Podcasts about restaurant business

Can Giordano's grow faster with more thin-crust pizzas?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Nick Scarpino, the CEO of the Chicago-based pizza chain Giordano's.This is one of a series of episodes we recorded at the National Restaurant Association Show in May. Scarpino talks about the chain's growth, and why the company is opening more units these days. He also discusses the strategy behind that growth.He also discusses the company's new tavern-style pizza, a much thinner crust than the chain's popular deep dish. We also talk about industry challenges and the state of the pizza sector.We're talking pizza this week so please check it out. 

Is there a leadership vacuum in the restaurant business?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Toni Ronayne, the founder of the fractional C-suite firm C Society.C Society provides experienced executives who can work with emerging and other restaurant chains, filling a need for c-level leadership. Ronayne is a longtime industry executive whose past stops have included Perkins and Freshii, among other companies. We discuss why companies need this and how these executives can help. But we also talk extensively about several other issues regarding leadership in the restaurant industry. This is the latest in a series of podcast episodes that we recorded at the National Restaurant Association Show and it's a good one so please check it out. 

How can restaurants deal with the K-shaped economy?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Michelle Korsmo, the president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.We typically interview Korsmo at the National Restaurant Association Show every year. This year, we discussed a variety of topics, including the association's legislative priorities, how it deals with the White House, technology, industry trends and other topics.We also talk about the economy and its impact on restaurants. The economy is bifurcated. Wealthier consumers have money. Low-income consumers do not. And they are cutting back. The result is a wide gulf in performance between restaurant chains. It's always interesting chatting with Korsmo, so check it out.Visit our website: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com

Why are fast-food pizza chains struggling? This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Robert Byrne, senior director of consumer research with Technomic.Byrne and I spend the entire time discussing the state of the pizza market. Fast-food pizza chain sales declined last year, and fast-casual pizza chain sales declined even further. We look at the factors behind that decline, including the growing competition from third-party delivery, pressure on lower-income consumers and other factors. We also discuss where pizza customers are visiting instead. We're talking pizza on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe on Spotify.

What does it really take to build, scale, and turn around successful hospitality businesses?On this episode of The ME Show, host Ali Mehdaoui sits down with Alexandros Babiolakis, founder of Manos Consulting, to break down the realities of restaurant operations, hospitality leadership, revenue optimization, franchise development, investor strategy, and building systems that scale.With over 10 years of hands-on experience operating multi-brand hospitality businesses, Alex shares what separates struggling restaurants from scalable brands—and what founders, operators, and investors often get wrong.In this episode, we cover:✔ Restaurant turnaround strategies✔ Hospitality operations systems✔ Revenue optimization in food & beverage✔ Franchise and concept development✔ Scaling without losing culture✔ Leadership inside hospitality businesses✔ Investor mindset vs operator realityWhether you're a restaurant owner, hospitality entrepreneur, investor, or business leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights.Learn more: Manos Consulting #RestaurantBusiness #HospitalityConsulting #RestaurantGrowth #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #HospitalityIndustry #TheMEShow #AliMehdaoui #RestaurantOwner #BusinessPodcast

How does a company bring Chinese takeout into the modern era?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Angell Tsang and Min Choe, the founders of the Austin-based Tso Chinese Takeout and Delivery.You may not have heard of Tso but it is a fascinating concept that is bringing a more modern sensibility to the idea of the Chinese restaurant.Specifically they built their technology first and then added a restaurant. They discuss why they crafted a restaurant chain in reverse. They also explain why they opted for Chinese in the first place.And that leads into an interesting discussion on the phenomenal history of Chinese food in America. It's a great conversation and an interesting concept. Check it out.Want more from Jonathan Maze?https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/jonathan-mazeTik-Tok @jonathandmazehttps://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/article/week-restaurantsSubscribe to RB newsletters: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/newsletters

The survival math behind Vancouver's independent restaurant scene — and why cheap food is never actually cheap. Phil and Kenny sit down with Robert Belcham — a 35-year Vancouver chef, restaurateur behind Campanolo, Monarch Burger, and Poppina Canteen, and board member of the Chef's Table Society of BC — for one of the most candid conversations about the business of food we've ever had on This Commerce Life. Robert pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to keep a restaurant alive in one of Canada's most expensive cities: the unforgiving margins, the perception-of-value trap that operators fall into, why independent restaurants are chronically underpricing themselves, and what it would take for the whole industry to collectively raise prices and survive.   Check out: https://chefstablesociety.com/  

Join Pat Cobe, Senior Menu Editor at Restaurant Business, for an exclusive conversation with Chris Simms, CEO of Lazy Dog Restaurants. Discover how this innovative casual dining chain is navigating 2026's challenging landscape while staying ahead of food trends.

