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)

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.

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)

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)

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

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.

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.