Cheddar's Brad Smith sits down with Tough Mudder HQ senior vice president Cathrin Bowtell to discuss the brand's expansion. The company is opening Tough Mudder Bootcamp studios in Massachusetts, Nevada, and Texas.
Bowtell says the brand is focused on Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. She explains this isn't a play for big cities like New York or Los Angeles since 69% of people who run Tough Mudder races live outside the top 10 U.S. urban areas.
Bowtell says Tough Mudder has tons of loyal customers which makes franchising easy. She wants Tough Mudder Bootcamp locations to be more accessible and relatable than some of the boutique studios that are popular right now.
PlantSwitch CEO Dillon Baxter reveals how agricultural byproducts like rice hulls and wheat straw could help replace plastics with plant-based alternatives.
Nugget ice is booming across America. Middleby CEO Tim FitzGerald explains the craze, restaurant demand and why the trend could become a major growth engine.
Wearable robotics are moving beyond sci-fi. Dephy CEO Luke Mooney explains how its smart ankle exoskeleton is changing mobility, recovery and everyday movement.
Voice AI is moving into cars, restaurants and customer service. SoundHound CEO Keyvan Mohajer explains the company’s growth and the future of voice-powered AI.
Americans are still spending, but rising anxiety over jobs, AI, housing and tariffs tells a different story. Kearney Consumer Institute’s Katie Thomas explains.