Where does Chuck E. Cheese grow from here?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Scott Drake, the CEO of CEC Entertainment, parent company to Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza.This is the first of a couple of episodes recorded at the recent Restaurant Leadership Conference and it is a phenomenal conversation.Scott was recently promoted to CEO after a couple of years as CEC's CFO. And he has a lot to talk about.We talk about the company's new headquarters. We talk about many of the changes it has made over the years, particularly on the technology front. We discuss how the company plans to grow in the coming years and some of the interesting concepts it is growing with. But we also talk about some of the long-term concerns the company has, notably the slowing population.We're talking Chuck E. Cheese on A Deeper Dive so please check it out. Want more from Jonathan Maze?https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/jonathan-mazeTik-Tok @jonathandmazehttps://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/article/week-restaurantsSubscribe to RB newsletters: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/newsletters

Spike Gjerde has long been one of the most committed regionalists in American cooking — so committed that for a while his Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore didn't serve lemon, black pepper, or vanilla because they don't grow in the Chesapeake Bay region. Instead he used local vinegar, fish pepper, and other ingredients from Maryland and Virginia.He has modified his stance on that and expanded his business into what he calls the Ecco Project, a group of restaurants that reflect food trends but with a regional accent. Woodberry has been transformed from a large restaurant with a small private dining room to an event space with a small restaurant. La Jetée — French for “jetty” because of its location — reflects the cuisine of the French region of Provence, but with Gjerde's own approach to local sourcing. Next up: Bar Dalí, a tapas concept with Baltimore flair. He's also teaming up with Johns Hopkins Medicine and University, substantially expanding his buying power and ability to support even more local producers than he had been. This could possibly move the needle on regional food systems — not just one chef buying from local farms, but a major university and hospital doing it too.He recently discussed his approach to running restaurants and his plans for the future. Menu Talk is a podcast collaboration between Restaurant Business and Nation's Restaurant News, hosted by Pat Cobe (Senior Menu Editor, Restaurant Business) and Bret Thorn (Senior Food & Beverage Editor, Nation's Restaurant News).Subscribe for more chef interviews and restaurant industry insights:Restaurant BusinessNation's Restaurant News

Why are franchisees struggling right now?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Austin Titus, the president of Accurate Franchising. Accurate Franchising is a consulting firm that works with franchisors and franchisees and so we talk about all kinds of things on this episode.We talk about struggles franchisees are having and why. Several franchisees have filed for bankruptcy and many are having challenges after a few difficult periods, with high costs and weak sales and traffic. We explain what's happened and how operators can deal with it.Titus talks about red flags franchisees can look for when considering a franchise brand to invest in. He also talks about how emerging chains can get the right franchisees early in their history and why that's important.We're talking franchising on A Deeper Dive so please check it out. Want more from Jonathan Maze?https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/jonathan-mazeTik-Tok @jonathandmazehttps://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/article/week-restaurantsSubscribe to RB newsletters: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/newsletters

Scaling Restaurant Brands: The Truth About Hospitality Growth

It was another tough year in 2025. This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Joe Pawlak, the managing principal with Technomic.Pawlak provides our annual look at the data firm's annual Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report, which provides the best look at the state of the country's restaurant chains.That state was relatively weak. Pawlak discusses why last year proved to be so difficult. We also talk about some notable trends in the numbers. The beverage sector was big and there were some surprising numbers in that. The sandwich sector saw more shifts in market share. There was some notable movement in the Top 10 and a lot of growth was concentrated in just a few chains.We're talking Top 500 on A Deeper Dive so please check it out. Want more from Jonathan Maze?https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/jonathan-mazeTik-Tok @jonathandmazehttps://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/article/week-restaurantsSubscribe to RB newsletters: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/newsletters

Ryan Feghali, known as “QSR Guy” on X, is a multi-unit franchisee of Little Caesars and Jersey Mike's and co-founder of CoCo Playa. He uses honest posts to share the realities of operating restaurants at scale and turn insights into real business opportunities. Watch now to learn how Ryan Feghali uses X to build real relationships, why telling the truth creates leverage, and how anonymous posts turned into business growth. Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most customers don't think their last restaurant visit was worth it.That, at least, is according to Lisa Miller, a consumer insights and innovation strategist and author of The Business of Joy. She joins this week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive to discuss it.We talk about why consumers increasingly say they don't think their restaurant visits are worth it. We also talk about the role technology may be playing with that, and what restaurants can do to fix it.This is a great conversation on an important topic in the restaurant business so please check it out. Read more from RB on: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/Want more from Jonathan Maze? https://www.tiktok.com/@jonathandmaze?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/article/week-restaurants

