Red Robin and Wingstop franchisee Mike Axiotis

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Mike Axiotis, CEO of Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands, a Pennsylvania-based franchise group operating Red Robin and Wingstop. Mike has an incredible story of how he worked his way up from being a dishwasher in his uncle’s diner to being the CEO of a 30-unit franchise portfolio, and today he’s leaning into that lifelong expertise both to grow his restaurant company and to serve as a voice on the board of the National Restaurant Association. Mike joined the podcast to talk about how Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands is thoughtfully expanding its portfolio, why he’s optimistic for 2025, and which issues the National Restaurant Association is particularly focused on for the coming year.  

In this conversation, you’ll find out why:

• In franchising, you’re betting on both the horse and the jockey
• Your franchise decisions should account for where the puck is going 
• Consolidation should help the restaurant industry in the coming year
• Restaurant associations offer a great resource for growing operations 

Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at sam.oches@informa.com.