INTERVIEW: Coach K & Mel Carter Talk Bojangles 'Wine & Beer,' Franchising, Quality Control Music, Artists +More

Summary

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The Breakfast Club

INTERVIEW: Coach K & Mel Carter Talk Bojangles 'Wine & Beer,' Franchising, Quality Control Music, Artists + More
Date: September 2, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee
Guests: Coach K (Quality Control Music), Mel Carter (music exec & entrepreneur)

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Episode Overview

In this lively and insightful conversation, Coach K and Mel Carter—two influential figures in both music and business—join The Breakfast Club to discuss their journeys from building superstar artists at Quality Control Music to breaking ground as Black entrepreneurs in restaurant franchising. The episode dives into the challenges and opportunities within the music industry, the importance of artist development, the realities of entrepreneurship, and the strategic and social details behind their ambitious Bojangles franchise business, including their pioneering move to serve alcohol at some locations.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mel Carter’s Music Journey & New Ventures

[03:03-04:13]

• Mel Carter reflects on two decades in music, emphasizing the grind and eventual payoff:

  “I did music for 20 years, 10 of it for free. And then I got paid for the other 10.” – Mel Carter (03:03)

• Recently left Warner, launching his own company “Sign Different” and expressing excitement about streaming and managing young talent.
• Venturing into restaurants and aiming to expand Bojangles to 100 locations in five years.

2. The Transformation of A&R in the Music Industry

[04:16-07:46]

• Debate over whether A&R (Artists & Repertoire) still exists or is needed in an era of chasing viral songs:

  “They got rid of artist development...now labels chase songs instead of building and developing artists.” – Coach K (04:33)

• Mel describes the “research game” chasing short-term trends rather than nurturing long-term careers, highlighting boutique labels like QC and TDE as exceptions.

3. Building Artists into Lasting Brands

[07:07-10:47]

• Noting all the biggest artists (Drake, Kendrick, Lil Baby) came up through joint ventures with people who truly cared about them.
• Celebrating Lil Baby’s dominance and how his album “My Turn” became a chart-topping, culture-defining record even during the COVID-19 shutdown.
• Revealing the charitable commitment behind “The Bigger Picture” single:

  “He said, ‘all the money that it generates, I want...to go to charities and criminal justice reform.’” – Coach K (09:40-10:25)

4. Transition Into Franchising: The Bojangles Story

[11:25-17:49]

• Tracing how Mel and Coach K’s friendship in music evolved into a business partnership in food franchising.
• Securing opportunities through strategic networking and mentors (Mike Novogratz, Dave Barry), leading to the acquisition and expansion of Bojangles stores.
• Overcoming severe operational challenges during COVID—team management, financial struggles, partner disputes.
• Now operating 28 Bojangles, aiming for 32+, with a milestone of selling beer/wine at select locations (e.g., the UGA campus).

  “We raised $25 million, bought 17 Bojangles, and now grew it to 28...” – Mel Carter (15:45)

5. Realities of Entrepreneurship as Black Owners

[17:49-20:39]

• Mel recounts struggles with staff turnover, restructuring, and the importance of second chances (e.g., hiring ex-cons).
• The feeling of empowerment seeing Black ownership in spaces not traditionally held, and giving others that inspiration.

  “Networking is everything…I just want to network with people that I feel I could be friends with.” – Mel Carter (20:46)

6. Market Strategies & Regional Franchise Success

[21:46-24:06]

• The Carolinas are Bojangles’ heartland—“Bojangles is religion out there.”
• Discussing expansion strategies—opting not to rush into NYC due to high overhead, opting instead for reliable Southern markets.

7. Franchising Advice & Price Point Strategies

[24:06-26:50]

• Benefits of owning/operating multiple units but stressing you can make one unit work if you’re hands-on.
• Introducing the $5 box deal to compete with “value meal” pricing and drive customer volume.

  “Our company is now comping 12% higher than corporate…everybody’s running to our stores for the $5 box.” – Mel Carter (42:26)

8. Navigating the Modern Music Landscape

[33:14-39:42]

• Challenges of music oversaturation and the fleeting impact of “first week sales.”
• Regional identity in music blurring due to streaming; longing for the days of strong local sounds.
• Candid discussion of drill, trap, and violent lyrics—how street narratives have evolved and concerns over their impact.

  “I got over 300 friends that’s been murdered throughout my life…if I see a way that…kids ain’t really doing that, let me get behind that.” – Mel Carter (38:19)

9. Investing in Brands vs. Investing in People

[48:23-51:25]

• The sustainability and generational potential of franchise ownership for Black entrepreneurs:

  “32 puts us at number one [as Black QSR franchise owners]. 700 don’t put my friend at number five or six.” – Mel Carter (49:29)

• Coach K reflects on a career built investing in people, now also building assets “that don’t talk back.”

10. Lessons in Networking, Mentorship, and Diversification

[52:21-54:50]

• Both men underscore critical lessons from mentors and the need for diversification, especially for their kids’ futures.
• Stressing on creating brands and opportunities beyond music, owning ancillary businesses, and empowering Black excellence in spaces like food franchising.
• The cultural impact of Black owners on brands (e.g., Rick Ross and Wingstop):

  "Before Ross, nobody was thinking about it...now Wingstop is trading at nine times [earnings]." – Mel Carter (54:22)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On A&R’s decline:
  “They got rid of the artist development and started...chasing a number, number, number.”
  — Coach K (04:33)

• On Lil Baby’s “The Bigger Picture”:
  “He played it. I was like, ‘Oh, man, this is about to change the game.’”
  — Coach K (09:40)

• On entrepreneurship:
  “It’s 80% headaches, it’s 80% stress, but that 20% be really worth it.”
  — Mel Carter (17:55)

• On regional fast food culture:
  “Bojangles is religion in the Carolinas…like Chick-fil-A in Atlanta.”
  — Mel Carter (22:36)
  “The best biscuit in the game. For real.”
  — Mel Carter (23:35)

• On low-cost eating:
  “We created a $5 box…now comping 12% higher than corporate…”
  — Mel Carter (42:26)

• On diversification and legacy:
  “I want to change the way that looks for my children and my grandchildren, you know, so let me start diversifying.”
  — Coach K (52:02)

• On the importance of ownership:
  “You got to own something… You gotta own sign. And congrats on the Crystals.”
  — Mel Carter (54:50)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mel Carter’s music & entrepreneurship intro — 03:03-04:13
• A&R debate & artist development — 04:16-07:46
• Celebrating QC’s approach, success stories — 07:46-10:47
• How Bojangles franchise deal began — 12:10-15:45
• Entrepreneurial struggles & reinvention during COVID — 16:07-17:49
• Advice on franchising and hands-on operation — 24:06-24:47
• Modern music challenges (oversaturation, streaming, violence) — 33:14-39:42
• Black ownership & franchise generational wealth — 49:29-51:56
• Creating brands, Rick Ross & Wingstop's impact — 53:56-54:50

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The Breakfast Club's Language & Tone

The exchange is candid, fast-paced, and filled with real talk on both business and music nuance. Both guests and hosts draw on personal experience—whether battling in the recording studio or wrangling 1,000+ restaurant employees. It's equal parts inspiring, raw, and pragmatic, never shying away from hard truths about the industries they represent.

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Closing & Takeaways

Coach K and Mel Carter's visit is a masterclass in pivoting careers, Black wealth-building, and leveraging culture and relationships for generational impact. Their journey from shaping stars like Lil Baby to breaking barriers as Black franchisees offers practical advice for anyone seeking to blend passion, grit, authenticity, and financial savvy—whether in music, business, or beyond.

Transcript

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[DJ Envy]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[DJ Envy]

Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Finished or y' all done?