How will the big Sysco-Restaurant Depot deal affect restaurant operators?It's a big question, so we brought in Technomic Senior Principal David Henkes to talk about it for this week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive. Henkes is a distribution expert with Technomic and we discuss the deal at length, including what it means for both Sysco and for Restaurant Depot. We talk about its chances of getting approved by the FTC, even as independent restaurant operators call for it to be blocked.We talk about the impact this will have on the restaurant industry and why Sysco wants the retailer in the first place. And we talk about potential challenges for the distributor in integrating Restaurant Depot.We're talking the Sysco-Restaurant Depot on A Deeper Dive so check it out. 

There has been a drastic change in the restaurant industry - we talked to our good friend, very successful and renowned restaurant owner David Fhima about the current state of restaurants in the Twin Cities but more importantly we break down the reality that there is more to just eating food when it comes to eating out at restaurants - but the important piece is the conversation and we discuss with David about how the political polarization plays a factor today in people choosing to sit down and have good food with good company! Also, David updates us on what he has going on with Mother Dough, Maison Margaux and more!

How will gas prices affect restaurants?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Rich Shank, senior principal with the data firm Technomic.We like talking with Shank periodically to get a pulse on where the industry is at and there are all kinds of questions about it right now, thanks to gas prices. Gas prices are near a national average of $4 a gallon, according to AAA, up $1 compared with the past year, driven largely by the U.S. attack on Iran.That has a real impact on consumers at a time when many of them are already feeling pinched by inflation. We ask Shank what kind of impact this will have, what restaurant chains will feel it the most and at what point does it diminish industry growth projections. We also talk a bit about other issues like beef costs and store operations and what happened with the fast-casual sector.Always great talking with Rich Shank so please check it out.

Grocery Store Specials – the deals worth building dinner around // Chef Nathan Lockwood on Whole-Animal Cooking at Carrello & Altura // Behind the Scenes in the Restaurant Business – Q & A // Toni and Shaun Thomas of Blk Pepper Catering Company // Ordinary to Extraordinary – Spring Salads // Elizabeth Liu, CEO of Crowd Cow, an online marketplace for premium meat and seafood // And of course, we’ll wrap up today’s show with Food for Thought: Tasty Trivia!

What is the state of Fat Brands?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Hilary Russ, the editor at large of Law 360.Hilary covers bankruptcies for Law 360 and we wanted to talk with her about the bankruptcy of Fat Brands, which runs Twin Peaks, Round Table Pizza, Fazoli's, Johnny Rockets and several other chains.We discuss what this bankruptcy means. We get at the complexity of the filing. We talk about the performance of the different restaurant chains before and after they were acquired. Russ also talks about the prospect that Fat Brands CEO Andy Wiederhorn could lose control of the company, but that has not yet happened.We also ask why Fat Brands was able to raise so much money so quickly after struggling for years to buy even the smallest chains. It's a major question facing the company.We're talking Fat Brands on a Deeper Dive so please check it out.

Neil Perry, the restaurateur behind Sydney gems Gran Torino and Margaret, plus Qantas’ menu guru, says he’ll never stop making beautiful food for people who love to eat, in spite of the Ozempic craze. Read more: ‘Everybody will be suing’: rock star chef Neil Perry’s GLP-1 warning and see the video on our YouTube channel. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's going on with beef costs?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features David Maloni, the senior director of commodities with Arrowstream.We wanted to talk with David because beef costs are soaring. Burger King, for instance, said that its beef costs went up 20%.We discuss why beef costs are going up so much, how long this could last, and what can be done to fix them.Maloni also talks about why, even in the face of all this, restaurant chains like Burger King and McDonald's are hyping up their burgers so much.He discusses talk about other things, too, notably the potential impact of high gas and oil prices both on commodity costs and the consumer.This is always a good conversation with David so please check it out.

What makes Dave's Hot Chicken tick?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Jim Bitticks, the CEO of Dave's Hot Chicken. This is a great conversation with the chief executive of one of the country's hottest brands, literally and figuratively. Bitticks was recently promoted to the role and we ask him about that.We talk with him about what makes the brand tick, how things are going under new owner Roark Capital and whether anything will change. We asked Bitticks about the company's superfast growth and how it combats the potential pratfalls of such growth.And we talk about the chain's unique strategy of having top executives as operators and how that works.We're talking hot chicken on A Deeper Dive, so please check it out. 

