Maria Rivera, CEO of Smalls Holdings LLC and Smalls Sliders career is a testament to her exceptional ability to disrupt, transform, and build brands. With a resume that includes senior executive roles at The Walt Disney Company, Darden Restaurants, TGI Friday's, Logan’s Roadhouse, and Krispy Kreme Inc., Rivera has honed her expertise in brand transformation and growth. At the end of 2022, she took on her current role, embarking on a new journey to create a national brand and a winning team from the ground up.

Listen now to learn about lessons learned from Disney, tech enablement for brand communication, and the importance of leaders being connected.

Episode Links

• Smalls Sliders Online
• Maria Rivera LinkedIn
• Smalls Sliders Instagram
• Smalls Sliders TikTok
• Smalls Sliders Franchising Opportunities

TAKEAWAYS

Eternal Lessons from Disney - Maria highlights the crucial lesson she learned from her time working at Walt Disney of understanding the underlying factors of a transaction, emphasizing the significance of data-driven and personalized customer interactions. Drawing from her time at Disney, she stresses the importance of asking the right questions to effectively cultivate a brand.

Tech Enablement for Brand Communication - According to Maria Rivera, to effectively communicate and encourage purchases, businesses need robust digital and technology experiences within their locations, coupled with a strong brand presence on social media. This requires significant effort to align digital experiences and technology with the brand voice across all channels.

Leaders Must Be Connected - Maria stresses the importance of empathy in leadership, particularly in challenging times. She believes that leading with hands out, not hands up, and being open to learning are crucial for successful leadership. She acknowledges that she doesn't know everything and values the experience of learning continuously.

ABOUT MARIA RIVERA

Maria Rivera is an accomplished executive known for her ability to disrupt, transform, and build brands. With a career that spans senior executive roles at The Walt Disney Company, Darden Restaurants, TGI Friday's, Logan’s Roadhouse, and Krispy Kreme Inc., Rivera’s strategic vision and leadership have consistently driven significant growth and innovation. At the end of 2022, she became the Chief Executive Officer at Smalls Holding, LLC and Smalls Sliders Franchising. 

In her first year as CEO at Smalls, Rivera has built and led a talented foundational team that achieved remarkable results, including a 132% year-over-year sales increase, over 8 billion PR media impressions, the launch of 3PD, loyalty rewards, and a reimagined brand, as well as the opening or development of over 250 locations in eight new states. 

Rivera’s unique perspective is shaped by her extensive experience in delivering profitable growth, turnaround, and cultural transformations of both mature and emerging brands. Her success is marked by building authentic relationships and empowering individuals to grow beyond just business results.

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
• Craveworthy Brands Instagram
• Craveworthy Online
• Gregg Majewski LinkedIn
• CRAVEWORTHY FRANCHISING
• CRAVEWORTHY BRANDS
• INVEST IN CRAVEWORTHY

Produced by Cali BBQ Media | Engage with Cali BBQ Media