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Joe Fontana, founder of Fry the Coop, is redefining what it means to build a fast-casual chicken empire with heart. From his Chicago-based restaurants, Joe shares the unexpected journey that took him from a failed meatball concept to creating what he proudly calls "the number one chicken sandwich in Chicago" – double-fried in beef tallow for that perfect crunch.

What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is Joe's candid discussion of his viral moment. When thieves broke into one of his restaurants causing $3,000 in damage for a mere $9 in change, Joe transformed potential disaster into marketing gold.

His Home Alone-themed response to the break-in generated 27 television appearances and drove record sales – a masterclass in turning lemons into lemonade that any restaurant owner can learn from.

Beyond crisis management, Joe dives deep into the leadership principles that have allowed him to scale to nine locations with plans for 75 more. He articulates the profound loneliness of entrepreneurship and shares how he stays connected to his team's needs while navigating rapid growth.

His refreshingly honest admission about financial management missteps offers a cautionary tale about the importance of diligent invoice tracking and expense management – "expenses are like fingernails, they're always growing and they always need to be cut."

What truly sets this episode apart is Joe's people-first philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on profits, he frames his ambitious growth goals around creating opportunities for his team members.

"We're growing our company so we can grow our people," he explains, detailing how his expansion strategy aims to eventually provide meaningful financial outcomes for everyone involved. This perspective challenges the traditional profit-centric restaurant model and offers a compelling alternative vision for sustainable growth.

Whether you're running a single restaurant location or dreaming of building your own multi-unit concept, this episode delivers actionable insights on leadership, crisis management, operational excellence, and maintaining your values during expansion.

Resources:

Joe Fontana

Fry The Coop

Christin Marvin

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