Introduction
Every entrepreneur faces challenges, but the ability to adapt and keep moving forward often determines long-term success. Martin Sprock, founder of Moe’s Southwest Grill and Flying Biscuit Café, has navigated the highs and lows of the restaurant industry while continuing to build successful brands. His story demonstrates the importance of resilience in franchising and entrepreneurship. In this Q&A, Sprock reflects on the obstacles he has faced, how he overcame them, and the advice he shares with future business leaders.
What challenges has Martin Sprock faced in his career?
A: Like any entrepreneur, I’ve faced my share of challenges. Competition has always been intense in the restaurant industry, especially when Moe’s Southwest Grill began to take off and new players entered the fast-casual space. Scaling quickly also presented challenges around maintaining consistency and supporting franchisees. On a personal level, there were times when decisions didn’t work out the way I planned, whether it was a market that didn’t perform or a partnership that wasn’t the right fit. These challenges are part of the journey, and they forced me to grow as a leader.
How did Martin Sprock overcome setbacks?
A: I’ve always believed that setbacks are opportunities to learn. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, I try to analyze what went wrong and adjust quickly. With Moe’s, for example, when we hit operational hurdles during rapid expansion, we doubled down on training and support systems to help franchisees succeed. At Flying Biscuit Café, we made adjustments to protect authenticity while still building scalable systems. Overcoming setbacks requires staying calm, focusing on solutions, and keeping the bigger picture in mind. Resilience is about turning obstacles into stepping stones.
Why is resilience important in franchising, according to Martin Sprock?
A: Franchising is full of moving parts — franchisees, employees, customers, and supply chains. Things will go wrong, no matter how well you plan. Resilience is what allows you to adapt without losing momentum. For franchise founders, resilience also means supporting franchisees through their challenges. If you can stay steady and help your partners push through difficulties, the whole system grows stronger. In my view, resilience isn’t just important — it’s essential to survival in franchising.
What advice does Martin Sprock give entrepreneurs about bouncing back?
A: My advice is to treat failure as feedback. Don’t let a setback define you — let it teach you. Every challenge contains a lesson if you’re willing to look for it. Surround yourself with good people who can provide perspective and encouragement when times get tough. And don’t lose sight of your vision. It’s easy to get discouraged when things go wrong, but if you stay focused on your goals, you’ll find a way forward. Bouncing back isn’t about ignoring problems — it’s about facing them head-on and refusing to quit.
How does Martin Sprock define resilience in business?
A: To me, resilience in business means persistence with adaptability. It’s having the determination to keep moving forward combined with the flexibility to change direction when necessary. Resilience isn’t about pretending everything is perfect — it’s about being honest about challenges and finding solutions. In the restaurant industry, conditions are always changing — from consumer preferences to economic shifts. Resilience is the ability to weather those changes and keep building for the long term. That’s what defines lasting success.
Conclusion
Martin Sprock’s career illustrates that resilience is one of the most valuable traits an entrepreneur can have. By overcoming competition, operational challenges, and personal setbacks, he has built brands that continue to thrive. His advice — to learn from failure, stay adaptable, and never lose sight of your vision — provides entrepreneurs with a roadmap for bouncing back stronger. In franchising and beyond, resilience is the foundation of long-term growth.
