Restaurant Influencers

Steve Chang, the owner of Copa Vida, has a unique perspective on building community through coffee shops. He believes that a cafe like Copa Vida should serve as a gathering space; where a community can organically form by allowing people to connect on their own accord. Listen now to learn about building community with a business, the “Go. Enjoy. Experience.” mantra, and how technology helps busine...

Harold Walters, CEO of Shootz Restaurant, understands the transformative power of social media storytelling. A crucial mindset shift occurred when he embraced the notion that the opinions of others aren’t his concern. He recognized his purpose is to inspire and bring value to others. Listen now to learn about the benefits of using the Ovation platform, switching to Toast from Clover, and the impor...

Justin Rosenberg, the founder of healthy food chain honeygrow, finds fulfillment in the happiness of their customers. And the CEO understands that achieving that joy doesn’t happen without being surrounded by a strong, competent, efficient team that knows how to kick ass. Listen now to learn about having a timeline to make mistakes, learning to manage up, and finding joy in your work. Sponsored by...

Roll-Em-Up Taquitos and COO Sam Fonseca follow a deliberate approach to keeping their menu — and business — simple and successful. In this interview with host Shawn Walchef live at the Toast Spark LA event, Fonseca describes how Roll-Em-Up chooses to focus on delivering the absolute best experience. Listen now to learn about the power of social media, adjusting for customer expectations, and keepi...

In the ever-evolving landscape of the restaurant industry, Andy Hooper, CEO and Founding Partner of the Hart House restaurant, is committed to creating a space where plant-based food options are more accessible to all.  Listen now to learn the story behind Kevin Hart’s restaurant company, making plant-based food have the broadest possible appeal, and investing in employees. Sponsored by: • Toast:...

Souvla Founder/CEO Charles Bililies (@cbililies) knew opening a Greek restaurant in San Francisco wasn’t going to be easy. But the restaurateur also knew he had something special to offer with his “fast fine restaurant.” Listen now to learn about operating a fast-fine concept, believing in an entrepreneurial vision, and how Toast revamped his restaurant tech stack. Sponsored by: • Toast: All-In-1...

Though he has amassed a big following of more than 10 million on social media, Gustavo Tosta — better known as Guga — did not plan on becoming the star of popular YouTube channels Guga Foods (@gugafoods) and Sous Vide Everything. But as he learned, rules are meant to be broken. Listen now to learn about becoming a viral YouTube Creator, the power of content collaboration, and the cookbook “Guga: B...

Kareem Queeman (@mrbakesweets) didn’t become Mr. Bake overnight. He has been baking since 8. Now a rising voice in the LGBTQ+ community, he found his purpose by answering a difficult question: "If I was to leave this Earth tomorrow, would I be happy with the life that I've lived?" Listen now to learn about using media to share your voice, telling stories with products, and leaning into your power....

Steele Smiley, founder of Steele Brands, is a successful entrepreneur who built a fitness empire before entering the restaurant business. Despite the differences between those two industries, Smiley says there is a common thread of respect that ties them together.  Listen now to learn about fitness and restaurant hospitality, creating a hospitality ecosystem, and Steele Brands being the nice and c...

It’s time Shawn sits in the hot seat. Shawn Walchef is the founder of Cali BBQ Media and host of this show. In this episode the tables are turned. Our friend Will Eppard (Regional VP of Sales at Toast) took the mic at Spark Los Angeles to interview Shawn about his media empire and more. Listen now to learn about turning into a media company and building communities. Sponsored by: • Toast: All-In-1...

Josh Halpern, CEO of Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken, has a track record of building successful brands with successful teams. That’s why Shaq, the Big Man himself, tapped Halpern to be Big Chicken’s first top executive.   Listen now to learn about having big fun and doing big work with Shaquille O’Neal, opening a restaurant in space, and moving as one team with one dream. Sponsored by: • Toast: All...

Serial Entrepreneur Jeff Fenster is the founder of the successful healthy food chain Everbowl. He is now founding his own media company that focuses on providing value to his audience instead of just pushing products.  Listen now to learn about ditching the commercials for content, the Relationship Bank Account, creating The Jeff Fenster Show, and asking for help. Sponsored by: • Toast: All-In-1 R...

Ford Fry is the chef-owner and founder of the Rocket Farm Restaurants. The Rocket Farm umbrella includes popular food spots like State of Grace, Superica, and many more across Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Houston. Listen now to learn about the dream to help others, the increasing role of technology in hospitality, and creating emotional connections with customers. Sponsored by: • Toast: All-...

