Friends of Branded!
Happy Saturday and I hope you had a great week.
As we kick off the final month of Q1 2025, one thing is abundantly clear, our industry’s conference season is in full swing, and the conference calendar is only getting busier.
This week’s Top of the Fold was inspired by not just by Branded’s partner and CMO, Julie Zucker and her PIC, Drewe Rami, participation in the Women in Restaurant Leadership (“WiRL”) summit last week, or Schatzy heading out to IFMA - The Food Away from Home Association's COEX starting tomorrow, but from the overwhelming positive feedback on the WiRL event and the incredible amount of enthusiasm as Schatzy has been preparing for COEX.
I sometimes feel that our industry’s conferences are like a Yogi Berra saying, “Nobody goes to these conferences anymore, they’re too crowded.”
Our industry conferences are often a topic of conversation and for the most part, people are understandably quick to talk about the costs, content, and the value of these events. All of these topics are fair game and deserve discussion and I dare say even scrutiny.
Since Branded subscribes to Quinn’s Laws, as in Doug Quinn, the owner of Hudson Malone and arguably one of the world’s greatest mixologists (that's a bold statement of course, but it's also absolutely true), we know we have to choose sides.
So, let's make this clear, when it comes to conferences, Team Branded is all in and we appreciate and value what these conference organizers are doing. We're a big YES to conferences!
That doesn’t mean the costs aren’t substantial or that the content isn’t deserving of scrutiny. I have to call like I see it, and I’ll admit that I find the conference business model by some to be more than a little antiquated, but these comments should all be taken as constructive criticism and I stand with the conference organizers and value the important work they’re doing for our industry.
Can we help make these events better? I say “YES” and that’s one of the areas Branded is in fact allocating both time and capital.
The conference circuit was something Branded embraced when we launched our emerging investment & solutions platform, and I dare say that showing up and not being a wallflower has helped us tremendously. We also value how the organizers are in fact supportive of emerging companies and will work with you if you’re willing to work with them. We're proof of that, and we never forget our friends who helped make attending these events even possible for us in our early years.
Branded’s friend and partner, Michael Beck, CEO at INC TANK GTM wrote an article on conferences this week and specifically how to attack them. With permission from Mr. Beck, I’ve copied a link to his article here: To Show or Not to Show?
When I read Michael article, I reached out to my dad to inquire whether Michael and I may be related, but thus far it seems such is not the case and we’re just two extroverts operating in the same industry and we both happen to look at things a similar way as well as use a myriad of the same references.
We both clearly think we sound a little smarter when we reference Shakespeare and specifically the play Hamlet, but we also both embrace Coach Lombardi’s 5’s and that’s Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance! I’ve been using that one ever since a high school coach drilled into his players, and I find it’s universally applicable to anything that matters (especially in my work which I view as a cerebral sport).
Michael's piece does a fantastic job of laying out the debate of whether conferences are worth the investment of time and capital and offering a gameplan on how to make the most out of attending conferences.
I enjoyed Michael’s article so much, that I’ve made it part of this week’s Top of the Fold, but for Branded, I feel like the character "Papi" from Seinfeld and on the issue of conferences, there is no debate! (JB: when you first read Papi, did you think it was going to be about Big Papi?). 😊
In a world where remote work still plays a role (too big a role if you ask me, but that’s a topic for another day) and where video calls have made it too easy not to do in-person meetings, these conferences have become essential for relationship building. Industry folks electing to invest time and money to attend these events tend to show-up with an attitude to make the most out of these events. Of course, there are those that go through the motions or don’t follow the rules of engagement (as laid out by Mr. Beck). Everyone can and will approach a conference in the manner they feel is best or the way they were taught to go about these events.
For Branded, we take these events with the seriousness in which they deserve. We’re asking members of our team to be away from their families, to start the day early and play through until the end each day. We ask them to keep up with work while they're away at the conference, but still to prioritize the event they’re attending, be present, and show up!
The preparation and work that goes into these events before they even start is not just critical, it represents the foundation for how we will have a successful event.
Michael Jordan said, “practice so hard that the games are easy.” I’m not saying these events are easy, but it's absolutely the preparation that gives you the opportunity to make them successful.
I started this Top of the Fold off by mentioning not just Branded’s participation in the WiRL Summit, but the feedback I’ve been reading online. This is what showing up, engaging, and a well-run event looks like!
What happens in Nashville… ends up on LinkedIn!
