🎙️ From Fruitable Chapter 11 to Bubbakoos Growth: Chris Ives' Journey Through Franchise Lessons and Leadership

In this inspiring episode, Chris Ives, CEO at Bubbakoos Burritos, shares his remarkable journey from rejecting his family's catering business at age five to accidentally declaring an accounting degree at an EY college fair booth, learning painful franchise lessons growing Fruitable acai bowl concept to 50 units without capital before Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and applying every mistake learned to help Bubbakoos grow from 12 to 147 locations through franchisee-first support philosophy and menu innovation like the chihuahua panko-crusted cheese ball bowl. Through candid stories about doing the daily grind into New York City for 15-16 hour days with two young kids before taking the risk of no paycheck, making every wrong franchise mistake including no attorneys and taking money too soon and misunderstanding ROI, operating as general manager during COVID taking pay cuts to keep lights on, and battling DoorDash marketplace power losing hair daily over their dominant position, Chris reveals how franchisee survey results about leadership support matter more than any financial metric—and why Gen Z franchisees living and breathing creativity on the line drive innovation through their killer creation hotline submissions.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• CEO at Bubbakoos Burritos overseeing 147-location Mexican fusion chain

• Family catering business from age five, initially rejected hospitality due to absent father

• EY college fair conversation pivoted undecided major to accounting career path

• Corporate accounting 15-16 hour days commuting to NYC before career shift

• Joined sister-in-law's Fruitable acai company: 50 units across 16 states without capital

• Made every franchise mistake: no attorney, no agreements, poor ROI understanding

• Chapter 11 bankruptcy and second daughter's birth forced exit from Fruitable

• "MBA and PhD in franchise failures" prepared him for Bubbakoos opportunity

• Joined at store 12, now opening store 148 next week

• COVID crisis: operated stores as GM, took pay cuts to keep lights on

• Greatest accomplishment: franchisee survey feedback on leadership support

• Chihuahua bowl: panko-crusted cheese ball on rice smothered with queso

• Gen Z franchisees submit creative menu items to incubator hotline

• 1200-2500 sq ft locations based on regional dining preferences

• AI chatbot challenge: competing for visibility against Chipotle in DoorDash recommendations

🌟 Chris's Key Mentors:

Family Catering Business

Y Ernst & Young

Fruitable Sister-in-Law Founder

 Paul and Bill (Bubbakoos Co-Founders)

COVID Crisis

Franchisee Community

Gen Z Franchisee Operators

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about learning from spectacular franchise failures, operating as GM during crisis to keep lights on, and measuring success through franchisee survey results rather than financial metrics alone.

🔗 Connect with Chris Ives:

Company: Bubbakoos Burritos Location: Wall, New Jersey (headquarters) Website: Bubbakoos Burritos LinkedIn: Chris Ives

📄 Transcript Available: Chris Ives on Fruitable Lessons, Menu Innovation, and Growing to 147 Locations

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

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