Chris Do, CEO of The Futur, is no stranger to simultaneous praise and criticism as an influencer. Nevertheless, the Emmy-award winner’s ultimate goal is one of empowerment. In the age of New Media, Do knows that anyone can have a platform to share their message with the world. Listen now to learn about self-development, creating the best content, and The Futur Euro Tour. Sponsored by: • Toast: All...

PepsiCo’s Digital Lab is helping restaurants future-proof their businesses and unleash their digital potential. As Head of PepsiCo Foodservice Digital Lab, André Moraes uses the expertise he has gathered over the years to optimize digital hospitality. Listen now to learn about using digital tools effectively, technology being an enabler, and the positive culture at PepsiCo. Sponsored by: • Toast:...

Téa Ivanovic (@teaiva) is the co-founder and COO of Immigrant Food, a “cause-casual” restaurant in Washington, D.C. whose mission is to celebrate immigrants and push for progressive change in the US. Listen now to learn about Immigrant Food’s 3-Pillar Mission, retaining quality employees, and enhancing media exposure the right way. Sponsored by: • Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant POS — https://bit.ly/3v...

Jamie & Kayla Giovinazzo built a healthy food empire. But success took time, talent, and teamwork. The founder of Eat Clean Bro combined his passions of cooking and fitness to make a meal prep company. Then the hard work began. #eatcleanbro   Listen now to learn about prioritizing customers, the business of healthy eating, and building  culture with clear communication. Sponsored by: • Toast: All-...

Ari Weinzweig, founder of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses (@zingermanscommunity), used visioning and tried-and-true beliefs to grow the Zingerman’s brand in big, but thoughtful, ways. Listen now to learn about opening Zingerman’s Delicatessen, the process of creating a vision for your business, and humbleness being vital to a company’s ecosystem. Sponsored by: • Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant POS...

For Charlie Eblen, founder of Single Tree BBQ and host of Single Tree Nation Podcast, “Just Do It” is both a motto and rallying cry. His mission is to transform his business into “the Nike of BBQ”. Listen now to learn about building community with the perfect plate of barbecue, capturing customer data, and the power of podcasting. Sponsored by: • Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant POS — https://bit.ly/3vp...

Meredith Sandland, CEO of Empower Delivery, is one of those people with a knack for creating positive change. In layman’s terms, her company helps simplify complex ordering processes to make them more efficient. Listen now to learn about the tie that binds moving parts in a business, overcoming customer friction, and the follow-up to Delivering the Digital Restaurant. Sponsored by: Toast: All-In-1...

Kim Malek of Salt & Straw bet it all on the idea of a unique ice cream shop, one that builds community while innovating. Drawing inspiration from her time at Starbucks as it revolutionized coffee, she sought to do the same with ice cream. Listen now to learn about organic storytelling collaborations, remaining authentic during expansion, and building back after tragedy. Sponsored by: Toast: All-In...

Rob Dyrdek (@robdyrdek) Manufactures Amazing by optimizing life. The serial entrepreneur, MTV star, athlete, and founder of Dyrdek Machine is on a mission to be as efficient as possible by designing a sustainable — and scalable —  existence. Listen now to learn about multi-dimensional business strategies, manifesting a desirable future, and conquering by taking action. Sponsored by: Toast: All-In-...

CookUnity CEO Mateo Marietti is on a mission to reconnect farmer to chef to eater. CookUnity is an innovative “chef collective” that sells personalized meal subscription plans with an emphasis on healthy eating, quality ingredients, and sustainability. Listen now to learn about founding the meal subscription service, improving the food system, and living up to being dubbed the “Spotify of Food Del...

David “Rev” Ciancio (@revciancio) knows it takes courage to tell your story online. The marketing expert created the Branded Restaurant Marketing Summit to highlight honest stories and useful strategies from 32 of the biggest and brightest names in the hospitality industry. Listen now to learn about the importance of publishing video content, simplifying branding, and creating a new type of restau...

Chef turned Content Creator Ryan Peters (@ryanpeterspgh) founded Peters Pasta and quickly built an online following of millions, which allowed him to turn content creation into a business. Now he is taking his brand to the next level. Listen now to learn about going viral on TikTok, transitioning to a full-time content creation career, and picking the right brand partners for collaboration. Sponso...