I want to congratulate our friend Mr. Danny Klein, the Food Service Network, all the sponsors, the WiRL Advisory Board, and our Cocktails & Connections friends and partners Phil Crawford/Adyen, Reilly Berk/Berk Enterprises, Ashley Robinson/The Seaker Group, and Amy Hom/Barcelona Wine Bar, for showing how good these events can be, why they’re important, and why we show up!
IFMA’s COEX that kicks off tomorrow is a different event of course (there’s no Barbie party that I’m aware of, thank you Olo for that treat 😊), and it’s such an important annual event that Branded is proud to support. The food-away-from-home industry is what COEX focuses on and that represents about 60% of total food expenditures in the US.
Of course, the big chain operators come together for this event, but it’s the rest of the supply chain, including manufacturers, service providers and supply chain partners showing up that makes this event such a critical one for our industry and therefore Branded.
Congrats to our friend Phil Kafarakis, in advance, on what I know will be another tremendous event and the entire IFMA team and Board for continuing to work so hard to make this event one of Branded’s must-attend conferences each year.
Yes, the conferences are so crowded, nobody goes there anymore (but Branded does b/c we love showing up!). 😊
What’s that saying about success? Oh yeah, thanks Woody!
It takes a village.
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This is going to be a unique Shoutout section this week and I dare say a FIRST for the H^2. Branded has produced well over 200 editions of the H^2 since converting a team-only e-mail into this newsletter, but never has a single company OWNED the entire Shoutout section.
As a person obsessed with fairness and also one that prides himself on being unfiltered, direct and hopefully always professional and respectful, I'll admit that you could accuse me of making this week's entire Shoutout section on a single company b/c I sit on this company’s board or b/c they’re a meaningful portfolio company of Branded.
Both of those things are true. But when you look at the week that our friends at Copia had, I think only Jeremy Lin, of Linsanity-fame, has put together a stronger 2-weeks!
Don’t believe me, let’s dig in and then you can decide!
The FIRST shoutout for Copia is in connection with the announcement of the company’s newest board member, Mr. Greg Creed.
I knew of Mr. Creed long before I knew Mr. Creed, but I had the privilege of meeting for the first time down at the Prosper Forum in August 2024 (conferences, in-person events, important).
Copia’s CEO, Kimberly Smith, was also at the Prosper event and well, good things happen when you show-up.
I’ve pasted the official announcement about Greg Creed joining the board at Copia here: Copia Welcomes Greg Creed to Our Board of Directors, but just in case clicking links isn’t your thing, I’ve pulled the following from the announcement:
“It’s crazy that so much good food is wasted when there are still too many people going hungry,” said Greg Creed. “Copia is a way to correct that imbalance while at the same time making it easy for restaurants to do the right thing.”
Greg’s decision to join Copia is a powerful endorsement of the work we’re doing—because no one wants to throw away good food. Copia makes donation effortless so businesses can focus on what they do best. As a seasoned executive, he understands firsthand the operational complexities that restaurants, hospitality businesses, and food operators face when it comes to surplus food. He also recognizes the huge financial and social opportunity in turning surplus food into an asset rather than a liability.
I love the community I’m fortunate to be part of and that includes the boards I serve on.
The New York Mets may have had the best free agency pick up in Major League Baseball this off-season with the signing of Juan Soto, but I think in the world of ResTech, the honor goes to Team Copia!
The SECOND shoutout for Copia is thanks to our friends at Informa (the industry’s leading conference and event organizer…are you sensing a theme here?) and their inaugural “sustainability report.”
Associate Editor Reyna Estrada contributed an article on how what ResTech companies are doing to make sustainability in the restaurant industry simple and valuable to operators.
You can checkout Ms. Estrada’s article here: Restaurant Tech Companies Want to Make it Easier to be Sustainable
The THIRD shoutout for Copia comes as a result of a blog post on Thursday this week by the good people at Tender Greens Palo Alto.
Each year, nearly 92 billion pounds of food—almost 40% of the US food supply—ends up in landfills. This waste not only harms the environment but also represents a lost opportunity to help those in need.
From the article: Tender Greens Palo Alto is taking action by partnering with Copia, a leading food recovery platform, to ensure that surplus food doesn’t go to waste but instead nourishes the local community. Through this partnership, Tender Greens is able to share its extra food with those who need it most, turning what could be wasted into a source of nourishment.
