Digital Hospitality

Adam Rainy and David Valentine turned a chance connection into 3 Keys and Company, a growing restaurant management group operating multiple concepts across the Southeast. Scaling came with its share of challenges — from juggling facilities to keeping financials clear across several locations. That’s when KitchenSync stepped in. By streamlining reporting and integrating seamlessly with their system...

In this session of   Rising Tides Live , hosted by  Shawn Walchef ,  the conversation explored the shifting landscape between old media and new media—and what that means for storytellers, business owners, and consumers alike. From newspapers and cable TV to podcasts, livestreams, and TikTok, the group compared how information is created, shared, and trusted in a world where everyone can be their o...

Kevin Planovsky , Principal and Head of Growth at Croud , is helping brands merge technology, strategy, and storytelling to create stronger guest experiences. After selling his boutique Atlanta agency, Kevin joined Croud’s global, tech-enabled marketing team to focus on multi-location restaurant and retail growth. His philosophy blends first-party data analysis with authentic storytelling, ensurin...

In this session of   Rising Tides Live , hosted by  Shawn Walchef , the conversation centered on the uncomfortable, unpolished, and ultimately rewarding process of building in public. Whether you’re launching a product, reshaping your brand, or just trying to find your voice, the act of showing your work before it’s perfect can feel terrifying—but also deeply liberating. This session explored why...

Running a high-volume hospitality group requires more than just great food and vibes. It takes airtight systems and rapid response. That’s why Nils Westlind partners with F3 , a restaurant technology and support provider that helps power his Chicago concepts from the ground up. F3 handles everything from network setup to real-time issue resolution, ensuring that operations run smoothly even during...

US Foods is reimagining the traditional food show with Food Fanatics 2025 , an immersive event for restaurant operators happening August 19–20 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Behind it all are industry veterans like Lance Reynolds and Chef Scott McCurdy , whose passion for helping operators grow is the heartbeat of the event. With live demos, hands-on tech, and real-world workshops, this isn’t just...

Martha’s Vineyard restaurateur Ted Courtney has spent his career navigating the highs and lows of seasonal business. But with two popular restaurants in a competitive market, he needed more than experience. He needed reliable systems. In this episode of Digital Hospitality, Ted shares how KitchenSync transformed his financial operations, giving him real-time insights, cost control, and objective d...

In this session of   Rising Tides Live , hosted by  Shawn Walchef , the community gathered around a powerful idea: how can creators build an authentic audience from anywhere in the world? The guest was David Lissah , a UK-born entrepreneur and creator who moved to Bulgaria in 2024—and whose candid content about life abroad turned into a viral storytelling journey. What began as a simple Instagram...

David Lissah didn’t move to Bulgaria planning to be a content creator — but that’s exactly what happened. By sharing his honest story online, he built a personal brand, launched a freelance business, and discovered the power of authentic content. In this conversation, Lissah shares how staying true to yourself (and setting healthy boundaries) leads to long-term success. He explains why business ow...

Brian Hassan , Co-CEO of Kickfin , joins Digital Hospitality to break down the “ No Tax on Tips ” bill and why it matters for every restaurant operator in America. He explains how the legislation works, who qualifies, and why digital tip tracking is essential for compliance and employee financial health. From avoiding audits to helping staff build credit, Brian makes a clear case for ditching cash...

In this session of   Rising Tides Live , hosted by  Shawn Walchef , the community rallied around a clear challenge: how can content teams move faster without sacrificing purpose? The guest was Scot Turner , a London-based hospitality consultant and creative thinker, who recently joined Shawn and their families on a vacation in Bulgaria. What started as a transatlantic DM has grown into a real-worl...

Wendy Turk , VP of Regulatory Affairs at Fintech , joins Digital Hospitality to break down California’s new alcohol payment law — and what every bar, restaurant, and distributor needs to know before it takes effect in 2026. From cutting through legal confusion to eliminating check fraud, Wendy explains how Fintech’s free solution makes compliance easy, efficient, and headache-free. Whether you ope...

Shawn Walchef turned a bold dream into reality: landing an interview with Shaquille O’Neal . But the real story isn’t about fame—it’s about persistence, preparation, and the power of storytelling. From putting Shaq’s name on a vision board to building years of credibility through content, Walchef shows what’s possible when you call your shot and keep showing up. This isn’t just a behind-the-scenes...

