Patrick Cunningham: Chief Development Officer, Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay

“Your role is to build the business… You can have any conversation with a franchisee if you have a solid relationship. That’s the foundation of everything I’ve learned in the franchise business.”

In this episode of Stars of Franchising, hosts Ab Igram and Vinnie Onyemah sit down with veteran franchise executive Patrick Cunningham, whose nearly 30‑year career spans Domino’s, Dunkin’, Baskin Robbins, Little Caesars, and now Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay.

Patrick shares how he went from selling molecular sieves to becoming one of franchising’s most respected development leaders, discussing the power of relationship‑driven franchising, the realities of operational challenges today, and what makes Bobby Flay’s brand such an exciting emerging concept.

He offers candid insights on:

• Building trust between franchisors and franchisees
• How ownership changes (private equity, public companies) affect systems
• What great operators look like — and why they matter more than markets
• The biggest myths about franchising
• Growth challenges around labor, capital, and real estate
• Leadership lessons, mentorship, and why “family comes first” 

Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, operator, or aspiring leader in multi‑unit retail, this conversation is loaded with wisdom, honesty, and practical takeaways.