Room For Seconds cover art

Room For Seconds

Room For Seconds

By: Gregg Majewski
Listen for free

About this listen

 You’re listening to Room for Seconds, hosted by Gregg Majewski, former CEO of Jimmy John’s, entrepreneur, and CEO of Craveworthy Brands. This digital series isn't just for restaurant moguls; it is a beacon for dreamers and doers, a celebration of tenacity and heart. Dig into riveting conversations with some of the most captivating personalities in business, sports, and the hospitality industry as they share stories of courage, ambition, empathy, and all that it takes to turn dreams into reality. Ready to be empowered? Join us and let the inspiration flow.Copyright 2025 Room For Seconds Career Success Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Gregg Majewski’s Fireside Chat at the 2024 Prosper Forum

    Gregg Majewski’s Fireside Chat at the 2024 Prosper Forum
    Aug 24 2025
    At the 2024 Prosper Forum, Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands, captivated attendees with his fireside chat alongside Michael Gottlieb. The discussion centered on his unique philosophy on leadership, employee rewards, and franchise success. From his commitment to building millionaire employees to his focus on franchisee profitability, Gregg reveals the values that drive his approach to business. Listen in to hear how he creates lasting partnerships by investing in people, leading by example, and fostering an environment where everyone—from employees to franchisees—can share in the company’s growth and success.Key Takeaways:Empowering Talent Through Trust and Example - Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands, believes that the foundation of effective leadership is building genuine trust. One standout approach Majewski takes is "over-promoting" talent, inspired by his own early experience when Jimmy John Liautaud took a chance on him at age 21. Majewski now pays it forward by offering significant opportunities to his best talent, regardless of age or tenure, knowing that “if you over-promote the best talent...they’re gonna work their butts off for you.” This approach is key to Craveworthy Brands' success, fostering a culture of opportunity and trust built on his unwavering example.Rewarding Employees with True Ownership - Gregg sees employee rewards as more than just bonuses—they’re about creating real wealth and long-term ownership for his team. Early in Craveworthy’s journey, he put this into action by gifting $1 million in equity to his first employees, despite the company’s startup status. This unique approach not only recognizes hard work but fosters loyalty, inspiring his team to share in the success they help create. Franchisee Success as a Path to Shared Prosperity - For Gregg, success in franchising is all about helping franchisees achieve their own American dream, even if it means reducing his own profit margins or working harder to increase theirs. By investing in franchisee success, Craveworthy Brands builds lasting partnerships and shared growth, creating a model where everyone prospers together.Episode Links:Get Ready for the 2025 Prosper ForumConnect with Mike Gottlieb on LinkedInVisit Cohn Rezneck LLP OnlineABOUT MIKE GOTTLIEB:As Managing Director, National Hospitality Advisory, Michael Gottlieb provides deep industry expertise to CohnReznick Hospitality clients. A renowned restaurant industry expert, he is a global business and financial leader with over 35 years of experience in business strategy, P&L management, operations, enterprise risk management, and governance.Mike has deep knowledge and expertise in optimizing revenue channels, digital transformation, workforce challenges, supply chain management, franchising structuring and operations, real estate and lease considerations, and operational, transaction, and tax matters. He has worked with most of the leadership in the restaurant industry and was involved in several of the high-profile transactions.Mike began his career as a restaurant operator, providing him with inside experience on the financial and operational complexities of the restaurant business. He leveraged that experience into a career in public accounting, serving as a senior audit partner and global business leader for a Big 4 firm’s restaurant practice. During his 20-year restaurant leadership tenure with that firm, he achieved significant growth for the practice.Mike is a sought-after expert and was most recently named one of The Consulting Report’s Top 25 Travel and Hospitality Consultants and Leaders for 2023.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.Connect with CraveworthyFollow Gregg Majewski on InstagramFollow Craveworthy Brands on InstagramVisit Craveworthy OnlineConnect with Gregg Majewski on LinkedInCRAVEWORTHY FRANCHISING CRAVEWORTHY BRANDS INVEST IN CRAVEWORTHY Connect with Room for SecondsSubscribe on YouTubeSubscribe on SpotifySubscribe on Apple PodcastsView Past Episodes on Craveworthy WebsiteNOMINATE A GUEST — Do you know someone who would be great on this show? Let us know by emailing us EMAIL or sending a DM on social media @craveworthybrands...
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Building the Next Generation of Leaders with David Jobe

