth, and a strong emphasis on keeping the people first. His philosophy has helped Absolute Brands thrive in a competitive market, particularly through the challenging dynamics of the virtual brand space.

Listen now to learn about keeping the brand DNA intact through growth, giving up control to scale, and prioritizing people.

Chapters:

[04:44] - Customer-Driven Innovation

[06:31] - Franchisee Success and Support

[11:06] - Handing Over Leadership for Growth

[20:51] - Virtual Brands Approach

[22:55] - Balancing Data with Emotional Connection

[27:40] - Conclusion and Future Plans

Episode Links:

The Absolute Brands Online: https://www.theabsolutebrands.com/

Dog Haus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doghausdogs/

André Vener LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrevener/

Takeaways:

Maintaining a Brand DNA Culture - When Andre Vener decided to create virtual brands, he wanted to maintain the foundation of who they were as a company. He has successfully done so by staying true to the company's DNA.

Trading Control for Growth - It is difficult to give up control, but Andre Verner says it is necessary to scale. 

Two Words: People Matter - Employee retention is extremely important in today’s climate. For Andre Vener, they have managed to have a low employee turnover rate due to them placing an importance on their longstanding mission statement: People Matter.

ABOUT ANDRÉ VENER

André Vener co-founded Dog Haus in April 2010 with his two business partners, aiming to transform stadium food classics into gourmet delights. Over the past decade, Dog Haus has grown from its roots in Pasadena, California, to nearly 50 locations nationwide. Vener and his partners have driven the brand's expansion through strategic alliances with top ghost kitchen networks, a partnership with Live Nation, and the creation of The Absolute Brands—a collection of virtual restaurant concepts featuring popular Dog Haus menu items like the Bad Mutha Clucka.

Before Dog Haus, Vener was the executive producer at Pasadena Entertainment, organizing events at notable venues such as The Rose Bowl and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. He also founded redwhite+bluezz, an acclaimed restaurant and jazz club, and served as CEO and president of the California Philharmonic for a decade, leading performances at venues like the Walt Disney Concert Hall. As a recognized restaurant industry expert, Vener has been featured on CNN, FOX News Channel, and MSNBC, and his work with Dog Haus has been highlighted in Entrepreneur magazine and Food & Wine.

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.

• Gregg Majewski Instagram: www.instagram.com/greggmajewski
• Craveworthy Brands Instagram: www.instagram.com/craveworthybrand
• Craveworthy Online: https://www.craveworthybrands.com/
• Gregg Majewski LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greggmajewski/ 
• CRAVEWORTHY FRANCHISING - https://www.craveworthybrands.com/franchising
• CRAVEWORTHY BRANDS - https://www.craveworthybrands.com/our-brands
• INVEST IN CRAVEWORTHY - https://invest.profitandsense.com/craveworthy-brands

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