Friends of Branded!
Happy Saturday and I hope you had a great week.
I’ve written recently that nothing is easy and in fact any use of that word will catch my attention with anticipation of what will follow, and I admit, I’m listening with judgment and eagerness to respond.
This week’s Top of the Fold is dedicated to the start-ups, the early-stage companies, the companies going through a transition or the ones that made a bet not long ago and now find themselves in the precarious position of what was before and now after April 2nd.
To be clear, things weren't easy for start-ups before April 2nd, but they've been substantially harder since then.
Right or wrong, I don’t do politics in the H^2, and if that’s a topic you want to discuss with me, my e-mail and contact information is included at the bottom of the newsletter and I’m not hard to connect with (and neither am I short of opinions and views).
I spent the majority of last week at the Restaurant Leadership Conference speaking with restaurant operators and asking what was keeping them up at night and what they're focusing on. This week I feel fortunate to have connected with so many CEOs of early-stage and emerging companies (several Branded is already invested with and others that we’re exploring working with).
I’ve quoted Mr. Steve Jobs before and I feel it’s appropriate to do so here again and to bring one of his many gems of wisdom into the H^2 b/c if you can’t say it better (and I can’t), then I want to respect the ones who may have said it best (with attribution of course).
As investment platform and still-being-defined accelerator focused on early-stage companies, we have big respect for founders and risk-takers, but we also know that it’s our responsibility to call them like we see them. Sometimes, sorry not sorry, we have to say that we don’t like or see what you, as a founder, see. At least in our opinion, we don’t see the roadmap to success or the beauty in your business. That doesn’t mean we’re right and to be clear, I keep a list of the companies we didn’t invest in that have gone on to achieve great things and value for its investors and target audience.
You want to see the list? E-mail, bottom of the newsletter, it’s there for a reason people. 😊
The show Sex in the City once compared single men in New York City to taxi cabs and how, in the opinion of the character Miranda, women looking to find an appropriate suitor needed to find one with the vacant light on. (JB: do you remember the good times watching that NYC-based show? We learned so much, including how much having a sister would have helped me).
For those interested, here’s the clip (did it age well?): Men Are Like Cabs
I’m not going to compare funders of early-stage companies to taxi cabs, but to the founders looking to raise capital, I want to say that, sometimes it’s not you, it’s them (or me). Getting funded reminds at least a little bit of a Yogi Berra quote: "[Raising capital] is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."
Kidding aside, this is a challenging environment for so many, and that’s especially true for those that don’t have the luxury of time (and in the world of early-stage companies, I define time as runway, capital, and the oxygen that keeps your company going). You read often about the amount of capital sitting on the “sidelines” and waiting for the right moment to be deployed.
Just this week, the legendary Warren Buffet’s conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, announced that as of yearend 2024, it was sitting on a record $334 billion in cash. Beyond Buffet (sounds like the title of a Jimmy Buffet album), as of the week ending April 16th, there was $6.88 trillion in money market funds, according to the Investment Company Institute (and with a name like that, you know it’s a serious source of information).
This capital is sitting in money market funds DESPITE the higher interest rates available where investors can earn better rates of returns. According to JPMorgan Asset Management global market strategist, Mr. Jack Manley, a traditional portfolio comprised of 60% stocks and 40% bonds almost always outperforms cash in the long run.
From 1995 to 2024, this traditional 60 / 40 portfolio mix comprised of the S&P 500 and the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index versus cash based on Treasury bills or certificate of deposit equivalent, beat the cash on a one-month basis roughly 65% of the time (nice, not thrilling, but nice). On a six-month basis, that increases to 75% of the time (now this is getting interesting). For a one-year, we’re now at 80% of the time and by the time you hit 12-years, the outperformance happens 100% of the time (mic drop).
Despite these percentages, in times of uncertainty, investors feel safer in cash and that’s what we’re seeing right now, not just a flight to quality, but a flight to cash. In fact, according to Ms. Amy Arnott, portfolio strategist at Morningstar, we’re in a market that she defined as “turmoil and uncertainty” (and if you don't believe the market is currently in "turmoil," please note, it was Ms. Arnott who said that, not me (but I do agree with Amy, 100%!!!).
