The secret to scaling: How Famous Toastery is winning the brunch wars

The only thing I ever wanted in this world was to own my own restaurant and the day that dream became a reality, the only thing I wanted was to own two restaurants. For so many of us, growth is in our DNA.

Knowing when to grow and how to grow is critical in our industry. One failing location can take down the rest, we’ve all seen it happen a thousand times. That’s why I chose to sit down with Mike Sebazco for the FULL COMP podcast.

Drawing from decades of experience, Mike has developed a unique approach to scaling a restaurant brand, prioritizing culture, community, and an unwavering commitment to the guest experience. Below, I’m going to break down the 10 key takeaways from my conversation with Mike that you can apply to scale their own restaurant successfully.

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Meet Mike Sebazco

As President of Famous Toastery, Mike Sebazco has spearheaded the brand’s expansion while maintaining its commitment to quality and guest experience. Mike is known for his ability to streamline operations, enhance profitability, and build strong team cultures that emphasize service and community.

With a focus on efficiency and scalability, Mike has led initiatives that have optimized Famous Toastery’s menu, improved franchisee support, and strengthened its position in the competitive breakfast and brunch space. His leadership has been pivotal in shaping the brand’s identity as a community-centric, guest-first concept.

Here are my top ten takeaways from our conversation:

1. Start with Passion and Purpose

Mike’s career didn’t begin in a boardroom—it started with a paper route at age 10 and dishwashing at 15. These early jobs weren’t just about earning money; they taught him work ethic and responsibility. His early restaurant experience, which focused on delivering quality food and a balanced lifestyle for its staff, shaped his perspective on what a restaurant career could offer. He sought brands with a moral compass and community-centered values, something he’s carried into his leadership at Famous Toastery.

Take Action: To scale your restaurant, start with a clear vision that reflects both your passion and the values you want your brand to embody. Your restaurant’s mission should resonate not only with your customers but also with your employees, creating a purpose-driven culture.

2. Surround Yourself with Mentors and Learn Continuously

Mike highlights the importance of mentorship in his career. From Greg Graber with Heritage Restaurant Brands to Michael Mabry, managing director of Famous Toastery’s parent group, Mike credits much of his success to those who guided him through the complexities of the industry. Mentorship provided him with a deep understanding of not only operations but also brand development and the intricacies of franchising.

Take Action: Seek out mentors who have successfully scaled businesses similar to yours. Continuous learning from those with more experience can help you avoid common pitfalls and keep your growth on track.

3. Earn the Right to Serve Guests

A recurring theme in Mike’s philosophy is the importance of focusing on the guest. He believes that restaurants must “earn the right to drop the check,” meaning that guest satisfaction should always come first. This mindset, learned from his mentors, has helped Famous Toastery grow by emphasizing the guest experience over everything else.

Take Action: Measure your success by guest satisfaction and engagement, not just financial metrics. Build loyalty by delivering exceptional service and understanding the needs of your guests. This will ensure long-term success and repeat business.

4. Cultivate Zealotry in Your Team

Zealotry, or extreme enthusiasm, is the key to maintaining passion for both food and guests over time. Mike notes that restaurant operators can easily become bogged down by the operational side of things, but it’s important to surround yourself with like-minded people who care deeply about the guest experience. This passion is contagious, and it helps keep the team focused on delivering the best possible service.

Take Action: Build a team of “zealots” who share your passion for hospitality. Surround yourself with employees and partners who care about the guest experience as much as you do, and continuously reinforce that culture.

5. Leverage the Power of a Single Daypart

One of the unique aspects of Famous Toastery is its focus on breakfast and brunch. While many operators feel the pressure to stay open all day to maximize revenue, Mike’s approach focuses on perfecting the morning and midday shifts. By concentrating on one daypart, Famous Toastery can operate more efficiently, reduce labor costs, and still provide an exceptional guest experience.

Take Action: Don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to cater to every meal of the day. Focus on mastering a single daypart or shift, and optimize your operations for that period. By doing so, you can increase profitability while maintaining quality.

6. Adapt to Local Preferences without Losing Your Brand’s Identity

Famous Toastery’s strength lies in its ability to be hyper-local while staying true to its core offerings. Mike explains that while each location adapts to local tastes—whether that means offering liver mush in North Carolina or Scrapple in Virginia—the brand’s commitment to quality and consistency remains unchanged.

Take Action: When expanding into new markets, adapt to local tastes but never compromise on the quality and consistency of your core offerings. This balance will allow your restaurant to appeal to local customers while maintaining its brand identity.

7. Franchising with a Focus on Community

Famous Toastery has been selective in its approach to franchising, ensuring that franchisees are deeply embedded in their communities. Mike emphasizes that the most successful franchisees are not just investors but active members of their local areas, engaging with guests and participating in community events.

Take Action: If you’re looking to franchise, prioritize franchisees who are passionate about their communities. A hands-on approach, where franchisees are involved in local events and build relationships with guests, will strengthen your brand’s presence and foster loyalty.

8. Control Menu Creep to Maintain Focus

Over time, our restaurant’s menus tend to expand, sometimes to the detriment of the guest experience. Mike is currently leading a menu renovation at Famous Toastery to bring the focus back to core offerings, ensuring that the brand delivers on what it does best rather than diluting its value with too many options.

Take Action: Regularly review your menu to ensure it reflects the strengths of your restaurant. Eliminate items that aren’t top performers and focus on perfecting a smaller selection of dishes that can define your brand.

9. Use Innovation Wisely—Focus on Guest Experience

Mike is cautious about over-relying on innovations like AI-driven pricing models, noting that they may benefit the operation but not necessarily the guest. He believes that any change or innovation should be scrutinized for its impact on the guest experience first and foremost.

Take Action: Before adopting new technology or operational changes, ask yourself: “How will this improve the guest experience?” Innovations that do not directly enhance the guest experience may not be worth the investment.

10. Make Your Restaurant a Great Place to Work

One of the biggest challenges in the industry is labor, and Mike is no stranger to this issue. He emphasizes the importance of creating a culture where employees feel valued and heard. Happy employees lead to better guest experiences and higher retention rates, which ultimately benefits the bottom line.

Take Action: Focus on building a strong company culture where employees are treated with respect and feel they have a voice. Regularly engage with your team, listen to their feedback, and create a supportive environment that encourages growth.

Putting it all together

Mike Sebazco’s leadership at Famous Toastery offers each of us a roadmap for scaling successfully without losing sight of what matters most—the guest experience.

By focusing on community involvement, menu discipline, and building a passionate team, Famous Toastery has grown into a beloved brand.

As with so many aspects of our industry, executing on the level of Famous Toastery doesn’t require a ton of capital, it requires focus, attention to detail, and care.

Click below to download our Essential Leadership Toolkit, providing you with a breakdown on how to implement these strategies.

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