Restaurant Influencers

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...

Victor Lugger, co-founder of the restaurant group Big Mamma and the tech platform sunday, is no stranger to building memorable experiences that transcend mere dining. For Lugger, restaurants should be spaces filled with joy and emotion, encouraging guests to savor each moment.  Listen now to learn about building the Big Mamma Group, lessons learned through disaster and creating the sunday app for...

Bill Oakley wrote some of the most memorable episodes of The Simpsons. Now he’s an influencer who is building a brand centered around his love of food.  Before posting food content online, Bill Oakley had dozens of people following him on Instagram. Now he has 42,000+. Over on X he has more than 60,000.  Listen now to learn about his Steamed Hams Society, writing for The Simpsons, and the future o...

Alison Roman is an author, chef, and digital creator known for her unfiltered, honest approach to food, lifestyle, and storytelling. She has carved her own path in a media landscape that often favors formulaic approaches, taking the helm of her content, and connecting deeply with her audience.  Listen now to learn about how Alison empowered herself through YouTube, the challenges of podcasting, an...

Chef Vikas Khanna's life story is a profound journey of resilience, humility, and purpose. Born with a congenital foot defect in India and facing discrimination and hardship, he defied expectations to become one of the most celebrated Indian American chefs in the world.  Listen now to learn about turning failure to triumph, hosting MasterChef India, and becoming an award winning filmmaker. Sponsor...

Brett Berish, the dynamic CEO of Sovereign Brands, comes from a family with a long history in the wine and spirits industry. Yet he forged his own path, building a brand empire through creativity, resilience, and a passion for authenticity.  Listen now to learn about embracing authenticity, learning from “failures”, and partnering with Rick Ross, Jay-Z and more music icons. Sponsored by:  • TOAST...

For Celebrity Chef Marc Murphy, food is more than a career — it's a way to take care of others. Having built a name for himself through restaurants and TV appearances on shows like Food Network's Chopped, Murphy is driven by the gratification that comes from supporting his team. Listen now to learn about being on the Food Network, operating a pop-up restaurant, and the gratification that comes wit...

MìLà was founded by Jennifer and Caleb Liao and provides restaurant-quality dishes for people to eat at home. From food to how it intertwines with culture, the modern Chinese food brand uses design, videos, influencers, and more, to help tell a story that honors heritage while taking it into the future. Listen now to learn about learning to start a food business, amplifying modern Chinese food, an...

Michael Palmer, CEO of McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams since 2012, stepped into his role leading the legacy brand with a mission to breathe new life into an institution that had been delighting ice cream lovers since 1949 — without losing its cool factor.  Listen now to learn about revitalizing McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, rethinking social media strategies, and keeping it simple. Sponsored by:  • TOA...

CEO Scott Snyder's journey with Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii began as a mission to help the brand regain its footing, but it quickly evolved into a larger vision. Brought in initially to assist with turning operations around, he soon saw the incredible potential the brand held.  Listen now to learn more about revamping Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, building an experiential brand, and marketing to a divers...

After a prolific 20 year NBA career that saw Shaquille O’Neal also release platinum-selling music and star in box office smash movies, he brings his championship mentality and larger-than-life persona to new heights with Big Chicken. Listen now to learn about being resourceful in marketing, Shaq’s social media strategy, and becoming a part of the Big Chicken team. Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1...

Taylor Mason, CEO/founder of Taylor's Tacos, is on a mission to create the “In-N-Out of Tacos”. She’s transforming her beloved taco concept into a streamlined experience that caters to the modern customer’s craving for convenience. Listen now to learn about growing a restaurant business, using community resources to build a business, and the Good Morning America effect. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - Al...

Gourmet Foods, founder/CEO of Cookie Jar Bakery, and creator of gourmet Nigerian restaurants, including iLÉ EROS. Listen now to learn about becoming “The Billionaire Chef”, his collaboration with Michael B. Jordan and Chase Sapphire, and the differences between West Africa and the US. Sponsored by:  • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc • WALMART BUSINESS: https://business.walm...

Celebrity Chef Eddie Jackson, known for his appearances on the Food Network, has successfully transitioned his culinary talents into a thriving business model that blends creativity, mentorship, and efficient operations. Listen now to learn about the advantage of food trucks, being mentored by Bobby Flay, and streamlining operations with restaurant technology like Toast. Sponsored by: • TOAST - Al...

Sam Oches, editorial director at Informa Connect’s Restaurant & Food Group, shares insights into the role new media plays in the restaurant industry in this interview live from the 2024 National Restaurant Show. As the largest event management company in the world, Informa has become an invaluable host of major industry happenings and content. Listen now to learn about hosting the National Restaur...

If there’s one commonality among restaurant operators, it’s that there is just too much to do with too little time. That’s why Popmenu is using AI and other new technologies to help restaurants get back more of life’s most precious resource: hours in the day. Listen now to this interview with Popmenu co-founders Brendan Sweeney and Tony Roy about buying into restaurant tech, the benefits of indust...

San Pedro Fish Market became famous thanks to storytelling. Michael Ungaro and Henry Ungaro Jr. from the fish market are guests on this episode to talk about how the family business has persisted across multiple generations and leaned into video content to grow their brand. Listen now to learn about creating the Kings of Fish reality show on Amazon Prime Video, going viral, and running a profitabl...