In this episode,speaks with Michael Keller, the CEO of Jeremiah's Italian Ice, about his journey to the top, the unique challenges of the frozen dessert industry, and the importance of franchisee satisfaction. They discuss the strategies for selecting franchisees, building a resilient community, and innovating product offerings like ice cream cakes. Keller emphasizes the need for a strong team and effective real estate strategies to ensure franchise success, while also highlighting the importance of understanding franchisee needs and satisfaction.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jeremiah's Italian Ice and Michael Keller

02:45 Transitioning from Consulting to CEO

05:37 Understanding Franchisee Dynamics

08:40 The Importance of Resiliency in Franchisees

11:13 Building a Strong Executive Team

14:14 Listening and Adapting Leadership Styles

17:07 Optimizing Supply Chain Strategies

27:16 Weekly Rhythm: Aligning Business Operations

29:06 Entering the Ice Cream Cake Market

32:40 Challenges of Menu Expansion for Franchisees

36:16 Real Estate Strategies for Franchise Success

42:07 Key Performance Indicators in Franchising

46:40 Underrated Flavors and Final Thoughts

Interested in learning more about becoming a Jeremiah's franchisee - check them out here:

https://jeremiahsfranchise.com/

🔎 Need Another Opinion Before You Commit?

✅ Lease Review – Send me your draft lease, and I’ll use AI + expert insight to highlight what’s worth pushing back on.

👉 Click here to request your Lease Review:

https://stan.store/KyleInserra/p/lease-review

✅ LOI Review – Got a location in mind? I’ll evaluate the deal terms, location viability, and broader market risk—before you commit.

👉 Click here to get your LOI Review

https://stan.store/KyleInserra/p/presigning-site-loilease-review

🧾 What You’ll Get:

• AI-powered lease red flag summary

• Plain-English breakdown of financial terms (escalation clauses, exclusivity, rent and of course escalations)

• Video with context on whether the deal is viable

• 24–48 hour turnaround

💸 Starting at $99. Could save you six figures over the life of your lease.

📩 Prefer email? Send your lease to kyle@10rep.co

📲 Let’s Connect

• Instagram: @kyleinserra

• LinkedIn: Kyle Inserra

• Website: www.10rep.co

___________________________________________________________

Kyle Inserra is a 15-year restaurant industry veteran and the founder of 10Rep, an outsourced real estate service for restaurants across the country. He specializes in the strategic growth and development of emerging restaurant brands, bringing a unique insider’s perspective shaped by years of hands-on operational experience. His deep industry knowledge allows him to understand and adapt to the evolving needs of his clients. Kyle’s areas of expertise include market insight and trend analysis, strategic site acquisition, advanced lease negotiation, comprehensive property assessment, tenant acquisition and retention strategies, and financial forecasting.

In addition to his advisory work, Kyle is a sought-after keynote speaker on topics including restaurant site selection, restaurant consulting, content creation, and personal branding. He has been featured in Commercial Observer, Entrepreneur, The New York Times, ICSC, and the CREi Summit. Kyle also works as a commercial real estate broker, focusing on landlord and tenant representation in the New York metropolitan market.