“ I like franchising . It ’ s a beautiful joint venture , where franchisors are responsible for their piece of the pie and then hand it to the franchisee and say , ‘ Now run with it .’ ”
D O M I N A T O R S
“ I like franchising . It ’ s a beautiful joint venture , where franchisors are responsible for their piece of the pie and then hand it to the franchisee and say , ‘ Now run with it .’ ”
gives us the ability to customize pizza for each guest ’ s needs ,” says Goebel .
He also likes the focus of the young franchise . “ They ’ re all about consumer , R & D , food innovation , and marketing — in other words , all about everything other than operations ,” he says .
With Kerry on finance / operations , Kevin on construction / real estate , daughter Lyssa Krumholtz on marketing , and Dad at the helm , the family business is flourishing . All 10 contracted Pie Fives will be completed by year-end , and they ’ ll be going back to Rave Restaurant Group for more , opening at least 18 to 20 more restaurants in the Kansas City area .
This time around , Goebel wants to keep the company ’ s restaurants close to home , making it easier to manage and grow the business and still have plenty of family time . In fact , this is his fourth concept in Kansas City . He also operates Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs , Y-Leave Cafe , and he owns Prime Catered Events .
“ After developing Boston Market in seven states in a seven-year period , I realized that I no longer want to be in a situation where I have to walk into a restaurant and ask someone their name ,” he says . “ I said to the kids , rather than expanding into non-contiguous states , let ’ s just look for a new concept close to home where we can really make a difference the way we want to .”
As he works with his children on his latest challenge , Goebel still maintains many of the same business philosophies he had years ago . “ My first venture into franchising came in 1993 when I became the second or third franchisee for Boston Market ,” he recalls . “ I always knew I was not a creator . I am an executor and operator . In my early life , I ’ d owned three concepts in downtown Cincinnati , so I knew the pain that comes with the creation of menus and writing training manuals , and what color should the booths be — just shoot me ! Let me show customers how good it can all be ,” he says today .
“ I like franchising . It ’ s a beautiful joint venture , where franchisors are responsible for their piece of the pie — the creation of concept , menu , training manuals , building designs — and then hand it to the franchisee and say , ‘ Now run with it .’”
Having been on both sides of the house — including a seven-year run at Applebee ’ s from 2000 – 2007 that culminated in his role as CEO — Goebel can clearly see the challenges of both franchisor and franchisee . His degree in sociology and psychology from Notre Dame and his postgraduate studies in personnel administration at Ohio State University also have served him well . After leaving Cincinnati for Kansas City , Mo ., he hung out his shingle as Summit Management , Inc ., a consulting group specializing in executive development and strategic planning .
Today , Goebel feeds his love for coaching and counseling by working with his children and other young employees and by partnering with Merryck as a CEO coach . “ That ’ s the most fulfilling part of my life right now . I love coaching CEOs and
First job : Working in my father ’ s butcher shop at age 14 .
Formative influences / events : Growing up with four brothers and playing sports in high school . The Notre Dame experience . My wife ’ s cancer battle ( she won ). My son ’ s brain tumor and his courage . The birth of all six children and all eight grandchildren . The rise and fall as a franchisee of Boston Market . The death of my father . Being CEO of a publicly traded company with all the thrills and challenges . My work at Children ’ s Mercy Hospital and my work mentoring CEOs with Merryck & Co .
Key accomplishments : Raising six great kids with my wife , developing several handfuls of great leaders , and doing a pretty good job of living my personal mission statement .
Biggest current challenge : My current challenges are balancing growth with capital requirements , managing a business with a lot more “ satellites from outer space ” than I ever remember , and keeping the mind young and the body active .
Next big goal : Setting my entire family up for the future and becoming the best Pie Five franchisee .
First turning point in my career : Resigning from Steak and Ale . Best business decision : Becoming a Pie Five franchisee with my family .
Hardest lesson learned : No matter how much you can be invested and believe in people , occasionally they will really disappoint you .
Work week : All week . I ’ m like a physician on call . But I do a beautiful job
PERSONAL of blocking time for my wife and kids .
Exercise / workout : A 3½- to 4-mile walk each morning and a reasonable number of push-ups and curls .
Best advice you ever got : “ Love one another .” ( Jesus )
What ’ s your passion in business ? Creating solid careers for my teams and developing , developing , developing talent .
How do you balance life and work ? By living my portfolio life and trying to never short-change my wife , my family , and my friends .
Guilty pleasure : Caymus Special Selection ( wine ).
Favorite book : The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R . Covey .
Favorite movie : “ The Wizard of Oz ” because of the lessons it teaches us .
What do most people not know about you ? That when I ’ m alone or with my wife in nature , I ’ m in heaven .
Pet peeve : Lack of integrity .
What did you want to be when you grew up ? A guidance counselor or dean of students .
Last vacation : Eight days at our lake home with my wife and dog .
Person I ’ d most like to have lunch with : Two people : Jesus Christ and Herb Kelleher .
20 MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE ISSUE IV , 2016