[Angela Yee]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlemagne, the guy. We are the breakfast club. Lauren LaRosa is here as well. We got some special guests in the building.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, indeed.

[Angela Yee]

We got Coach K, who's been up here several times.

[Coach K]

What's up, my brother?

[Angela Yee]

And we got the brother, Mel Carter.

[DJ Envy]

Welcome.

[Mel Carter]

Thank you. Thank you. It's my first time.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah, first time here. Now, Mel, if they don't know who you are, you want to break down who you are and what you've done in this industry.

[Mel Carter]

Me, man, long time coming. I did music for 20 years, 10 of it for free. And then I got paid for the other 10. And I used to be the senior vice president of A and R. Republic Records. Went over to Warner after that first for three years, and I just left Warner. Like, probably it's the first time saying it. I'm leaving Warner. Oh, wow.

[Angela Yee]

Why? Why?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, you starting your own thing. I saw, right?

[Mel Carter]

I'm start. I started Sign Different.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Second Estate.

[Mel Carter]

Is it called Second Estate was a joint venture with Warner.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay.

[Mel Carter]

I was doing that and consulting for the A and R team. And starting in the streamer space, I started managing this kid named Rod. He just did a sabaton in the American Dream mall. He did 30 days, 30 nights, lived there.

[Angela Yee]

And I just posted to the mic. Now close to the mic.

[Mel Carter]

Oh, yeah. And I just really like that space. So I'm doing that and just focus on these restaurants. For real? For real. A little bit of real estate like you. You know what I'm saying? But that's really it. Just focus on this new company and focus on hopefully turning these restaurants into 100 restaurants in the next five years.

[Angela Yee]

Now, you said A and R. I'm sorry, but you said A and R. Yeah, right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What is that?

[Angela Yee]

I feel like a no doesn't exist anymore. And both of you brothers came from a place where y' all were strong A nos for your artists. Does A R exist anymore? Do we need a rs? Because it seems like the music is getting trashed. There's no guidance.

[Coach K]

I think we need a R. That's the problem.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yep.

[Coach K]

You know, they got rid of the artist development and started. Everybody start treating the music like stockbrokers, you know, I'm saying, and chasing a number, number, number. And, you know, and that became now, labels, I should say, chase songs instead of building and develop artists. You know what I'm saying? Once you build, you build. You build an artist, it turns into a brand. And, you know, that's how, you know, we at qc, like, I studied. We studied the Motowns and, you know, the Russells and, you know, those labels. And I think it needs to come back. I think that's the problem. It's oversaturated, and nobody's, like, building stars no more.

[Angela Yee]

Now you don't know who Coach K is. Coach K, first time I met him, he was with Jeezy then one of the creators and owners of QC that brought all this Gucci. He did Gucci back in the day, but he brought City Girls, Migos. I mean, there's a host of them, but they actually built from the ground up. These artists didn't have hits at the time. You guys worked and created the hits and created what y' all wanted to do, which we don't see anymore. Is that the reason why you feel.

[Mel Carter]

Like, you know, one of the things that got me, and I love Republic Records, shout out to Monty and Avery, but it became this, like, you don't really need A and R no more. You know how many kids I flew to New York City because they had a song that was trending, and by day three, the song was going down, and I had to just explain to them, we don't want to do the deal no more. You know what I'm saying? So it's like, you need A and R, but it's such a research game now that it's kind of hard to be A and R because it's like, you could have an artist that's the best, and you, like, you want to build them up. But a kid from, you know, Michigan got something that streaming, they don't even care the song is. They go after it. So, like, that's why I admire coaching like qc. And, like, the last of that that's left for real. For real. That's really in. What's the dude name? Top Dog.

[Coach K]

Top Dog.

[Mel Carter]

They really still building artists, you know what I'm saying? Instead of just like, chasing what's moving and it works. And it's kind of like, I guess it could be a bit better business model because you could develop an act and they don't work. But a lot of this that just start trending, it don't really go nowhere.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I also feel like you got to have those boutique labels, like the qc, you need it like a Top Dog because the Reality is, y' all care. People at the majors, they simply just don't care. I look at, like, some of the last few releases that came out from people. Jid, fantastic album. Offset, fantastic album. Tiana Taylor, fantastic album. But they don't even feel like events. They feel like somebody just put it out there and did a minimal amount of work possible, and now what?

[Mel Carter]

But think about it, right? Every artist that's big, let's. Let's say the top two. Drake, Kendrick, Lil Baby, every one of these acts came from a joint venture. So they had somebody in the middle, like a coach, who cared about. You know what I'm saying? Like, td, who cared cash money. They had somebody who sat between the label and was like, yo, we ain't gonna do that. We gonna do this. Like, every success at Republic, except for Post Malone is through a joint venture. Wayne, Nikki, even Taylor, it's all joint ventures with somebody who was standing in the middle, who cared. You know what I'm saying? So you need somebody who care.

[Angela Yee]

Can we drop a bomb for Lil Baby, man? Lil Baby sells so many goddamn records and is so quiet about it. He's like, twice, right? Yeah, diamond twice. And nobody talks about it is insane. You telling me the numbers earlier?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I was pulling it up. I saw he. I think it was. Let me. Hold on, let me get it right. So my turn is on Billboards. He's number one on Billboards. The top R and B and hip hop albums of the 21st century.

[Coach K]

Yep. The number one album.

[Podcast Host]

When you saw that, how did you feel about it?

[Coach K]

I mean, I felt. I felt really good. But, you know, when we was making that album, I knew it was special, you know what I'm saying? And what made it so special is when the album dropped. It dropped February 2020, right? Two weeks. Two weeks later, like the middle of February. Because, like, two weeks later, the world crashed. You know what I'm saying? And it was like, it was really a messed up time because he didn't really get to go tour that album. Cause everybody was down for a year and a half, basically, you know what I'm saying? But it stood a test of time, of where, like, it was like every song I was like, damn, damn, damn. And it just kept going to the point, like right now, like freestyle, you know, Seven years later, it just.

[DJ Envy]

It's still the biggest regular club.

[Angela Yee]

Somebody was like, that's his dreams and nightmares.

[Podcast Host]

That and my daughter.

[Coach K]

That is Jesus. But yeah, you know, it's a really good feeling. It's a really good feeling. That body of work was a. A well put body of work, you know what I'm saying? And it been developed over time, and, you know, it's a good feeling.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did you think that he was gonna come with, you know, basically the soundtrack for that year with a song like the Bigger Picture? When you think of all the artists that you thought was gonna come and represent with music, Lil Baby was not on my bingo card. They come with the record.

[Coach K]

You know what's crazy? You know what I'm saying? Like, he went in. I remember him doing a Bigger Picture, you know. I remember he called us like, yo, I'm gonna do this record. You know what I'm saying? He played it. I was like, oh, man, this is about to change the game. He's like. He said, me and P. Down said, hey, man, listen, I don't want this to sit on my album. I want this to sit alone. I don't want to make the money from this album. You know what I'm saying? Cause everybody kept telling, you need to speak up. You need to speak up. You need to speak up. Cause he's big in the community, and they know he had a voice, you know, talk to the kids. He was like, I want this song. And we had to go to the label. He was like, I want this song. All the money that it generates. I want this song. That money, I want it to go to charities, you know what I'm saying? And Atlanta know that.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And criminal justice reform.

[Coach K]

And criminal justice reform. Every. You know, and they go to the label like, hey, this is what we want to do. And they was like, yeah. You know what I'm saying? But he was like, I don't even, you know, like, that's how. Because everybody's like, we need you to come march. We need you to come speak. He went and he cut the record. He's like, this is how I want to get my point across. He was very vulnerable on the record. Like, I hadn't heard him that vulnerable, you know what I'm saying? He let it out, and then we gave it to the world and boom.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So y' all ain't make no money off that record.

