“Leadership is a glorified term for simply putting together a good team and working very hard.”
— Amit Kleinberger, CEO, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Today, we’re proud to announce that Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt has officially partnered with BrandONE to lead its next phase of franchise growth.
This partnership marks a full-circle moment: BrandONE CEO Michael Mudd spent seven years helping grow Menchie’s from just 7 locations into a global brand — and now, nearly a decade later, we’re joining forces again. Why now? Because the foundation is stronger than ever — and the future demands a team that leads with purpose, clarity, and discipline.
In the latest episode of the BrandONE-On-ONE Podcast, Menchie’s CEO Amit Kleinberger offered a refreshingly honest take on what leadership really means inside a franchise system:
“There are always going to be challenges. It took us 20 years to get to where we are today. We certainly had great moments, challenging moments, happy moments, moments of learning… But at the end of the day, you have to make sure that the team is right.”
If you’ve been in franchising for more than five minutes, you know this to be true:
- The wrong team can tank a great concept.
- The right team can elevate a good one to greatness.
The Jim Collins Test Still Works
Amit nods to Jim Collins’ classic idea from Good to Great — get the right people in the right seats on the bus. But he doesn’t stop there. He reminds us what that actually takes:
“It sounds so easy. But behind that sentence is years and years of interviewing people… selecting the right people… sometimes ending relationships with the wrong folks.”
It’s not glamorous. It’s not fast. But it’s necessary — especially in franchising, where every person you bring into the system affects the brand.
Why This Matters Now
For emerging brands looking to scale, team integrity isn’t optional — it’s mission critical. That includes:
- Your leadership team
- Your first 10–20 franchisees
- Your vendor network
- And your franchisees’ teams on the ground
We’ve seen over and over again: a mediocre model with a strong team can win. But a strong model with a fractured team will stall.
The Optimist’s Edge
What stood out most in Amit’s leadership philosophy wasn’t just the operational wisdom — it was the mindset: “Try to see the positive in every person. Try to see life and people through a pink set of lenses.” That’s not fluff. That’s franchise-building optimism — the kind that builds loyalty, culture, and resilience.
So Why BrandONE x Menchie’s?
Because the next chapter of franchise growth requires more than energy. It requires alignment. Trust. Discipline. And leadership that knows how to navigate what’s next. At BrandONE, we don’t chase hype. We build franchise systems that last. And we couldn’t be more excited to help steward Menchie’s — a legacy brand that’s stayed true to its mission: We Make You Smile.
🎧 Want to hear more? Catch the exclusive conversation with Amit Kleinberger on the BrandONE-On-ONE Podcast:
Are You Really Ready to Scale? 9 Non-Negotiables for Franchisors Who Want to Ride with BrandONE.