In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter sits down with Ed Powers, Director of Operations at Broken Yolk Cafe, to unpack how a beloved San Diego breakfast spot grew from a single Pacific Beach landmark into a multi-state franchise system. Ed’s career journey—from regional operations leader at Chili’s to helping build Broken Yolk’s franchise infrastructure—offers practical insight into what it really takes to scale a restaurant brand without losing its soul.

Ed shares how the story of Broken Yolk Cafe begins with long lines, loyal customers, and steady demand that drew interest from would-be franchisees long before the company was ready. For years, the founder, John, resisted franchising despite constant inquiries. But over time, the opportunity became impossible to ignore. The question wasn’t whether people wanted more Broken Yolk locations—it was whether the business could scale without sacrificing the experience that made it iconic.

When Ed rejoined the brand, Broken Yolk Cafe was still transitioning from a single-market favorite to a system ready for expansion. With 41 locations across seven states, the challenge became creating structure while protecting the local charm customers loved. Ed explains how his role shifted from daily restaurant oversight to building systems, supporting franchisees, and ensuring the brand’s consistency as new owners brought the concept to new markets.

Scaling required solving real operational puzzles—product procurement across state lines, supply chain consistency, and maintaining quality standards as the footprint grew. Ed describes these challenges not as burdens but as opportunities to strengthen the system, streamline processes, and create a support model designed for long-term franchisee success.

A recurring theme in the conversation is the importance of listening. With dozens of locations and a diverse franchisee base, there are always more ideas than resources. Ed emphasizes that the only way to prioritize effectively is through direct franchisee feedback—understanding what operators truly need, not just what seems helpful from corporate. Jeff connects this to his own experience in partner training: every idea sounds valuable until ten franchisees say, “That’s nice, but here’s what we really need.”

This constant dialogue ensures that support programs actually solve problems, whether they involve training, staffing, menu execution, or operational efficiency.

Ed and Jeff dive into the cultural side of scaling—how to maintain passion, pride, and consistency when expanding to new regions. They discuss real examples of franchise systems boosting learner engagement, including a program Jeff highlights that increased training completions by 60 percent through a creative cultural initiative. Ed notes that these efforts matter because stronger training and clearer expectations make every unit better, whether the team works directly for corporate or for an independent franchisee.

Looking forward, Ed sees Broken Yolk Cafe continuing to expand toward the 50-unit mark and beyond, developing the systems, standards, and support structure needed to grow responsibly. With demand strong and brand recognition spreading far beyond San Diego, the next stage of growth is focused on strengthening franchise support, protecting product quality, and preparing operators for success in increasingly competitive markets.

Ed’s story underscores a simple but powerful truth: scaling a franchise brand isn’t about speed—it’s about structure, support, and staying close to the people who run your restaurants. Broken Yolk Cafe’s growth has been fueled by operational discipline, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to preserving the experience that made the original location famous. For franchise leaders, this episode offers a grounded look at what it takes to grow without losing your identity.

Learn more or visit a location near you at:
👉 https://www.thebrokenyolkcafe.com/