But we don’t do fear here in the H^2 and that’s b/c what’s going on the markets is above our paygrade (at least it’s well above mine). We adapt and we overcome.
The issues businesses are facing are real and these are particularly challenging for emerging companies that don’t have the scale and financial foundation to weather storms as well as more mature competitors do (and this is not an easy environment for these more mature companies either).
Tariffs equal higher costs and lower margins. Capital scarcity makes it more expensive and selective. Consumers are spooked and a spooked consumer pulls back on their spending. Again, the issues we’re facing are real and absolutely challenging.
A college friend, who is one of the leading experts in QSR brands, has many views and core beliefs that help guide his investment decision-making process. One of his core principles is that unless it will go on forever, it will end.
Respect!
But for my friends in the hospitality industry, here is what we know to be certain – people will eat and drink, every day, for the rest of their lives. It will go on forever! Of course, how people eat and drink or where people eat and drink remains a key question, but people will eat and drink, every day, for the rest of their lives.
So, to those that serve our guests, create businesses that provide the vessels for food & beverage and experiences, the capital providers and the many technology companies, along with the other vendors & service providers that make this industry work and more importantly, strive to make it better, this is for you.
Below is my ode to you, the hospitality industry and every one of you that helps make this such an amazing industry to be part of.
It takes a special kind of industry, comprised of amazing people, to be deemed essential during the pandemic b/c you kept communities fed as you powered takeout and delivery and kept showing up when everything else was shutdown, only to be left behind other sectors when the COVID-19 vaccines were rolled out.
That’s right, I see you and I flag the decision-makers that needed you to risk your health, but didn’t consider you worthy of protecting when the vaccines were first rolled out.
Good, bad, or otherwise, this is my small attempt at a little creative writing (which brings back memories of my first semester frosh year at Wes and the less than strong marks I earned in my writing classes), and a tipping of (baseball) hat to everyone working to make this industry better and that support the most amazingly democratized industry in the world.
As my friend GA always toasts, “here’s to you.” We will get through this, b/c that’s what we do. We roll-up our sleeves, we show up, we figure it out and we get sh#t done.
It takes a village.
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For the shoutouts this week, I want to do a little speed-dating (at least as best that I can), and I’ve copied links where you can learn more if interested.
As SNL’s Stefon would say, this week’s shoutout section has EVERYTHING!
Let’s kickoff with some NBA action (and I’m not talking about the Knicks vs Pistons series which has proven to be a battle in each of the first 3 games, Go New York, Go New York, Go!).
I’m talking about what started as some spontaneous & fun banter on Inside the NBA between Dr. Shaquille O’Neal and Sir Charles Barkley regarding Charles wanting his named sandwich added back to the menu at Big Chicken.
Lawyers were fired, challenges were made and Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Ernie “Needs a Nickname” Johnson got into the action along with Shaq and Charles.
The result, an LTO (limited-time-offer) and specifically the Sandwich Wars was officially launched this week and will run through June 30th. Each member of the Inside the NBA team has their very own sandwich and throughout the NBA playoffs, guests will be able to cast their votes for the champion. The sandwich legend with the highest number of purchases and guest love across the U.S. will receive a $25,000 donation to the winner's charity of choice.
According to Big Chicken’s founder and largest shareholder, the Diesel, "This one's personal. These are my friends, my colleagues and now, my competition. We're going head-to-head in the ultimate "'sandwich playoffs,'" all for our fans and a great cause."
Branded is proud to be an investor in Big Chicken and since we backed Shaq once, we’re going to back him again.
All readers of the H^2 are encouraged to make a visit to a Big Chicken and order the sandwich of your choice, but if you order the Shaq Attack, Branded will treat you to your meal. Please see Shatzy’s personal credit card information for your use at the bottom of the newsletter. 😊
You can read more about the Sandwich Wars here: Basketball Legend Shaquille O'Neal Tips Off Big Chicken's "Inside The Sandwich Wars"
One could see a great deal of connectivity between the first shoutout above this week (Big Chicken) and the second one below (Gregg Majewski, the CEO of Craveworthy and the Managing Partner of Big Chicken), but that's purely a coincidence.
