Apr 7, 2021
In this episode we interview the CEO & Founder of Honeygrow, Justin Rosenberg. Not only does he recount the amazing story of how he learned the skills necessary to launch this ground breaking quick-service restaurant concept, but also he shares the reality of how he and his team weathered the storm that COVID brought the food industry.
We also discuss the role that kindness has played in the growth of his brand and the development of their strong culture as they have expended to 26 locations (at the time of our recording).
More about Justin: Justin Rosenberg is Founder and CEO of honeygrow, a fast-casual stir-fry and salad concept founded in Philadelphia in 2012. With a mission to create a unique, spirited brand focused on simple, wholesome foods, Rosenberg has led the company's creation and growth, which today consists of 26 units.
Prior to launching honeygrow, Rosenberg worked as an Asset Manager and Manager of Energy Services for PREIT in Philadelphia, where he was responsible for purchasing and hedging strategies, energy costing, solar power development, capital budgeting, retail re-merchandising strategies and forecasting for a portfolio of over 35 national shopping centers and malls throughout the US. After seven years in the finance and real estate industry, Rosenberg decided it was time to pursue his true passions of entrepreneurialism, cooking and creative brand-building. Influenced by his recent adoption of a plant-based diet and his love for design and music, he drew inspiration for a concept set to differentiate itself from the rest.
To prepare himself for this new venture, Justin staged at various restaurants from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. to gain further experience in kitchen operations, cooking, and leadership. In 2012, the first honeygrow location opened in the Rittenhouse neighborhood of Philadelphia, and Rosenberg’s vision catapulted to the next level. Since that day, honeygrow would continue to expand its unit count and team, with sights set for becoming an enduring, sustainable organization.
The company has raised over $70 million in equity financing and has grown into the Boston, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington DC and the New York City metro areas. In 2020, Justin received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Greater Philadelphia region. Justin resides in the Philadelphia suburbs with his wife and three children.
His passions outside of honeygrow include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, cooking, all-things guitar, hiking, and surfing. He is a member of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Corporate Council and a board member of the Common Market Mid-Atlantic.
Click here to connect with Justin!
Thanks again for being part of the Sell Them With Kindness community! We would really appreciate your honest rating of our podcast. Click here to rate & review: http://getpodcast.reviews/id/1556313256
If you'd like to be interviewed on the pod or want your business featured in our "Kind Business" directory, please head over to www.sellthemwithkindness.com today!