Restaurant Influencers

Alexandra Lourdes and Steve Jerome are co-founders of Refined Hospitality Group. With viral videos, smart storytelling, and operational excellence, they’ve built one of Las Vegas’ most successful restaurant groups. Community and content drive every concept. Listen now to learn how a happy hour turned into business, why content became a secret weapon, and how two friends built one of Vegas’ most su...

These leaders are reshaping how restaurants grow. Brendan Sweeney and Tony Roy co-founded Popmenu to give operators smarter tools, connect with guests, and scale. Tunji Junard, now Chief Marketing Officer of Steam Boys, saw the impact firsthand and brought Popmenu into the brand, helping grow it to nine locations. Listen now to learn about restaurant growth, the power of partnership, and replacing...

Jon Taffer, host of Bar Rescue and Taffer’s Tavern founder, has joined forces with Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands. They’re combining media influence with restaurant know-how to grow something big. Their partnership is built on trust, culture, and a belief that authenticity is what truly sets great brands apart. Listen now to learn how authenticity, leadership, and mentorship are fueling...

Diane Hund (Chief Marketing Officer at US Foods) reveals how the company’s marketing strategies, including truck branding and authentic human touch points, help build trust and loyalty across more than 100,000 restaurant partners nationwide. Listen now to learn why brand consistency matters, how the US Foods’ team brings itself to life, and the ways AI is transforming menu design and marketing for...

Adam Brotman and Andy Sack of Forum3 wrote AI First: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand to share insights on how AI is transforming industries like restaurants. They’re helping operators adapt to a new tech-driven reality. Listen now to learn about their research on AI, its future in our world, and the technology’s impact on hospitality. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant...

Nick Rodriguez, owner of Famous Creations, uses his bold baked creations and candid social media posts to spotlight the highs and lows of small business ownership. He’s built a brand rooted in creativity, community, and staying unapologetically real.  Listen now to learn about building a successful cupcake brand, staying calm under pressure, and turning viral chaos into community support. Sponsore...

Giada De Laurentiis is a celebrity chef and founder of Giadzy, which blends Italian tradition with entrepreneurial vision. With an Amazon deal and curated product line, she’s creating a platform to celebrate food and community. Listen to hear how Giada turned a demo into a long career, why she’s focused on content and commerce, and what she’s building with Amazon. Watch GIADI In My Kitchen on Amaz...

Nicolas Jammet is co-founder of Sweetgreen, which grew from college startup into a public company. From recipe rewrites to festival stages, Jammet helped shape Sweetgreen into a brand defined by thoughtful food, and tech-driven innovation. Listen to learn how three college friends built the brand, why tech is the heart of hospitality, and how a salad company ended up on stage with The Weeknd. Spon...

Mike Burns took over the &pizza chain just as the brand was losing its edge. He quickly revived its cult following, bringing back the tattoo promotion that drew 2,700 fans and the Pi Day weddings where couples tie the knot — literally, with dough. Listen now to learn about turning customers into superfans, empowering staff, and building a brand that breaks the rules. Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In...

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...