Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Give an Ovation , Zack welcomes Amir Mostafavi, the Founder and CEO of South Block, a mission-driven smoothie and juice bar brand based in the DC area. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Amir shares his journey of creating a brand that’s not just about great products, but also about fostering connections and building better communities on every bl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Give an Ovation , we’re joined by Abney Harper, CEO and Founder of Prima Après, a unique fast-casual concept combining fresh pasta and pavlovas with a focus on thoughtful design, quality ingredients, and heartfelt hospitality. Abney shares her journey from fine dining and fashion retail to creating a chef-driven brand that delivers a luxury dining experience in...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Give an Ovation , we’re joined by Jason Sobocinski and Etkin Tekin, the co-founders of Haven Hot Chicken, who are on a mission to redefine the fast-casual dining space. From their roots as winners of the Perfect Pitch competition to expanding to nine locations, Jason and Etkin share the secrets behind their explosive growth and the passion for exceptional food t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Give an Ovation , Rick Malir, founder of City Barbeque , shares his journey from selling John Deere tractors to building a nationally recognized barbecue brand. With 25 years in the business and 75 locations, Rick dives into what it takes to deliver top-notch barbecue and create unforgettable guest experiences. Zack and Rick discuss: How a love for barbecue spar...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Austin Titus, president of Cannoli Kitchen Pizza and a seasoned expert in the franchise industry. Growing up in a family of franchise entrepreneurs, Austin has developed a unique eye for brands that stand out in a crowded marketplace. Zack and Austin discuss: The story behind Cannoli Kitchen and how it differentiates itself in the piz...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Give an Ovation , we welcome Jim Knight, a former executive at Hard Rock Cafe who has transformed his experiences into a dynamic career as a speaker and author. Known for his engaging style, Jim blends the charisma of Guy Fieri with the motivational prowess of Tony Robbins. Zack and Jim discuss: The importance of building a rockstar team and cultivating a vibran...

Send us Fan Mail Markus Pineyro is not just a restaurant owner—he’s a visionary reshaping how we think about dining experiences. As the co-founder of OOMI Digital Kitchen, Markus has created a food hall that operates almost entirely through digital interactions, yet still boasts a remarkable 4.9-star rating. On this episode of Give an Ovation , we dive into how Markus has built a successful, custo...

Send us Fan Mail Joey Cioffi is the founder and CEO of The Salad House, a fast-growing franchise with a passion for offering customizable, fresh meals for everyone. From his New Jersey roots to building a brand that’s now expanding to 19 locations, Joey has always prioritized hospitality and quality. In this episode, we explore how Joey’s background in the food business has shaped his approach to...

Send us Fan Mail Few people understand the art of blending people and technology in fast-casual dining like today’s guest, Doug Willmarth. As the President of MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes and a seasoned leader with experience at brands like Mongolian Concepts and Pizza Hut, Doug brings a wealth of knowledge that we were excited to explore in this episode! In this episode, Zack and Doug discu...

Send us Fan Mail You could argue that there’s no one more passionate about building successful restaurant brands than today's guest, Sherif Mityas. Sherif is the CEO of BRIX Holdings, overseeing iconic brands like Friendly’s, Clean Juice, and Red Mango. We were excited to tap into his wealth of insights on this episode! In this episode, Zack and Sherif discuss: What BRIX Holdings looks for wh...

Send us Fan Mail Neal Parisawan is the owner of Nara Thai and a former consultant, bringing a unique perspective to how tech can enhance guest experiences rather than complicate operations. We were thrilled to hear his insights on this episode! In this episode, Zack and Neal discuss: Why restaurants struggle with adopting and maintaining technology How tech should simplify restaurant operations an...

Send us Fan Mail You could argue that there's no one more experienced in leading fast-casual restaurants than today's guest, Beto Guajardo. Beto is the President & CEO of Blaze Pizza and has held leadership roles at Starbucks, Levi Strauss, and Schlotzsky’s. We were excited to tap into his extensive insights on this episode! In this episode, Zack and Beto discuss: Why humility is key...

