Beyond the Smoke with Thomas Ward

Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/o0g7cYTVZy8 If the name Burger Beast didn’t speak for itself, his accolades would. Sef Gonzalez - The Burger Beast is a pioneer of the blog world, restaurant owner, author of "All About the Burger" and was awarded a Guinness Book of World Record for the largest parade of food trucks  Follow him at https://burgerbeast.com/

Following a 20-year career in health care, John Rivers retired as president of a $1.5 billion company to pursue a lifelong dream of opening a restaurant.   In 2009, he created 4 Rivers Smokehouse, which quickly became one of the fastest-growing restaurants in the Southeast. Many who have said is our biggest competition in Orlando.

Marcus Jordan is the Founder & CEO of Trophy Room - an elevated retail experience expanding the Jordan legacy, a UCF graduate, and the proclaimed "Drip of the Family"   In Season 2's finale, MJ shares his future plans for Trophy Room after moving it from Disney Springs to Downtown Orlando, creating his own legacy, and how he doesn't take a no without a fight.

Tiffany Pantozzi is the Founder of Align Real Estate, Founding Agent of Compass, Creator of Miss Fanatic, former cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins and dance for Orlando Magic. Before Pig Floyd's and Treehouse Truck, I was a real estate agent then 2008 happened.  Tiffany and I discuss the current real estate market, how we're both in the people business, and why I think slangin' brisket is ha...

Dan Cockerell is the former Vice President of the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. He's had over 19 jobs at Disney where he started with parking cars outside the park. Dan draws on his 26-year career with the Walt Disney Company to give a look into the magic of leadership from small to scale.  Dan and his wife Valerie created Cockerell Consulting where they provide customized, aut...

Grammy award-winning producer Austin Owens, better known as Ayo, has produced hits for Wiz Khalifa, Ty Dolla $ign and Cardi B in the past few years. We named a colossal sandwich at Pig Floyd's, the WAPer, after "WAP" – Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's viral hit during peak pandemic. Ayo shares how he scaled his business, got through a huge legal issue where someone stole his music that he made fo...

Jenna and I disagree. I believe service is always important but food quality/taste is the deciding factor.  If you go to a restaurant 10 times and each time the food is great but the service is lackluster - you'll still come back for that food. If the service is INCREDIBLE but the food is horrible each time - you're going to give up pretty quickly. Help us end this argument.  Watch this...

Victor Falcon founded Falcon Motor Group. It’s quickly become the leading high-end car dealership in Orlando, FL. Victor comes from humble beginnings and owes his success to being a risk-taker. He has an unmatched work ethic and focuses on customer service. His team takes calls no matter what time, regardless of how early or late it might be in the day. Watch this podcast ➔ http://bit.ly/pigfloyds...

Dominique Greco is the former Night Mayor for Orlando and the founder of Orlando Hospitality Alliance.  OHA unites local & social businesses serving as a dedicated voice for eating, drinking, dining, dancing, entertainment and live event experiences that distinctly personify Orlando’s colorful hospitality community. Watch this podcast ➔ http://bit.ly/pigfloydsyoutube Produced by BrandCrum...

In 2020, I realized that the most important aspect of ANY business is the people. Your brisket can be the illest and your ribs the most delicious but without the people, you have nothing. Take care of them and lead them with your heart. Watch this podcast ➔ http://bit.ly/pigfloydsyoutube Produced by BrandCrumbs Media in Orlando, FL Filmed and Recorded at Venture X Downtown Orlando

You know him from the airport tram announcement, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joins us. We discuss his favorite places in Orlando and what he sees the hospitality industry in Orlando going now that we're a year out of quarantine.  P.S. Please subscribe! Watch this podcast ➔ http://bit.ly/pigfloydsyoutube Produced by BrandCrumbs Media in Orlando, FL Filmed and Recorded at Venture X Downtown Orland...

The first thing every restaurant business needs to setup for success is food cost. This should drive your menu and price points. Might be time to give Pig Floyd's an entire new menu. Watch this podcast ➔ http://bit.ly/pigfloydsyoutube Produced by BrandCrumbs Media in Orlando, FL Filmed and Recorded at Venture X Downtown Orlando

Beth is a dear friend of mine. My go-to call for those horrible days when everything is going wrong. She tells us her story and perspective on running a successful restaurant. Her vision was to create a restaurant that boasted a highly customizable build-a-burger menu, fridges overstocked with dozens of domestic and imported beers and several wines. Executing the feel of a big kid’s diner, Beth's...