[Coach K]

Nah, we donated it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I did not know.

[Angela Yee]

I didn't know that either.

[Podcast Host]

At one point, the number was at, like, 1.5 million. Like, where is it now?

[Angela Yee]

We got that many artists, that many things going on.

[Podcast Host]

I don't think people understand the impact of that song and what that means, to just give that all to, you know, a great thing he did. But that's A huge amount of money.

[Coach K]

Yeah. And it was so even. Even that year it got nominated and he got to perform. Grammys was like, it was close. Still closed. You know what I'm saying? Like, he had a big performance, but, you know, really get to get the magic of what it really was.

[Angela Yee]

That's crazy. So now you, you guys have jumped in and jumped into the fast food spot.

[Coach K]

Yes.

[Angela Yee]

Crazy thing about the fast food spot is, you know, as a kid, fast food was cheap, right? You can go there and you can get a $2.99 meal and, you know, you walk out with fries, food and a drink. The other day I went there and it was like 15. And I'm like, this ain't cheap no more.

[Coach K]

I mean, but a Coke was 25 cents back in the day.

[Angela Yee]

I'm not that old.

[DJ Envy]

Wasn't when it wasn't 25 cents, I'm.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Around the 50 cent. Yeah, I remember that time.

[Mel Carter]

25 cent.

[DJ Envy]

I was there for 25 cents.

[Mel Carter]

I did it for 50 cents.

[Coach K]

It was 25. 35. It went to 50.

[Mel Carter]

25 is a little bit.

[Coach K]

55. I mean, I'm talking about when I.

[DJ Envy]

Was a young coach is like, I'm.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

A little older than y'.

[DJ Envy]

All.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I'm a little older than you.

[Coach K]

A couple.

[Angela Yee]

Let's talk about, you know, why you jumped into, into the Bojangles franchise and how'd y' all even get together to do it?

[Coach K]

So me and Mel met 12 years ago. Music. We met on, you know, on some music stuff, you know what I'm saying? We became super good friends. My brother, you know, he was coming up in the business and it's wild. Cause we was back in agreement. We were just talking like, Damn. It was 12 years ago. I literally was starting QC when me and him met, you know what I'm saying? I was like, I got this idea, you know, he had an artist from Brooklyn he was doing, and he was like, man, I need your help. I was like, we're gonna help each other. You see what I'm saying? Because I was at the. I was doing a come up period. I'm leaving management. Well, still managing, but was doubling down on, you know, starting a label, man, because, you know, you know, managing artists.

[Mel Carter]

Sometimes, you know, that's when you gave me that advice.

[Coach K]

I was like, bro, like, you know, manage artists. Yeah. I was like, you got to own the IP, especially when you're a manager that A&Rs and develops, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, you know, you're Managing these artists. You develop an AIP and you create a whole business. But then, you know, you look back, 5, 6, 7, 10 years, you're like, damn, I even had ownership.

[Angela Yee]

They could fire you.

[Coach K]

Exactly. You know what I'm saying? They can fire you. So that's. We met right then. I remember I told him that because I was going all in on the artist. I say, hey, bro, make sure you. You know what I mean? You covered. You know what I'm saying? But we met and, you know, we. We had a really good bond, you know, It's a good, good brother. And what about four, maybe four years ago, Five years. Five years ago, Mel start making his moves, you know what I'm saying, in New York, like, meeting a lot of people and doing things. I'm like. He's like, yo, when I find something, you know what I'm saying? Because you was all. You always kept it real with me, you know? Like, even when he went to go get a job, he was like, yo, I need you to call these folks and tell them this thing is real. You know what I'm saying? But, you know, once I find something, I'll pull you in. Called me. He was like, man, what you know about Bojangles? I was like, whoa, that's crazy. I went to school in Raleigh, North Carolina, you know what I'm saying? I played basketball at St. Augustine. Bojangles kept me alive.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Shit, that bullberry biscuit. Come on, now. Come on, now. That bullberry biscuit ain't no joke.

[Coach K]

It kept me alive, you know what I'm saying? Like, we ate that shit. So I was. And I never even heard of Bojangles coming from Indianapolis, Indiana, where I'm from. I got down there, that was like, the thing. And it was two minutes from my campus, you know? So when he called me with the opportunity, I was like, hell, yeah, I'm in. You know what I'm saying? I was like, what? We can do what? I was like, I'm in. He's like, all right, let me. Let me, you know, go center down and. And really research and find out everything. Because I know you busy, you know what I'm saying? And when I get everything from all the information and I'm gonna put it in front of you, here we are.

[Mel Carter]

And, you know, it's funny how that opportunity came to me is having the right mentors, you know what I'm saying? And networking. A guy named Mike Novogratz, who. And Dave Barry. I got a podcast with them based on business. It's called Business Untitled. And they were actually gonna. I mean, whatever. It's out there now. They were going to buy Popeyes. And they ended up. That fell through. And they bought Bojangles. Cause they felt like it was the next best brand. And that's how the opportunity came about. And I just started really looking into the brand. I always wanted to own something. And, like, as a kid, like, man, it'd be cool to own McDonald's, you know what I'm saying? And it came out. We ended up buying. Raised $25 million, bought 17 Bojangles and now grew it to 28. Opening another two. Now opening four this year.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ooh, congratulations.

[Mel Carter]

Appreciate that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

28 currently operating.

[Mel Carter]

Yeah, 17 in South Carolina. We opened in the first one in Floren. That's Bandwine. And one in UGA on the campus that do Bandwine. First Bojangles ever were Bandwine.

[Angela Yee]

So Bandwine. So you can go there, you could get your beer, you get your wine, you can order off the menu and all that other stuff.

[Mel Carter]

But, you know, like, when I tell this story, like, I'm more involved than Coach, you know what I'm saying? Because Coach is running a whole entire label. I'm more run this. It's. It wasn't easy to get to this. These. You know, I'm saying the first year we bought it at EBITDA, which is the profit was at $2.5 million when we bought it. Covid hit stores closed down. We was getting this crazy thing that was happening with the employees. I don't know if you remember the. The government, if you had an unemployment, they was giving you $400 on your check if you left. So we was getting employees that work for two weeks, quit, get our 500 from unemployment, and the government gave him 400 extra. So we had so much turnover. Now we got over a thousand employees, which 80% of them is black, you know what I'm saying? And like, we was getting 200 people turning over. Then we had to shut down stores. So the EBITDA went from like 2.5 million to like a million eight, which. That trips every alarm with the bank. So it was like, oh, my God. We just like dropped the ball on this, had to restructure, had a bad partner Coach warned me about. We got rid of him and restructured, hired a guy named Rob, who's the CEO of the company, CFO Reed Rob. And restructured the management team. You know, thank God today the business is we doing 7. $7.9 million in EBITDA this year on track to do 9point something million next year.

[Coach K]

Every year since. Since the. Since the fall.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I saw you had an 82% revenue increase.

[Coach K]

Yeah.

[Mel Carter]

So, you know, but I say that to say, like, being an entrepreneur, man, I always tell people, like, it's 80% headaches, it's 80% stress, but that 20% be really worth it. You know what I'm saying?

[Angela Yee]

What's the biggest obstacles you guys face? Because you hear all the time, tariffs is affecting this or this is affecting the farm life. You know, people don't want this or they want this. So what is the biggest obstacles you guys had to face in this part?

[Mel Carter]

I mean, in, in. In this, the tariffs didn't really affect us that much, you know, I'm saying. But, like, the biggest obstacles I had to face, me and Coach had to face, was getting the management team right, People working, You know, I'm saying.