This second shoutout stands on its own and we want to recognize our friend and partner, being a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Midwest region
I’ve written about Craveworthy Brands and how this emerging restaurant platform has gone from 0 brands and 0 sales to 16 incredible brands and over $300 million in system-wide sales in just 27 months.
The Branded team wants to congratulate our friend Mr. Majewski and the entire team at Craveworthy on this recognition and the journey we're on together.
The third shoutout this week is about conferences (again) and as mentioned above in the Top of the Fold, I'm still smiling from Informa’s Restaurant Leadership Conference, but Branded’s conference attention has already moved onto The Big Show and that’s Informa’s National Restaurant Show.
I’ll have much more to share about Branded’s work and activations at the OG NRA show, but for today, I want to highlight the return of an event that Branded is thrilled to support, Sizzle and Spin. This is an event that brings a group together to sweat in a spin class, led by our friend, Mr. Geoff Alexander, and where all funds raised go towards LEAD and GLEAM Network, that provides education, mentorship and networking opportunities for emerging leaders in the hospitality industry.
This event is sponsored by some great companies and friends of Branded including Wow Bao; Lunchbox; PepsiCo; Adyen; Barcelona Wine Bar; Craveworthy Brands; schoox; FB Society; Toast; and the Texas Restaurant Association.
There are only 8 spots left to participate in the ride, but there are unlimited spots for those that wish to contribute to this event and specially the great work done by our friends at LEAD and GLEAM.
To participate in whatever way you find interesting, please click here: Get Involved in Sizzle & Spin 2025
And finally, while the last shoutout this week has my name in it, I want to use this to highlight the good people and professionals at Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips (“ODP”), an investment bank focused on technology, media and marketing companies.
For nearly three decades, ODP has helped its clients unlock billions of dollars in value through M&A and this week it was announced that I have the privilege of becoming an Adviser with this firm to focus on hospitality technology & innovation.
You can read the announcement by ODP here: Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips_Jimmy Frischling joins as Senior Advisor
Branded Hospitality believes the transformation that is underway in the foodservice and hospitality industry, including in both technology and brands, has created a tailwind for consolidation and specifically mergers & acquisition activity.
Partnering with ODP is an important step in Branded working with companies of various shapes and sizes to help tell nuanced stories to achieve better than expected outcomes as we understand the key drivers that create value.
For companies that wish to explore the work Branded is now doing with Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips, please contact me directly.
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Capital Raising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate & Financial Advisory, and more. Get in contact today.
Branded invites readers of the H^2 that are interested in learning more about our portfolio companies, and investment strategies to become part of our Access Hospitality Network.
I’ve written on Branded’s newest portfolio company, Vistify, a leading digital menu board and signage company for QSR and Limited-Service restaurants here in the Access Hospitality section before, but with the energy and follow-ups from the Restaurant Leadership Conference still incredibly high, I’m bring Vistify back to this section again.
As Schatzy said following the conference, not since operators almost universally concluded that they needed to level up their point-of-sale (“POS”) solution, have we seen such embracement of a need for an upgrade in a single solution. The number of restaurant companies that have either recently made a change when it comes to its digital signage or are in the process of evaluating its options, was admittedly surprising.
Branded makes its investment decisions based on operator feedback, and despite the strong feedback that led us to our decision to partner with Vistify, given the fragmentation among operators, our expectations did not meet the responses to Vistify that we’ve been getting.
Similar to the success operators are having with the embracement of kiosks (a wink to you Mr. Barton and Bite) and the data that makes it quantitatively clear that QSRs are winning with kiosks, that’s what we’re now seeing with digital menu boards.
Don’t hate the player, hate the game, b/c 90% of operators have seen an increase in customer engagement as a result of their embracing digital signage.
Digital signage boost customer interaction with eye-catching, dynamic displays.
You want some additional datapoints? Who am I to disappoint.
40% of guests have a perceived reduction in wait times as a result of digital signage. Entertaining digital content makes waiting feel shorter and provides real time menu updates and improves guest satisfaction.
35% of operators see a boost in AOV (average order value). Digital signage creates targeted promotions, drives more units per order, and increases the average order value.
If you want to learn more about Vistify’s vMenu, please click here: Vistify's vMenu
Operators, friends, if you’re interested in exploring what Branded is doing with our partners at Vistify, please contact me directly.
