Sunny Street Café Franchise: Q&A with Mike Stasko Jr., President

With hospitality running through his veins, Mike Stasko Jr. has spent over two decades immersed in every layer of the restaurant business. As a founder, Mike’s involvement with Sunny Street Café dates back to its inception in 2007, when the family-driven breakfast and lunch concept first opened its doors.

Over the years, Mike has worn countless hats — from managing daily operations, including back-of-house, to leading branding efforts and strategic growth initiatives. That experience has made him uniquely equipped to carry the brand forward. In February 2025, he officially took the reins as President of Sunny Street Café, helping guide the company through its next chapter of expansion while staying rooted in the same mission it was built on: offering fresh, feel-good food in a warm, welcoming setting that feels like home.

Franchise Chatter (FC): Can you share a bit about your background and how it led you to Sunny Street Café? What’s the origin story behind the brand?

Mike Stasko Jr. (MS): Sunny Street Café has always been personal for me. We founded the brand in 2007 with a simple goal: to create a welcoming neighborhood café that brought people together over breakfast. In the early days, you had to learn every aspect of the business, from front-of-house and back-of-house to management and guest service, and that hands-on experience shaped how I approach leadership today.

Our family’s entrepreneurial spirit has always driven us. We weren’t just building a restaurant; we were building a space where community matters. Over time, Sunny Street has grown from a single location into a multi-state brand, but we’ve never strayed from our core values: putting people first and brightening someone’s day.

FC: What makes Sunny Street Café stand out in a saturated breakfast market, and how would you describe its brand mission and identity?

MS: We’re not trying to reinvent breakfast — we’re trying to do it better. In a category full of over-the-top menu stunts and fast-paced concepts, Sunny Street stands out by being familiar, consistent and deeply rooted in community. We win on warmth and simplicity. Our “everybody’s welcome” approach isn’t just a tagline but rather baked into every part of the guest experience, from how we greet guests to the way we train our teams.

We serve comfort food made right with all-day breakfast, fluffy pancakes, made-from-scratch classics, great coffee and approachable lunch options. We also pride ourselves on delivering that in a warm, inviting environment that truly feels like a neighborhood staple. Our mission is to own the morning by giving people a reliable, feel-good place to start their day.

FC: Who is the average Sunny Street Café guest, and what keeps them coming back? How has the brand grown alongside this loyal base?

MS: Our guests are the heartbeat of this brand. They’re families enjoying weekend brunch, professionals stopping in before work, retirees meeting over coffee and everyone in between. If anything, what brings them back is that sense of belonging — beyond the food, it’s the familiarity, the friendly faces and the consistency.

We’ve built a loyal base by listening closely and evolving alongside them. From requested new menu items to improved online ordering, we’re always finding ways to show up better for our guests. They’ve become our advocates. Earning their loyalty is what’s allowed us to grow sustainably over the years, and it’s also what motivates us to keep improving.

FC: Where is Sunny Street Café targeting for franchise expansion, and what type of partners are you looking for?

MS: We’re focusing on expanding into markets that have strong suburban communities, especially in the Southeast and Midwest, where Sunny Street Cafe’s neighborhood-driven model really resonates. Another big draw for both guests and franchisees is our emphasis on comfortable, community-centered spaces — including our patios, which are a big part of the experience. They’re perfect for guests who want to dine outside, bring their dog along or just enjoy a slow morning in the sunshine.

While we’ve seen interest across a number of markets, we want to build density where it makes sense and ensure we’re creating brand awareness and guest frequency, not just planting flags. That means being strategic, thoughtful and disciplined about where we grow next — and finding the right partners to grow with that we can also set up for long-term success.

When it comes to franchisees, we’re looking for partners who care beyond transactions and share our passion for hospitality and community. The ideal franchisee is someone who truly cares about the people they serve, is hands-on and embraces the family-friendly values that Sunny Street is built on. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or just getting started, if you bring heart and hustle, we’re ready to support you.

FC: How does Sunny Street Café support its franchisees throughout their journey, and what does success look like to you?

MS: Franchise success starts with support — and we make that a top priority. From the moment you come on board, we offer comprehensive onboarding and training, along with direct access to our leadership team. We’re rolling out a new digital training platform designed to empower operators and their teams with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

We’ve got your back with our simplified menu, one-shift operating model and streamlined labor strategy to make it easier to run a profitable, well-staffed business. But beyond the operations, we also provide ongoing local marketing support, tech-enabled systems and a direct line to real humans at the support center who know your business inside and out.

To us, success is a blend of strong financial performance, an empowered team culture and a meaningful connection to the community. We’ve seen franchisees become fixtures in their neighborhoods — supporting schools, sponsoring events and building teams that reflect the spirit of their towns. That’s what it means to be a Sunny Street Café.

FC: How do you ensure brand consistency across all locations while still allowing for local personality? What are some of your most popular or signature menu items?

MS: Consistency starts with a strong foundation that includes thorough training, clear brand standards and a reliable operational playbook. That ensures every guest, whether they’re in Columbus or DFW, gets that same high-quality Sunny Street experience.

At the same time, we believe local flair is a strength. We encourage franchisees to engage with their communities, whether that’s partnering with a local school, supporting first responders or adding a hyper-local special that celebrates the area in which they operate.

Menu-wise, our made-from-scratch “fancy” pancakes, loaded hash browns and breakfast quesadilla are longtime fan favorites. We’ve also seen incredible excitement around our seasonal LTOs, allowing us to stay fresh and fun without disrupting operations. Regional specialty items enable franchisees to tap into what their guests love most, without compromising brand identity.

FC: How has the menu evolved to reflect changing consumer tastes and preferences, and what’s new or on the horizon for the brand?

MS: Our approach to menu innovation is built on balancing the excitement of trying something new with the operational discipline to make it scalable. Our guests are more adventurous and health-conscious than ever, and we’ve responded to that by evolving our offerings in thoughtful ways; avocado toast and dairy-free options come to mind. You try to do this while keeping the core of what people love about us: comfort food with high-quality ingredients.

Our quarterly LTO program is a big driver of innovation. Every new item starts with flavor-first experimentation but has to pass the test of real-world execution. The key is, if it’s going on the menu, it needs to taste amazing, be prep-friendly and be executable at every location.

Recent examples like our Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles have been hits — minimal operational lift, strong guest appeal and great social buzz. Others, like our Shrimp & Grits, required years of refinement before making their debut. And not every idea makes it to the finish line, which is okay. We take feedback seriously, and it helps guide both what we introduce and the cadence. Looking ahead, we’re also focusing on enhancing our digital platforms and loyalty experience, which go hand-in-hand with how guests engage with the menu.

FC: What makes the Sunny Street Café model attractive to potential franchisees?

MS: Our model checks a lot of boxes for today’s franchisees — built for efficiency with a one-shift operating model, a streamlined menu and optimized labor, all of which make it more manageable day-to-day. We offer strong leadership support, a clear operational playbook and ongoing training to help you succeed.

But what truly makes us stand out is our culture. We’re a family-first, values-driven brand with a leadership team that’s hands-on and deeply invested in franchisee success. You’re not just buying into a concept, you’re joining a brand that wants to build real relationships with both its guests and its operators.

We also give franchisees the flexibility to make an impact locally. Whether it’s participating in school fundraisers, hosting neighborhood events or just being a place where locals gather, Sunny Street becomes part of the fabric of the community. That’s something really special!


Originally published in Franchise Chatter