Founders to Know: Brian Burchill, Famous Toastery

As a brand grows it takes patience, hard work and the willingness to adapt; Brian Burchill, COO of Famous Toastery embodies all of these qualities.

If you want to know about the ins and outs of the restaurant industry, talk to Brian Burchill. Burchill has been engrained in the restaurant industry from adolescence, a field where he has worked in every imaginable role. Like the popular Drake song says, Burchill “started from the bottom” to achieve success, and now he’s sitting at the top as a successful franchise owner with six units under his belt.

While growing up in Manhattan, N.Y., Brian began working in the restaurant industry bussing and waiting tables at 12 years old. For over a decade, Brian worked in all aspects of the demanding industry at 15 different restaurants throughout the city, including under famed New York food guru Eli Zabar for nearly a decade managing and opening a few of his restaurants.

Through his diverse array of roles, Brian also began working with a popular restaurant, which transitioned into a night club. Brian was able to catch entertainers such as KC and the Sunshine Band and members of Blues Brothers band regularly, combining his two passions: entertainment and the restaurant industry.

After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Brian spent a brief time in Los Angeles to pursue life as an actor, but he soon realized that he wanted to build a career in the industry in which he began.

“I wanted to create the place everyone came to enjoy themselves,” said Burchill. “Growing up, I remember my family was hosting gatherings and our home was always filled with people who were enjoying themselves; it gave me gratification and I wanted to instill that into a restaurant concept.”

Knowing what worked and what didn’t, Brian knew he wanted to start a breakfast/lunch establishment. In 2005, Burchill and his best friend Robert Maynard became business partners to open their first breakfast spot, Toast Café in Huntersville, N.C., in a small house-turned-restaurant.

After growing to three locations, Brian received a tremendous amount of accolades for the quality and freshness of Toast’s food. Burchill discussed the possibility of franchising with Maynard but harbored concerns about losing grip on his management role.

Adjusting his mindset to veer away from day-to-day operations, Brian agreed to franchise Toast Café in 2013. After 10 years, the business duo decided to rebrand the popular brunch spot, now known as Famous Toastery.

“It was a big step to begin franchising Famous Toastery, but it was the best move to make,” said Burchill. “We don’t look at our owners as just franchisees, we look at them as family members; we are all incredibly close and have the same goal: To grow Famous Toastery and strive to be the best in the breakfast and lunch category.” Dining customers always can expect impeccable service because at Famous Toastery “every server is your server.”

Breaking through the bland casual breakfast segment, Famous Toastery will continue spreading its success to new communities across the United States and expand their options to meet the demand for catering while creating new menu options.