Jennifer Schuler and Hillary Frei share a long-standing professional relationship. They began their careers as interns at General Mills shortly after graduating from business school and later collaborated as executives at Wetzel’s Pretzels, according to a report by nrn

Currently, Schuler holds the position of CEO, while Frei serves as CMO at Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, a chain that is marking its 80th anniversary this year. Both executives joined the company within the last year and are focused on expanding the 150-unit brand while maintaining its commitment to community engagement.

In the latest episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Schuler and Frei discussed their strategies for honoring the brand's legacy and their approach to innovating within an 80-year-old business model that operates exclusively through walk-up windows.

In this discussion, you will discover the following insights:

  • Brand development is a long-term journey rather than a quick race.
  • Restaurant leaders must honor the evolution of their individual brands.
  • Generosity is a valuable yet often overlooked trait of thriving brands.
  • Franchisees should embody the core values of your brand.
  • Your customers might perceive you as an independent restaurant, and it is beneficial to embrace that perspective.

 

This article was first published on Nation's Restaurant News