Female Founders: Andrea Levey on Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit

By: Franchise Update Media | 2,057 Reads | 5 Shares

Featured in: Franchise Update Magazine: Issue 1, 2025

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Andrea+Levey%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETitle%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Co-Founder%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENo.+of+Units%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+20%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInternational+Units%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+0%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGrowth+Plans%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Sign+5+new+franchisees+in+2025%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublic+or+private%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Private%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYear+Company+Founded%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+1992%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYear+Started+Franchising%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+2002%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYour+years+in+franchising%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E+23%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EAndrea+Levey+is+the+co-founder+of+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best%2C+a+renowned+chain+known+for+bringing+authentic+Philly+cheesesteaks+to+Southern+California.+A+native+of+Philadelphia%2C+Andrea+combined+her+deep+love+for+her+hometown%26rsquo%3Bs+flavors+with+her+passion+for+delivering+an+exceptional+dining+experience%2C+driving+her+to+build+a+brand+that+celebrates+both+her+roots+and+her+adopted+West+Coast+home.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EAlongside+her+husband%2C+Bob%2C+Andrea+took+a+bold+leap+in+1992+by+opening+the+first+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best+location+in+Fountain+Valley%2C+California.+She+was+determined+to+bring+an+authentic+cheesesteak+to+a+region+where+it+was+lacking.+Although+Andrea+didn%26rsquo%3Bt+have+restaurant+experience%2C+her+background+in+customer+service+taught+her+the+importance+of+relationships+and+organization+as+well+as+maintaining+a+customer-focused+mindset.+Those+skills+were+invaluable+in+the+early+stages+of+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EAndrea%26rsquo%3Bs+hands-on+approach+and+commitment+to+quality+have+helped+the+business+grow+into+a+beloved+brand+with+20+locations+across+Southern+California.%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Ch2+dir%3D%22ltr%22%3EBeginnings%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+inspired+you+to+start+your+business%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+The+inspiration+for+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best+came+from+our+deep+love+for+our+hometown+of+Philadelphia+and+its+iconic+food+culture.+After+moving+to+Southern+California%2C+my+husband+and+I+realized+we+couldn%26rsquo%3Bt+find+an+authentic+Philly+cheesesteak+that+tasted+like+home.+Missing+the+flavors+and+connection+to+our+roots%2C+we+decided+to+recreate+it+ourselves.+We+tracked+down+authentic+ingredients%2C+perfected+our+recipes%2C+and+committed+to+staying+true+to+the+traditions+that+make+a+Philly+cheesesteak+so+special+when+we+opened+our+first+location+in+Fountain+Valley%2C+California.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+is+your+background%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Before+starting+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best%2C+I+worked+in+the+automotive+industry%2C+and+my+husband+was+in+the+Navy.+While+neither+of+us+had+a+background+in+restaurants+or+in+franchising%2C+we+both+had+a+strong+entrepreneurial+spirit+and+a+commitment+to+excellence+that+became+the+foundation+of+our+success.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+did+your+background+prepare+you+for+starting+your+business%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Although+I+didn%26rsquo%3Bt+have+restaurant+experience%2C+my+background+in+customer+service+gave+me+skills%2C+like+building+relationships%2C+staying+organized%2C+and+maintaining+a+customer-first+mindset.+Those+principles+became+the+foundation+for+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best+when+we+were+starting+out.+My+husband+and+I+learned+the+restaurant+business+as+we+went%2C+tackling+challenges+with+determination+and+resourcefulness.+We+leaned+on+each+other%26rsquo%3Bs+strengths+and+adapted+quickly+while+staying+focused+on+our+vision+of+bringing+authentic+Philly+flavors+to+the+West+Coast.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat%26rsquo%3Bs+the+best+and+worst+advice+you+got+when+starting+out%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+The+best+advice+we+ever+received+was+to+stay+true+to+our+roots%2C+and+it%26rsquo%3Bs+something+we%26rsquo%3Bve+held+onto+from+the+very+beginning.