Heroes & Headwinds

From “old school” operations to leading tech-driven beverage innovation— Jarrett Whitlow has seen it all. In this episode of Heroes & Headwinds , the SVP Beverage Strategy at Botrista talks industry shifts, navigating today’s headwinds, and what’s next for the beverage sector. He even shares his take on Red Lobster’s future and hard-earned advice for thriving through change.

In this episode of Heroes & Headwinds , we sit down with Darden Coors and Jenn Ruppert—CEO and VP of Marketing at Salad Collective—for an inside look at the launch of their bold new MAD Greens menu. Beyond the food, they share candid stories from their dynamic careers, offering insight into leadership, creativity, and what it takes to build a brand with purpose. It’s a thoughtful, energizing c...

Mindy Armstrong has been a thought leader in the foodservice industry for nearly two decades, specializing in strategy, the creative process, and culinary leadership. Mindy has had a rich career in consulting and corporate leadership, and today, serves as VP of Menu Innovation for Ascent Hospitality , including the Perkins Amercian Food Company , and Huddle House . Mindy is a prominent industry co...

Today's guest on Heroes & Headwinds is Maisie Ganzler. Author, speaker, and corporate advisor, Maisie is an expert on how companies can make positive change in supply chains and other systems. For two decades, Maisie drove strategy for Bon Appétit Management Company and she positioned the company as a leader in sustainable purchasing. She is also the author of You Can’t Market Manure at Lu...

On this episode of Heroes & Headwinds, you’ll meet Anne Mejia, Senior VP of Brand Development at Mellow Mushroom . Before her tenure at this famed pizza joint, Anne has been an integral part of the marketing teams of notable franchises such as Einstein Bros. Bagels, Jack in the Box, Carl’s Jr., and most recently Frisch’s Big Boy Restaurants. Since joining Mellow Mushroom in 2018, Anne has help...

Today you’ll be hearing from Annica Conrad, Chief Brand Officer of City BBQ. Prior to this role, she’s held marketing leadership positions at numerous restaurants including Mellow Mushroom, Moe’s Southwest Grill and McAlister’s Deli. She later became the Chief Marketing Officer at both FAT Brands and Global Franchise Group. There is not a single doubt that you’ve been knowingly or unknowingly insp...

This week, we're dropping a recent interview with Erica Spector Wishnow, Co-CEO of Southpaw, a major franchisee of Taco Bell and Dunkin', and one of the advisors behind Greenlane, a drive-thru salad concept that just launched in Tampa, Florida. Erica is a leader with a powerful personal story that's driven her to blaze a unique and innovative trail in food and beverage.

Dan Anfison is the dynamic visionary force behind Slapfish, a renowned seafood-centric restaurant chain known for its innovative and sustainable approach to dining. Dan is also the COO of Mac Haik Restaurant Group. Well known by many for his prowess in restaurant operations, only a few of us know that he moonlights as a lead vocalist and guitarist.

Greg Dollarhyde is a four-decade, serial entrepreneur in the restaurant industry who has led companies to realizations totaling more than a billion dollars over that time. As an early pioneer in the fast casual segment of the industry, he originally led the buyout of early-stage Baja Fresh in the late 90’s, and sold it to Wendy’s four years later as a national chain. Greg was also the former Execu...

Katie Ayoub is an award-winning writer and Managing Editor of Flavor & The Menu, with more than 20 years dedicated to foodservice publishing. If you’ve read the industry trades, you’ve certainly read Katie’s work. She also runs Flavor Forward Events, a boutique consultancy that works to elevate food and beverage menus with trend-forward ideas and immersive experiences. Additionally, Katie is t...

In this episode of Heroes & Headwinds, we’re sharing an interview with Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao and a longtime leader in food and beverage innovation: from digital ordering to dark kitchens to a staffless front of house. From listening to Geoff, you might be forgiven for thinking that the success of Wow Bao was inevitable, however, Geoff and his team pioneered these innova...

In this episode of Heroes & Headwinds, we’re talking shop with Sam Oches, the award-winning Editorial Director of Informa Restaurant & Food Group, which publishes Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality . Sam has such a unique and big picture vantage of the F&B landscape; he is deeply in touch with the million challenges our community faces, but persists in forging a path f...

While so many were furloughing staff or shuttering their businesses in early response to the COVID pandemic, Andy Hooper gave his entire staff a raise and extended benefits. Today Andy is the CEO of Hart House, a plant-based QSR concept founded by Kevin Hart. We learn in this episode of Heroes & Headwinds, how through Andy’s commitment to best-in-class employee benefits, Hart House is creating...

Why on Earth would you create space for "bad" ideas in pursuit of the good ones? How do you ideate today for tomorrow's food future? In this episode of Heroes & Headwinds, the extraordinary Mindy Armstrong, Sr. Director at Inspire Brands, answers these questions and more. This interview was a trip, not only because of Mindy’s energy and transparency, but also her people-first approach to innov...

In this episode, we’re chatting with Annemarie Vaupel, Vice President of Marketing at Hormel Foodservice. We’ll hear about the pivotal role that food has played in her personal life, but also how her career in F&B has informed her definition of hospitality. What can brands do to make a lasting impression on her? How do restaurants capture a finite amount of consumer dollars? She shares effecti...

Today we’re sharing a recent interview with Dan Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of Taziki’s Mediterranean Café. Taziki's Cafés are a hallmark of the American East, but with locations stretching as far west as Colorado, delivering fresh, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Dan taught us the saying: “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; and the realist adjusts the...

We launched Heroes & Headwinds with an interview featuring Jennifer Schuler, CEO of Wetzel’s Pretzels. We found Jennifer’s personal story and professional insights so compelling that we simply couldn’t edit it down to one episode. And so we’re back to wrap up the story of a beloved West Coast snack chain and its dynamic leader. In this week's episode, Jennifer Schuler shares just how she solve...

In this episode of Heroes & Headwinds we’re sharing a recent interview with Jarrett Whitlow, Senior Vice President Concept Development & International at Red Lobster. Jarrett has had an illustrious career coming up through Red Lobster and Darden restaurants for the last quarter century. A serious operator by training, Jarrett is also a creative leader, and brings this quality to bear in hi...

This week, we’re chatting with Jamil Dib, founder of the restaurant group, Vida & Estilo, which since 1996 has created a stable of globally-inspired restaurants, from Miami to Las Vegas. Jamil has an uncompromising, yet empathetic attitude to growth. And while he can be pretty tough on our industry, no-one loves it more.

This week, we’re chatting with Jennifer Schuler, CEO of Wetzel’s Pretzels, a beloved snack chain born here on the West Coast. Throughout our chat, we observe how Jennifer matches precise critical thinking with an irrepressible sense of fun and joy. And for Wetzel’s fans who revere the brand's sense of levity, that should come as no surprise.