Video IntroductionAfter 40 years of discussions, delays, and political battles, the Dharavi Redevelopment Project in Mumbai is finally moving forward.But is this the right model for Dharavi?In this episode of Indian Business Debate, two experts go head-to-head on one of India's most controversial urban decisions. Meet Ghulam Zia, Senior Executive Director at Knight Frank India. He believes this model is the most practical solution to a long-standing human crisis.Opposing him is Hussain Indorewala, urban planning professor and columnist. He argues that this redevelopment model could lead to serious long-term consequences for the city. One project. Two visions. You decide which model is right and which model is wrong!

Five Guys is making some changes.This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Molly Catalano, the chief marketing officer for the Washington, D.C.-based fast-casual burger chain.We are talking with Catalano about a lot of things, notably its move into catering. We talk about why the company is now offering catering, how it's doing that and how it works. We talk about a number of other things the company is doing. Five Guys is marketing more than it's ever done before. That's a big change for the company. It is also looking at things like combos and maybe even some different types of menu items.Catalano also discusses the company's unique culture and the important role the chain's founding family plays in keeping its quality at the forefront.We're talking Five Guys on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

Cory King reveals how building a cash machine, mastering the BRRRR Strategy, and protecting family priorities can transform a driven agent into a disciplined wealth builder with lasting freedom.See article: https://www.unitedstatesrealestateinvestor.com/from-side-hustle-to-hardcore-freedom-building-success-with-cory-king/(00:00) - Welcome to The REI Agent and Introduction of Cory King(01:10) - Cory's Real Estate Overview and Investor Background(03:20) - Buying a First Home at 22 During the 2009 Market Crash(05:40) - Early House Hacking and Covering the Mortgage with Roommates(07:45) - Flipping Comic Books and Discovering Land Auctions(10:30) - Buying Vacant Lots and Creating Arbitrage Opportunities(13:15) - Selling the Restaurant Business and Moving to Knoxville(15:10) - Getting Licensed to Support Investing Goals(17:20) - Building a Cash Machine Versus a Wealth Machine(19:45) - Why Agents Should Invest in the Markets They Sell(22:10) - BRRRR Strategy and Long Term Rental Planning(24:40) - Leaving Money in Deals and Thinking Long Term(26:50) - Avoiding the Check to Check Agent Trap(29:00) - Risk Tolerance and Acting During Market Fear(31:15) - Investment Options Beyond Rentals Including Syndications(33:30) - Analysis Paralysis and Taking Imperfect Action(35:20) - Building The Caza Group and Serving the Investor Niche(37:40) - Creating a Specialist Team Model Like a Superhero Network(39:50) - Why Property Management Is Not in the Immediate Plan(41:20) - Launching and Growing the GRID Investor Meetup(43:40) - Hosting Events as a Lead Funnel for Agents(45:10) - Family Life, Glass Versus Rubber Balls, and Guardrails(46:10) - Golden Nuggets, Book Recommendations, and Closing Thoughts(46:48) - Episode Outro and DisclaimerContact Cory Kinghttps://www.thecazagroup.com/caza_knoxville_teamhttps://www.facebook.com/CoryKingREALTOR/https://www.instagram.com/cory__king_/https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-king-984b6b4b/Cory King reminds us that freedom is built on discipline, focus, and courage to act before you feel ready. Build your cash machine, fund your long-term vision, protect your glass balls, and never let success cost your peace. If this conversation sparked something in you, take the next step and visit https://reiagent.comIs success destroying your peace? Most pros grind until they break. Download The Investor's Life Balance Sheet: A Holistic Wealth Audit to see if you are building a legacy or heading for burnout. Presented by The REI Agent Podcast & United States Real Estate Investor® https://sendfox.com/lp/m4jrl

How will restaurants fare in 2026?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Michelle Korsmo, the president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, who talks about the trade group's State of the Industry Report. Korsmo discusses the industry's annual projection of restaurant sales, profitability and trends. We talk extensively about the association's expectations for foodservice sales this year, projected to be nearly $1.6 billion. We discuss issues with industry profitability, and why so many operators are simply unprofitable. And we talk about immigration and other association priorities.This is a great conversation with the head of the restaurant industry's biggest trade group so please check it out. 

