Restaurant Influencers

Frank Neri is a chef and founder of El Primo Red Tacos, known for bold flavor and Birria mastery. After closing his first restaurant just before Michelin came calling, he doubled down on simplicity and focus.  Listen now to hear how a trip to Tijuana changed his view on flavor, a WhatsApp group kept him in the game, and doing one thing well became his recipe for success. Sponsored by: • TOAST - Al...

Lisa Malikow, senior VP of the National Restaurant Show, has helped turn the popular event into a launchpad for the restaurant business. With over 2,200 exhibitors and a flow of new vendors, she focuses on helping attendees discover new ideas. Listen now to learn about running a massive event, helping operators grow, and why unexpected inspiration is the best part of the job Sponsored by:  • TOAST...

Adrianne Calvo is a restaurateur and content creator who turned a cookbook win and a Montel Williams guest spot into a thriving hospitality brand. From dark dining experiences to heartfelt “love letters” from guests, she’s built a career rooted in bold flavor, real storytelling, and digital connection. Listen now to learn about building confidence on TV, turning guests into loyal customers, and st...

Sebastien Centner is the founder of Eatertainment, a hospitality company known for executing high-end events. After stumbling into catering, he built the company on what he calls the 5 Percent Rule. Today, he leads one of Canada’s top catering brands alongside his wife Sheila. Listen now to learn about the 5 Percent Rule, the creative partnership with his wife, and delivering more than what’s on p...

Chef Eric LeVine is a Food Network Chopped champion, author, and industry veteran known for honesty and a relentless drive. After surviving cancer six times and transforming his life inside and out, he’s built a reputation for leading with truth, rejecting ego, and showing up with purpose. Listen now to discover what happens when you strip away ego and live fully in the moment both in and out of t...

Michael “Schatzy” Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling built Branded Hospitality to invest in tools that help restaurant operators win. Their podcast has become a key part of that mission—fueling awareness, driving deal flow, and building relationships across the industry. Listen now to learn how a unique blend of friendship, investment focus, and a ‘takes a village’ mindset is helping hospitality bran...

From butcher shops to fine dining, Chef Brad Wise has built a reputation for world-class steaks and top-tier hospitality. As his Trust Restaurant Group expands he’s proving that smart risks, self-belief, and hard-earned lessons are the keys to scaling his business. Listen to learn about the power of trust, the balance between growth and hospitality, and the similarities of running a butcher shop a...

Justin Moore didn’t just build a career in content creation, he built a playbook for making money. After years of landing brand deals with his wife, he saw most creators making costly mistakes. He wrote Sponsor Magnet to help them pitch better, secure partnerships, and get paid what they’re worth. Listen now to learn how to perfect a pitch, what brands care about, and why storytelling is one of th...

Michel Falcon, founder of Brasa Peruvian Kitchen, is a restaurateur, author, and keynote speaker who has used unorthodox tactics to build his brand. From launching a hotline phone number so people can learn about Peru, to applying strategies inspired by Netflix, he’s taking a unique approach to the restaurant industry. Listen now to learn about deep family roots, thinking outside the box, and why...

Amir Nathan, a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded chef and co-owner of Sami & Susu, opened the restaurant during COVID as a general store before evolving it into one of NYC's premier dining spots, navigating financial scrapes, industry chaos, and the grind of New York hospitality. Listen now to learn about taking financial risks, reinventing a restaurant, and bringing Israeli flavors to New York City....

At the Restaurant Industry Influencers Summit, Lisa Landsman (Head of Industry Engagement and SMB Success at Google) shared eye-opening search trends, top Google Business Profile tips, and key data insights shaping restaurants for 2025. Listen now to learn how Google’s latest search trends are impacting the restaurant industry, the must-have online menu features, and the best ways to optimize your...

Christy Reuter, chair of the hospitality practice at Blank Rome LLP, isn’t just an attorney — she’s a fierce advocate for restaurant operators navigating high-stakes deals, brand growth, and industry evolution. Listen now to discover Christy Reuter’s deep passion for hospitality, the crucial role of lawyers in the industry, and why she genuinely loves her clients. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1...

After building The Meatball Shop into a national brand, chef and restaurateur Daniel Holzman experienced success’s highs and multimillion-dollar failures. Along the way, he learned hard truths about leadership, workplace culture, and lessons that led to Danny Boy’s Famous Original Pizza. Listen now to learn about the importance of authenticity, better workplace culture, and not letting ego get in...