+Authenticity+has+always+been+at+the+heart+of+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best%2C+and+it%26rsquo%3Bs+what+has+kept+our+guests+loyal+for+more+than+30+years.+Staying+true+to+our+vision+means+using+real+ingredients+that+reflect+the+flavors+of+Philadelphia%2C+from+Amoroso+rolls+to+thinly+sliced+ribeye.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EOn+the+flip+side%2C+the+worst+advice+we+got+was+to+cut+costs+by+using+cheap+ingredients.+While+it+might+have+saved+money+in+the+short+term%2C+we+knew+it+would+come+at+the+expense+of+quality%2C+which+was+something+we+were+never+willing+to+compromise.+We%26rsquo%3Bre+glad+we+stuck+to+our+guns+because+it+allowed+us+to+deliver+the+same+authentic+flavors+that+our+customers+know+and+love.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhy+did+you+choose+to+franchise%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Franchising+was+a+natural+fit+because+it+allowed+us+to+share+our+passion+for+authentic+Philly+cheesesteaks+with+communities+far+beyond+our+original+location+while+partnering+with+people+who+truly+believed+in+our+mission.+It+was+important+to+us+that+every+franchisee+shared+our+commitment+to+quality+and+authenticity%2C+ensuring+that+every+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best+location+stayed+true+to+the+flavors+and+experience+that+define+our+brand.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+important+was+your+partner%2Fco-founder+in+building+your+company%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Incredibly+important.+My+husband+and+I+built+this+business+together+from+the+ground+up%2C+and+it+wouldn%26rsquo%3Bt+have+been+possible+without+his+support+and+hard+work.+We+each+brought+different+strengths+to+the+table%2C+and+together%2C+we+created+a+business+that+reflects+our+shared+values+and+vision.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+did+you+fund+your+company+at+the+beginning%3F+As+you+grew%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+When+we+first+started%2C+we+used+personal+savings+and+were+very+hands-on+to+keep+costs+low.+As+we+grew%2C+we+reinvested+profits+back+into+the+business+and+worked+with+partners+who+shared+our+vision+for+expansion.+This+approach+allowed+us+to+scale+sustainably.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Ch2+dir%3D%22ltr%22%3EThe+Business%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+has+been+the+best+and+hardest+thing+about+being+an+entrepreneur%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+The+best+thing+about+owning+a+business+is+the+freedom+to+build+something+you+truly+believe+in+and+watch+it+grow+and+succeed.+There%26rsquo%3Bs+a+unique+sense+of+fulfillment+in+knowing+that+what+you%26rsquo%3Bre+creating+is+not+just+a+product+or+service%2C+but+a+reflection+of+your+vision+and+values.+However%2C+the+hardest+part+is+that+the+work+never+stops.+It+takes+constant+effort%2C+dedication%2C+and+adaptability+to+navigate+challenges+and+keep+the+business+thriving.+While+the+long+hours+and+hard+work+can+be+exhausting%2C+the+rewards%26mdash%3Bboth+personal+and+professional%26mdash%3Bmake+it+all+worthwhile.+Seeing+the+positive+effect+you+have+on+customers+and+the+community+makes+the+journey+so+rewarding.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+has+the+experience+in+running+a+franchise+business+been+different+from+what+you+expected%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+I+didn%26rsquo%3Bt+anticipate+how+rewarding+it+would+be+to+see+others+succeed+through+our+brand.+Watching+our+franchisees+grow+their+own+successful+businesses+has+been+one+of+the+most+fulfilling+aspects+of+this+journey+as+it%26rsquo%3Bs+a+direct+reflection+of+the+trust+and+partnership+we%26rsquo%3Bve+built+together.+On+the+flip+side%2C+managing+the+complexities+of+scaling+while+ensuring+consistency+across+all+locations+has+proven+more+challenging+than+I+imagined.+As+we+grow%2C+it+takes+constant+communication%2C+training%2C+and+support+to+ensure+every+location+upholds+the+same+high+standards.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+did+you+grow+the+brand+at+first%3F+What+changed+as+you+expanded%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+In+the+beginning%2C+word+of+mouth+was+everything.+Our+first+franchisees+were+actually+customers+who+loved+our+cheesesteaks+so+much+that+they+wanted+to+bring+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best+to+their+own+communities.+As+we+expanded%2C+we+knew+it+was+time+to+take+a+strategic+approach%2C+so+we+partnered+with+franchise+sales+teams+to+help+guide+our+growth.+At+the+same+time%2C+we+focused+on+streamlining+our+operations%2C+ensuring+that+every+new+location+could+replicate+the+quality+and+experience+of+the+original.+We+also+invested+in+marketing+to+share+our+story+with+a+wider+audience%2C+building+brand+recognition+and+attracting+passionate+franchisees.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+did+you+transition+from+founding+a+brand+to+leading+a+brand%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+It%26rsquo%3Bs+definitely+been+a+learning+process.