Gregg Majewski of Craveworthy Brands Earns Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Midwest Award

Celebrating Excellence: Gregg Majewski Wins EY US Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Midwest Award

In a significant recognition of his exceptional leadership and innovative spirit, Gregg Majewski, the founder and CEO of Craveworthy Brands, has been awarded the EY US Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Midwest Award. This accolade not only highlights his remarkable journey in the restaurant industry but also underscores the impact of his business model that focuses on growth through a shared infrastructure.

Gregg's career spans over three decades, beginning as an intern at Jimmy John's. His remarkable ascent in the company saw him become one of its youngest CEOs, CFOs, and COOs. Under his guidance, the restaurant experienced phenomenal growth, expanding from just 30 locations to over 300 and aggressively selling 700 franchises. This business savvy helped solidify Jimmy John's reputation in the food delivery market.

In late 2022, Gregg ventured out to establish Craveworthy, embodying his vision to empower both emerging and legacy restaurant brands. With a commitment to maintaining the unique attributes of each brand while providing them with robust support systems, Craveworthy began as a multi-brand platform that has managed to flourish across several culinary segments. Today, it boasts a portfolio that includes over 20 brands and 300 locations while exceeding $300 million in systemwide sales, with an ambitious trajectory toward reaching $1 billion.

The brands under Craveworthy's umbrella range from fast-casual to full-service dining experiences, featuring well-known names like Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken, Gregorys Coffee from New York City, and Jon Taffer's Taffer's Tavern. The company's underlying success lies in its centralized operational support, which spans across several vital business areas, including franchise development, culinary practices, marketing strategies, and technology enhancements.

Reflecting on the award, Gregg stated, "This recognition belongs to our team. Over three years ago, Craveworthy was a dream people just smiled at and thought was too ambitious. Today, we're one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the country, and we built it by betting on ourselves, our food, and our operators every single day."

At the core of Craveworthy's mission is a commitment to its people. Gregg believes that prioritizing those who operate the restaurants is essential for ensuring exemplary customer service. This philosophy, which emphasizes the significance of 'people, product, and process,' aims to create 100,000 success stories within the organization by 2035. Programs such as Crave University were developed to nurture talent from entry-level positions to leadership roles, thereby fostering an environment of growth and mentorship.

Gregg reflects, "I've never measured success only in the number of locations opened or sales made. I measure it in success stories – the dishwasher who becomes a general manager, the cashier who earns their first bonus check, the director who becomes a franchisee. They're the reason we dream, why we keep going, and why we win."

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program, celebrating its 41st edition, honors exceptional business leaders for their courage and innovative approaches to entrepreneurship. The selection process for regional winners involves a thorough evaluation by an independent panel of judges, assessing candidates on various parameters, including long-term value creation and entrepreneurial spirit.

As the Midwest award winner, Gregg is now shortlisted for the national EY US Entrepreneur Of The Year awards, which will be awarded at the Strategic Growth Forum in November. This recognition could further elevate his profile as a leader in the industry, with the potential to compete for the prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in May 2027.

In addition to his recognition, Gregg joins the illustrious ranks of past Entrepreneur Of The Year winners, among them prominent figures such as Jason McGowan of Crumbl Cookies and Howard Schultz of Starbucks. With a commitment to fostering innovative growth in the restaurant industry, Gregg Majewski and Craveworthy Brands exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that inspires others to reach new heights.

To explore more about Craveworthy Brands, visit Craveworthy's website and to know about EY US Entrepreneur Of The Year®, check out EY's website.