Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates

Send us Fan Mail Jensen Cummings, a legacy figure within the restaurant industry, is uncovering and remedying fallacies within the industry. Having transitioned from a top chef to behind the scenes managerial operations, Jensen has an all encompassing understanding of restaurant industry operations.  On this episode, you'll learn from Jensen about: Restructuring the P&L statement Saving h...

Send us Fan Mail Justin Egan is the VP of marketing, franchise development, and digital strategy at Craveworthy Brands. His expertise includes consumer-focused branding, building digital guest experiences, franchise development and restaurant/marketing tech. On this episode you'll learn from Justin about: Delivering cravable foods and experiences End-to-end marketing strategy Growing your bra...

Send us Fan Mail Bob Andersen has spent over 20 years in the restaurant industry, with experience as a Managing Director at Boston Pizza, the President of MOOYAH, the Executive Vice President of United Franchise Group, and much more. Bob is currently the President of The Great Greek Grill - a delicious, growing brand with over 40 locations. What you'll learn on this episode:  Bob's 3 pri...

Send us Fan Mail Matthew Marx is an expert in technology leadership and he uses this knowledge to build and operate high growth products and businesses. In the restaurant industry, Matthew applies his expertise on the benefits of tech to improve operations and elevate your brand. On this episode, you'll learn from Matthew about: How to introduce omnichannel operations The benefit of digital m...

Send us Fan Mail Find out how the cooking and prep that goes on back-of-house impacts the guest. Gavin Kaysen, Founder and chef of Soigné Hospitality, knows how the unseen operations play a heavy role in developing creativity, community, and a positive guest experience. Tune in to this weeks episode to learn how the culinary touch can bring people together and strategically grown your business.  Y...

Send us Fan Mail This weeks episode of Give An Ovation welcomes Fred LeFranc, the CEO of Results Thru Strategy, a consulting company that specializes in restaurant and hospitality brands. With his strategic eye and forward thinking tactics, Fred knows how to leverage your company's strengths and strengthen weaknesses.  On this episode, you will learn from Fred about: Evaluating your business...

Send us Fan Mail Yigal Adato, Founder of Unlock The Leader, brings his expertise in leadership training and personal development to this weeks episode of Give An Ovation. This is a crucial conversation on how to improve internal operations through individual progression. Tune in to hear Yigal's perspective on how personal growth contributes to the health of your business.  On this episode, yo...

Send us Fan Mail Arguably the biggest factor to bring about a positive guest experience is the state of your employees. Bobby Amoah, CEO of River Health  ensures a system where you can do just that by providing quality primary care and mental health services for your employees. While taking a step outside of the restaurant industry, this episode has everything to do with the health of your workfor...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how to better leverage your technology? Or what integrating your technology can mean for your guests? Pete Gibson, former CIO of Friendly's and Johnny Rockets, has a solid record of successfully leveraging tech, improving operations, and developing high-performing teams globally. As a Chief Information Officer, Pete has extensive experience in improving...

Send us Fan Mail Steve Raggiani is a Co-Founder of 8it, the simplest way to find food. 8it provides curated food recommendations and popups in New York City. Steve's main goal? Simplify the the food search and filter out bad reviews. Steve brings his innovative eye for greatness to this weeks episode of Give An Ovation. On this episode, Steve and host, Zack discuss: The end of the review era...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Give An Ovation, we are one click away from restauranteurs and focusing on industry specific consulting. Bassem Nowyhed is a Multi-Unit Owner and Founder of Invig Consulting. Invig Consulting has reimagined the way brands, convenience stores, and restaurants connect and do business. Bassem is a leading innovator in business development and building distribution...

Send us Fan Mail Michael Brown has over 30 years experience in the restaurant industry and is a master in guest experience.  Having owned Chick-Fil-A locations for about 14 years then working alongside Flying Biscuit and Bojangles, Michael knows his fried chicken. With his most recent role as Sr. director of guest experience at Zaxby's, Michael brings his expertise in internal and external gu...

Send us Fan Mail Micha Magid is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Mighty Quinn's BBQ, a traditional barbecue dining experience that opened in 2012 our of Manhattan's East Village. Mighty Quinn’s is one of the first authentic barbecue experiences in a fast casual setting. Micha's emphasis is providing amazing food, great atmosphere, and quick service at convenient locations.    On this ep...