[Coach K]

Getting people working right, you know what I'm saying? It's getting the management right.

[Mel Carter]

And when you got. We got almost. We probably got 1100 employees. You know, we done had fights at the store. We see all that type of shit, like, and you. You really be like, please don't be my store because you get sued. You know what I'm saying? But I tell you, one of the great moments I had when, you know, and it happens a lot, but this was the first great moment I had. You know, I had to go check out the store. So I went somewhere in South Carolina, and they got the store pretty nice ready. And, you know, we hire a lot of ex cons. We give second chances, like, just people like us. I'm a high school dropout, kicked out. So we hire people like ourselves that just. We want to give opportunities to. And I went there, and they had this store, like, super ready. They ain't know what I look like. And this one dude, he came up to me. He had just came out like, maybe a year ago, and he'd been working there, and he still works there. I can't remember his name. And he was like, man, you know, I thought Coach K was the guy from Duke.

[DJ Envy]

That's what he said.

[Mel Carter]

And he said. And they told me the boss, the other boss was coming from New York. Man, we was scared. We was like. We thought it was like, you know, a white corporate guy like, you like me? And I'm like, yeah, nigga, I'm just like you. Like, you don't even understand how much I'm like you. And he gave me a hug, you know, I'm saying. And he was like, man, it's just good to see this. You know I'm saying. And I was like, yo, if I could do this, you could really do this. Because I had no. I don't even know how I did this. I just did it with God, you know what I'm saying? Did it with God, did it with Coach. Had the right friends, the right mentors, and, like, networking is everything. And, like, you know, you could be a good networker, but if you only networking in Flatbush, you only gonna meet people from Flatbush, you know what I'm saying? So you gotta get outside your comfort zone and really, like, network with people like yourself. People like, you know, I hired you for a party, like, 15 years ago. I was throwing events in the lab. You remember that? On Fulton in Brooklyn. Yeah, in Brooklyn.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So I was charging her.

[Mel Carter]

He charged me like, 40 grand back then.

[DJ Envy]

Definitely, that was me.

[Mel Carter]

I can't remember. But, you know, so I just been, like, networking my whole life. And I. I don't treat networking as, like, I want to network with people that I feel I could be friends with. You know? I'm saying I'm way past that stage where I got to, like, be around somebody I don't like just to make it. Make something happen. So, like, Coach, my brother, we gonna do Bojangles together. You know what I'm saying? So for kids, man, it ain't easy. It's really, really, really hard. Every day it feel like, ah. And I'm sure y' all know that. I heard you got a couple.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, me and my wife, we got two. We. We bought six, but we got two that's a. Currently operating in South Carolina.

[Mel Carter]

That's pretty.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

One in Orangeburg and one in Walterboro. Crystal. Crystal.

[Mel Carter]

Crystals.

[DJ Envy]

What?

[Mel Carter]

What? It's like.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, like sliders.

[Mel Carter]

Yeah, we should. We should talk on that, you know what I'm saying? And try. Because we got a lot of spaces, like in boat we could do. We could do burgers. We can't do chicken.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay.

[Mel Carter]

So it works perfectly.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's a conversation.

[Mel Carter]

So we could definitely have a conversation. But congrats on that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Thank you, brother.

[Mel Carter]

Right?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, sir.

[Podcast Host]

Is there a certain area, like location, like in the south or wherever that you see that your businesses work better than others?

[Mel Carter]

So the Carolinas, number one, like South Carolina.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The secrets, man. Tell them someplace else.

[Mel Carter]

No, that's for Bojangles, you know what I'm saying? Like, they just. They bringing Bojangles to New York right now, and they offer me the opportunity to do it. And I think it's going to do great. But I say, yo, I'm not rich enough to do that. Like I'm gonna let somebody else take the chance, see how it goes and then do it. Because New York, the labor's real high, the, the rent is real high, but the volume is real high too. So me and coach looked at it and say, you know what, we'll sit these first five out, let somebody else do it and see how I go. But they come into New York, but like for Bojangles, Louisiana too, same way. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Why do Carolinas go?

[Mel Carter]

I mean, Bojangles is this religion in the Carolinas, like, you know what I'm saying? I never really heard of the brand until my friends bought it and I really started digging into it. But like, they don't want to hear nothing but Bojangles. So it's like Bojangles is, I mean, you know, it's religion out there. It's like, it's like Chick Fil a in Atlanta. You know what I'm saying?

[Coach K]

So I went to school, I'm from Indianapolis, man. I never even heard of Bojangles. When I got down to North Carolina, that was like, that was it. Well, no kfc, you know what I'm saying? I mean, literally, it was kfc. It was, it was, it was churches, right? Popeyes, I don't even think was in Raleigh yet. You know what I'm saying? Popeyes wasn't even there. But it was Church's kfc, right? I mean, literally right across the street from each other, man. Bojangles lying state. I'm talking about booked.

[DJ Envy]

For real, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That Cajun chicken filet biscuit with some egg on it, man. And with a bullberry biscuit and then big ass hash browns. Oh my God.

[Mel Carter]

No. Biscuits beat us, bro.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I don't think so.

[Mel Carter]

The best biscuit in the game. For real.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I agree.

[Mel Carter]

So yes, the Carolinas is strong anywhere in the south. They got, I think they got a thousand locations altogether and it's strongly in the South. They starting to move up this side now and I'm going to see how that go. But it's a really good brand. The food is good. I'm actually happy it's not in New York because I would eat it every day.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

For people who want a franchise, does it make sense to only own one franchise if you don't have enough capital to buy, you know, several of them?

[Mel Carter]

It do make sense if you are going to work and operate it yourself every day? Because we don't operate it. We, the managing partners you know, I'm saying we got it. Like I said, a CEO is great. CFO and a thousand other people under them. So that's why I got the ability to be in New York. Coach got the ability to be in Atlanta and run this. But it makes sense if you are going to run it, because if the bank see you running and you making money, they gonna extend money to you. And well, a strong brand like a Bojangles, you may only have to put 30% down, you know what I'm saying? And if they see you growing and you know the business, it make a lot of sense.

[Angela Yee]

So do you leave music at all now? Like you say, f this music thing now too much of a headache and I'm just gonna stay as a Nah.

[Mel Carter]

For me, I love music. I really, really do. But more than anything, like why I'm going into this streaming world is cause I find so much. I was a youth once, you know what I'm saying? And I find so much like you learn so much from them, you know what I'm saying? So I want to stay part of that world where you keep learning, you know? So for me, this is how I really did Bojangles in real estate and a few different things. Cause my dream coming up was to be Dame Dash Jay Z. You know, those guys inspired me. Coming up, Coach K. Now, I never made it to where Coach K is in music, and I'm okay with that. But I was like, you know what? I am making really good money. Did a lot of deals, made some money. I need to diversify and make sure even if I don't hit that success in music, which is my number one passion, I'm gonna have 32 Bojangles restaurants, you know what I'm saying? I'll still be able to feed my family. I still have a couple buildings. I still, you know, so like invest in whoop and different things that I did. And that's why we did the podcast, because I was like, I got. I met these two guys, Mike Novogratz and Dave Barry, who are very, very successful guys. And Coach knows them well. We all brothers, you know what I'm saying? Mike is worth a lot. Coach is worth a lot. I mean, Dave is worth a lot. But more than anything, that's been my college for. The last highest education I had in a real way is 15 years old, you know what I'm saying? And I learned so much from them of like, if you focus on one thing and you want it and you make other money, put it into other things, and almost forget about it, you know what I'm saying? So I got a lot of opportunities to invest in a lot of different things because of networking and meeting people and just being genuine. So, like, I love music. It's my passion. I didn't get the success that Coach got, you know, I'm saying so. But I wasn't going to chase that for the rest of my life.

