FastCasual Launches ‘Founderology’ Podcast
with Kathleen Wood

Built to Breakthrough PodcastPodcast Episode #1 · 25 min

February 4, 2025

Welcome to Founderology –
Built to Breakthrough,
the ultimate podcast created by Founders, for Founders.

Founderology is your go-to resource for actionable insights and proven strategies to propel your business and yourself to new levels of success.

Kathleen Wood - Smiling woman with short blonde hair and glasses.Hosted by Kathleen Wood

Founder and CEO of Kathleen Wood Partners and creator of the Founderology Growth Summit.
Kathleen brings over 20 years of expertise, working side-by-side with Founders to turn small businesses into award-winning concepts, national expansions, and billion-dollar brands.

Each episode is designed to speak the unique language of Founders and address the challenges, opportunities, and triumphs of the Founder journey.

Guest Cameron McNie

Founder of Hawaiian Bros Island Grill

Kathleen brings over 20 years of expertise, working side-by-side with Founders
to turn small businesses into award-winning concepts, national expansions, and billion-dollar brands.

Each episode is designed to speak the unique language of Founders
and address the challenges, opportunities, and triumphs of the Founder journey.

Here's an alt tag for the image: KWP cyclical process logo
The Breakthrough Experience Founders MUST Attend
FastCasual.com logo

FastCasual Launches ‘Founderology’ Podcast
with Kathleen Wood

To celebrate this exciting partnership, we are offering 50% off with code KATHLEEN50 to all unregistered Founderology readers and viewers who wish to attend The Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit. Register here, then make sure to book your room at the Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa.

We’ve all heard the stats about 30% of restaurants failing, and while it’s a scary number, it means 70% find success. I’m no math major, but those seem like good odds but many leave many wondering why some brands thrive while others die.

To answer those questions and to give restaurant Founders a voice, FastCasual has teamed up with Kathleen Wood, Founder of Kathleen Wood Partners, known for coaching restaurant Founders, to launch our newest podcast: “Founderology — Built to Breakthrough.”

Wood, who for the past two decades has worked with Founder-led businesses like Raising Cane’s, Walk On’s Bar and Bistreaux, Homeroom Mac+Cheese, McAlister’s Deli, Tap Room-Long Island and many more, will interview restaurant Founders twice per month about how and why they created their concepts, challenges they faced and what it takes to be in that coveted 70%.

It takes passion, self-awareness and especially confidence, according to Founderology’s first guest, Hawaiian Bros Island Grill Co-Founder Cameron McNie, who said all Founders should begin with the end in mind.

“It’s believing that you can be something bigger,” he said, pointing out that Hawaiian Bros was building its second location before the first opened. “Looking back, I’m like, ‘That might not have been the smartest thing,’ but it was part of what we were beginning with the end in mind. We knew we wanted to be a chain, of course we’re going to start opening locations before we prove out the concept for two or three years. We had confidence in it.”

Episode 2 will feature Wood chatting with Erin Wade, Founder of Homeroom+Mac Cheese, and will post February 18.

“Founders are the heartbeat of innovation and the backbone of the restaurant industry,” Wood said. “Their journeys are filled with resilience, passion, and game-changing strategies that are inspiring for everyone. With Founderology, we’re shining a spotlight on these trailblazers, sharing their real stories, and breakthrough moments that turn bold visions into thriving brands.”

The Founderology Forum debuts on FastCasual

As part of our dedication to giving Founders a platform to help up-and-coming Founders, we’ve also created the “Founderlogy Forum,” a content area on the website dedicated to information, stories and the inside track specifically for Founders in areas that matter most, short-cuts to drive sales and profitability, building high-performing teams, operational efficiencies, scaling for growth, unleashing the power of data, building enterprise value, funding growth, creating wealth, and so much more!

“I’ve dedicated my career to working with Founder-led businesses because I believe in their ability to drive extraordinary success when given the right tools, resources and insights,” Wood said. “I am excited about having the Founder Forum so Founders will have access to tools and resources specifically to support Founders in accelerating the growth of themselves, their teams, and their businesses!

Calling all Founders! If you have a story to share with other Founders, email Wood at Kathleen@kwoodpartners.com

You May Also Like…

Urban Bird Hot Chicken’s Stuck-to-Spectacular Growth

Urban Bird Hot Chicken’s Stuck-to-Spectacular Growth

Brandon and Chantel spent 20 years building 32 Wingstop franchises. Then they let it all go to bet on themselves, opening the first Urban Bird Hot Chicken in a space another restaurant left behind. In this episode, they share how a bad lease turned into spectacular growth.

read more
The World Pizza Champion Who ‘Let Go To Grow’

The World Pizza Champion Who ‘Let Go To Grow’

Your biggest success can hide your biggest opportunity. Tony Gemignani built Tony’s Pizza Napoletana into a legend, then spotted an underserved need next door — and it became Slice House. In this episode, he shares the decisions behind letting go to grow.

read more
How Jae Kim is Scaling Chi’Lantro

How Jae Kim is Scaling Chi’Lantro

Jae Kim had a deal in hand on Shark Tank — and walked away. Learn how the Chi’Lantro Founder is scaling his Korean-Mexican food brand on his own terms, one bold decision at a time.

read more