What is the status of Starbucks' turnaround?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Mike Grams, the chief operating officer of the coffee shop giant.Grams joined us from a Starbucks Reserve location in New York City following the company's Investor Day presentation.He spoke extensively about the company's various plans to improve the operations inside the chain's coffeehouses.That includes the remodels the chain is making to make even the smallest locations friendlier for in-store customers. He also explains why that is important for a company that has mobile order, drive-thru and delivery.Grams discusses the chain's “Green Apron” service model and why that model both helps with manager morale as well as service time. He also gives an update on the chain's push to improve service times and what else the company plans to do to speed service.We also talk about Starbucks' expansion plans and why the company believes it can fit 5,000 more shops, at least, in the U.S.We're talking Starbucks on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

View my video about these apps and what I've seen them do: https://youtu.be/thouWK5QQpI Delivery apps are changing the restaurant business New Livestream guest- Justin Andrews I'm happy to have Justin Andrews join me on a live broadcast. Justin Andrews has experience as a food-industry operator and entrepreneur who's spent years in the restaurant world. Currently, he's working on building the ‘Uber' of commercial commissary kitchens! Tune in and as we'll be discussing what's really happening behind the scenes in the restaurant industry right now. We'll also get into ghost kitchens and why they may be one of the smartest ways to test a restaurant concept before signing a lease, building a dining room, and taking on major risk. This is a ‘must see event' for restaurant owners, aspiring food entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about ghost kitchens, delivery apps, and where the food business is headed next. Be sure to join live so that you can ask questions, replay will be available. We'll be going live Monday February 09, 2026 at 1PM Atlantic Time and 12 Noon Eastern Time See you there! David C Barnett Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: https://referrals.xero.com/DavidCBarnett_xero . Terms & Conditions apply.* See the video of my Xero story here: https://youtu.be/LfaGUfwStqo Sign up for David's email list at https://www.DavidCBarnettList.com

What are retailers doing to compete more aggressively with restaurants?This week's episode of A Deeper Dive looks at the retail sector, specifically convenience stores and grocers. I'm joined this week by Heather Lalley, the managing editor for Restaurant Business as well as sister publications CSP Daily News and Supermarket News.We talk about how convenience stores are pushing into more prepared food options, including ways they are taking pages out of restaurants' playbook.We also discuss the growing demand for THC beverages, and why we haven't seen many restaurants add these to their beverage menus.But we talk extensively about the closures of Amazon's Fresh and Go stores, and what kinds of lessons restaurants can take from those closures. We're looking at the retail sector on A Deeper Dive, so check it out.

Dozens of menu trend forecasts came in towards the end of 2025 from culinary and restaurant industry experts. Included in that pile were the top trends from market researcher Technomic, the sister company of Restaurant Business and Nation's Restaurant News. Lizzy Freier, senior director of menu research & insights at Technomic, has her finger directly on the pulse of chefs and menu developers, tracking the latest in flavor, R&D and global cuisines. During the podcast, she zeroes in on the predictions she and her team made last fall to see how they're panning out about a month into 2026. We talk about protein, GLP-1 diets, emerging flavors, limited-time offers, beverage innovation and more. Listen to find out what else is on Technomic's radar and discover the trends that menu expert Freier finds most intriguing. 

How will the Saks Global bankruptcy affect restaurants?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Stephen Cohen, a real estate attorney who does a lot of work with restaurants.We wanted to speak with Stephen about the real estate implications of the bankruptcy filing of the giant retailer Saks Global.No, Saks is not a restaurant, though it owns a few of them. But it is a major real estate tenant with some 8.4 million square feet.Many of its locations are in malls populated by a lot of restaurants.We wanted to talk about the implications this could have on restaurants, both for good or for ill. Cohen talks about the potential implications for foot traffic at some malls and potential opportunities for certain restaurants to get available space in some desirable shopping centers.But we talk a lot about other topics, including various real estate trends and the opportunities and risks of opening in second generation real estate sites—or closed restaurants, as it were. We're talking malls on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

Opening a restaurant requires careful budget planning across dozens of expense categories. Understanding the real costs helps you avoid running out of money halfway through. Go to https://www.posusa.com/restaurant-startup-cost-calculator/ for more information. POS USA City: Arlington Address: 2000 E Lamar Blvd #600 Website: https://www.posusa.com Phone: +1 888 243 3831

How do consumers view value these days?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Jen Meyers, growth strategy leader for the restaurant practice with the consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal.The firm recently completed an extensive survey of consumers on a broad range of topics on restaurants and we wanted to chat with Jennifer about the results and what they mean.We talk about the value equation and how consumers' views of value has changed over the years from cheap food to value for the money. We talk about what drives consumers out of restaurants.We also talk about a lot of other topics, including the growing snacking occasion, consumers' views on health along with nostalgia marketing.We're talking about the consumer on A Deeper Dive so please check it out. 