[Angela Yee]

What about you, Coach? You dealing with artists and attitudes, and.

[Coach K]

I'm still in it, man. I mean, I wake up some days, like, I hate this shit, but two.

[Angela Yee]

Of your groups don't f with each other, and then they get back together, then they don't mess with each other.

[Coach K]

But you know what? Envy. I'm a creative at heart, man. Like, even building a business, I never did it for the money, man. You know what I'm saying? I'm a creative, and I want to be the best, you know what I'm saying? So I'm always. I was always chasing that, you know, like, trying to be the best, you know what I'm saying? So with that, you know, you do good work, keep your head down, keep your face clean, you know, eventually, you know, the finances came, but even with that, man, I was like, I gotta start diversifying my portfolio in business too, you know? So, you know, when this opportunity came, I was like, hell, yeah. And like he said, like, Mike and Dave, his brother, he introduced me to them. I met them, and they some good guys that, like, just really gives us really good game and, you know, like, being in school, you know, and a lot of opportunities that have came from that. But, yeah, I'm still in music, man. Like, I still love it, you know.

[Angela Yee]

Who'S on QC now?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, but so it's for. Oh, before you say, there's a lot of people who thought that y'.

[Mel Carter]

All.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Y' all backed away after that $200 million. A lot of people thought y' all cashed out, was like, you know, we good.

[Coach K]

Nah, hell no, we didn't. We actually doubling down, man. You know what? This. The business shifted. Like, I've been In this business 28 years now in the music business. I done watched this shift so many times, and, you know, about every 10 years, it's a real shift that happened, you know what I'm saying? And we just saw that we're going through it right now, and, you know, we got some new young talent that we developing that super excited about. But to answer your question, who's still on qc? Oh, baby's still on qc. Yachty's still on qc. JT still on from from the old you know JT still on qc Quavo still on qc. All sister on qc. You know what I'm saying? So everybody's still there and, and build it and then it's, it's new. You know, we got new talent that we're developing. You know what I mean?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So yeah, I love Offset new album man, but I just feel like it should be bigger. Like I really feel like I don't even know who is he signed to.

[DJ Envy]

QC and who Motown Capital.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Motown Capital. Somebody gotta be doing it.

[Angela Yee]

But you know there's still a weekend. It's only there's something special about folks who come through without being asked. Like your coworker surprising you with your favorite coffee just because or your friend handing you the aux cord the moment you get into the car. No debate, no fight, just positive vibes. That kind of love. It just hits different and that's exactly the energy AT&T is on with their new guarantee. If there's ever a network interruption, AT&T will proactively credit you for a full day of service. No calls, no emails, no jumping through hoops. It's just handled. It's like the universe saying I got you. Except this time it's not the stars aligning, it's your network. And let's be real, that connection is everything. Whether you're holding down the group chat, checking in on your parents, scrolling TikTok, your network's gotta come through. And if there's a problem, AT&T is on the case. No stress, no drama, just real backup when it counts. Credit for Fiber downtime lasting 20 minutes or more or wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 10 or more towers. Restrictions and exclusions apply. See att.com guaranty for full details. AT and T Connecting Changes everything.

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[DJ Envy]

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[Angela Yee]

A week. Man, it feels like no but even.

[Podcast Host]

That song with J that's been out for a little second.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Don't be carrying after I didn't realize.

[Mel Carter]

It'S only a week.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, me too because people really starting.

[Mel Carter]

To talk about it a lot now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The label be lying. The label be like it's not about the first week. Yes it is. Y' all don't do nothing for the people.

[Angela Yee]

It feels like his album was out for a while because we've been talking about it so long. We're still in the first week of it.

[Coach K]

It is about the first week but that we got to get off of that.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, I agree.

[Coach K]

You know what I'm saying? Because that's the thing like these bodies of work have is really good music on there and we so mind. You know what I'm saying? Accustomed what the first week numbers look like. So if a first week number come out and it's low then we forgot about it. Let's go to the next one. And that's. That's really messed up because these projects really are good. You know what I'm saying? So I just want to leave that there.

[Angela Yee]

You know. Another problem too is. Is. And I hate to say it, but I feel like music comes so fast, right?

[Coach K]

Yeah, it's over saturated right now.

[Angela Yee]

I'm still on Clips album and I'm still on Offset album. Yeah, I didn't really get a chance to dive in a JIT album yet. You see what I'm saying? I didn't get a chance to drive.

[Mel Carter]

In some of these Jit, Alex.

[Angela Yee]

It's difficult, you know, it's just a lot of music out there, a lot of music to consume.

[Coach K]

Yeah, I remember like one week it was like. It was. It was like so many albums came, was like clips and then Raekwon, and then I was like, whoa, you know what I'm saying? But I. I was happy because I'm a purist, right? You know what I'm saying? So when these eclipse and the Raekwons and then I looked the burner boy drop, you know what I'm saying? Justin Bieber dropped. I never listened to a Justin Bieber. This album's incredible, you know what I'm saying? Like all these records and I was just like. I was kind of overwhelmed, you know what I'm saying? The same way, you know. But I think it's just, man, a lot, you know what they say 250, 000 records come a day, you know what I'm saying?

[DJ Envy]

Like, crazy.

[Coach K]

It's just crazy, you know what I'm saying?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So I want to ask both of y' all something like, how important is regional identity when you're developing a global stuff?

[Coach K]

It's really important, I think super important. That's the most important thing. And I, I think streaming messed that up, you know what I'm saying? Where, you know, you own where you from, you know, and, and, and you become that, you know, like different slangs come from different places, and that's what makes shit so great. But when the streaming happened, it was just hit the button. It was everywhere. So you. You felt like you didn't have to like own your area, you know what I'm saying? And I think we got to get back to that, you know what I'm saying? This west coast, because it was a west coast and it was a South coast, it was the south and the east coast of east. And everybody had their own identity. And now it's just kind of like you can't even tell no more, you know what I'm saying? And that kind of like messed things Up. But I think we're gonna get back to it.

[Podcast Host]

How? Everything's so blended.

[Coach K]

It's gonna be hard, you know, I think.

[Angela Yee]

I don't know. I see West Coast. Yeah. They got their own. Like, they stay by their sound. They go, they dance their way.

[DJ Envy]

They.

[Angela Yee]

Their sound. But, like, there's no New York sound anymore. There's no. There's. Like, before there was a boom bap. You knew what New York was. Now it's like you hear artists like, where's he from?

[Coach K]

That's a fact.

[Podcast Host]

You don't feel like, sexy Drill is the New York sound right now.

[Mel Carter]

It is, it is, but it's like, how big is it getting? You know what I'm saying? It's not like, you know, I don't know how big it could go. Hopefully somebody. But it's. And for music, for me, too. One of the things. One of the main reasons that I really love this whole streaming culture is that they really. I don't know if I could say this, but I keep saying it. They really like little niggas from the street. You know what I'm saying? I'm really like a guy from the street. Like, everything you could think of, I went through. You know what I'm saying? I've been shot. I've been through a lot of stuff. And that was one of the things for me with music. I was just getting burnt out of. You know how many artists I done came through that got murdered? Like King Von and them. I didn't really even know them. I knew his manager. I was in the studio with them trying to sign him the night before all of that happened. And then the next day, four of the guys or three of the guys I met in the studio got murdered. So I just was like, you know, coming up and trying to, like, do something different and keep running into, like, this violence in music. And, like, for music, you gotta be tough. It was a rapper in here. He gotta be here with 7N. And they gotta be tough, even if it ain't nothing to be tough about. So for me, watching this streaming culture and watching these content creators who talk the same, who just as cool, but they'll tell you straight up, bro, we not into that violent shit. For me, that just feel good to be a part of, and I hope it lasts. And that's the drill. Music, like, you know, I love New York, but the drill music, like, you gotta be or act violent or you gotta. You know what I'm saying? You gotta be dark for it to work.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Mel Carter]

So it's like, that was another thing that for me, I strayed away. Cause it was just like, Damn, I'm almost 40. I'm like, I'm kind of cool on that, and I don't want the kids to be on that no more.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We a little hard on the drill artist, though. We grew up on trap, you know what I'm saying? We grew up on crunk. Like, New York music was super gangster and violent. Like, we a little bit hard on drill artists. Like. Like, that wasn't our era, too.