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Featured Episode: Bold Ideas & Breakthroughs: David Meltzer on Investing in People, Purpose & Possibility
In this powerful episode of Hospitality Hangout, we sit down with David Meltzer — Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute, renowned business coach, investor, 3x best-selling author, and former CEO of Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment (yes, the inspiration for Jerry Maguire).
David isn’t just a titan in the boardroom — he’s a friend to the hospitality industry, a champion of breakthrough tech, and one of the most entertaining, insightful speakers in the business world today.
We dig into everything from bold ideas that drive purpose-driven success, to the power of mindset, motivation, and meaningful investment. It’s an episode filled with insider gems, life lessons, and a few mic-drop moments that will leave you fired up and ready to elevate your game.
Whether you're building a brand, scaling a business, or just need a dose of inspiration — this conversation delivers.
Tune into the episode and subscribe to our channel here: Hospitality Hangout With David Meltzer
You can tune in on:
Spotify: Click Here
Apple Podcasts: Click Here
Watch on YouTube: Click Here
Are you loving the Hospitality Hangout? Let us know! Please leave us a review here!
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MARKETING
Why Every Serious Restaurant Operator and Executive Is Going to Chicago in May
By: Rev Ciancio, Head of Revenue Marketing at Branded Hospitality Ventures
Running a successful restaurant in 2025? It’s never been tougher. Costs are up. Competition is fierce. Guest preferences are shifting fast. And every day, it feels like there’s one more thing on your plate.
Real-Time Menu Updates, Zero Hassle
Update your menus instantly
More flexibility, fewer mistakes, and a better customer experience.
Technology
Making Your Restaurant Website Work for Everyone: A Simple Guide to WCAG
By: Seth Temko, Solutions Services Partner at Branded Hospitality Ventures
Ever tried to order food online with a broken finger? Or squinted at a menu in dim lighting? Now imagine doing that with a permanent disability. That's why web accessibility matters, and it's where WCAG comes in.
Adyen: Engineered for Ambition
Adyen innovates the modern restaurant payment experience, delivering frictionless transactions that power the future of restaurant payments, creating seamless and modern experiences that keep customers engaged and satisfied
Food For Thought
The Scarcity Effect: Why “Only a Few Left!” is the Secret Ingredient to a Craveable Guest Experience
By: Dr. Melissa Hughes, keynote speaker & author
Social proof kicks in when a table sees the dish next to them being devoured. Suddenly, everyone wants the lobster risotto that’s “almost sold out.” Scarcity adds urgency and excitement. It elevates anticipation. And it makes the dining experience feel dynamic, not static.
Let’s Celebrate Foodservice Excellence in Chicago!
Join us at Chicago’s Union Station on May 17th for an unforgettable evening honoring remarkable industry icons at the 71st Gold & Silver Plate Awards. Experience a night of tradition, innovation, and celebration as we recognize the best in foodservice. Who will take home the 2025 Gold Plate? Be there to find out!
AI
AI and Marketing: Reaching the Right Customers, at the Right Time
By: Michael L. Atkinson: ResTech Entrepreneur, Investor, and Co-founder of ARI Venture Studio
Achieving precise marketing in the restaurant industry requires a blend of general and specialized AI-powered tools. These fall into key categories:
Strategies That Win
We help hospitality technology innovators break barriers, scale fast, and redefine success.
Today's Thought
Success Is Not a Destination That You Stumble Upon—It's a Structure You Intentionally Build
By: David Meltzer
The most dangerous myth in business and life is the belief that success just “happens.” That mindset breeds passivity, comparison, and frustration. It convinces you that success is external—out of your hands. But at the Napoleon Hill Institute, we teach something different: success is a structure—built by you, not handed to you.
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That’s it for today!
See you next week, same bat-time, same bat-channel.
It takes a village!
Jimmy Frischling
Branded Hospitality Ventures
jimmy@brandedstrategic.com
235 Park Ave South, 4th Fl | New York, NY 10003
Branded Hospitality Ventures ("Branded") is an investment and solutions platform at the intersection of foodservice, technology, innovation and capital. As experienced hospitality owners and operators, Branded brings value to its partners through investment, strategic counsel, and its deep industry expertise and connections.
Learn more about Branded here: Branded At-A-Glance