Digital Hospitality

David Meltzer shares key strategies for building a thriving digital brand: leveraging YouTube, maximizing Instagram posting, and embracing live streaming. He highlights YouTube as the world’s largest TV platform, perfect for growing visibility and deep audience engagement. On Instagram, Meltzer advises relentless posting to foster authentic connections and attract high-value followers. Finally, he...

Josh Schonfeld , COO of Vandalay Brands , has played a pivotal role in transforming the Chicago-based restaurant group into a culinary powerhouse with 10 unique concepts. From managing ski lodges to leading diverse dining establishments, Josh’s hands-on approach and leadership have fueled Vandalay’s growth. Balancing a passion for hospitality with strategic innovation, he embraces technology to st...

Securing a meeting is a key part of business, work, and life. Whether it’s landing a potential client or closing a sale, we all aim for those important opportunities—but it’s not always easy, and it can take time. It’s natural to feel discouraged when things don’t come together right away, but with the right approach, persistence pays off. So, what are the best ways to get “the meeting” you’ve bee...

Storytelling is the secret to standing out in today’s crowded digital world. At the California Restaurant Show , Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media shared his journey, emphasizing, “No one is coming to tell your story.” Walchef discussed his Orange Tree Theory , a personal story highlighting the importance of sharing unique experiences to connect with audiences. By embracing vulnerability and consist...

Schedules are a part of our daily lives, and we all strive to keep up with them. As technology advances, having digital schedules helps us manage our time more efficiently. But schedules are about more than just knowing where and when to be somewhere—they can also include staff schedules at a restaurant or a list of clients to review work in your office. As scheduling becomes increasingly importan...

Larry and Colette Young’s 10-2-4 Ranch in Texas is a testament to love, teamwork, and visionary entrepreneurship. With nearly 40 years of marriage as their foundation, the couple transformed a dream into a thriving hunting lodge and cattle operation. Hospitality is at the heart of the ranch, where guests are treated like family, and the finest Texas Wagyu beef is crafted with care. Their journey i...

How do you connect with brands on social media in a meaningful way? Whether you're trying to grab their attention or collaborate on campaigns, what’s the best approach to making it happen? And when it comes to partnerships, should you focus on big names, or can smaller brands offer even more value? On today’s episode of Rising Tides , we’re joined by Bill Oakley, former writer for The Simpsons tur...

In this Coaching Call, David Meltzer and Shawn Walchef explore the power of building a larger platform to amplify impact. Meltzer’s “Stage Theory” focuses on leveraging bigger stages and authentic storytelling to create meaningful connections. His collaboration with Dane Cook demonstrates the value of working with influential figures to expand reach. By embracing technology and prioritizing authen...

The days of working solely from an office or home are long gone. Whether at hotels, restaurants, or even 40,000 feet in the air during a flight, having reliable Wi-Fi to work efficiently from virtually anywhere in the world is more important than ever. Today's discussion, inspired by Scot Turner's recent business trip and his poor experience with hotel Wi-Fi, focuses on the critical role of Wi-Fi...

PAR Technology's transformation under CEO Savneet Singh is built it's core values: These values, combined with a focus on data-driven decision-making and solving customer pain points, have reshaped PAR from a struggling hardware manufacturer into a leader in restaurant technology. Since 2018, Savneet's vision has guided the company’s shift to integrated solutions that streamline operations for res...

Shawn Walchef interviews Stacey Sikorski, the director of sales for Incentivio, at the Restaurant Transformation Tour Festival hosted by Restaurant365 in Nashville, Tennessee. Interview Takeaways: Incentivio is a digital platform that helps restaurants improve the guest experience and increase revenue. Episode Links: Incentivio: https://www.incentivio.com/ Stacey Sikorski on LinkedIn: https://www....

Mentorship can be a transformative force, shaping careers, personal growth, and perspectives. Whether through long-term relationships or small, impactful moments, having someone invested in your success can make all the difference. In today’s Rising Tide episode, guest host Richard Liverman , Strategy, Branding, and Sales Mentor, leads a discussion on the essence of mentorship—how it differs from...