[Mel Carter]

No, no, it was, but it's just. So what I'm saying is I'm gonna.

[Coach K]

Come out shooting and kill him too.

[DJ Envy]

It's like, we just older now. Yeah.

[Mel Carter]

But no, and this is the thing, right? I definitely. I support anybody who's trying to make it. I'm just saying, if I see a way where I could get kids to, like, understand they could make it without doing that, I want to support me. I want to put myself more behind that. Because I know what it feels like to be shot in the face. I know what it feels like to go through all that. I just. My cousin shout out to my cousin, he just died three weeks ago. He got murdered. So it's like I got over 300 friends that's been murdered throughout my life. So it's just like, yeah, I supported it. And it's part of our DNA because we grew up, like, almost like real glorifying violence.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Absolutely.

[Mel Carter]

If I see a way that I'm like, you know what? These kids ain't really doing that. Let me get behind that and see if I could kind of guide them.

[Angela Yee]

And I think that's the shape or form it's a matter of. And, you know, you felt like people lived that life, right?

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Angela Yee]

And nowadays I was watching some interviewing. The kid was like, nah, I just make it up.

[Mel Carter]

Yeah.

[Angela Yee]

I never shot a gun. I just make it up. It sells.

[Coach K]

Most of them make it up, bro. Like, come on, man. It's. It's just like when trap music we came. Like you said, we came up on trap music most. Come on, let's be clear. I used to preach this all the time. My artists come to me. I'm like, bro, this is not real. You know what I'm saying? I remember this one. I ain't gonna say no name, but we in the studio when we first started qc, they was. I read off on the plug this to that to that. You know what I'm saying? And he said something. And I said, bro, how many grams is in a Kilo, right? He was just looking. I said, why are you talking about this?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's real.

[Podcast Host]

And rewrote his song now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's hilarious.

[Coach K]

No, but it's just. You know what I mean?

[Mel Carter]

Like, but that was different compared to what's happening right now with the drill shit. And again, I love. I support. You got to make your living. You know what I'm saying? You got to get your moms out, the projects, you got whatever it is. But now they don't live it, right. But when they make it, the music, and they get so good at it, what's the next thing? I really got to live.

[Angela Yee]

I got to fake it. Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

I got.

[Mel Carter]

I really got to shoot somebody. I really got to get that nigga shot.

[Coach K]

I remember you had the artist who's at the video shoot, one of the little guys that I think you assigned. He was like, yo, this kid is. And I was like, not this kid. I'm looking at him like, yo, he's a wild one.

[Mel Carter]

You know what I'm saying?

[Coach K]

And then, like, a couple weeks later, I'm looking on the blogs. He just got picked up. Did it. I was like, what the hell?

[Mel Carter]

This kid I had from Arkansas, he in jail for 20 years.

[Coach K]

Damn.

[Mel Carter]

His friend, who. He came here, I signed him, where he got double life plus 37 years. I'm like, how would you even give somebody that much time? Double life plus 37 years.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, I don't. I hate when judges do that. Just say forever, man.

[Mel Carter]

Just say forever. Yeah, you just mentally trying to, like, mess with me. You know what I'm saying? But for me, that was. It's still a big thing. You know what I'm saying? And I'm like, I ain't removed from the streets completely, but if I could help. Remove from the streets and get money ways. But I'm talking about, like, you know, my people. If I could help them, like, see a different way, where it's like, we don't gotta, like, you know what I'm saying? Glorify the violence. I'm. I'm all for that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I want to ask y' all the same question about franchising. How important is regional identity when it comes to franchising? Because, you know, Bojangles coming to New York, Chick Fil A in New York, it don't hit the same for me coming from the South.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Chick Fil A, y' all not used to it. I was excited at first.

[Podcast Host]

I can't imagine Bojangles in New York.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

When I fly certain things out from New York.

[Podcast Host]

No, I'm from Delaware. But my.

[Mel Carter]

I got a lot of family.

[Podcast Host]

Huh.

[DJ Envy]

That's why I have a lot of.

[Podcast Host]

Family from down south. And I only know a Bojango's from when I'm down south. Like, I know literally when you're driving, when you hit certain areas because you see Bojangles, right? Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But like, go to L. A, you look forward to in and out. If I'm in Florida, I look forward to the liquor.

[Coach K]

But if in and out came here.

[Mel Carter]

It'D be a line for 20 days.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Absolutely.

[Mel Carter]

And Chick Fil A still a line.

[Angela Yee]

At Chick Fil A. Chick Fil A, go to still a line.

[Mel Carter]

Chick Fil? A. I know all this stuff because I'm in it, right? Chick Fil A, average unit volumes is 7 million. That's the average and worst they do. Our average unit volumes is 2.9 million. I got. Got one store. We got one store that's doing 5 million, which is amazing. Right? Chick Fil A, average store does 7 million.

[DJ Envy]

It's crazy.

[Mel Carter]

In New York City, the average Chick fil A does $12 million.

[DJ Envy]

Yes.

[Coach K]

Yeah, that's.

[Mel Carter]

So somebody liked it.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I still like having a regional identity with some of these franchises.

[Coach K]

I think they still do have regional identities.

[Mel Carter]

They definitely do.

[Coach K]

I think that's a Chick Fil A. Come here. The people that's lit, you know, because let's be clear, most people from New York lineage is from the South.

[DJ Envy]

That's right.

[Coach K]

You know what I'm saying? So they. They used to coming back and forth and grandmama, auntie this or that, you know. So, you know, once when it came, it's like, whoa, this is here now. So let's flood it. You know what I'm saying? Because you, you know, you're not used to getting it.

[Mel Carter]

And once it's good. Yeah, once it's good, you know. And your point, you were saying earlier about how cheap fast food used to be. Great point. What we did with our company, we created a $5 box outside of corporate. Outside of. They can't really tell you what to do with your pricing. And that $5 box, our company is now comping 12% higher than corporate and every other franchise because you could afford it at Wendy's, you know what I'm saying? So now everybody's running to our stores for the $5 box.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We do have Crystal. We do a 4.99 Crystal meal deal.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Angela Yee]

My kids went to Popeyes the other day. It was $14. This was just for strips, fries and a juice And I could not believe it. I said, nah, we gonna go home and cook. I was like, I'll take the time to cook. I could not give Popeyes. Salute to Popeyes. $14. And, you know, I got six kids.

[Podcast Host]

You left Popeyes like they had ordered it.

[Coach K]

What'd you cook? What'd you cook?

[DJ Envy]

I cook burgers.

[Mel Carter]

How much you think the burgers are in you?

[Angela Yee]

So I ran. I said, I go to BJ's, run a big box of burgers. Cost me $22 for the big Angus burgers and put them on the thing, put the little fries in the thing, and it was good. After 20 minutes, they had their meals. You know, I'm a pappy that cooks, though.

[Mel Carter]

So, you know, yeah, if this don't work out. Bojangles at room.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But y' all right about that five dollar price point, man, that changes a lot.

