Michigan Business Beat | Scott Berman, Dining Ventures, Restaurant Franchising

Chris Holman welcomes Scott Berman, Founder, Dining Ventures, East Lansing, MI. Dining Ventures, founded by operating partner Scott Berman around 2010, is a diverse hospitality group based in East Lansing that currently operates several brands including Culver's, Heist Grill, and three One North locations across Michigan. Berman originally conceived the company as a retirement plan but has since grown it into an active, expanding enterprise that also owns the American Bistro brand and a fast food concept called Ketchup still in development. Like many in the restaurant industry, Dining Ventures faces significant pressures from wage inflation, food costs, and legislation, though Berman emphasizes a company culture focused on being an employer of choice to navigate those challenges. Looking ahead, the company is pursuing a second Culver's location, exploring a potential restaurant partnership in a new downtown Lansing event center, and Berman plans to investigate franchising opportunities at the National Restaurant Association conference in May. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/