In this episode, we speak to Mike Stasko, President at Sunny Street Cafe, a breakfast and lunch restaurant group headquartered in Columbus, Ohio with 22 locations across the US. Mike offers insight into how the brand scales with intention, blending consistency with adaptability to support both franchisee success and long-term growth.

Mike shares how a clear but flexible brand framework enables franchisees to remain consistent while still adapting to their local markets. He discusses how the business maintains operational simplicity while creating room for innovation, from regional menu options to evolving service models. He also explains how scalable infrastructure, culture and technology play a central role in ensuring sustainable growth across the franchise network.

Key Takeaways:

(04:14) Adapting physical formats and configurations creates efficiencies and allows for better alignment with diverse markets and site constraints.

(06:21) Prioritizing local involvement as part of early planning helps build stronger community relationships and establishes trust from the outset.

(09:20) Exploring off-peak opportunities can reveal adjacent revenue streams aligned with operational strengths.

(10:09) Mastering the delivery of complex offerings at scale requires thoughtful process design and operational discipline across all units.

(12:55) Long-term resilience is often shaped by decisions made in challenging times, particularly the ability to stay committed to promising initiatives.

(14:23) Investing in system-wide technology enables improved performance tracking, streamlined labor processes and enhanced visibility across the brand.

(16:33) A centralized training and development platform supports consistent learning, employee engagement and smoother onboarding across a growing network.

(17:10) Creating a balanced work environment with predictable hours helps improve employee retention and satisfaction.

(18:39) Establishing a culture rooted in bold thinking encourages continuous improvement and reinforces alignment across franchise operators and staff.

Resources Mentioned:

Mike Stasko

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-stasko-6240411/

Sunny Street Cafe | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunnystreetcafe/

Sunny Street Cafe | Website

https://sunnystreetcafe.com/

Wisetail | Website

https://wisetail.com/

Toast POS

https://pos.toasttab.com/

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#LearningAndDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #AIInnovation #DisruptiveInnovation #DigitalTransformation #DigitalInnovation

On this episode we feature Wesley Epstein, Director of Training and Franchise Business Consultant at Eggs Up Grill, who shares how culture and hospitality fuel operational excellence across a growing restaurant franchise. Wesley explains how consistency and connection are built from day one through onboarding, digital training and ongoing franchise support to ensure every guest and team member experiences the same brand DNA at every location.

Wesley also highlights the use of Wisetail’s LMS, branded internally as Egg Yolk University, to deliver scalable, personalized training while preserving the human-first values at the core of the brand.

Key Takeaways:

(02:05) A strong first-day experience helps set expectations, ease uncertainty and introduce new team members to workplace culture.

(05:12) Digital platforms enhance traditional training by reinforcing values and standards through consistent, accessible content.

(06:59) Adapting training methods to different learning styles supports better knowledge retention and overall employee performance.

(09:29) Guest feedback provides valuable insights that can shape coaching conversations and reinforce what’s working well.

(11:25) Recognizing all staff roles for their contributions, even when not publicly acknowledged, builds a sense of inclusion and appreciation.

(13:16) Welcoming new leaders from outside the industry creates opportunities to shape habits and instill values from the start.

(15:30) Clear communication channels and structured peer groups help maintain consistency and alignment as organizations grow.

(16:58) Regular forums for knowledge-sharing allow teams to exchange practical strategies and promote operational excellence.

(18:00) Feedback loops between leadership and staff can drive innovation and continuous improvement in systems and workflows.

Resources Mentioned:

Wesley Epstein

https://www.linkedin.com/in/waepstein/

Eggs Up Grill | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eggs-up-grill/

Eggs Up Grill | Website

https://www.eggsupgrill.com/

Wisetail | Website

https://wisetail.com?utm_source=podcastplatforms&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=wise-tales-podcast

Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit

https://franchisinginnovation.com/

Thanks for listening to the “Wise Tales” podcast. Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

#LearningAndDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #AIInnovation #DisruptiveInnovation #DigitalTransformation #DigitalInnovation

Julius Ridgley, Director of Learning and Development at Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar, joins us to share how he applies a creative, culture-driven approach to workplace training. With a deep-rooted background in hospitality and a passion for pop culture, Julius shares how his role goes beyond designing courses to shaping mindset, motivation and community. He explains how humor, personal connection and cultural relevance drive meaningful learning experiences that resonate across generations.

Key Takeaways:

(02:33) Embracing titles and themes that reflect both personality and mission can create stronger identification with learning leadership.

(05:06) Integrating cultural references into training content can make lessons more accessible and easier to retain.

(07:12) Positive reactions from learners can reflect a deeper emotional connection to content and signal cultural impact.

(09:25) Increased adoption of learning systems often results from both engaging content and consistent accountability.

(11:33) Including personalized elements in training can humanize the learning process and foster stronger engagement.

(13:04) Encouraging knowledge-sharing and collaboration helps establish a culture of continuous improvement.

(15:11) Designing relevant content requires self-awareness and understanding of the audience's generational preferences.

(18:41) A blended learning model can provide flexibility while respecting the operational demands of frontline roles.

(22:39) Personal connection, whether virtual or in person, plays a central role in building trust and reinforcing learning outcomes.

Resources Mentioned:

Julius Ridgley

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julius-ridgley-mba-2504b433/

Wisetail | Website

https://wisetail.com?utm_source=podcastplatforms&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=wise-tales-podcast

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/primanti-brothers-restaurants/

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar | Website

https://primantibros.com/

Thanks for listening to the “Wise Tales” podcast. Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

#LearningAndDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #AIInnovation #DisruptiveInnovation #DigitalTransformation #DigitalInnovation