On this week's Eye on Travel Podcast with Peter Greenberg, Peter takes a different look at survival : in the restaurant business, in the skies, and even in your hotel room.  Drew Nieporent - legendary American Restaurateur and Author of “I'm Not Trying to be Difficult” joins the program to tell his story of survival amidst the high failure and burnout rates in the restaurant industry. Then, Peter goes aloft with Heidi Porch - Airline Captain and Author of “Ditching the Sky: A memoir of triumph against all odds” - as she tells her tale of survival when she had to ditch her plane in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Finally, author of the Tripped Up column in the New York Times Seth Kugel stops by to discuss how to survive bedbugs in your hotel room. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do franchisees pick winning concepts?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Martha Olmos, chief operating officer with Damm Fine Restaurant Group, a franchisee of Dave's Hot Chicken and Blaze Pizza. Damm Fine got into both Blaze and Dave's early in their history. We talk with Olmos about what goes into operating such brands and how they found those concepts in the first place. We also talk about why they felt confident enough in the brands to get into them. We spent a lot of time talking about how to build a good company culture and to develop good employees. This is a great conversation for people who operate restaurants. We talk about the performance of Blaze and Dave's and the difference in operating the two. We talk about operating restaurants in California and how they got through the state's increase in the minimum wage. And all sorts of other things.

Tuesday 4pm Hour: Jason talks with ST. Paul's new mayor Kaohly Her about joining other officials in opposing the actions of federal agents in MN. Then he's joined by Martha Polacek, owner of Marty's Deli, about how those operations are affecting the restaurant business. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

What is the outlook for restaurants in 2026?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Technomic Senior Principal David Henkes. We wanted to talk with Henkes about what will happen in 2026.Restaurants are coming off a 2025 in which consumers cut back on dining frequency. Henkes talks about exactly why that happened and whether Technomic believes things will improve over the course of the year.We get into a lot of other issues, including the state of the economy and what it will take to get people dining out more frequently again. We're talking 2026 outlook on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

Today's guest doesn't just dream big. She's a purpose-driven entrepreneur who embodies what it means to live with intention. Staci Cross is the founder and CEO of Enjoy Pure Food + Drink. It's the restaurant concept elevating wellness from within, using clean ingredients to nourish the mind, body and spirit…one meal at a time. With passion and positivity, she curated an oasis that lifts others higher. Delivering good food and even better vibes that people never want to leave.Check out the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Eez-fZme1ioWebsite: https://enjoypurefood.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enjoypurefood/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enjoypurefood

Restaurant sales and traffic challenges were a huge story in 2025.This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive takes a look at the most popular episodes of the year.Perhaps unsurprisingly, each of them dealt with the challenged industry environment. We spoke with Circana's David Portalatin about consumers buying on a deal. We spoke multiple times with Technomic's Rich Shank about the state of the restaurant industry.We also spoke with National Restaurant Association Chief Economist Chad Moutray about the impact this is having on profitability.And we wrap it up with Savory Fund Cofounder Andrew Smith on what private equity thinks of all this, specifically why this can be a good time to find high-quality chains.

How will AI truly change the way restaurants do business?This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive concludes our series on the impact of AI on the restaurant industry with a discussion of exactly where the technology will be felt the most.Over the past five weeks, we've looked at how AI is affecting fast-food restaurants in the drive-thru, how it's influencing menu and marketing along with back-of-house tasks. We discuss which of these areas the impact will be felt the most, and where we're more skeptical. We also talk about what areas surprised us, and how all this will change the industry over the next five years. 

AI is already having a big influence on restaurant marketing. This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive continues our examination of the impact artificial intelligence is having on restaurant marketing. The technology is having an impact on marketing for everything from local restaurants to major chains.Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski speaks with Khara Mangiduyos, who uses AI to help her restaurant, Kalei's Kitchenette. He spoke with Bikky cofounder Abhinav Kapur and Presto cofounder Krishna Gupta, who each talk about their AI-based technology. Guszkowski also talks with former Sonic executive Craig Miller about how these can work with a big chain.We're talking AI in marketing on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

Customers may see AI when they order from their favorite restaurant on an app or in the drive-thru, but the technology's biggest impact may be behind the scenes.This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive continues our examination of the impact AI is having on the restaurant industry. This week's episode looks at the technology's impact in the back of the house. Senior Technology Editor Joe Guszkowski looks at the invisible ways that AI is in use in restaurants, including managing inventory and labor, forecasting sales and predicting kitchen needs. We speak with Dan Anfinson, COO of First Watch franchisee Mac Haik Restaurant Group. We also speak with Matt Wampler, cofounder of AI company ClearCOGs, Bruce Harris of Torchy's Tacos and Khara Mangiduyos of the single-unit Kalei's Kitchenette in San Diego.We're looking at AI in the back of the house so please check it out.