Season 2 starting off strong with John Morgan, Founder of Morgan & Morgan - America's Largest Injury Law Firm - and an Orlando native. I've run into John multiple times and have always admired his work ethic, knack for marketing, and how he scaled his firm. We discuss how he went from selling yellow pages to having Arby's send him the famous meat suit. Thank you for having us back for a new se...

Our 12th episode and our finale. Thank you for listening and being apart of our journey. Watch this podcast ➔ http://bit.ly/pigfloydsyoutube Produced by BrandCrumbs Media in Orlando, FL Filmed and Recorded at Venture X Downtown Orlando

Gavin Williams, Pig Floyd's very own General Manager, lays it all out for Thomas.  They discuss pivoting during the pandemic, day-to-day operations, and why Gavin was the right person to lead the restaurant. Starring Thomas Ward, Owner of Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa Hosted by Jenna O'Sullivan Watch this podcast ➔ http://bit.ly/pigfloydsyoutube Produced by BrandCrumbs Media in Orlando, FL Filme...

JJ Paredes, my friend and the founder of JJ's Fresh from Scratch Kitchen sits down with me to discuss the rollercoaster of the restaurant business. Visit JJ's at https://jjsfresh.com/ Starring Thomas Ward, Owner of Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa Hosted by Jenna O'Sullivan Watch this podcast ➔ http://bit.ly/pigfloydsyoutube Produced by BrandCrumbs Media in Orlando, FL Filmed and Recorded at Venture X D...

There are moments when we say f**k it but we have to keep pushing forward. Starring Thomas Ward, Owner of Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa Hosted by Jenna O'Sullivan Watch this podcast ➔ http://bit.ly/pigfloydsyoutube Produced by BrandCrumbs Media in Orlando, FL Filmed and Recorded at Venture X Downtown Orlando

Joe Creech, who puts the bank in Fairbanks and of Hunger Street Tacos, shares his perspective on building a successful restaurant from Little League games to brick and mortar. Pig Floyd's and Hunger Street share similar demographic and operation sometimes meaning the same headaches. Visit Hunger Street at https://hungerstreettacos.com/ Starring Thomas Ward, Owner of Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa Host...

Ward vs. Ward - in this episode Thomas sits down with his father, Thomas Ward, Sr.  They discuss his journey from being employed to selling his ice cream distribution company - which might have the largest in Latin America - to Nestle plus share a few moments that may have sparked the origin of Pig Floyd's. Starring Thomas Ward, Owner of Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa Hosted by Jenna O'Sullivan W...

Gideon's versus Pig Floyd's - in this episode Thomas sits down with Steve Lewis, owner operator of Gideon's Bakehouse from Orlando's East End Market and his new Disney Springs location. We've gone 'Beyond the Brisket' - now go 'Beyond the Smoke' of the restaurant business and the stories of building Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa in Orlando, FL. Starring Thomas Ward, Owner of Pig Floyd's Urban Barbako...

Stasio's versus Pig Floyd's - in this episode Thomas sits down with Al Palo, owner operator of Stasio's Italian Deli, and Thomas' partner in their new concept "Pigzza" We've gone 'Beyond the Brisket' - now go 'Beyond the Smoke' of the restaurant business and the stories of building Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa in Orlando, FL. Starring Thomas Ward, Owner of Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa Hosted by Jenna...

The day-to-day becomes routine. The routine becomes mundane. If you can persevere through that, you will find success. We've gone 'Beyond the Brisket' - now go 'Beyond the Smoke' of the restaurant business and the stories of building Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa in Orlando, FL. Starring Thomas Ward, Owner of Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa Hosted by Jenna O'Sullivan Watch this podcast ➔ http://bit.ly/pig...

McDonald's versus Pig Floyd's - in this episode Thomas sits down with Marimar Velez, a McDonald's owner/operator with 4 sites in Florida. We've gone 'Beyond the Brisket' - now go 'Beyond the Smoke' of the restaurant business and the stories of building Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa in Orlando, FL. Starring Thomas Ward, Owner of Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa Hosted by Jenna O'Sullivan Watch this podcast...

Expanding can be exciting but also stressful. Thomas shares his story of expanding Pig Floyd's to a second location in Lake Nona. Unfortunately, it closed in 2020 but there's a new plan in play for 2021 and beyond. We've gone 'Beyond the Brisket' - now go 'Beyond the Smoke' of the restaurant business and the stories of building Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa in Orlando, FL. Starring Thomas Ward, Owner...