About Us

Two decades. Both sides of the table.

We started like most operators do — with one location, a lot of energy, and the belief that hard work was enough. As a Five Guys franchisee for ten years, we learned that hard work is just the entry fee. The real game is systems, people, and the ability to replicate success without being in every building at once.

Then we built Zunzibar. Not as a franchisee this time, but as a franchisor. That shift changed everything. Suddenly we were responsible for someone else's dream — helping operators open their first location, watching them struggle, celebrating their wins, and learning what separates concepts that scale from ones that stall.

86X Advisors exists because that dual perspective is rare — and incredibly valuable. We don't just understand what franchisees need. We understand what franchisors should be providing. We don't just know how to run a kitchen. We know how to build a brand that people want to join.

Our advisory work focuses on the four pillars we believe matter most: people who make the operation possible, operations that run without you in the building, financial discipline that turns numbers into decisions, and growth that strengthens the concept with every new unit.

Our Approach

  • Operator-First
    We never forget what it feels like to stand in a kitchen at 7 PM on a Saturday. Every recommendation is grounded in operational reality.
  • Long-Term Thinking
    Quick fixes don't build great companies. We focus on sustainable systems and decisions that compound over time.
  • No B.S.
    Restaurant people are straight shooters. So are we. Clear advice, honest assessments, and answers you can actually use — always.
Our Journey

From the line to the boardroom

2010 – 2020

Five Guys Franchisee

Built and operated multiple Five Guys locations. Learned the operational reality of multi-unit management — labor, food cost, consistency, and the grind of making it work every single day.

2015 – Present

Zunzibar Franchisor

Founded and grew Zunzibar from a single concept into a franchise system. Developed brand identity, franchisee training, support infrastructure, and the strategic vision required to scale responsibly.

Today

86X Advisors

Bringing both perspectives together to help restaurant operators navigate growth, sharpen their vision, and build cultures that last. We advise because we've lived it.

Want to know if we're the right fit?

We only take on a handful of advisory relationships at a time. Let's talk about where you are and where you want to go.

Get in touch