say86 Hospitality Podcast

In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim is joined by Jay Bandy, President of Goliath Consulting Group, whose career spans almost four decades in the US restaurant industry. From helping Blimpie grow from around 100 locations to approximately 2,000, to working with McDonald’s and advising independent restaurants, chains and franchise businesses, Jay has seen what separates a successful restaurant...

In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim's joined by Brandon Robinson, Founder and CEO of Tipsy Putt, the California born hospitality and entertainment concept bringing together mini golf, food, drink and social competition. What began as a 74 page MBA business plan written by Brandon’s wife has grown into a multi location business, with ambitious plans to reach around 50 locations by 2031....

In this episode of the say86 Hospitality Podcast, Tim's joined by award winning interior designer and Emotional Architecture™ founder Klara Goldy, whose career spans more than 30 years across interiors, property, hospitality and project delivery. We explore why great hospitality design needs to go far beyond how a space looks, considering how customers and teams actually experience it, how pe...

In this episode of the say86 Hospitality Podcast, Tim's joined by Vincent Van den Broeck, a hospitality entrepreneur whose life changed dramatically following a devastating e-scooter accident in October 2024. After suffering a severe brain injury and spending weeks in a coma, Vincent faced extraordinary odds, with doctors estimating just a 1% chance of the level of recovery he ultimately achi...

In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim takes a closer look at how restaurants really make money and why a busy dining room does not always mean a profitable business. Using a £100 restaurant bill as the starting point, he follows where the money actually goes, from VAT and ingredients to wages, rent, utilities, technology and the countless smaller costs that quietly shape the success of a resta...

How did one small bean become one of the most influential products on Earth? In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim explores the extraordinary story of coffee, from its legendary beginnings in the forests of Ethiopia to the London coffee houses that helped shape modern business, journalism and global trade. The episode follows coffee’s journey from mountainside farms to the cups we drink every...

In this episode of the say86 podcast, Tim speaks with actor, coach, speaker and Metaforyou founder Terence Leclere about his journey through acting, immersive theatre and human experience design. Terence explains how acting gave him a deeper understanding of presence, confidence, doubt and the human need to feel seen, while also sharing some brilliant stories from his work across film, television,...

Why would anyone open a restaurant when costs are rising, margins are tightening and the industry demands relentless commitment? In this episode of The Business of Hospitality , Tim Mills explores the emotional pull that continues to draw chefs, families, entrepreneurs and investors into one of the toughest, and most rewarding businesses in the world. Drawing on a lifetime in hospitality, Tim shar...

Technology is transforming hospitality faster than ever. From AI and self-service kiosks to QR code ordering and digital menus, innovation is reshaping the way operators run their businesses and the way guests experience them. In this episode of the say86 Hospitality Podcast, Tim explores one of the industry’s most talked-about questions: Are we replacing hospitality with technology? Rather than d...

In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim is joined by Helen von Dadelszen, communication coach, speaker, vocal trainer and founder of Present Potential. Drawing on a unique background spanning theatre, HR, recruitment and coaching, Helen shares practical insights into building confidence, finding your authentic voice and communicating with greater impact in both business and life. Together, they...

In this episode of the say86 Hospitality Podcast, Tim is joined by Joshua Altman, founder of Beltway Media, to discuss why communication has become one of the most important yet overlooked drivers of business success. Drawing on his background in journalism and strategic communications, Joshua explains why so many businesses struggle to articulate what makes them different and why clear, simple me...

Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown, founders of the Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group, join the say86 podcast to share the journey behind building one of the most respected independent hospitality groups in the U.S. Starting with just 11 tables, they’ve grown into a collection of award-winning concepts, including Supperland, by combining strong commercial thinking with a clear vision of what great ho...

In this episode of Hospitality Mavericks, Tim sits down with Priya Dua, CEO of Arkive PR, to explore how strategic storytelling, brand positioning and authentic communication are shaping the future of hospitality. Priya shares her journey into public relations, the lessons learned from building a successful agency, and why the most effective brands focus on genuine human connection rather than sim...

