MULTI-BRAND
itself to both of those . Online , there are hundreds of ways to get computers — eBay , Amazon , Craig ’ s List ,” he says . “ You ’ ve got to know what ’ s going on . If you become part of a community and people know they ’ re not going to get scammed , there ’ s something there . We ’ re trying to get ahead of that idea and see where it goes .”
Whether it ’ s burritos , burgers , or iPhones , Rusconi says he operates his diverse brands with the same business philosophy . “ I see myself as a facilitator , a coach , a mentor . I want to give people the opportunity to do their jobs . I don ’ t micro-manage but I want to be there to work with them , side by side . For example , today we ’ re moving restaurant equipment , so I ’ m out there lugging stuff out . They could do it without me , but I ’ m there to help because I want them to know there is no position that is below anyone . Yesterday we had a big sponsorship with UConn women ’ s basketball , which had just won 100 straight games , and we offered $ 5 Burrito Day at Moe ’ s . I worked in a store for three hours .”
It ’ s been a challenge to learn when to
“ put the spatula down ,” as Rusconi puts it . “ I like to know I ’ ve done what they do and I hope they ’ re doing it better than I am , but I can ’ t be in 80 places at once . I ’ ve learned to manage on a higher level .”
Part of that higher level is ensuring that his companies are part of the local community . All his businesses are involved in charitable work and supporting local sports programs . “ Giving back is about more than business . It ’ s about contributing to the families and institutions that make up the communities in which we operate ,” says the Connecticut native .
When he was an NYU communications and marketing student , Rusconi served as an intern at Martin Scorcese ’ s production company before returning home to be near family , study for his MBA , and raise his own family . Looking ahead , he sees himself someday acting as an investor and mentor to young , talented entrepreneurs . One lesson he ’ ll teach them , no matter what their interests :
“ Do the right thing before legislation says you have to . You ’ ll be better off in the end .”
First job : As a kid , I baled hay at a farm down the road .
Formative influences / events : My dad was an entrepreneur who started an environmental lab the year I was born . He built it up and sold it and bought it again .
Key accomplishments : Opening 20-plus franchises under age 40 . I didn ’ t acquire any of them , but built every single one with four different brands : Moe ’ s , Mooyah , Wingstop , and Experimac .
Biggest current challenge : Trying to be everything to everybody .
Next big goal : I ’ ve had a great run in franchising and different industries . Next , I ’ d like to take a stab at an original business . I have something in mind , but it ’ s too soon to talk about .
First turning point in your career : I graduated from NYU in 1999 and got a job in broadcast production and advertising . At 25½ , I decided to quit and come home to Connecticut to be close to family and start work on my MBA .
Best business decision : Five years later , while I was working on my MBA part-time , I quit my job with Corporate America with my wife pregnant and got into business for myself as a franchisee for Moe ’ s Southwest Grill .
Hardest lesson learned : Learning to balance my own goals and objectives with the brand ’ s goals and objectives .
Work week : 24 / 7 is what ’ s needed . I go to bed early and get up early and work as needed .
Exercise / workout : I like biking — in the winter in the basement on my trainer , and in the summer outside with buddies .
PERSONAL
Best advice you ever got : When going for a win , action always over argument .
What ’ s your passion in business ? My passion is getting small victories day to day , which drives me . I love creativity and branding and watching people on my team develop . When your team guys are firing on all cylinders at the same time , there ’ s nothing better .
How do you balance life and work ? As best I can . You try to create a balance , realizing that sometimes certain things are lopsided . I recognize it , readjust , and try not to stress over it .
Guilty pleasure : Potato chips .
Favorite book : The Cricket in Times Square , my favorite childhood book and one that I now read to my daughter .
Favorite movie : I was an intern at Martin Scorcese ’ s production office , so I ’ ll say “ The Departed .”
What do most people not know about you ? That someday , I ’ d like to be a high school soccer coach .
Pet peeve : I ’ m not a big fan of laziness . I like to get things done and I don ’ t like to play politics .
What did you want to be when you grew up ? A business owner because of my dad .
Last vacation : Hiking in the Berkshires with my family .
Person I ’ d most like to have lunch with : My great-great-grandfather , Luther . I understand he was quite a sprinter and the guy who invented the three-point stance to start races .
14 MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE ISSUE II , 2017