Eli Sussman, a James Beard Award-nominated chef and owner of Gertrude's in Brooklyn, uses humorous social media posts and memes to spotlight the realities of hospitality. As a chef, operator, and content creator, he’s built a career that blends hospitality with digital influence.  Listen now to learn about the drive to keep opening restaurants, an unexpected collaboration, and the rise to meme roy...

After 15 years in luxury hotel food and beverage programs, Auden Hospitality founder Scot Turner found his way to independent restaurants. It was there that the consultant and entrepreneur realized the opportunity for hotels to take pages from the restaurant playbook. Listen now to learn about authenticity and curated experiences in hotels, improving food and beverage programs, and leaning into di...

Alba Huerta is an award-winning mixologist and owner of Julep in Houston, Texas. She has spent more than a decade shaping cocktail culture. After countless awards, and 110 drinks on the menu, she has gained international acclaim for her bartending prowess. Listen now to learn about the art of mixology, embracing her Mexican-American heritage, and leading a James Beard Award winning cocktail progra...

Kevin Seo has had a colorful career. He achieved viral success with his NFT-themed restaurant, as well as a traveling pop-up restaurant centered around Sonic The Hedgehog. Fans can now enjoy Sonic’s favorite chili dogs, cheese fries, and more. Listen now to learn about partnering with SEGA to bring Sonic The Hedgehog Speed Cafe to life, listening to fans, and running multiple businesses Sponsored...

Despite not having any prior restaurant experience, Loycent Gordon breathed new life into Neir’s Tavern, a historic Queens landmark made famous in the movie Goodfellas. Dubbed “The most famous bar you’ve never heard of” by PBS, the restaurant and bar is on its way to a 200 year anniversary. Listen now to learn about entering the restaurant business, telling the story of your business, and taking a...

Josh Kopel’s journey from successful restaurateur to media personality and business coach is one of resilience, vulnerability, and a commitment to helping others. As the host of Yelp for Restaurant’s podcast Full Comp, he has asked the hard questions and shared his battle scars through more than 400 episodes. Listen now to learn about making hospitality media, the benefits of scarcity, and elevati...

Michael Schwartz and Bobby Rutter, the dynamic leaders behind Forward Hospitality Group, have transformed the Midwest's entertainment scene. With 12 distinct concepts spanning multiple states and nearly 1,000 employees, their journey is a testament to adaptability, vision, and resilience. Listen now to learn about transforming the entertainment scene in the Midwest and reinvention as a business mo...

Monica Rothgery is a natural leader. She has trained army soldiers, managed fast-food restaurant teams, built international franchises, and wrote a book about it all. The former KFC Chief Operating Officer’s leadership journey fueled her unique approach to restaurant management and her mission to uplift frontline leaders. Listen now to learn about frontline leadership, the value of good training,...

Perry Rogers, CEO/founder of PRP, has managed superstars and built a restaurant company. As Shaquille O’Neal’s superagent, those experiences prepared him to partner with his big client to create a truly larger-than-life restaurant brand. Big Chicken is a testament to collaboration, vision, and fun. Watch now to learn about building a food brand with Shaq, the power of collaboration, and the busine...

Ashley Morris’s journey from finance professional to the CEO of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is a story of perseverance, and a relentless passion for quality. He has led Capriotti’s from a regional favorite to a national franchised brand that is constantly expanding. Listen now to learn about buying his favorite sandwich shop, how to keep quality up while scaling, and operating a fast-casual franchis...

Sohla El-Waylly went from dreaming of Michelin Stars to being a YouTube Star. Her unique perspective as a self-taught chef, rather than a traditionally trained writer, led to opportunities at higher-profile outlets like Bon Appetit, the History network, and the New York Times. Listen now to learn about making meals for the internet, secrets of YouTube success, and her personal tech stack. Sponsore...

As owner of Slutty Vegan, Pinky Cole knows the value of attention. Her authenticity and genuine connection with audiences have been instrumental to Slutty Vegan's success. She believes that people aren't just buying her meatless burgers — they're buying into her story, her personality, and her mission Listen now to learn about leaning into failure, going from TV producer to the restaurant business...