Q+A With Ken Kanzaki, Charleys Philly Steaks

Serving Franchise Development Growth with Charleys Philly Steaks Franchise

Charleys Philly Steaks is forging ahead in the fast-casual dining world, and much of its momentum can be attributed to the dynamic leadership of Ken Kanzaki, the Director of Franchise Development. With over 15 years of experience in the franchise industry and four years with Charleys, Kanzaki has been a driving force behind the brand’s explosive growth. In this exclusive Q&A with Brand J, Kanzaki shares insights into Charleys’ rise in popularity, the unique appeal of the cheesesteak franchise model, and his personal journey from food finatic to franchise development expert.

Charleys has recently experienced an explosion of growth. Why do you think Charleys is such a hot franchise concept?

Kanzaki: We’ve been blessed with several worthwhile opportunities for growth. This comes from having happy franchisees, a model fit for expansion beyond the mall food-court (Strip-Centers, Walmart’s, Truck-Stops, and Free-Standing sites), and a Cheesesteak/Fries/Wings/Lemonade offering that foodies love.

In addition to that, cheesesteak franchises are fairly underrepresented among the vast QSR models out there today. This uniqueness helps our consumer and business offering stand out in a highly competitive market with burgers, deli-sandwiches, and pizza (to name a few).

Why do you think QSR franchises are among the most popular franchise concepts?

Kanzaki: My favorite way to put it is: People Gotta Eat. So the opportunity to start a friendship seems to always be there! And the business side relies on attracting and keeping customers. There’s an advantage to having a quick, delicious, and authentic offering that appeals to a broad base of hungry guests…especially if they’re craving a Cheesesteak. Business owners want a reliable and engaging conversation starter. For us in QSR, it’s food and people. People bond over food, and businesses thrive with happy customers. These are the elements that make QSR a popular choice for business ownership.

Charleys is approaching an astonishing 1000 locations. What will you and your team do to celebrate this achievement?

Kanzaki: We’re still fine-tuning the plans. I do know that it’s all hands on deck. The whole team will be celebrating with all our franchisees and operators. Whether it’s a franchisee’s first location, or a multi-unit owner’s 10th. It’s because of the hard work and dedication these franchisees and operators put in that makes this benchmark possible.

What has the relationship been like between Charleys Philly Steaks Franchise and Brand J?

Kanzaki: Brand J is our best supplier. The relationship is best described as highly responsive, committed, and reliable. I knew the founder and the team at Brand J prior to joining Charleys. After the first strategy meeting with my new home team, I knew exactly what we needed. Brand J had all the tools and advertising insights to get us launched for recruiting success. My prior experience, and professional wins with Brand J, made it an easy decision to call and line-up our kick-off strategy. We’ve set several company records with website visitors, conversions, and deals closed through our website. This is because Brand J listens to our needs and provides solutions through Creative Design, Written Content, SEO, and Reporting.

When Brand J and Charleys launched our recruitment strategy, our unit count was about 635 locations. Today, we’re at 850+ units and still growing. The recruitment efforts continue to be a crucial part of our growth strategies in underserved markets.

What are you most looking forward to in the future with Charleys Philly Steaks?

Kanzaki: As Charleys continues to grow, and franchisees achieve their dreams, I’m most looking forward to the uncontainable, genuine smile anyone will have from just from hearing the name Charleys…and then that will be followed by their stomachs growling from thinking about our delicious cheesesteaks!

 

Now for some fun questions…

What is your go to order at Charleys Philly Steaks?

Kanzaki: 2 Large Old School Cheesesteaks.

What passions do you have other than franchise development?

Kanzaki: Olympic weight lifting with an all time bench press record of 365 lbs. I also like cooking and blending recipes from different cultures (Example: Chinese Sausage + Shitake Mushroom + Sweet Rice = Tamale)

What is a fun fact people may not know about you?

Kanzaki: I’m truly the favorite son, but don’t tell my brother. I was a sushi chef for 10 years, before joining the franchise industry.

What Can Brand J Do for Your Brand?

Are you a franchise brand searching for the next steps to take your brand to the next level? Start a conversation with Brand J today to get started. We look forward to learning more about your brand and how we can help you reach your franchise development goals!