In this episode of Room for Seconds, Gregg Majewski welcomes Sam Stanovich, Senior Vice President of Franchise Leadership at Big Chicken, to uncover the secrets behind the brand’s meteoric rise. Sam dives into the art of building a community-centered restaurant, how Big Chicken is training the next generation in authentic hospitality, and the bold strategies that have driven the brand’s success, including catering as a business game-changer. Discover how Big Chicken balances Shaquille O'Neal's star power with a family atmosphere and why staying adaptable is key in today’s fast-paced food industry. Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at the strategies that set Big Chicken apart!

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus and Amplify What You’re Good At - The pandemic was unprecedented and had some negative effects on the restaurant industry as a whole. However, according to Dr. Emily Williams Knight, there were some lessons that could be gleaned from that experience, including employers staying abreast of wage legislation and being able to educate employees while finding solutions to any problems that may arrive.
2. Listen and Learn From Your Customers - When Big Chicken was first designed, Shaquille O'Neal intentionally kept his image subtle, wanting the food to speak for itself. However, as the brand grew, they realized customers strongly associated Big Chicken with Shaq, so they began to embrace his family story. They’ve added a “Shaquille O'Neal family menu” on kiosks featuring his daughter and are focusing on creating a family-friendly atmosphere. This shift reflects the importance of family in dining, something Big Chicken wants to celebrate as they continue to grow.
3. Preparing the Next Generation of Hospitality Workers - Sam emphasizes the importance of training young workers, often teenagers, in hospitality skills that may not come naturally to a generation raised on digital communication. He notes that companies like Chick-fil-A succeed by fostering a strong culture of in-person service and interaction. To achieve similar results, he suggests franchise operators and managers act as “mayors” of their local areas, actively engaging with customers and leading by example. Through dedicated training modules, he believes the industry can equip young employees with the skills needed to provide meaningful, person-to-person hospitality.

Episode Links:

• Big Chicken Online
• Follow Big Chicken on Instagram
• Follow Big Chicken on Facebook
• Follow Big Chicken on Tik Tok
• Follow Big Chicken on X
• Connect with Big Chicken on LinkedIn
• Connect with Sam Stanovich on LinkedIn

ABOUT SAM STANOVICH

Sam Stanovich is the Senior Vice President of Franchise Leadership at Big Chicken, bringing extensive experience in the restaurant and franchising industries. He has a background as a Firehouse Subs franchisee and area developer in Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Prior to his franchising career, Stanovich spent nearly a decade with the National Restaurant Association, helping shape the strategic direction of partner products. He is also the co-host of "The Takeout, a Delivery and Catering Show" on the Foodable Network and serves on the advisory board for the Illinois Restaurant Association. With his deep industry knowledge, Sam plays a key role in Big Chicken’s franchising initiatives as the brand expands nationally and internationally.

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.

ABOUT CRAVEWORTHY MEDIA:

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. Craveworthy Media is Majewski’s gift back to the industry that has given him so much. The goal of Craveworthy is to inspire the up and coming industry leaders by providing important information, stories, and insights from titans past and present.

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