    Building the Next Generation of Leaders with David Jobe
    Jun 10 2025
    In this episode from the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, Gregg Majewski sits down with David Jobe, founder of The Prosper Company, to discuss how the Prosper Accelerate program is transforming restaurant industry leadership. They explore building better tables by building better businesses, the importance of mentorship, and why developing the next generation is the key to a thriving hospitality industry. Learn how Prosper is bridging the gap between current leaders and emerging talent, and why everyone in the industry should embrace this unique community.Key Takeaways:The Power of Community and Exposure - David emphasizes that real growth for emerging leaders happens when they’re exposed to both their peers and current industry veterans. "Magic happens just in itself because you then have exposure. With these next generation of leaders. With the current leaders, that alone is a big idea." This blend of experience and fresh perspectives sparks innovation and motivation. The Value of Recognizing and Developing Talent - Identifying and celebrating rising stars isn’t just good for morale—it’s essential for a company’s growth and reputation. When organizations invest in recognizing talent, they signal that people matter, which strengthens loyalty and culture. David Jobe highlights how Prosper Accelerate helps companies spotlight promising individuals and invest in their development, ultimately building stronger, more innovative teams.Why Leaders Should Share Knowledge and Give Back - A key challenge in the industry is getting leaders to open up and mentor the next generation, often fearing they might train their replacements. David urges leaders to think differently—sharing wisdom and knowledge is how industries evolve and attract top talent. By investing in others’ success, leaders build a stronger, more dynamic community that’s essential for long-term growth.EPISODE LINKS:Connect with David on LinkedInConnect with Prosper Company on LinkedInVisit Prosper Company OnlineFollow Prosper Company on InstagramFollow Prosper Company on XVisit the National Restaurant Association ShowVisit the National Restaurant Association OnlineABOUT DAVID JOBE:Mr. Jobe serves as a Director on the Twin Hospitality Group Inc. Board. Mr. Jobe is also a co-founder, and has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Prosper Company, a purpose-driven, inclusive community within the foodservice and hospitality industries, since September 2022. Prior to Prosper Company, Mr. Jobe served as the President, a Partner and a member of the board of directors of Revelry Group, a certified B Corporation that creates shared value for companies in the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors, from January 2019 to August 2022. Prior to Revelry Group, Mr. Jobe was at Winsight Media for 20 years where he served in a number of roles, including as the President and Chief Customer Officer. Mr. Jobe has over 25 years of experience in the global foodservice, hospitality and convenience retailing industries. Mr. Jobe received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Washington State University.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.Connect with Gregg / Craveworthy BrandsGregg Majewski InstagramCraveworthy Brands InstagramVisit Craveworthy OnlineGregg Majewski LinkedInCRAVEWORTHY FRANCHISING CRAVEWORTHY BRANDS INVEST IN CRAVEWORTHY Connect with Room for SecondsSubscribe on YouTubeSubscribe on SpotifySubscribe on Apple PodcastsView Past Episodes on Craveworthy WebsiteNOMINATE 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***Produced by Cali BBQ Media Engage with Cali BBQ Media “Every business needs to be a media company”
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Shawn Walchef is Building Community & Storytelling in the Restaurant Industry

    Shawn Walchef is Building Community & Storytelling in the Restaurant Industry
    Jun 3 2025
    Filmed at the site of the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, IL., Gregg Majewski sits down with Shawn Walchef—the podcast king of the restaurant industry, owner of Cali BBQ in San Diego, and founder of Cali BBQ Media. Shawn shares his journey from struggling barbecue joint to industry influencer, highlighting how building in public, embracing social media, and staying curious can transform a brand. This episode dives deep into why storytelling matters, the importance of community, and how even big names like Shaquille O’Neal rely on authentic relationships to grow successful restaurant brands. Tune in to discover actionable insights on leadership, growth, and making an impact in today’s restaurant landscape.Takeaways:Can’t Just Build It and Expect Them to Come – In the restaurant industry, simply having a great product isn’t enough—you need to actively draw people in. Instead, restaurateurs must embrace marketing, storytelling, and community building to bring guests through the door. This means investing in social media, podcasts, and videos, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Excellence in product and storytelling go hand in hand.Building in Public—Vulnerability as a Growth Strategy - One of Shawn’s biggest lessons was learning to embrace vulnerability by sharing his journey publicly. This concept—building in public—helps create trust and authenticity in a crowded marketplace. It shows that success doesn’t happen overnight and that even the best stumble along the way. By being transparent about challenges and wins, leaders inspire their teams and peers to grow together.Lose the Ego, Gain the Audience - Stepping into the public eye as a restaurant leader can be intimidating, but it’s a crucial step to building trust and brand loyalty. By dropping the fear of “looking stupid” and embracing platforms like TikTok and YouTube, leaders can create authentic connections with their audience. Removing ego allows leaders to build trust, attract partners, and position themselves as the safe home for growth and opportunity in the restaurant industry.EPISODE LINKS:Visit Cali BBQ Media OnlineFollow Cali BBQ Media on InstagramFollow Shawn Walchef on InstagramFollow Shawn Walchef on TikTokConnect with Shawn Walchef on LinkedInSubscribe to Shawn’s SubstackFollow Cali BBQ Media TikTokSubscribe to Cali BBQ Media on YouTubeConnect with Cali BBQ Media LinkedInVisit the National Restaurant Association OnlineVisit the National Restaurant Association ShowABOUT SHAWN WALCHEFShawn P. Walchef is the founder of Cali BBQ Media, a podcast host, business coach, and proud dad. Since opening Cali BBQ in 2008, his family-run restaurant and media company in San Diego has generated over $30 million in sales. As a restaurateur who started during the Great Recession, Shawn mastered using digital tools and innovative ideas to stay afloat. During the pandemic, he and his team developed a scalable plan that tripled the profitability of the traditional full-service restaurant model.Shawn hosts two weekly video podcast series: Digital Hospitality and Restaurant Influencers. These podcasts are part of his growing media empire, which also includes content creation, consulting, and digital services to help others with their smartphone storytelling. His strategies have garnered attention from major media outlets like Amazon Prime TV, Bloomberg TV, Entrepreneur, Inc., Eater, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox News. Committed to helping others succeed, Shawn is dedicated to guiding businesses to the right digital tools and social media strategies to unlock endless opportunities. 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.Connect with Gregg / Craveworthy BrandsGregg Majewski InstagramCraveworthy Brands InstagramVisit Craveworthy OnlineGregg Majewski LinkedInCRAVEWORTHY FRANCHISING CRAVEWORTHY BRANDS INVEST IN CRAVEWORTHY Connect with Room for SecondsSubscribe on YouTubeSubscribe on SpotifySubscribe on Apple PodcastsView Past Episodes on Craveworthy WebsiteNOMINATE 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***Produced by Cali BBQ Media Engage with Cali BBQ Media “Every business needs to be a media company”
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.