In this session of   Rising Tides Live , hosted by  Shawn Walchef , the community rallied around a powerful idea: technology should serve those who serve us. The guest was Grant Vermeer , a former Navy cryptologic warfare officer turned tech founder, who is now building Valor —a military discount app designed to eliminate the awkwardness of asking for appreciation. What started with a DM has grown...

Chef Adrianne Calvo isn’t just building restaurants, she’s building a business with systems that scale. In this episode, she shares why KitchenSync has become her go-to partner for financial clarity and strategic decision-making. From ditching spreadsheets to understanding the true value of a restaurant-first CFO, Chef Adrianne explains how the right tools (and people) make all the difference. For...

In this session of   Rising Tides Live , hosted by  Shawn Walchef , the community explored the quiet power of asking for help—and why it’s often the smartest move in business and in life. From a LinkedIn post that led to an unforgettable culinary tour in Istanbul, to founders opening up about mentorship, fundraising, and even emotional recovery, the stories shared were deeply personal and universa...

Dan Diaz , founder and CEO of F3 , is on a mission to clean up one of the restaurant industry’s biggest messes: chaotic, outdated tech systems. From spaghetti-wired closets to high-pressure festival installs, F3 brings order, empathy, and serious technical muscle to operators. In this episode of Digital Hospitality , Diaz shares how his team combines 24/7 support with real-world restaurant experie...

What makes a restaurant successful in 2025? According to Shawn Walchef, it’s not just the food—it’s the story behind it. In this episode, Walchef shares four key strategies from hundreds of interviews with industry leaders: lean into media, embrace fast casual, create experiences, and think beyond the plate. From San Pedro Fish Market’s Amazon Prime show to Brasa Peruvian Kitchen’s cultural hotlin...

In this session of   Rising Tides Live , hosted by  Shawn Walchef , the community explored the quiet power of asking for help—and why it’s often the smartest move in business and in life. From a LinkedIn post that led to an unforgettable culinary tour in Istanbul, to founders opening up about mentorship, fundraising, and even emotional recovery, the stories shared were deeply personal and universa...

Most restaurant operators are not looking for a CFO — until they realize they need one. In this episode of Digital Hospitality , Alex Racioppi , CEO and Founder of KitchenSync , shares how his team is helping growing restaurant groups take control of their finances without building a corporate office. KitchenSync acts as a CFO in a box, delivering real-time reporting, financial clarity, and suppor...

In this powerful coaching call, David Meltzer and Shawn Walchef dive deep into the evolving role of content, AI, and intentional living through the lens of Stage Theory. From Bulgaria to the National Restaurant Show, they discuss building digital legacies through consistent storytelling, capturing big moments with purpose, and using technology to deepen human connection. Meltzer introduces the ide...

In this session of   Rising Tides Live , hosted by  Shawn Walchef , the community dug into the real-world magic of ChatGPT—how AI is reshaping everyday life, one prompt at a time. From travel planning and recipe hacks to video edits, customer service, and even heartfelt family conversations, the group shared powerful, personal stories about AI as a tool for creativity, communication, and clarity....

On a trip to Las Vegas, Shawn Walchef turned a spontaneous family visit to Claw World—a wonderland of arcade games and oversized plushies—into something far more lasting. Between claw machine wins and peach cobbler debates, his kids, Mila and Kalin, joined him on the mic for an unscripted podcast episode filled with joy, chaos, and genuine connection. It was a heartwarming glimpse into fatherhood...

Shawn Walchef , founder of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media , makes the case that B2B content is no longer optional—it’s essential. His journey started with a simple unboxing video and evolved into a strategy that builds trust and relationships with technology partners. By sharing authentic, behind-the-scenes stories—about successes, failures, and lessons learned—Walchef turned his business into a medi...

In this session of   Rising Tides Live , hosted by  Shawn Walchef , the community gathered to unpack the art of corporate content—how to break free from the expected and craft stories that stick. From product launches to purpose-driven brands, the conversation explored how businesses can infuse personality, authenticity, and even a dash of humor into their messaging. The group highlighted the impo...