Pop’s Beef Honors Its Family Legacy While Building the Next Generation of Leadership

Chicago-Based Staple Continues to Grow as Founder Frank Radochonski Passes the Torch to His Children

CHICAGO, IL // FranchisePR.com // June 10, 2026 — Pop’s Beef, the family-owned fast-casual brand founded in 1980 by Frank Radochonski, spotlighting its multi-generational leadership and continued growth across Illinois and Indiana. Now with 16 locations, the brand is being carried forward by the next generation: Kacie Radochonski, VP of Operations, and Frankie Radochonski, a multi-unit franchise owner, while maintaining its commitment to relationship-driven service and steady, organic expansion , all while continuing to serve high-quality, affordable meals that have supported families across Chicagoland during times of economic uncertainty.

For more than four decades, Pop’s Beef has grown from a single neighborhood stand in Palos Heights into a regional favorite, staying rooted in the values it was built on: hard work, quality food, and genuine relationships. From the beginning, it was a family operation, with Frank working alongside his mother to build what would become a local staple.

“Pop’s was built on the idea that quality always comes first,” said Frank Radochonski, Founder of Pop’s Beef. “From the beginning, we focused on doing things the right way by using the best ingredients we could, and making sure every sandwich met the same standard. That consistency is what keeps people coming back.”

While the brand continues to grow, it remains grounded in commitment to quality. As Pop’s built a loyal following and demand expanded beyond its original location, Frank saw an opportunity to bring the concept to more communities. Franchising became a natural next step, allowing the brand to grow while maintaining the same standards and experience that made it successful from the start.

For Kacie, preserving that foundation while modernizing operations is key to sustained success.

“We’ve grown up in this business, so it’s personal for us,” said Kacie Radochonski, VP of Operations. “As we continue to grow, our focus is making sure every guest experience still feels like Pop’s, especially in a landscape where families are more mindful than ever about where they spend their time. We’ve always taken pride in offering meals people can count on, both in quality and value.”

With 16 locations and a strong base of franchisees, many of whom were once loyal customers, Pop’s Beef continues to expand organically, driven by relationships rather than aggressive development strategies. Looking ahead, Frank is confident in the next generation’s ability to lead the brand forward.

As Pop’s Beef continues to expand its footprint, its identity remains unchanged: a family-built brand where quality, community, and connection come first.

For more information about Pop’s Beef, please visit https://popsbeef.com or follow Pop’s Beef on Instagram.

About Pop’s Beef

Founded in 1980, Pop’s Beef is a family run business that has become a staple guests can rely on for superior quality food at a reasonable price. The brand has perfected their menu over the last four decades to include options for everyone, utilizing proprietary brand meats cooked and sliced fresh in house every day. Committed to giving back to their guests and the communities they serve, Pop’s loves to partner with local schools for fundraisers, provide food donations to first responders and healthcare facilities, and more. With its corporate location headquartered in Palos Heights, IL, the brand has 16 franchise locations open across Illinois and Indiana, ready to help guests ‘get their beef on’. For more information, please visit https://popsbeef.com or follow Pop’s Beef on Instagram.

Marissa Rotolo

Franchise Elevator PR

PR & Content Marketing Coordinator

(P) 847-945-1300 ext. 277

mrotolo@franchiseelevator.com