In this episode of the say86 Hospitality Podcast, Tim sits down with Matt Ferebee and Josh Lane, co-founders of FerebeeLane, to explore the real role branding plays within modern hospitality. With experience working with globally recognised luxury and lifestyle brands, including Le Creuset, we move beyond logos and interiors to the emotional connection, storytelling, and consistency that define me...

In this episode of the say86 Hospitality Podcast, Tim is joined by entrepreneur, keynote speaker and author Mike DeJong for a wide-ranging conversation around leadership, business ownership and the realities of scaling companies in today’s challenging operating environment. Drawing from more than 30 years of experience across multiple industries, including franchising, Mike shares the lessons lear...

In this episode of the say86 podcast, Tim is joined by Zaher Ibrahim, CEO & Founder of Aklarity, a leadership advisory business focused on helping organisations navigate complexity, culture and decision-making more effectively. The conversation explores how leadership is evolving in a world increasingly shaped by pressure, uncertainty, generational change and artificial intelligence. Zaher sha...

In this episode of the say86 podcast, Tim speaks with Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown, founders of the Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group, about building and scaling a successful hospitality business. From starting with a single 11-table restaurant to creating multiple award-winning concepts including Supperland, they share their journey through over 15 years in the restaurant industry. We dive int...

Kendall Peterson joins the say86 podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, performance, and what it really takes to build and scale effective teams. Now leading Fugoid International , Kendall works as an executive coach and transformation specialist, partnering with leaders to grow their businesses while sharpening their professional edge. With over 25 years in senior leadership roles...

On this edition of the say86 podcast, Tim sits down with Courtney Kocak, writer, podcaster and comedian, to talk about her journey from working in restaurants to building a career in storytelling. Courtney gets into what it really means to be an author, comedian and podcast host, beyond the surface level. The reality of the work, the pressure to create, and what it takes to build something that pe...

In this episode, Tim talks about why hospitality remains one of the most exciting and rewarding industries to work in, despite the challenges that often dominate the headlines. Drawing on his own early career experiences, he reflects on what makes the sector so unique and why it continues to attract passionate people from around the world. Having started his career in a Michelin-level dining room...

In this episode, Tim sits down with Adam Tuttle for an open and practical conversation about operating, supporting, and scaling businesses across complex service environments. Adam shares real-world insights from working across the hotel sector of hospitality, exploring what helps organisations run smoothly, where complexity tends to creep in, and how clarity, consistency, and better systems can m...

Business rates are one of the biggest pressures facing UK hospitality right now, and for many operators it feels like the cost that never stops rising. In this solo episode, Tim Mills breaks down what business rates are meant to do, how the system evolved, why it’s become such a flashpoint for pubs, restaurants and hotels, and what the latest changes could mean in 2026. The episode explores the po...

In this episode of the say86 podcast, we take a deep dive into how hospitality operators can rethink procurement as a commercial advantage, not a back-office task. From supplier relationships and cost control to consistency, scalability and smarter decision-making, we explore how procurement quietly shapes margins, guest experience and operational resilience. With rising costs, tighter labour mark...

In this episode of the say86 Podcast, host Tim Mills speaks with Brian Vujnovic and Robert Finvarb, founders of MIA Hospitality Management, a company built on the principles of Mastery, Innovation and Assurance. With decades of operational, ownership and development experience, they share a grounded look at how hospitality is changing, and what it now takes to run successful hotels. Together, they...

In this episode of the Say86 Podcast, Tim takes a deep dive into a growing crisis that’s hitting restaurants, cafés, hotels and hospitality businesses across the UK: chargeback fraud. What begins as a simple, innocent transaction, a guest enjoying a meal and paying their bill, is increasingly turning into a devastating financial loss for operators. Customers are disputing payments after the fact,...