No Shortcuts: Michael Haith on Building Teriyaki Madness the Right Way

What does it really take to scale a franchise system without losing control? In this episode of Franchise Today, Stan Friedman speaks with Michael Haith, CEO of Teriyaki Madness, about building a franchise brand through discipline, infrastructure, and relentless execution.From his early days as a franchisee to helping grow Maui Waui to hundreds of units, and ultimately acquiring Teriyaki Madness in 2016, Michael shares hard-earned lessons about scaling responsibly. He explains why hiring ahead of growth is essential, how strong systems prevent operational breakdowns, and why chasing trends often leads franchisors in the wrong direction.The conversation also explores the role of AI in franchising, including how predictive analytics and real-time data are helping franchisees improve performance and make better decisions.For franchisors and operators alike, this episode offers a clear message: there are no shortcuts to sustainable growth, or sensible franchising.