Founderology Forum

How Fry the Coop founder traded everything for freedom (and fried chicken)

On this episode of Founderology: Built to Breakthrough, we sit down with Joe Fontana who went from being stuck in a cubicle to running one of the most craveable fried chicken brands in the country.

July 1, 2025

How far would you go to escape a life that's crushing your spirit? Would you:

• Walk away from a steady paycheck?
• Sell your house?
• Move across the country with a newborn?
• Start a restaurant… with no sign, no money, and no guarantees?

One Founder — Joe Fontana, Founder of Fry the Coop — did all four.

And what happened next? You'll have to hear it to believe it.

On this episode of Founderology: Built to Breakthrough, we sit down with Joe Fontana, who went from being stuck in a cubicle to running one of the most craveable fried chicken brands in the country. This isn't a story about restaurants — it's a Founder's journey in grit, reinvention, and making big moves when the odds say "don't."

You'll find yourself asking:

• What if the thingI can't stop thinking about… is the thing I'm meant to build?
• What if I don't need more money — just more courage?
• What if betting on myself is saferthan staying stuck?

The episode is all about what happens beforethe breakthrough — the rejection, the bootstrapping, the risk that nearly broke everything… and building something even better.

So many Founders are in that exact place:

• Questioning their next move.
• Running on fumes.
• Wondering if the vision they believe in is worth the struggle.

This episode is for you.

You'll hear how one spark — a single sandwich — ignited a business that now spans double-digit locations and is still growing. More importantly, you'll hear our discussion on what it reallytakes to build when no one is watching. When no one believes. When even you aren't sure.

And just maybe, you'll remember:

The difference between where you are and where you want to be might be one crazy idea you refuse to give up on.

Don't miss this Founderology episode, it might just remind you how much power you still have — even in the messiest part of the journey.

What if your breakthrough starts today?
Press play. Let's find out.

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FoodTruckOperator.com covers the business management needs of the growing food truck industry. Geared toward owners and operators, story topics include industry trends and news as well as profiles on business owners and the technologies and tools available to help operators grow their businesses.

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