#694 If you think a busy restaurant automatically means a profitable one — think again! In this episode hosted by Kirsten Tyrrel, we sit down with Ryan Gromfin, aka The Restaurant Boss, who pulls back the curtain on the flawed traditional restaurant business model. From his early days as a 15-year-old working in a five-star kitchen to building and consulting for scalable restaurant empires, Ryan shares why systems — not just great food — are the real key to success. He explains how most restaurant owners are unintentionally stuck in survival mode and lays out practical strategies for building a business that runs efficiently and profitably. Whether you're in the food industry or not, Ryan's advice on systems, leadership, and scalability will change how you think about business! (Original Air Date - 4/22/25) What we discuss with Ryan: + Why the restaurant model is broken + From chef to systems expert + Difference between building vs. following systems + Daily metrics every owner must track + Labor costs and post-COVID challenges + Common myths about profitable restaurants + Importance of systemizing every repeated task + How to structure successful partnerships + Revenue benchmarks for scaling locations + Top financial mistakes new owners make Thank you, Ryan! Check out The Restaurant Boss at ⁠TheRestaurantBoss.com⁠. Check out Scale My Restaurant at ⁠ScaleMyRestaurant.com⁠. Check out clickBACON at ⁠clickBACON.com⁠. Follow Ryan on ⁠YouTube⁠. Watch the ⁠video podcast⁠ of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI can't necessarily make a burger, but it can help learn what kind of burger to put on the menu.In this episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive, we continue our examination on the impact AI is having on restaurant menu development. The podcast features Christian Frangiatis, the executive chef of One by Spork in Pittsburgh. It also features Jet Tila; Marcus Merritt, the manager of Wiley and Rum, a Cuban-Caribbean fusion restaurant in Atlanta; and Chef Ian Ramirez, the founder of Mad Honey Culinary.The podcast looks at the way they use artificial intelligence in big and subtle ways, from menu development to ingredient purchasing. We're talking AI and the menu on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

Perry Stancato is the founder and CEO of Signature Sauces and a third-generation operator of the beloved Cleveland institution, Stancato's Italian Restaurant.This conversation with Perry explores the entrepreneurial journey of someone who grew up in the family restaurant — from standing on a milk crate as a kid making waffles for Sunday brunch to running Stancato's today while simultaneously building Signature Sauces into a premier national food manufacturing partner.Signature Sauces began in 2005 with a simple idea: to bottle his family's legendary red sauce after customers kept asking for it. What started as a way to serve Stancato's loyal patrons quickly evolved into something much larger. Perry discovered that while retail was cutthroat and unforgiving, his passion and true product-market fit lay in foodservice — helping other restaurants scale their “secret sauces.” Today, Signature Sauces has grown into a company that helps make the products that make others famous, serving clients from local Ohio favorites to national brands like Bob Evans, Momofuku, Benihana, Barrio, and many more.Alongside that manufacturing growth, Perry continues to steward Stancato's — the restaurant that has been a Cleveland staple for decades. He reflects on the delicate balance of honoring a community legacy while making small, thoughtful changes to stay relevant across generations.In our conversation, Perry shares the challenges of taking nearly ten years to get Signature Sauces off the ground, the resilience it took to keep going, the lessons learned from retail versus foodservice, and what he's most proud of: seeing team members who started as dishwashers grow into leaders, and knowing his work helps thousands of diners enjoy meals every day. We also dive into his Ohio pride, from the region's food scene to partnerships like the Ohio State Buckeye Tailgate sauces, and his perspective on what it takes to build a legacy business in Cleveland.00:00:00 - The Legacy of Stancatos: A Family Business Journey00:09:03 - From Family Recipes to Signature Sauces00:12:49 - Navigating the Food Industry: Retail vs. Food Service00:17:15 - Scaling Up: The Art and Science of Sauce Production00:20:39 - The Future of Signature Sauces: Expanding Partnerships00:21:55 - The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins00:23:33 - Vision and Growth of Signature Sauces00:26:10 - Lessons from the Restaurant Industry00:29:10 - Balancing Time and Responsibilities00:31:40 - Building a Legacy in Ohio00:34:30 - Innovation and Technology in Food Production00:37:08 - Trends in the Culinary World00:39:44 - Understanding Risk and Success00:42:22 - Navigating Customer Relationships00:45:20 - Insights for Aspiring Food Entrepreneurs00:45:35 - Reflections on the Journey-----LINKS:https://www.signaturesauces.com/https://www.stancatos.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/perry-stancato-799b16b/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company's passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Past guests include Justin Bibb (Mayor of Cleveland), Pat Conway (Great Lakes Brewing), Steve Potash (OverDrive), Umberto P. Fedeli (The Fedeli Group), Lila Mills (Signal Cleveland), Stewart Kohl (The Riverside Company), Mitch Kroll (Findaway — Acquired by Spotify), and over 200 other Cleveland Entrepreneurs.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

