How a Multi-Unit Franchisee Uses Social Media to Build Business & Drive Real Growth

Ryan Feghali, known as “QSR Guy” on X, is a multi-unit franchisee of Little Caesars and Jersey Mike’s and co-founder of CoCo Playa. He uses honest posts to share the realities of operating restaurants at scale and turn insights into real business opportunities. Watch now to learn how Ryan Feghali uses X to build real relationships, why telling the truth creates leverage, and how anonymous posts turned into business growth. Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Chapters: [02:41] - Why He Chose X [05:12] - Anonymous Beginnings [08:45] - Building CoCo Playa [12:10] - Community and DMs [18:05] - Relationships Over Reach SPONSORS: RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS IS PRESENTED BY TOAST — Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience. • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Episode Links: Ryan Feghali LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfeghali/ Ryan Feghali X: https://x.com/QSRguy Ryan Feghali Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feghali/ CoCo Playa Coffee & Cookies: https://trycocoplaya.com/ CoCo Playa Coffee & Cookies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trycocoplaya/ Key Takeaways: Truth Builds Trust: By sharing honest, unfiltered experiences from operating 35 restaurants, Ryan Feghali built credibility with other operators, turning simple posts on X into real conversations and relationships. Content Creates Real Opportunities: What started as anonymous posts evolved into deal flow, partnerships, and industry connections, proving that you don’t need a massive audience to generate meaningful business outcomes. Vulnerability Drives Growth: From imposter syndrome to operational decisions, Feghali’s willingness to be open helped him connect with others and learn faster, reinforcing that transparency is a competitive advantage. *** ABOUT RYAN FEGHALI — Ryan Feghali is a multi-unit franchisee of Little Caesars and Jersey Mike’s, operating restaurants across California, Arizona, and Oregon. He is also the co-founder of CoCo Playa, a drive-thru concept focused on coffee, cookies, and specialty beverages. Feghali holds an MBA from the Rady School of Management at the University of California, San Diego and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization Coastal San Diego Chapter. ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS — Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Mayim Bialik, Jon Taffer, Robert Irvine, Toast co-founder Aman Narang, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online. Published by Entrepreneur Media - https://entreprenuer.com Produced by Cali BBQ Media - https://betheshow.media