Fast Casual Nation Restaurant Podcast

On "Fast Casual Nation," I've had the pleasure of engaging with some of the most innovative minds in the restaurant industry. My recent conversation with Jeff Drake, President and CEO of Protein Bar & Kitchen , stands out as a highlight. Jeff's journey from a chemistry graduate to a visionary in the fast casual dining sector is a story that's as unique as it is inspiring. A Rebrand that Resona...

Chipotle Mexican Grill is one of the most popular fast food chains in the United States, but the company has been facing some challenges in recent months. The Restaurant Power Index (RPI) has shown a slide in Chipotle sentiment, and the company's stock price has also fallen. One of the challenges that Chipotle is facing is labor shortages. The company has had to close some stores due to a lack of...

When you think about the evolution of the fast-casual restaurant industry, digital innovation might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for those of us tuned into the latest episode of Fast Casual Nation, digital marketing's role in revolutionizing the customer experience became crystal clear. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Gabe Alonso, Vice President of Digital Marketing at E...

In this podcast, we sit down with two leaders who are breaking the mold of how to grow brands - Wow Bao exploding in virtual brands and Fat Brands growing in multi-concept. We pick the brains of Geoff Alexander and Andrew Wiederhorn. Wow Bao is a fast-casual brand that specializes in steamed buns. The company was founded in 2003 and has grown to over 500 locations in the United States and continue...

In this podcast, we talk with two successful brand leaders at Wildflower and Dave's Hot Chicken are two of the fastest-growing fast-casual brands in the United States. Wildflower was founded in Phoenix in 2017 and has over 20 locations nationwide. Dave's Hot Chicken was founded in Nashville in 2017 and now has over 100 locations nationwide and internationally. Both brands have experienced rapid gr...

Craveworthy Brands is a relatively new restaurant group, but it has quickly become one of the most successful in the fast casual sector. Founded in 2022 by Gregg Majewski, Craveworthy Brands is a multi-concept restaurant group that owns and operates a portfolio of emerging and legacy brands. Craveworthy Brands' brands include: Wing It On! Budlong Hot Chicken Krafted Burger Bar + Tap Lucky Cat Poke...

Fast Casual Nation is the industry's longest-running podcast celebrated for its innovative and insightful discussions that are helping to shape the future of food and dining. Our latest guest, Greg Wold, Vice President of Marketing at Toppers Pizza, Inc., brings his 20-year experience in the food service industry, including stints at QSR heavyweights such as Jimmy John's, Jersey Mike's Subs, and B...

Fast Casual Nation, the trailblazing podcast that's been leading conversations and setting trends in the restaurant industry for years delves into the meat of what makes a food business thrive in a market that's hungry for change. Today, we're honored to have André Vener, Co-founder and Partner of Dog Haus , joining us for an insightful discussion. André, along with his team, took Dog Haus from a...

Fast Casual Nation's latest episode features a candid conversation with Paris Baguette America's CEO, Darren Tipton. Stepping into his role in January 2020, Tipton navigated the uncharted terrain of the pandemic while redefining the brand's identity. Faced with operational hurdles due to COVID-19, Tipton focused on reframing the organization's vision. The mission was to re-establish the neighborho...

Our guest on Fast Casual Nation is Prakash Karamchandani, known as PK. He is a self-proclaimed foodie and technology junkie, as well as the co-founder of Balance Pan-Asian Grille, a nationally acclaimed fast-casual Asian fusion multi-unit concept based in Ohio. Prakash earned a finance degree from the University of Toledo, where he met his future wife Navdeep and business partner HoChan Jang. PK c...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Katy Velazquez, Corporate Executive Chef at QDOBA about how the fast-casual Mexican restaurant is able to stay current on trends and be true to its ident...

he Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode I talk with Josh Luger, co-founder of Capital Tacos about key strategies for successfully expanding your restaurant. Capital Tacos founded in 2013 is a fast-casual Tex...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Frank Paci, chief executive officer of Newk’s Eatery about improving productivity and simplifying restaurant operations. Paci, an industry veteran, has w...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Mike Lenard, founder and chief executive officer of TaKorean, a DC based fast-casual restaurant chain serving Korean tacos and rice bowls. After a career...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Bob Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer about Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s plans for expansion and the digital kitchen. Wright has been President a...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Flynn Dekker, chief executive officer of Bonchon growing the brand, customer base and celebrating Bonchon’s 20th anniversary. Dekker, prior to Bonchon, w...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Mary Jane Riva, chief executive officer and president of the Pizza Factory about growing the brand and the importance of community. Riva has been in the...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with the founder and chief executive officer of Chi'Lantro, Jae Kim about building a brand, giving back to the community and marketing a fast-casual brand. Ch...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Andy Rebhun, chief marketing officer, El Pollo Loco about technology, innovation and marketing to a younger audience. I asked Rebhun about getting starte...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Troy Charhon, co-founder, owner and operator of Bread Zeppelin. Troy Charhon and Andrew Schoellkoph are the founders, owners and operators of Bread Zeppe...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I chat with Kyle Frederick, chief operating officer of Original ChopShop, a fast-casual restaurant based in Dallas. Frederick’s story is one of growth and dedication...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I chat with the chief executive officer of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Charles Watson.   Watson, a veteran franchise professional, worked for several hospitality compani...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I chat with Stacey Pool, chief marketing officer and Sue Petersen, executive vice president of Noodles & Company about the uncommon goodness that has been the co...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I chat with Raji Sankar, co-founder of Wholesome International a multi-concept restaurant development company and co-chief executive officer of Choolaah Indian BBQ r...

The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, Pepe chats with Lori Cominsky, Vice President at Mongolian Concepts, about driving growth strategy, labor shortages and menu innovation.  When asked about her 20 plu...