AI is coming for your drive-thru. This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive continues our look at the impact of AI in the restaurant industry. This week, we look at the most visible use of AI in the industry, voice-activated drive-thru ordering. A lot of restaurant chains are already using the technology to take orders in the drive-thru and a lot of executives swear by it, saying that it eases tasks for workers and increases sales through suggestive selling.The biggest fast-food chains in the U.S. are looking at the technology in some form or another. But it also has its challenges, and there are at least some indications that drive-thru AI isn't quite ready for a national rollout. We're talking drive-thru AI on A Deeper Dive so please check it out.

AI is everywhere. Software companies bombard you with promises that their AI-powered programs will revolutionize your business. Prognosticators say it will take over roughly everything. And Wall Street, as ever, is watching.Restaurants are certainly no exception. Companies are testing and experimenting with AI in nearly every part of their operation, from the drive-thru to the back of the house, from marketing to the kitchen. This week's episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive is the first in a six-part series on AI in the restaurant industry, looking at the ways big and small chains use the technology. We spoke with operators, executives, chefs and others to examine AI in the restaurant industry and its potential impact. This first one takes a broad look at the technology and some of the ways it can be used. 

Economic Slowdown and Election Observations in Indiana and Pennsylvania. Jim McTague identifies signs of an economic slowdown affecting people beyond the lowest economic rung. Restaurant business in Indiana is down 3 to 5%, and expensive home renovations have "dried up." Costco shoppers are exhibiting extreme caution, buying essentials with little impulse spending. In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a large turnout resulted in Democratic victories, suggesting voter reaction against local Republicans perceived as "Trumpists." Anticipated layoffs at Amazon and Walmart are expected to impact local employment.

Welcome to this classic episode. Classics are my favorite episodes from the past 10 years, published once a month. These are N of 1 conversations with N of 1 people. Sean Feeney makes you want to be a better person, friend, and leader. Sean is the co-founder of Grove House Hospitality Group and the owner of Lilia and Misi, two of New York City's most sought-after restaurants. He left his job in Trading to chase down a dream with Michelin star chef Missy Robbins. Sean leveraged his finance background to write his own rulebook for the restaurant industry, crafting several establishments that now boast several thousand people on the waitlist any given night. His story is as entertaining as it is inspiring. As we go step by step through his business endeavors, he points out all of the times he was told “it's just always been done this way” and how that revealed to him where he could innovate. Sean's restaurants are the perfect example of building a business into the fabric of a community, collaborating with other brands in authentic ways, and staying true to yourself along the way. Please enjoy this awesome conversation with Sean Feeney.  For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WorkOS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. WorkOS is a developer platform that enables SaaS companies to quickly add enterprise features to their applications. With a single API, developers can implement essential enterprise capabilities that typically require months of engineering work. By handling the complex infrastructure of enterprise features, WorkOS allows developers to focus on their core product while meeting the security and compliance requirements of Fortune 500 companies. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WorkOS.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to Transform your application into an enterprise-ready solution in minutes, not months. ----- Invest Like the Best is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Invest Like the Best, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.  Past guests include Tobi Lutke, Kevin Systrom, Mike Krieger, John Collison, Kat Cole, Marc Andreessen, Matthew Ball, Bill Gurley, Anu Hariharan, Ben Thompson, and many more. Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @patrick_oshag | @JoinColossus Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:03:58) A Chance Encounter with a Michelin-Starred Chef (00:08:52) The Birth of a Culinary Partnership (00:12:49 Embracing the Genius Within (00:16:41) Innovative Approaches to the Restaurant Business (00:24:53) Creating Demand: The Art of Exclusivity (00:28:49) Learning from the Best: Insights from Kith's Success (00:34:21) Defining Exceptional Hospitality (00:44:20) The Power of Customer Relationships in Hospitality (00:52:31) Unlocking Team Potential  (00:53:33) The Philosophy of the Perfect Turn (00:54:05) Balancing Art, Commerce, and Satisfaction (00:56:13) The Impact of Authentic Experiences and Brands (01:03:24) The Evolution of a Hospitality Brand (01:06:38) Community Engagement and the Power of Simplicity (01:24:40) Creative Responses and Business Lessons Learned (01:36:05) Lessons From Working In The Restaurant Industry  (01:43:01) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For Sean