Founderology Discussion board
In our closing Founderology podcast episode of the yr, Cherryh and I sat all the way down to replicate on the moments that mattered, the shifts that formed us and the momentum carrying us right into a breakthrough 2026.
December 16, 2025
As we shut out 2025, I preserve coming again to 1 simple fact: this yr moved quick. Quicker than many even realized. Know-how accelerated. Client expectations advanced. Management required extra braveness, readability and neighborhood than ever earlier than. And thru all of it, Founders continued to do what Founders do finest — rise.
In our closing Founderology podcast episode of the yr, Quick Informal Writer Cherryh Cansler and I sat all the way down to replicate on the moments that mattered, the shifts that formed us and the momentum carrying us right into a breakthrough 2026. Relatively than recap each element, we wish to share the themes that stood out — those that can encourage each Founder to tune in and transfer into subsequent yr with objective.
2025: The yr Founders took management
This was the yr Founders stopped ready for the trade to stabilize and began rewriting the foundations.
Cherryh referred to as 2025 “the yr of augmentation” — a season when expertise supported individuals and strengthened their work. We watched Founders use AI, smarter methods and predictive instruments to not lower corners however to raise groups, strengthen operations and reclaim hospitality.
I referred to as it the yr of AI or Die — not fear-based, merely factual. The Founders who embraced new instruments gained pace, readability and confidence. Those who resisted had been falling behind quicker than ever earlier than.
These had been nice positions we unpack— actual insights from the true entrance line experiences.
The Founder shift: From doing it alone to rising via neighborhood
If one message outlined our yr, it was this: Founders win greater after they cease constructing alone.
We noticed it all through our Founderology Collaboratives, the Founderology podcast and the Founderology Progress Summit neighborhood. Founders accelerating ahead are partnering, collaborating and reaching new ranges of momentum collectively.
Our dialog highlights how this shift modified the sport for each Founder who embraced it and why it issues much more in 2026.
What emerged was highly effective:
- A community that grows your web price.
- A neighborhood that accelerates your organization.
- A shared language solely Founders perceive to assist one another develop.
Hospitality returned to the middle — And it is not going away
Cherryh and I each agreed: the way forward for eating places is the expertise financial system.
Visitors aren’t selecting based mostly on product or value alone. They’re selecting based mostly on their expertise — they need and anticipate nice service, meals, beverage and an general expertise they worth.
We mentioned examples of brand name reinventions, management gaps and the renewed significance of hospitality as a real strategic benefit. That is THE part for any Founder able to reignite the workforce or reexamine the visitor journey.
The place We’re Moving into 2026
Cherryh stated it finest: 2026 is the yr expertise and humanity work collectively.
I added that to make all of it work it needs to be the yr to put money into leaders and management improvement — the leaders you may have, the leaders you’re creating and the following technology of leaders you have to groew.
We additionally share just a few surprises on this episode, together with rising tendencies and the mindsets we consider will outline the following wave of restaurant development.
That is one space we won’t cease speaking about due to the large worth and affect of the Founder to-Founder expertise. Our conclusion there isn’t a higher approach to begin your yr than with 125 visionary restaurant Founders who share your drive.
That is the room the place breakthroughs occur.
That is the room the place readability clicks.
That is the room the place Founders cease going it alone.
Within the episode, Cherryh and I spotlight:
- Why this Summit delivers one of many highest ROIs a Founder could make.
- How the Investor Grade Evaluation and Progress Playbooks will form the way in which Founders lead and prioritize their time, cash and efforts in 2026.
- The audio system, companions and next-level instruments coming to Austin.
- Why 2026 is the yr to step in and up into your subsequent stage of Founder management. This a part of the episode is electrical — and value listening in full.
A closing phrase to shut 2025 robust
This yr referred to as Founders to be resilient, artistic and relentless.
2026 is inviting Founders into igniting new visions and potentialities.
For anybody prepared for a purposeful, energized, community-driven begin to the yr, that is the episode to listen to. And the Founderology Progress Summit is the place to show that inspiration into acceleration.
End this yr robust.
Begin subsequent yr on hearth.
And let’s unlock the facility and potential of your corporation — collectively.