Send us Fan Mail You could argue that there's no one on the planet who has thought about hospitality more than today's guest, Will Guidara. Will is a restaurant icon, former leader of Eleven Madison Park, and NYT Bestselling Author of "Unreasonable Hospitality" (mandatory reading at Ovation). We were lucky to tap into his insights on this episode! In this episode, Zack and Will...

Send us Fan Mail Want to unlock the secrets behind a seamless restaurant grand opening? Richmond Green, VP of Operations at gusto!, joins us to share his invaluable insights from his extensive experience, including his tenure at Chick-fil-A. Discover why he compares grand openings to major sporting events and how adaptability and thorough preparation are your best allies. Richmond recounts the hig...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s competitive restaurant landscape, having the right tools can make or break your guest experience. On this episode of Give an Ovation , Zack Oates talks to Kelly Esten, CMO of Toast, about the journey behind one of the industry’s leading POS systems and how it helps restaurateurs succeed by focusing on what truly matters: the guest experience. From automating marketing t...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to run iconic restaurants in some of the most bustling locations in the world? Join us as we sit down with Chef Glenn Rolnick, the mastermind behind the culinary operations of Carmine's and Virgil's. With over two decades of experience, Chef Glenn shares the captivating journey of Carmine's—from its humble beginnings on the Upper West Sid...

Send us Fan Mail In the world of hospitality, few voices are as respected and influential as Peter Romeo's. With nearly 40 years of experience covering the restaurant industry, Peter has seen the rise and fall of countless concepts and the evolution of guest expectations. In this episode of "Give an Ovation," host Zack Oates dives deep with Peter to explore the key traits of success...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of Give an Ovation , we have the pleasure of chatting with Melissa Cummings, VP of Digital Marketing at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including a significant role at Domino's managing one of the largest loyalty programs, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion that goes beyond the job—it&apos...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast , host Zack Oates sits down with Jason Morgan, CEO of Original ChopShop, a rapidly expanding fast-casual restaurant known for its "better-for-you" menu. Jason shares insights on how his team, with experience from Zoe’s Kitchen, scaled Original Chop Shop from three to nearly 30 units. Key strategi...

Send us Fan Mail Creating an exceptional guest experience goes beyond just serving great food—it’s about making every interaction meaningful. On this episode of "Give an Ovation," Zack Oates chats with James Vitrano, co-owner of Sucre, who shares his journey from being a lawyer to becoming a leading restaurateur. James opens up about his unique approach to guest service, focusing on kind...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Give an Ovation , host Zack Oates sits down with Dawn Lafreeda, one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs and restaurant leaders in the industry. From starting as a server at Denny’s at 16 years old to becoming the largest female franchisee in the full-service restaurant industry, Dawn shares her incredible journey and the drive that fueled her success. She also d...

Send us Fan Mail Flame Broiler isn’t just a restaurant; it's a thriving brand with deep roots in Korean cuisine and a strong commitment to guest experience. In this episode of Give an Ovation , we sit down with Christian Lee, the second-generation leader of Flame Broiler, to explore how his family's values and focus on fundamentals have shaped the brand's success. From Fullerton, Ca...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about the secret sauce behind scaling a successful restaurant brand? Get ready to learn from Brandy Blackwell, VP Head of Marketing for Another Broken Egg Cafe, as she shares her journey from key roles at Tijuana Flats, McAlister's Deli, Dunkin', and Jimmy John's. Discover the essential elements of real estate, location, and adaptability that have propelled...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Give an Ovation , host Zack Oates talks to Scott Henderson, CEO and co-founder of Salad Station. Scott shares how his agricultural roots in South Louisiana inspired him to create a fast, healthy restaurant concept that has grown to over 36 locations.  He discusses the importance of maintaining freshness, cleanliness, and hospitality in the guest experience while...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to rekindling lost customer relationships with expert insights from Dan Pfister, Founder of WinBack Labs. Discover proven strategies for understanding why customers leave and how to effectively bring them back. Dan highlights the importance of strategic outreach and ensuring customers feel heard and valued. Learn how the peak-end rule can transform dissatisfied...