[Mel Carter]

Like, we gotta change.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We got a 4.99 meal deal for, I think it's what, two Crystal burgers, a small frying and drink. Then we got a breakfast meal deal for two for $5.

[Mel Carter]

Yeah, bro. You can't get food for $5 nowhere.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[DJ Envy]

That's right.

[Mel Carter]

So when you could. And it's good, you know, people are running. I'm like, this is crazy. We're 12 comping, 12% higher. And I'm sure you've seen since you did that, it just went crazy. Because, let's be real, times is real rough right now.

[Angela Yee]

Beef patty, $4. Used to be a dollar.

[Mel Carter]

Beef patty, $4.$4. Oh, my God.

[Angela Yee]

That's crazy.

[Mel Carter]

See where you getting your beef patty from, though?

[Angela Yee]

Bodega. Where you go to bodega?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I think he said Bojango. Like, damn, Bojangles got beef patty.

[Mel Carter]

We might in Flatbush.

[DJ Envy]

Yes.

[Mel Carter]

They're the first one coming to Flatbush.

[Angela Yee]

I wanted to ask, you know, back to me, I know you still deal with Yachty. What were your thoughts when I feel like everybody was attacking Yachty. And I feel like when sometimes we do things wrong as a community, instead of having a conversation, we attack and we like to cancel. And obviously he had a conversation and went back and apologized. So what was your thought when you heard Yachty's line? And did you call him?

[Coach K]

Actually, I didn't. I hadn't even talked to him until I seen. Cause he's in Australia on tour with. With, you know, so. And I was. I was just in Southeast 8, so we was kind of. We miss each other until every. Like, him and Stephen had a conversation, you know, What I'm saying. But, like, when I heard, I was like, you know, me and Stephen, we really good. We real cool, you know, I was like, I'mma put them together. But it happened naturally. Cause Yachty, you know, if he makes a mistake, you know what I'm saying? The kid is so. He's just a really good person, and he's free, you know what I'm saying? And sometimes, you know, a lot of these, they just don't be thinking, you know, so he's just going. Writing the line come out, and then he gets the. The backlash. You know, he's smart. He's like, I'm gonna hit Stephen. So he hit him personally, you know what I'm saying? They talked personally, which everything was cool. You know, he bossed up, did what he needed to do, talked to him like a man. They did that, and now it's gone, you know? But, I mean, a lot of times I think, you know, these artists have free will, man. And sometimes when they enter, they just. They just writing and thinking and not thinking about, you know, everything else, you know what I'm saying? That can come with it. But.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And I don't think he was attacked. People use it as a moment to teach.

[Coach K]

Yeah, no, for sure.

[Podcast Host]

I watched the documentary you guys did with JT when she first came home, and it showed how, like, also two. With Lil Baby's documentary, you guys are almost. It's such a family, or felt like such a family.

[Coach K]

No, it's still a family.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, so it is still.

[Coach K]

It's. Man. It's family oriented, man. That's how we run our business.

[Podcast Host]

Business, you know, Because I'm just wondering now, like, how the dynamic works, because it's just JT and are you guys still. I do still see, like, young Miami talking about you guys sometimes.

[Coach K]

No, no, we still still. Our relationship. Like, we still have a great relationship. See, Miami, we text each other every. Everything is still cool. It's just at the time where she wanted to go with her career, just things didn't. It didn't match her work, you know, so it was like, hey, I'm not gonna never hold nobody back.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Coach K]

You know what I'm saying? If that's what you want to do, you free, you know, free will. You can go, you know, and explore any option you want to do. It's still love, too.

[Podcast Host]

Did it break your hearts, though? Because I think we were all waiting for them to have that big major run together.

[Coach K]

It did break my heart because I've been in the game a long Time. And I know people grow apart, you know what I'm saying? Like, just be real. Like, that's why I think a lot of. If you look in the business, we were the only ones out there with groups.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Coach K]

You know what I'm saying? Everybody was scared of groups. I mean. I mean, I used to get, man, you crazy? You gonna do a group? But I think that's what that was our sweet spot, you know what I'm saying? So it didn't break my heart just because, you know, hip hop raised me and I watched and studied, you know, music, you know what I'm saying? And I mean, eventually people are gonna grow apart, you know what I'm saying? And we worked hard at it, you know, and who knows? One day it may happen again, you know what I'm saying? But, yeah, people just grow apart.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How did the. The untimely passing of takeoff, I mean.

[Coach K]

It impact me to this day still, you know? I'm saying, like, Take off was probably one of the nicest, humble, like, any artists I ever worked with, you know what I'm saying? Like, he just was God's child, man, you know what I'm saying? Like, for real. And that moment, man, I'm still messed up in that moment, man. It's even hard to talk about it, you know what I'm saying? Just because, you know. Yeah, it's a hard one, bro.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Absolutely.

[DJ Envy]

Absolutely.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Does it feel safer? Well, you know, we got him up there, too, with this. Funny you said God, we got him, but he got the halo over.

[Mel Carter]

Oh, wow, that's dope. It's a fire room, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Thank you. Thank you. Does it feel safer to invest in franchises over people?

[DJ Envy]

Yeah.

[Mel Carter]

I ain't gonna lie to you. Yeah, man. I mean, in a way, you still in the people, right? Because like I said, we went down because we didn't have the right people, and we got the right people, and those people, like, made the business work much better. So, like. But overall, absolutely. And it's crazy. Like. Like, Larry. Larry Monroe, a good friend of mine, he told me you got these QSR restaurants. And I was like, that's dope. Because, like, as a people, like, we need to understand how, like, it's a lot of money in it, you know, I'm saying that we just don't know. Like, we got. It's 32 restaurants. That makes us the number one black QSR franchise owners, which is Quick Service Restaurant. But look at this. I got a friend, one of my really, really close friends, who also helped me, won't Say his name. But they got 700 and something. Popeyes and Burger Kings. They not even in the top six.

[DJ Envy]

Wow.

[Mel Carter]

So look at that, right? Being. Being black is a huge accomplishment. I'm so thankful to be part of it. But 32 puts us at number one. 700 don't put him at number five. Six. So it's just like so many of these businesses, that one is hard for us to get into because I wouldn't have got in if I didn't have those mentors. I wouldn't even think about it. Coach wouldn't have got in if it wasn't for me. So it's just like, when I hear you was doing it, I'm like, man, that's dope. You got some good guidance, or you just really map it out. And it's like, that's something that could last forever for your kids. Kids, Kids. These people. I'm talking about 600. They had it for three generations already. So it's just like, for us, it is. It is better to invest in something like that than people, but you invest in the right people. Like, little baby is that, you know, Yachty. And Coach hit it four or five times. I don't even think Rockefeller hit it as much as QC did it. Like, nobody really did it like them. So it's just like. But how many shots you took?

[Coach K]

Yeah.

[Mel Carter]

You know what I'm saying? So to answer that question, I think it is more safer to invest in qsr, especially something that's established already, because you could get behind something that's not established and it blow up or it don't. And more. More times. Unless it don't blow up. Because being an entrepreneur in business is really hard. Y' all know that.

[Coach K]

I think both.

[DJ Envy]

Okay.

[Coach K]

You know, because I. I mean, like I said, My 28 years of my. My career existence in music has been investing in people. You know, I'm just learning now, you know, the other business. You know what I mean? Like, for real. For real. I got to saying, I always say, like, damn, you know, being it. Being in the business so long and investing in people, I'm like, well, I got to give me something that don't talk back. You know what I'm saying?

[DJ Envy]

No.