Tender Greens Palo Alto’s commitment to sustainability and community support is an inspiring example of how businesses can use their resources for good. By using Copia’s platform to redirect excess food to those in need, they’re showing that reducing food waste isn’t just about saving money or improving efficiency—it’s about making a tangible difference for people and the planet.
You can read the post here: Tender Greens Palo Alto Shares Surplus Food with the Community
And finally, yes, finally, the FOURTH shoutout for Copia is the announcement that Los Angeles County has chosen Copia as a key partner in advancing its “Care First” approach, to efficiently and effectively redistribute nutritious food to justice-impacted communities. This initiative will help 100 restaurants and food service businesses redirect high-quality, nutritious surplus food to people facing food insecurity—all at no cost to participating businesses.
This grant reflects the County’s investment in community-driven solutions that support justice-impacted individuals and help prevent incarceration, while also strengthening local businesses and reducing waste through food donation.
Copia is the only technology capable of supporting different food types, including prepared food, and accommodating on-demand donation cadences—ensuring the maximum amount of surplus food is recovered.
As Branded’s own little PSA, if your business operates in Los Angeles County, this is an opportunity to make a real impact - while streamlining food donations through Copia’s simple, tech-enabled platform. There are a few spots available. If you’d like to participate, you can sign up through LA County HERE 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.
This week I want to make it clear that Brooklyn, NY is cool! That’s not a new thing; it’s been cool for a long time.
How long? Well, my love of Brooklyn started in the mid-70s, and it was all thanks to the TV sitcom, Welcome Back Kotter
During the lead-in and song, a sign welcoming you to Brooklyn was shown (similar to what the Soprano’s did with signage of Elizabeth, NJ)
The sign, as you see above, proudly displays that Brooklyn was then, the 4th largest city in America. The sign is awesome b/c Brooklyn in NOT a city, it’s a borough of New York City.
Brookyln’s coolness has only surged since the 1970s, but today, March 1st, 2025, Branded’s fondness for Brookyln is closely associated with the emerging restaurant company, Brooklyn Dumpling Shop (“BDS”).
Branded is proud to be working with the crew from BDS and we agree with one of its taglines: everything’s better in a dumpling! (I also like their slogan, “dumplings reimagined.”
Branded has come together with Jeff Galletly, Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s, Chairman & CEO to help advance the company and that’s exactly what we’re gearing up to do!
Mr. Galletly has a long and storied history in the hospitality industry and that includes various roles at Restaurant Brands International (“RBI”) where he was most recently the Vice President & General Manager at Tim Hortons USA.
I particularly like that Jeff is also a “finance guy” with an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Colgate University (this last line should be read as a precursor by all my friends that have affiliations with PENN and Colgate - I’m calling you good people about this opportunity). 😊
In all seriousness, Branded feels fortunate to be working with Jeff, his team and his crew of strategic investors & advisors which includes Kevin O’Leary, Patti Labelle, Matt Higgins, and Leonard Latchman.
We love leaning into emerging brands that are embracing technology and reimagining how restaurants can succeed in this environment. BDS' efficient unit footprint, its fusion cuisine (and don’t even get me started on their sauces! 😊), its iconic automat controlled by the consumer’s smartphone, plus self-order kiosks (let's get you involved BB) & mobile app for a 100% digital ordering and frictionless guest experience, this brand isn’t just becoming digital, it was born digital!
When Branded is looking at emerging brands, we want to see multi-revenue channels and this is one area where Branded feels Brooklyn Dumpling Shop will also thrive, with its Consumer Packaged Good (“CPG”) business.
BDS’ frozen dumplings are already present in over 400 retailers and has a Direct-to-Consumer (“DTC”) model (and that’s before Schatzy adds BDS to his LinkedIn page! 😊
Our goal with Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is to support this company’s expansion in North America and help it grow significantly in Canada in partnership with its master franchisee, Sitewise Solutions.
To my old friends that I used to play cards with back in high school, you may remember my food order, dumplings, just lots of dumplings. This partnership with Brookyln Dumpling Shop isn’t (just) business, it’s personal! 😊
Parties interested in learning more about Branded’s work with Brooklyn Dumpling Shop should contact me directly.
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In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Chef Laurent discusses his culinary world. He tells us of his early days in France to becoming a renowned chef and restaurateur in the United Stated. His blend in fine dining techniques with accessible, high-quality food experiences has led to successful concepts and his latest venture into Philadelphia. Laurent shares his thoughts on the evolution of the restaurant industry, the role of social media in modern hospitality, and the delicate balance between culinary artistry and business operations.
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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