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May 10, 2024 • 1hr 2min
This Gas Station Pizza Business Makes $540M/Yr?!
My First Million
The hosts open the episode by hyping it up as potentially the best they've ever done, promising the last 20 minutes are particularly amazing. They set the stage for a wide-ranging discussion covering business models, viral internet phenomena, life advice, and a new fitness challenge they're launching.
This Gas Station Pizza Business Makes $540M/Yr?!
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Key Takeaways
- Hunt Brothers Pizza has a genius business model, opening small pizza shops in gas stations and convenience stores across the country, generating over $500 million in annual revenue
- Geoguessr, a simple geography guessing game, has turned into a viral sensation with 50 million registered users and $21 million in revenue
- A Brown University sophomore is making $70,000 a year flipping high-end restaurant reservations, highlighting the power of finding creative arbitrage opportunities
- Shaan and Sam discuss the importance of "keeping your sales up" even in tough times, a life philosophy shared by entrepreneur Scott Galloway
- The hosts announce a fitness challenge called "My First Muscle" where participants complete 100 pushups, 100 squats, and 100 burpees, with prizes for the fastest times and most creative videos
Introduction
The hosts open the episode by hyping it up as potentially the best they've ever done, promising the last 20 minutes are particularly amazing. They set the stage for a wide-ranging discussion covering business models, viral internet phenomena, life advice, and a new fitness challenge they're launching.
Topics Discussed
The Genius of Hunt Brothers Pizza (3:16)
- Hunt Brothers Pizza has grown to 9,000 locations by opening small pizza shops inside gas stations and convenience stores
- The model works by having the gas station owner operate the pizza shop, with Hunt Brothers just providing the ingredients and equipment for a $10,000 upfront cost
- This allows Hunt Brothers to thrive in areas underserved by traditional pizza chains, generating $10,000 per month in revenue per location with 50% gross margins
- The hosts compare Hunt Brothers' strategy to other successful "category of one" businesses like 5-Hour Energy
The Viral Success of Geoguessr (14:02)
- Geoguessr is a simple game where players are dropped into a random Google Street View location and have to guess where they are
- The game was created by a Swedish software engineer in 2013 as a side project, but exploded in popularity during the pandemic
- Geoguessr now has 50 million registered users, generates $21 million in annual revenue, and has spawned a community of expert players and YouTubers
- The hosts are impressed by how a niche, quirky idea can turn into a massive business through viral growth
Flipping Restaurant Reservations (22:11)
- A Brown University sophomore is making $70,000 a year by creating fake accounts to book hard-to-get restaurant reservations and then reselling them
- The hosts see this as an impressive example of finding creative arbitrage opportunities, but question whether the student should have kept it quiet rather than drawing attention
- They speculate the reservation flipping business model may be short-lived once restaurants and reservation platforms catch on
The Power of "Keeping Your Sales Up" (26:48)
- The hosts discuss advice from entrepreneur Scott Galloway about the importance of "keeping your sales up" even in tough times
- Galloway shared how he would maintain positive actions and habits like exercising, eating right, and networking even when feeling down, in order to be ready when the "wind" of opportunity arrived
- The hosts find this a powerful life philosophy, as it provides a framework for taking constructive steps during difficult periods
Nick Gray's Viral Dating Experiment (33:08)
- Author and entrepreneur Nick Gray posted on Twitter offering to take a woman on a blind date to Tokyo, with the stipulation she had to film content for his social media
- 400 women applied, and Gray selected one, documenting the entire date in real-time on Twitter to massive engagement and virality
- The hosts are captivated by Gray's ability to create an engaging, real-life romantic adventure that resonates with his audience
- They speculate the date may lead to a TV/streaming deal and discuss the cult-like following Gray has built around his quirky personal brand
The "My First Muscle" Fitness Challenge (54:24)
- Shaan and Sam are launching a fitness challenge called "My First Muscle" where participants complete 100 pushups, 100 squats, and 100 burpees
- The challenge is meant to help the hosts and their audience get in shape for summer, with prizes awarded for the fastest times and most creative videos
- To be eligible for prizes, participants must subscribe to the My First Million podcast and YouTube channel
- The hosts emphasize the challenge is about the journey and accomplishment, not just winning, encouraging everyone to participate regardless of fitness level
Conclusion
This episode covers a diverse array of topics, from innovative business models to viral internet phenomena to personal growth philosophies. The hosts showcase their ability to find inspiration and lessons in unexpected places, whether it's the genius of Hunt Brothers Pizza, the runaway success of Geoguessr, or the life advice of Scott Galloway.
At the heart of the discussion is a common theme - the power of creativity, hustle, and a willingness to try unconventional approaches. Whether it's a college student flipping restaurant reservations or an author orchestrating a real-life romantic adventure, the hosts celebrate those who are willing to think outside the box and seize opportunities.
Ultimately, the episode culminates in the announcement of the "My First Muscle" fitness challenge, which encapsulates the hosts' desire to inspire their audience to push their limits and better themselves. By offering prizes and fostering a sense of community, Shaan and Sam hope to motivate their listeners to get in shape and accomplish something they can be proud of.
Throughout the wide-ranging conversation, the hosts maintain an infectious energy and enthusiasm, making this one of the most engaging and uplifting episodes of the My First Million podcast to date.