Dynamic pricing has long been part of the restaurant industry through practices like Happy Hours and Early Bird Specials. At the 2024 MURTEC Summit , Shawn Walchef , owner of Cali BBQ , shared how implementing dynamic pricing increased revenue by $1,200 monthly. However, when The Wall Street Journal labeled it “surge pricing,” public perception shifted, sparking criticism during his News Nation fe...

Working is challenging enough—with deadlines, meetings, and the constant pressure to succeed. Adding kids into the mix takes it to another level. Balancing work, managing time, and staying present for your family, all while navigating the demands of parenting, can feel overwhelming. In today’s Rising Tide episode, we dive into the realities of working with kids around and explore how parents balan...

Mike Fishman , VP of Sales at Commerce7 , shares his journey from restaurant tech to running acclaimed Chicago hotspots and thriving in hospitality-focused sales. Mike discusses key partnerships, especially with Dan Diaz of F3 Tech, and how F3’s support has been essential to his business. From a viral LinkedIn post on career vulnerability to lessons learned in tech and hospitality, Mike’s story bl...

Interview Takeaways: The Best Way To Improve Public Speaking – David Meltzer is comfortable with public speaking; it’s something he’s been doing his entire life. He believes the best way to gain comfort is through repetition—practicing over and over. The saying “practice makes perfect” holds true, and he even shared a powerful example of how he taught this lesson to his daughter. What Separates Go...

About Our Sponsors DAVO: DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying... Click here to learn more Marqii: Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences... Click here to learn more Where to find Cali BBQ Media Visit our Website Follow Restaurant Technology Substack Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Learn About our Media Servic...

Dan Diaz’s company, F3, transforms hospitality IT through reliable, hands-on support tailored for restaurants, bars, and hotels. From managing complex networks to POS installations, F3 serves both major brands and small businesses across the U.S., Canada, and the UK. With a commitment to service, Diaz and his team go above and beyond, handling issues anytime to keep businesses running smoothly. Ro...

Interview with Jeremy Collins, VP of Operations for Bojangles and Georgia Foods, about Bojangles’ expansion, his career growth, and the importance of building strong teams in the hospitality industry. Interview Takeaways: Bojangles is a Carolina-born restaurant chain specializing in “craveable” Southern chicken, biscuits and tea made fresh every day. The company was founded with a single location...

Trying to be in two places at once is always challenging…Ok it’s impossible. Sometimes multitasking can feel the same way. Is multitasking on work assignments truly a good idea? Can it realistically be done efficiently and effectively? In the latest Rising Tide recording, the group shares its best advice on multitasking strategies and discusses whether this approach is genuinely effective for prod...

Kickfin , founded by Brian Hassan and Justin Roberts , is transforming tip distribution in the hospitality industry by providing instant, direct deposits to employees’ bank accounts. Driven by their personal connections to the service industry, Brian and Justin created Kickfin to replace the outdated, cash-based tip system with a secure, transparent solution that empowers workers. Through seamless...

As people, we are always looking for ways to grow, and consuming content has become part of our DNA. Put these two together, and it’s easy to see why podcasting and storytelling are just in the infancy of their growth. In today’s episode, the group shares podcasts in the work and business world that have transformed who they are. We dive into the content we can’t live without, along with recommend...

Zeeks Pizza, a beloved Pacific Northwest staple, has taken its delivery game to new heights by implementing Shipday’s versatile delivery platform. Mario O’Brien , Director of Technology at Zeeks Pizza, shares insights on how the company has enhanced customer satisfaction and streamlined operations by using Shipday's hybrid model, which combines in-house and third-party delivery options. This appro...

Interview with Prakash "PK" Karamchandani from Balance Grille to learn about their journey from 4 corporate units to more through franchising. Interview Takeaways: Balance Grille was founded in 2010 by Prakash Karamchandani and HoChan Jang. Balance Grille prides themselves on transparency in how they grow, prepare, and cook their meals. Some of their values include being people first, su...

About Our Sponsors DAVO: DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying... Click here to learn more Marqii: Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences... Click here to learn more Where to find Cali BBQ Media Visit our Website Follow Restaurant Technology Substack Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Learn About our Media Servic...