“There Are No Shortcuts”: Rusty Bills on the Realities of Running a Franchise Business
In this episode of Restrocast, Galardi Group COO Rusty Bills shares his journey from busboy to executive, revealing what it takes to lead in the franchise world. From tackling labor challenges to embracing tech and hands-on leadership, this episode offers real insights on trust, growth, and running restaurants the right way without shortcuts.
Rusty Bills
Chief Operating Officer, Galardi Group
Rusty Bills is the Chief Operating Officer of Galardi Group, parent company of Wienerschnitzel and Tastee Freez. Starting in restaurants at 15 and rising through roles at CPK and Taco Del Mar, Rusty is known for his passion for great food, strong franchise partnerships, and elevating brand standards across every GGI location.
In this Restrocast episode, Rusty Bills, COO of Galardi Group (Wienerschnitzel, Tastee Freez), shares his journey from busboy to the C-suite and everything in between. He opens up about his early days in the kitchen, how hands-on leadership shaped his path, and why building strong relationships with franchisees is the foundation of long-term success.
Rusty discusses the realities of running a franchise in today’s environment, from navigating California’s $20/hour wage law to leveraging technology for operational efficiency. He also touches on how franchisee trust led to the creation of his leadership role, and why there’s no substitute for learning every part of the business from scrubbing floors to managing store tech stacks.