Craveworthy Brands' Gregg Majewski Wins EY Midwest Entrepreneur of the Year 2026
Event summary
- Gregg Majewski, founder and CEO of Craveworthy Brands, named EY US Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Midwest Award winner.
- Craveworthy Brands has grown to over 20 brands and 300 locations, surpassing $300 million in systemwide sales with a path to $1 billion.
- Majewski previously scaled Jimmy John's from 30 to over 300 locations, selling 700 additional franchises.
- Craveworthy's portfolio includes Big Chicken, Gregorys Coffee, and Taffer's Tavern, supported by centralized infrastructure.
- Majewski will now compete for the national and potentially global EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards.
The big picture
Craveworthy Brands' recognition underscores the growing trend of multi-brand restaurant platforms leveraging shared infrastructure to scale emerging and legacy concepts. Majewski's track record at Jimmy John's and Craveworthy's rapid expansion highlight the strategic advantage of centralized operations in the competitive restaurant industry. The company's focus on creating 'success stories' through employee development aligns with broader industry shifts towards talent retention and operational efficiency.
What we're watching
- Scaling Ambitions
- Whether Craveworthy can sustain its rapid growth trajectory and reach its $1 billion revenue target.
- Operational Integration
- How effectively Craveworthy's centralized infrastructure supports its diverse portfolio of brands.
- Talent Development
- The impact of Craveworthy's training programs, like Crave University, on employee retention and promotion.
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