Restaurant Owners Uncorked - By Schedulefly

Isaac Lee Collins, the founder and CEO of Fifth & Emery Frozen Yogurt and Chocolate, shares his journey from managing a chocolate shop at age 22 to owning five locations in Kansas City that combine frozen yogurt with gourmet chocolates and caramel apples. The conversation explores the "philosophy of hospitality," the evolving work ethic of Gen Z employees, and the practical financial strategies, such as choosing between SBA and traditional bank loans, that Collins used to scale his business while maintaining 100% independence.10 Key TakeawaysThe Power of Hospitality Systems: Collins credits his time at Olive Garden for teaching him that seamless systems and processes are the backbone of a successful restaurant.Balancing Seasonal Revenue: By combining frozen yogurt (summer-heavy) with chocolates and caramel apples (winter-heavy), Collins created a year-round sustainable business model.Gen Z Management: With nearly 70 employees under 21, Collins emphasizes that while "kids these days" are motivated differen