Send us Fan Mail Matt Plapp is the Founder and CEO of America’s Best Restaurant and Restaurant Marketing That Works. Matt began his digital marketing journey back in 2008 helping restaurant owners increase their profits by attracting the attention of their customers every week. Matt brings his passion for helping people build successful businesses to this week's episode of Give An Ovation. On...

Send us Fan Mail Nicole Tanner is the current Owner and Founder of Swig,  a booming beverage brand launched in 2010 in St. George, Utah. Nicole brainstormed the idea for a drive-by drink shop which has now grown to 45 locations from Utah and Arizona to Texas and Oklahoma! While Swig offers personalized sodas and sweet treats, Nicole ensures a culture of connection and friendship with customers who...

Send us Fan Mail Damian Otero is the CEO of Real Tacos, authentic Mexican street food based out of Atlanta. The chefs at Real Tacos strive to recreate the characteristics of tacos from various regions of Mexico using the freshest cuts of meat and cooking with ingredients sourced only from there. As CEO, Damian focuses largely on improving operations with an emphasis on hospitality and tech. On thi...

Send us Fan Mail Jesse B Good is the Chief Multiplier of Aprendey, a company grounded on people skills and the guest experience. Jesse has over 20 years of experience leading front-line customer service teams and developing successful CX programs. In addition, Jesse has facilitated more than 1,000,000 customer service experiences (and counting). Tune in as Jesse B Good brings his guest experience...

Send us Fan Mail Alex Blum is the Founder and CEO of Relay Delivery. Relay Delivery enables brands to expand their reach while increasing their margins. Alex Blum  noticed a major gap in operations for restaurants who relied on their own in-house couriers to make deliveries. Relay offers restaurant owners an easy way to optimize their delivery operations all while regaining control over their busi...

Send us Fan Mail Rob Grimes is the Founder and CEO of the International Food and Beverage Technology Association (IFBTA), a nonprofit trade association, that promotes the use of technology within the global food and beverage industries. Rob is paving the path for restaurant tech and is passionate about how emerging technologies can enhance company profitability and enrich the guest experience. In...

Send us Fan Mail Leigh Gower is the Chief Technology Officer at Dutch Bros Coffee. Not only recognized for their variety of drinks, Dutch Bros is known for their exceptional hospitality and ability to connect with drive thru guests. As CTO, Leigh Gowers talks about her experience continuing to connect franchises and individuals all while adding tech to the mix! In this episode, Leigh and host, Zac...

Send us Fan Mail Dustin Mares is the Co-Founder of Meal Outpost, a pioneer in developing the virtual table touch. Meal Outpost enables restaurants and staff to create an additional revenue stream by licensing existing brands from an established brick-and-mortars. Tune in to hear Dustin Mares insights to the ever-changing virtual landscape of restaurants! On this episode, Dustin and host Zack discu...

Send us Fan Mail Leslie Silverglide is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mixt Greens. Mixt Greens makes healthy fast food accessible and sets the bar on sustainable restaurant operations. With education from John Hopkins, Oxford, AND Stanford Leslie is not just a thinker, she is a doer. Leslie prioritizes improving operations through environmental impact, healthy food options, and new and improved tech. T...

Send us Fan Mail Harold Walters is the CEO and Co-founder of Shootz, a growing Hawaiian fast-casual brand in southern California. Prior to co-founding Shootz, Harold founded and operated multiple 6 and 7 figure ecommerce brands, a direct response marketing agency, and short term rental business. His previous experience as a software developer combined with his business experience makes him a diver...

Send us Fan Mail Abe Ruiz is a restaurant veteran with over 30 years in the industry! He's got a lot going on these days, as the owner of the Spanish Madrid Taverna, the VP of Strategic Growth and Innovation for Green Turtle, and several other ventures.  On this episode, Abe and Zack discuss:  How to to hire and retain employees How the need for a distinct dining experience has grown Using br...

Send us Fan Mail Joanne Heyob is the Senior Vice President of Operations at WD Partners. WD Partners is global & integrated services that include strategy & insights, brand & design, operations planning & design, architecture & engineering and construction services, and much more. Joanne's mission is to shape the future of customer experience through problem solving.  On t...