How Jersey Mike’s Stayed True to the Brand w/ COO Mike Manzo (EP #79)

The Founderz Lounge Episode #79 with Mike Manzo.

What does it take to grow a franchise brand without drifting away from the things that made it work in the first place?

In this episode of The Founderz Lounge, Don and Steve sit down with Mike Manzo, former COO of Jersey Mike’s, to talk about the discipline it takes to build a brand that lasts. From franchisee profitability and operational standards to hospitality, leadership, and long-term thinking, Mike breaks down how Jersey Mike’s stayed focused on what mattered instead of chasing every trend or copying the competition.

This conversation gets into the real challenges founders and franchise leaders face as they grow: protecting the brand, supporting operators, avoiding costly distractions, and knowing when to evolve without losing what made the business special to begin with. Mike also shares lessons on owner-operators, culture, training, and why strong brands win by staying true to themselves.

If you’re building a franchise company, leading a growing brand, or trying to scale without losing direction, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Trailer

[01:51] Mike Manzo’s Jersey Mike’s journey

[04:25] How Jersey Mike’s got its name

[05:58] Family culture in franchising

[06:49] Why hospitality wins

[09:14] Surviving the hard years

[10:17] Growth pressure and momentum

[11:44] Why unit profitability matters

[13:38] Brand equity vs quick wins

[14:15] Why friendly service matters

[18:25] Protecting the brand

[20:43] Jersey Mike’s non-negotiables

[22:55] How Mike vets franchisees

[25:02] Multi-unit growth done right

[27:15] When the brand took off

[29:21] Avoiding complacency

[31:55] From part-time to owner

[35:09] Paying and keeping great people

[36:41] Holding the standard

[39:43] The cost of chasing competitors

[41:55] The meatball sub lesson

[45:09] When founders need to let go

[48:10] Hiring C-suite talent

[52:54] Fast Five

[53:23] Mike’s top KPI

[53:59] Mike’s best advice

[55:16] The worst founder advice

[57:36] Good vs great franchisees

[58:15] What Mike would ban in franchising

Key Takeaways:  

• “This is hospitality. This isn’t a job.” ~Mike Manzo

• Building a franchise brand around hospitality is harder, but it creates stronger operators. ~Mike Manzo

• “It’s a constant grind.” ~Don Varady

• “Friendly service” is the real experience customers remember. ~Mike Manzo

• The experience economy is not just speed. It is what the customer sees and feels. ~Steve Bon

• “Complacency has no home here.” ~Mike Manzo

• “Stop trying to become your competitors.” ~Mike Manzo

• Founders do not have to carry the shovel forever. ~Mike Manzo

Connect with Mike Manzo…

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-manzo-89a7549/ 

Jersey Mike's:

Website: https://www.jerseymikes.com/

Connect with Don and Steve…

Don Varady:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 

Steve Bon:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 

Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: 

Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G 

Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 

The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:

Clean Eatz:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ 

Website: https://cleaneatz.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA 

Bon’s Eye Marketing:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing 

Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ 

Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477