Scott Redler is a restaurant industry veteran with over 50 years of experience as a franchisor, owner, operator, and entrepreneur. He has a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the University of Missouri.
In 2002, Redler launched Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers along with his business partners Bill, Randy, and Freddy Simon. Since it began franchising in 2004, Freddy’s has grown to nearly 600 locations. In 2021, Redler and his partners sold majority interest when Freddy’s had around 400 locations nationwide. In early 2024, he brought that same magic to Mokas to help develop and launch the brand’s franchise system as President.
Redler has been instrumental in developing over 20 different concepts throughout his distinguished career in the hospitality industry, ranging from upscale full-service restaurants to business and institutional dining. Redler’s vast knowledge of restaurant ownership and operations has made him a sought-after professional in the restaurant industry.
He was a recipient of the IFMA Silver Plate Award in 2020 and has been recognized by many organizations for his business acumen and leadership. Redler continues to serve on the board of the National Restaurant Association, and served as Chair in 2023, advocating for and representing restaurant industry interests with policymakers at all levels.
Redler founded Redler Hospitality, owns stakes in several restaurants, and enjoys helping for-profit and nonprofit organizations and budding entrepreneurs succeed.
Franchise Chatter (FC): Walk us through your career in franchising and restaurant leadership. How has that experience shaped the way you approach your work with Mokas Coffee & Eatery?
Scott Redler (SR): My varied experience in hospitality – spanning upscale full-service, casual, and business and institutional dining – has shaped me over more than 50 years in the restaurant industry. We began our Freddy’s journey in 2002, enjoyed robust growth and tremendous success for many years, and eventually sold the company in 2021, by which time it had grown to about 400 locations.
During my time at Freddy’s, I helped develop a playbook for scaling restaurants. In 2024, as President of Mokas Coffee & Eatery, I used it to develop and launch its franchise model. Since then, I’ve focused on building rigorous training protocols, scalable operational systems, and a franchise framework rooted in consistent guest experiences.
While a craveable brand and an exciting concept – both of which Mokas has – are important, the core of franchising is delivering strong potential financial returns to our franchisees. Franchisees have many ways to deploy their capital, and we aim to be their best option.
FC: What first drew you to Mokas, and what do you think makes the brand stand out in such a popular industry?
SR: I met Jason Ingermanson, founder and CEO of JRI Hospitality (Mokas’ parent company), in 2008, when he was considering becoming a Freddy’s franchisee. We realized we shared similar thoughts and values and eventually became close friends, and that mutual respect later drove us to bring Mokas to the point it’s at today. I knew I still had more to give in the restaurant industry and chose to sign on for two years as President. Now that Mokas is franchising, I am ready to step back as a board member to help with the strategic decisions that will take our brand into the future.
Mokas differentiated itself to me through its exemplary growth opportunities; it leads and redefines the café experience by pairing high-quality coffee with a full, fresh-made food menu, including smoothies, refreshers, energy drinks, and breakfast and lunch options. The ability for franchisees to turn a Mokas into an all-day destination that seamlessly blends handcrafted drinks with satisfying meals marks a clear advantage over coffee or food-only competitors.
FC: Mokas is celebrating its 20th anniversary in November. What are some of the brand’s biggest accomplishments thus far?
SR: There have been many milestones over the two decades we’ve been in business. The first thing that comes to mind is our name change; the evolution from Mokas Coffee to Mokas Coffee & Eatery in 2024 was a natural reflection of how the brand and its guests have grown together. From the start, Mokas was about more than great coffee; it was about creating a welcoming space for connection and conversation. As our community’s love for fresh, made-to-order meals grew alongside our coffee offerings, the transition allowed us to fully showcase what we do best: crafting both exceptional coffee and flavorful food with care.
Our name now reflects our full experience: It’s an evolution that celebrates who we’ve always been – a place where quality and community come together in every cup and every plate. This has led to consistent business growth, including quadrupling our revenue since the company’s formation.
Another key milestone was the recent signing of our first franchisee, Christian Coleman. He signed a six-unit agreement to bring Mokas to Johnson, Douglas, and Shawnee, and his first location will open in March of next year.
FC: You mentioned the recent launch of franchise opportunities – what benefits and support will entrepreneurs find in franchising with Mokas?
SR: We have had two decades of operational success, meaning we’ve taken the time to perfect our systems and remain on the path of continual improvement regarding all facets of our business. Franchisees benefit from diversified income opportunities through strong beverage and food sales, as well as a growing catering program that drives additional revenue from events, office orders, and community partnerships.
We also put emphasis on providing franchisees with tools that enhance both efficiency and customer engagement. From a newly launched mobile app with integrated rewards to DOMO data analytics and a data-driven decision (DDD) model, franchisees are equipped to run smart, streamlined operations.
We are in a high demand market – coffee culture is thriving nationwide, with growing demand for cold beverages, premium quality food, and all-day eatery-style options. Mokas stands out by staying true to its roots and prioritizing consistency and a guest-first mindset. We foster a positive, loyalty-driven culture that’s easy to recruit for and even easier to retain.
FC: You recently moved from serving as Brand President to joining the board. What led to that transition, and how do you see your role continuing to influence Mokas’ direction?
SR: This summer, we executed a structured leadership evolution: after leading as Brand President, building our franchise playbook, and optimizing internal systems, I transitioned to the board to focus on long-term strategy and governance. In this role I’ll mentor the executive team, vet new growth markets, and ensure brand standards scale as we expand nationwide.
When I joined the team, the brand already had a great culture, strong values, and reputation of local success, and just needed the foundation for franchise growth. My goal was to put the right systems in place to get the brand ready to scale, and we’ve now achieved this mission. Transitioning to the board will allow me to stay involved by assisting the new leadership and supporting the franchisees who will carry Mokas into its next era.
FC: Where can people learn more about the franchise opportunity at Mokas Coffee & Eatery?
SR: We are actively seeking passionate entrepreneurs to join the Mokas family. Those interested can visit https://mokasfranchise.com/ to learn more, or check us out on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/mokas.