[Coach K]

Just being for real, you know? So that's when I start diversifying and looking at investments in different things. You know what I'm saying? Because I was so lasered in, like, locked in with music. You know what I'm saying? Like I said, I'm a creative, so it's like, I never Even looked outside of that until, like, a couple years ago. Like, you know, let me start, you know, as I'm getting older, you know, I probably won't be able to do this forever. You know what I'm saying? It's being real. So let me just start, you know, looking at my options. You know what I mean?

[Podcast Host]

Was there, like a. Like a something that happened that made you think about that, or it was literally just you reflecting on, like, two.

[Coach K]

Years old, you know what I'm saying? Like, I'm not gonna do music and chase artists, you know, forever, you know what I'm saying? So. And, you know, I have children. I have a family. You know, I came up in poverty, you know, so I want to change the way that looks for my children and my grandchildren, you know, so let me start diversifying.

[Podcast Host]

A lot of the artists you've worked with, too. There's always, like, an entrepreneurial spirit about them, and y' all empower them to do that, too.

[Coach K]

I mean, I'm telling you, developing an artist, you turn them into a brand. You know what I'm saying? And me being a manager for so long, you know, I only ate off the ancillary. I never ate off the product. I ain't ate off the ancillary. And the ancillary is all the business that's built around the artist. So once when you build an artist, it's like, okay, my. As soon as I sign an artist, I'm like, yo, so how. How big do you want to go? You know, I said, my goal is to turn you into a brand. Are you ready for that? You know, once I turn you into a brand and everything you touch, all the ancillary that you think, you know, you like this, you like that. Let's turn that into business where you control and you own, you know?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So I like having y' all up here, man, and having this conversation, because when people see y', all, it's inspiring. Like, yeah, there's so many people that look like us that don't even know things like this are possible.

[Coach K]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, I mean, like, franchise. Like, I. It's something I always wanted to do. Thinking about, like, what E Class was doing and not for sure, you know?

[Mel Carter]

And how did you get into Don Pool?

[Coach K]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

He got to diversify.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, I got it. I was watching people like Rick Ross, but I got into it because. Because the two chains. Because, you know, two chains became the head of creative marketing for Crystal.

[Coach K]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And then I saw a Little Duval. Little Duval was down at Duvall Day with all the crystal burgers, I'm like, damn, I ain't see crystal in a minute. I just asked him what you get that from? And he. That's when he told me about two chains.

[Mel Carter]

And I'm like, yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, two chains had a creative marketing, so I hit up chains and tech. I'm like, yo, man, I want to talk about just seeing what's up with crystal. And they plugged me right in.

[Mel Carter]

That's crazy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

They plugged me right in, and it just made sense. My team was like, yo, let's do it.

[Mel Carter]

You know, what we do for brands as a culture, like, it's. It's crazy. Like, even Rick Ross. I don't know Rick Ross, but, like, you know Wingstop, when Rick Ross got Wingstop, Wingstop was trading at, like, three times the multiple. So that mean if The EBITDA is $2 million, the most you could sell it for is 6 million. I don't know if it's Rick Ross, but between that time and now, Ringstop is trading at nine times.

[DJ Envy]

That's crazy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You got to give Ross a lot of credit for that.

[Mel Carter]

That's what I'm saying. Before Ross, nobody was thinking about it. So it's like, again, between him, you know, they said nine times now. That's. That's insane. So it's like we. We add a lot of value to shit that we don't own a lot of times. You know, I'm saying. So I don't own Bojangles, but I'm on these restaurants, and I'm going to help build it up. You know, I'm saying, instead of just, like, taking some money to help promote them.

[Coach K]

That's right.

[Mel Carter]

So it's like, you know, again, I want to preach to these kids, like, you got to own something. Gotta you. You gotta own sign. And congrats on the Crystals.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Thank you, brother.

[Mel Carter]

That's big.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Same to y', all, man. It's inspiring just hearing y' all talk. 30, 28 currently operating. 32 coming. Oh, that's incredible.

[Mel Carter]

Next week, one on the campus of uga. That's the bandwagon. And the first one downtown Florence.

[Coach K]

Wow.

[Mel Carter]

You know, so, yeah, we're excited about that.

[Coach K]

Where you from? Are you closer to Florence?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, I was born in Charleston, but I was raised in Moss Corner, so.

[Coach K]

Okay.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Moss Corner is like 30 minutes from Charleston.

[Coach K]

Okay. So you're on that side.

[Mel Carter]

Yeah.

[Coach K]

Yep.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Low country.

[Coach K]

Yeah.

[Angela Yee]

Thank you, brothers, for joining us, man.

[Mel Carter]

Appreciate it. Thank you guys for having us.

[Angela Yee]

Keep encouraging, keep pushing. I got one last question. I Know Coach, I know you on the road all the time. I know you probably never home. I see you on the road. When you gonna sell me that E30 M3 convertible that you have? Coach has a car I've been trying.

[DJ Envy]

To buy for the longest time.

[Angela Yee]

He don't want to sell it to me. Why don't you sell me that car?

[Coach K]

He should have bought it. He was supposed to.

[DJ Envy]

He.

[Coach K]

It was his car. It was, you know, and then I was being cheap. My business partner. It was. I remember it was 2018 and we just renegotiated, and it was my birthday, and he was like. I was on the computer looking at the car. And my assistant at the time, he was like, hey, what was that car Coach was looking at? Because I always just be on the computer. And she went in and went in my thing and gave it to him. You know what I'm saying? And he's like, man, pull up to the studio. I pulled up to the studio and they backed that thing outside.

[DJ Envy]

Wow.

[Coach K]

Backed it off the damn trailer. I was like, but I should have bought it when I got it. And he's like, man, you know, that was my car. I was supposed to. Cause the car said New York. Said New Jersey.

[Angela Yee]

Came out Long Island.

[DJ Envy]

I have to go Long Island.

[Angela Yee]

Long Island. Came out Long Island.

[Mel Carter]

You know, it's crazy. I just got over cars. I sold him my Rolls Royce. Always told me I got a good deal. Yes, I did.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Never been into it. I'd rather buy a crystal.

[Mel Carter]

That's what I'm saying. I like that.

[DJ Envy]

I just love.

[Mel Carter]

That's where my mind at now. And living in New York. I had three cars and I was taking Ubers everywhere.

[DJ Envy]

But.

[Angela Yee]

Yeah, but the cars we buying is a little different. They go up in value. The cause we buy.

[Coach K]

Because I used to be on you. I used to be on you. Driving around Brooklyn and it's Bentley, ice blue Bentley. Then you got a Cullinan. I'm like, what are you doing? You can't even drive in New York. Like, it should be. No, real, like.

[DJ Envy]

Nope.

[Coach K]

He got a thousand cars, though.

[Mel Carter]

I gotta do this. I don't know if y' all allow.

[Angela Yee]

It's a grace collection.

[Mel Carter]

Allow me to give a shout out.

[Angela Yee]

But go ahead, brother.

[Mel Carter]

I gotta shout out. My daughter Milan and a Hampton University crew that's listening.

[Angela Yee]

Hey, you. That's right. The real Hoo.

[Mel Carter]

The real hu. She's a junior right now.

[Angela Yee]

How'd she like it?

[Mel Carter]

She love it. It's. She chose. I wanted her to go to Howard, but She made the right choice. She made the right choice. Shout out to my little sister. You know, Mike Novo, Ben Black, Steven Manicharian, Rhonda, Omar and all the people that really helped me. You know, it's a lot more but just want to shout them out. They, they really play a big role in my life.

[DJ Envy]

All right.

[Angela Yee]

Well, Coach K. Mel Carter.

[DJ Envy]

Yes indeed, Mr. Breakfast Club, good morning.

[Coach K]

Hold up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Every day I wake up.

[DJ Envy]

Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club. We are finished.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So y' all done.

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