Key Regional Milestones for 2026 Growth

Otherwise, they get rose-colored glasses about success in the home market and assume it will translate rapidly. You discussed anticipating 5070% volumes. That's sobering. I've even seen cases where it's simply 2530% at launch. It highlights how important capital structure is. Yes. Many little growth concepts like ours count on equity, not financial obligation.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

You need equity sponsors who believe in the vision and the team. Another lesson: you need to open four to 6 shops in a brand-new market within 2 to 3 years. That's expensive, however it creates important mass, constructs awareness, and justifies above-store leadership. Without it, you remain slow and unprofitable.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

At Chop Store, we deliberately built strong bases in Phoenix and Dallas. That provided us the success to withstand sluggish starts in Houston and Atlanta. And we were lucky that Dallasour 2nd marketwas likewise where our group lived. Having the entire team in-market to support stores, hire, and guarantee culture was substantial.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Restaurant Industry Trends Shaping 2026

People typically ignore how important team is to scaling. Our group took all the things we hated from previous jobsfeeling underappreciated, underpaid, growth-stifledand developed the opposite culture here.