logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
43m 29s

Strategies That Made Friends & Brgrs a T...

Apicbase
About this episode

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Food Service Growth Show, where we dive deep into the stories, strategies, and secrets of some of the most successful foodservice brands across the globe. 

Today’s episode is an absolute treat for foodservice industry professionals and enthusiasts alike, as we’re joined by the prominent leader in the food service industry, Isak Fagerholm, COO at Friends & Brgrs, one of Finland’s most beloved burger chains.

In this episode, Carl Jacobs, CEO of Apicbase, and Isak Fagerholm, COO at Friends & Brgrs, will talk about...
✅ How Friends & Brgrs overcame early challenges?
✅ Friends & Brgrs’ journey from 1 to 29 restaurants
✅ How Partners helped Friends & Brgrs professionalize and expand?
✅ How Friends & Brgrs adapted its expansion goals after COVID?
✅ The role of KPIs in driving success at Friends & Brgrs 
✅ How Friends & Brgrs maintains quality across restaurants?
✅ How Friends & Brgrs retains talent in a competitive industry?
✅ The role of technology in running a 30-outlet restaurant chain
✅ Solving problems and building relationships at Friends & Brgrs
✅ What is the next big thing in the food service industry?

Every business faces its own set of challenges when starting, and Friends & Brgrs is no exception. Isak talks about the key hurdles they encountered in the early days and, more importantly, how they overcame them.

Isak will take us through the entire journey of Friends & Brgrs. He will highlight the key decisions, growth phases, and milestones that helped them scale their operations.  From humble beginnings to operating 29 locations, the growth story of Friends & Brgrs is nothing short of impressive. 

As a company grows, so does the complexity of its operations. Friends & Brgrs knew they couldn’t achieve their ambitious growth goals alone. Isak will share how strategic partnerships helped them professionalize their operations and expand their footprint. From aligning with the right investors to partnering with right vendors, the role of collaboration in their success is a central theme.

Isak explains how the chain reevaluated its expansion goals in light of the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the entire food service industry, forcing brands to rethink their strategies and operations. 

For any restaurant chain, measuring success is key. Friends & Brgrs employs a range of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to ensure they stay on track and continuously improve their performance. 

One of the biggest challenges for multi-unit operations is maintaining consistent quality across all locations. Isak shares the strategies that Friends & Brgrs uses to ensure that every burger served, whether in Helsinki or Stockholm, meets the same high standards. 

Isak reveals the initiatives they’ve implemented to retain talent, from creating a positive work c

Learn how our restaurant management solutions help your restaurant business keep costs under control.

✅ Subscribe and stay updated with new episodes:

👉 Spotify
👉 Apple Podcast
👉 Amazon Music
👉 Google Podcast

✅ Follow Apicbase on social media:

👉 LinkedIn
👉 Instagram
👉 Facebook
👉 Twitter

Up next
Aug 2024
Key Strategies That Turned Hawaii Poké into a Swedish Restaurant Powerhouse
Welcome to yet another insightful episode of the Food Service Growth Show! In this exciting episode, we're thrilled to have Carl Jacobs, CEO of Apicbase, in conversation with Aaron Colman, CEO of Hawaii Poké. This episode delves deep into the key strategies that have propell ... Show More
43m 12s
Jul 2024
Top Tips for Running Successful Airport Restaurants | Proven Strategies from The Restaurant Group
Welcome to another exciting episode of the Food Service Growth Show! In this episode, we are thrilled to dive into the "Top Tips for Running Successful Airport Restaurants."  Get ready for an insightful and comprehensive discussion, as we have a very special guest joining us toda ... Show More
38m 41s
Jun 2024
How Restaurant Company Europe Masters ESG Regulations (Expert Strategies)
Welcome to the Food Service Growth Show, the ultimate podcast for insights and strategies driving the food service industry forward. In this exciting episode, we have a special treat for you. Not just one, but two expert guests from the renowned Restaurant Company Europe (RCE) ar ... Show More
40m 6s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2024
Sean Feeney - Reinventing the Restaurant Business - [Invest Like the Best, EP.366]
My guest today is Sean Feeney. Sean is the co-founder of Grovehouse Hospitality Group and the owner of Lilia and Misi, two of New York City’s most sought-after restaurants. He left his job in Trading to chase down a dream with Michelin star chef Missy Robbins. Sean leveraged his ... Show More
1h 48m
Nov 2023
Steer Your Restaurant Business Toward Success with These Tools and Insights
As a restaurant owner and the leader of your business, it is common to feel as if it’s the universe’s job to throw roadblocks in your way to discourage you and impede your progress. I’m here to encourage you and point you toward practical, actionable solutions that will help you ... Show More
25m 25s
Oct 2023
S4 Ep6: Season 4 - Episode 6 of The Chef JKP Podcast - Liam Collens the Founder of Eat, Go, See.
Send us a text In this episode of the Chef JKP Podcast, James Knight Pacheco and his guest Liam Collens, discuss the importance of giving and receiving feedback in the restaurant industry.  He questions whether people truly want feedback or if they are seeking validation instead. ... Show More
1h 5m
Jan 2023
956: Jamie Schrotberger CEO of Spread Bagelry
Jamie Schrotberger is the CEO at Spread Bagelry. Jamie Schotberger went to school for finance and economics. He began working after that at investment firm Black Rock where we focused on recognizing businesses that were disruptors in their markets while also being scalable. He le ... Show More
2h 5m
May 2024
S6 Ep2: Season 6 - Episode 2 - Marvin Alballi - The Hospitality Guru!
Send us a text The Chef JKP podcast hosted by James Knight Paccheco features Marvin Alballi, a renowned public speaker, hospitality expert and best selling author of 'Restaurant Excellence'.  Marvin shares insights on his journey in the hospitality industry, discussing topics lik ... Show More
1h 14m
Jun 2023
997: Chef David Viana Chef/Partner of Heirloom Kitchen
David Viana is head chef and partner at Heirloom Restaurant Group in New Jersey. David began his career by attending law school in hopes of becoming an attorney. After 6 months in law school, he left because he was unhappy, and enrolled in culinary school. He worked at many well- ... Show More
2h 6m
Aug 2023
1018: Ryan Thorman CEO and Co-Founder of Bango Bowls
Ryan Thorman is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bango Bowls. After getting his business degree and working in some impressive companies, such as LinkedIn, Ryan opened Bango Bowls with childhood friend (and past RU guest) James Bonanno. The concept was brand new in their city at the tim ... Show More
1h 54m
Jul 2023
1009: Dave Nitzel and Dave Domzalski Authors of Hospitality DNA
Dave Nitzel is the co-author of Hospitality DNA: Career Journeys with Unprecedented Insights from Industry Award Winners and The Bar Shift: 41 Short Management Lessons You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way! He left executive roles at Fortune 500 companies about 10 years ago. After ... Show More
1h 52m