Inside the Deal: How Craveworthy Brands Acquired Big Chicken

Room For Seconds

Inside the Deal: How Craveworthy Brands Acquired Big Chicken

April 08, 2025

In this repurposed episode of Hospitality Hangout, hosts Michael Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling are joined by industry leaders Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands, and Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken, to break down one of the most talked-about moves in hospitality—Craveworthy Brands acquiring Big Chicken.

Go behind the scenes as they reveal how the deal came together, the strategic thinking that fueled the partnership, and what this means for the future of both brands. From accelerating growth and improving operational efficiencies to redefining market positioning, this episode offers a front-row seat to a transformative moment in the restaurant industry.

Tune in to hear how two powerhouse brands are reshaping the hospitality landscape—and what’s next on their journey.

Takeaways:

Growth Strategies for Both Craveworthy and Big Chicken - Craveworthy is laser-focused on building craveable, guest-first brands with high growth potential. The acquisition is part of a broader strategy to accelerate scale with strong IP and passionate leadership. Big Chicken will remain true to its roots while leveraging Craveworthy’s infrastructure to scale operations and support franchise growth.
Shaq’s Involvement Isn’t Changing -- He’s All In - Shaquille O’Neal isn’t just a figurehead—he’s actively involved, invested, and passionate about Big Chicken’s success. Despite the acquisition by Craveworthy Brands, Shaq’s role and presence won’t change. He continues to be a driving force behind the brand, supporting the team and engaging with the vision. For fans, franchisees, and the restaurant community, that consistency is powerful—it means Big Chicken will continue to deliver the same personality, culture, and energy that made it stand out in the first place.
Leadership Transforms a Culture - Authentic, hands-on leadership is essential to building a strong restaurant culture. It’s not enough to be successful on paper—true leadership means showing up, understanding operators, and being present in the business. That kind of leadership isn’t just inspiring—it’s what fuels lasting growth and transformation.

Episode Links:

ABOUT HOSPITALITY HANGOUT

Branded Hospitality is the brainchild of Michael “Schatzy” Schatzberg, known as The Restaurant Guy, and Jimmy Frischling, The Finance Guy. Their collaboration bridges the worlds of hospitality, technology, innovation, and capital investment. Through their podcast, The Restaurant Guy and The Finance Guy engage with top CEOs and Founders, delving into the latest trends, developments, and breakthroughs in hospitality technology, innovation, and food & beverage. Schatzberg and Frischling are co-founders of Branded Hospitality Ventures as well, an investment and advisory platform at the intersection of food service, technology, innovation and capital.

ABOUT MICHAEL SCHATZBERG

Michael “Schatzy” Schatzberg is an entrepreneur and expert strategist and marketer. With over 25+ years of restaurant ownership and operational experience, he is the Managing Director for Branded Restaurants. Michael is an active board member and advisory board member at various tech companies. He has been active in hospitality technology investment and advisory services for over 5 years and attended Boston University.

ABOUT JIMMY FRISCHLING

Jimmy Frischling is an entrepreneur and experienced finance professional with over 3 decades in the financial services, capital markets and hospitality industries. He is a board member at a number of Branded’s Portfolio Companies including Blanket; Brizo Foodmetrics; Copia; Cut+Dry; Incentivio; Minnow; Ovation; Simple Marketplace; Spendgo; TapRm; Targetable; and Usual Wines. Jimmy holds his Series 79, 7, 24 and 63 licenses with FINRA, a B.A. from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

ABOUT JOSH HALPERN

Josh Halpern is a visionary leader focused on building both brands and people. Where others see challenges, he sees opportunities. His boundless enthusiasm and talent for scaling businesses have led to success across various industries, including Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG), retail, and the restaurant sector. Josh is known for creating solutions that benefit all stakeholders—employees, partners, vendors, and customers alike.

Josh’s achievements are grounded in his core values and proven methodologies. He is driven by a desire to leave a lasting legacy, ensuring success with his team rather than at their expense. His approach to business, particularly in sales, is rooted in a holistic, general management perspective, all while remaining true to his authentic and unique personality. Josh prioritizes how he treats people and how he is perceived as a leader, with a deep commitment to developing the talent around him and providing others with the same opportunities he has received. Having learned from some of the industry's best, he is dedicated to paying it forward. Now, as CEO of Big Chicken and Beer Park in Las Vegas, Josh channels all his energy, passion, and experience into the nationwide expansion of these dining concepts. He is always eager to connect with individuals who share his passion for business growth, talent development, and exploring new possibilities.

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.

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NOMINATE A GUEST — Do you know someone who would be great on this show? Let us know by emailing us at roomforsecondspodcast@gmail.com or sending a DM on social media @craveworthybrands

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Room for Seconds is a weekly digital series where some of the most captivating personalities in business, sports, and hospitality join host Gregg Majewski to share stories and invaluable lessons that’ll inspire a generation of dreamers and doers.

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Inside the Deal: How Craveworthy Brands Acquired Big Chicken

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