+As+a+founder%2C+you%26rsquo%3Bre+deeply+involved+in+every+detail+of+the+business%2C+but+as+the+company+grows%2C+you+have+to+step+back+and+trust+your+team+to+handle+the+day-to-day.+Shifting+from+being+hands-on+in+every+aspect+to+focusing+on+the+bigger+picture+was+a+challenge%2C+but+it+was+necessary+for+the+business+to+thrive.+Surrounding+myself+with+talented%2C+dedicated+people+who+share+our+vision+has+been+crucial+to+that+transition.+Being+open+to+adapting+and+letting+go+of+some+control+has+allowed+me+to+focus+on+long-term+goals+while+empowering+the+team+to+drive+success.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow+you+would+you+describe+your+leadership+style%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+My+leadership+style+is+collaborative+and+supportive%2C+focusing+on+empowering+my+team+and+creating+a+culture+where+everyone+feels+valued.+At+the+same+time%2C+I+stay+hands-on+to+ensure+that+the+quality+and+integrity+of+our+brand+are+always+maintained.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+is+the+key+to+your+company%26rsquo%3Bs+success%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Our+success+comes+from+a+relentless+focus+on+quality+and+delivering+an+experience+that+truly+reflects+the+heart+of+Philadelphia.+Guests+can+tell+when+a+brand+is+authentic%2C+and+that%26rsquo%3Bs+been+the+foundation+of+our+success.+We%26rsquo%3Bve+also+prioritized+building+strong+relationships+with+franchisees%2C+suppliers%2C+and+customers%2C+and+that+has+been+crucial+to+our+growth.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Ch2+dir%3D%22ltr%22%3EFemale+Founder%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhich+female+leaders+do+you+admire%3F+Why%3F+%3C%2Fstrong%3EI+admire+women+like+Sara+Blakely+and+Tory+Burch%2C+who%26rsquo%3Bve+built+brands+with+strong+senses+of+identity+and+purpose.+They%26rsquo%3Bve+shown+that+it%26rsquo%3Bs+possible+to+balance+ambition+with+authenticity%2C+and+they%26rsquo%3Bve+paved+the+way+for+other+female+entrepreneurs.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHas+mentorship+made+a+difference+in+your+professional+and+personal+life%3F+How%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Absolutely.+I%26rsquo%3Bve+been+fortunate+to+have+mentors+who%26rsquo%3Bve+shared+their+wisdom+and+encouraged+me+to+take+risks%2C+especially+during+moments+when+I+was+unsure+of+myself.+Their+guidance+has+been+invaluable+in+helping+me+navigate+the+challenges+of+building+a+business%2C+and+it%26rsquo%3Bs+given+me+the+confidence+to+make+bold+decisions.+Mentorship+has+helped+me+grow+professionally%2C+and+it%26rsquo%3Bs+been+personally+fulfilling%2C+showing+me+the+importance+of+giving+back.+I%26rsquo%3Bve+been+inspired+to+mentor+others%2C+offering+the+same+support+and+advice+I+received.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAre+you+involved+in+any+female+entrepreneur+organizations%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Not+formally%2C+but+I%26rsquo%3Bve+always+believed+in+fostering+connections+and+supporting+other+women+in+business%2C+whether+it%26rsquo%3Bs+through+mentorship%2C+networking%2C+or+sharing+my+story.+While+I+haven%26rsquo%3Bt+joined+specific+organizations%2C+I%26rsquo%3Bm+passionate+about+being+a+resource+and+advocate+for+women+who+are+navigating+the+challenges+of+entrepreneurship.+I%26rsquo%3Bve+found+that+some+of+the+most+impactful+support+comes+from+informal%2C+organic+connections%2C+and+I%26rsquo%3Bm+always+looking+for+opportunities+to+lift+others+up.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Ch2+dir%3D%22ltr%22%3ELooking+Ahead%3C%2Fh2%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat+would+you+like+to+achieve+in+the+next+five+years%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+I%26rsquo%3Bd+love+to+see+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best+continue+to+grow+while+staying+true+to+the+qualities+that+make+us+unique%3A+our+commitment+to+authenticity%2C+quality%2C+and+community.+As+we+expand%2C+it%26rsquo%3Bs+important+to+maintain+the+values+that+have+helped+us+build+such+a+loyal+following.+Personally%2C+I+hope+to+mentor+more+women+in+franchising%2C+sharing+the+knowledge+and+experiences+I%26rsquo%3Bve+gained+along+the+way.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat%26rsquo%3Bs+coming+up+that+you%26rsquo%3Bre+excited+about%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E+We%26rsquo%3Bre+expanding+into+new+markets%2C+and+I%26rsquo%3Bm+incredibly+excited+about+the+opportunity+to+introduce+Philly%26rsquo%3Bs+Best+to+communities+across+the+country.+It%26rsquo%3Bs+a+chance+to+bring+our+authentic+Philly+cheesesteaks+and+hoagies+to+people+who+may+not+have+experienced+them+yet.+We%26rsquo%3Bve+also+got+some+exciting+menu+updates+in+the+works%2C+and+we%26rsquo%3Bre+focusing+on+new+initiatives+that+will+help+us+connect+with+our+customers+in+fresh+and+meaningful+ways%2C+ensuring+they+feel+engaged+and+valued.%3C%2Fp%3E

Published: April 13th, 2025