Restaurant Influencers

Aspire Tour cofounders Eddie Wilson and Andrew Cordle dig into the importance of events and how the “Stage Theory” can help you spread influence. They created Aspire to showcase the world's most powerful business minds in a fun concert-like setting. Listen now to learn about the future of the Aspire Tour, the transformative power of live, and how to work with top speakers like Jesse Itzler, Kendra...

Kooking with Kelli’s Kelli Ferrell is a distinct personality in the restaurant space. As the founder of Nana's Chicken-N-Waffles she is a dynamic individual who weaves together her roles as a mother, content creator, entrepreneur, and self-taught chef.  Listen now to learn about allowing fans a glimpse of regular life, building a personal brand, and selling 24 Karat Magik Gold Flaked Maple Syrup a...

Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen founders Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan were intentional in creating a mission-driven space. The Hilltop team (including entrepreneur/entertainer Issa Rae) consistently exceeds guest expectations with welcoming community spaces and family-like hospitality. Listen now to learn about creating a place for the community, why to use new restaurant technology, and how coffee is a r...

Troy Guard, the Founder of TAG Restaurant Group, encountered a number of challenges during his transitioning from top chef to business owner but has learned, endured, and expanded TAG Restaurant Group into an industry powerhouse. Listen now to learn about transforming from chef to owner, asking for what you want, and the power of storytelling. Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://b...

For restaurateur Lien Ta, events are not just a way to make more money. Hosting unique gatherings (like the Food Trivia Night) at her establishments is a creative outlet, a catalyst for joy, and yet another way that her All Day Baby restaurant cultivates its loyal fanbase. Listen now to learn about hosting successful events at your business, empowering women in the food and beverage industry, and...

Restaurants can think OUTSIDE the box by putting their products INSIDE a box. Tiago Carneiro and his Novo Brazil Brewing Co. have tapped into new revenue streams by bringing their food and drink brands to customers — whether that’s at a grocery store, local sporting events, or in a traditional restaurant setting. Listen to learn about expanding your business model, selling packaged goods, and havi...

Justin Nedelman went from real estate to restaurants. It’s not a traditional path, but the CEO of Pressed prides himself on moving upward even in the face of mountains. As a health and fitness enthusiast, Justin is also helping Pressed branch out into new categories to increase revenue and reach.  Listen to learn about the business of plant-based foods, discovering new ways to reach consumers, and...

Jack Gibbons, CEO of FB Society, is a restaurant industry leader who puts his creative mind to work helping to build and grow experiential dining concepts into huge brands. Based out of Texas, Jack challenges conventional wisdom by boldly declaring, "Profit is not a four-letter word." Listen now to learn about the relationship between profit and expansion, scaling multi-million dollar restaurants,...

Isabel Coss is an acclaimed postres chef with big ambitions who helps run Washington, DC’s Lutèce. As a young restaurant worker starting out in Mexico City, Isabel Coss learned that the secret ingredient to success was creativity and communication. Now Isabel Coss is one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2023. Listen to learn about finding acclaim for her food, how to tell better stories on socia...

The co-founder of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux brings forward-thinking ideas and Southern hospitality to his endeavors — whether that’s the popular sports concept or the fast-growing QSR Smalls Sliders. Now he wants to bring little cheeseburgers to a bigger stage. Listen to learn about a new type of franchise, the intersection of sports and hospitality, and creating Smalls Sliders with Super Bowl MV...

Quality leadership is like a bag of golf clubs, says Hooters of America CEO Sal Melilli. Just like a golfer needs many clubs to have a successful round, a leader also has lots of tools at their disposal. Sal is leading the Hooters brand in new directions while focusing on what makes it special. Listen to learn about moving from sink to C-suite, diversifying income streams, and celebrating the icon...

Duke Alexander Moore, CEO founder of Duke Tax, is a tax pro and social media content creator who has built a huge following online teaching his millions of followers about taxes while entertaining at the same time. Chances are, you HATE taxes. That’s why he LOVES them. Watch to learn about making progress over perfection, creating viral videos on social media, and helping others become creators. ...

To give customers the ultimate hospitality experience, you have to go “over the top.” Visiting Mastro’s Restaurants is not just a culinary adventure. Dining at one of their stellar spots means you will be treated to great steaks, seafood and drinks. But it also means you will be treated like a VIP. Listen to learn about elevated dining experiences, responding to customer feedback, and advice for h...

The pizza industry is changing fast. PizzaHQ is leading the revolution by focusing on automation and efficiency to deliver affordable pizzas at a fast pace. Founder Jay Udrija and PizzaHQ are building a robot-powered pizza chain whose “relentless focus on process” also comes with a commitment to quality to set them apart. Listen to learn about how the pizza industry has changed, using restaurant t...

Seven Reasons was built to tell a story. Co-owned by Chef Enrique Limardo and Managing Partner Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger, the Michelin star restaurant group has a focused mission to guide patrons on a culinary journey to uncover their own magical and gastronomical “Seven Reasons”. Listen to learn about telling a story with food, intentional culture in business, and being “one of the most important rest...

Atul Sood, CEO of Kitchen United, places a unique emphasis on the power of friends as a driving force for both his personal and professional successes. For him, friendships have been pivotal in his career path and creating enjoyable workspaces.  Listen to this interview to learn about the power of relationships, communicating with authenticity, and sharing your struggles with others. Sponsored by:...

Kittch is a platform for culinary creators unlike any before. By giving a place for chefs to live stream and connect with a community of fans, CEO Brian Bedol and the Kittch team are helping food entrepreneurs make more money while building their brands. Listen to this interview to learn about monetizing food content online, innovating in the digital storytelling space, and becoming Twitch + OnlyF...

Scaling a brick-and-mortar restaurant brand is a big challenge. But Micha Magid and Mighty Quinn's BBQ have found success growing their franchise operation by tailoring each new location to the needs of its local market. Listen to this interview to learn about scaling a business non-traditionally, building a restaurant tech stack, and retaining a passionate team. Sponsored by: Toast: All-In-1 Rest...

Evan LeRoy, co-owner of LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, is crafting boundary-breaking menu items and innovative social media. Recognizing a potential beyond mere views and clicks, his restaurant business focuses on crafting videos, podcasts, and more content with value — fostering a community. Listen to this interview to learn about building an online audience, leveraging digital storytelling, and resta...

Chip Klose, restaurant consultant and host of the Restaurant Strategy podcast, is on a mission to redefine success in the hospitality industry. He guides his clients toward growth, while also helping them challenge the notion that success should be measured by grueling work hours. Work smarter, not harder. Listen to this interview to learn about making 20% profit, social media as a business tool,...

Devin Eichler, founder/CEO of Crafty Cow, understands that simplicity and relationships are keys to success — in-person AND online. Establishing connections with audiences is paramount and Crafty Cow is finding a way to thrive in the competitive hospitality world. Listen to this interview to learn about streamlining restaurant operations, connecting with customers through personal branding, and le...

Tony Smith is the CEO and co-founder of Restaurant365, a company that's helping improve the fortunes of more than 40,000 restaurants with its back-office management software. The leader stands out for his commitment to transparency and desire to help businesses thrive.  Listen to this interview to learn about bringing numbers to life with software, the value of in-person events, and how to avoid b...

Sara Finnegan, chief of staff at Edley's Restaurant Group, has an inspiring recipe for growth. The main ingredient is a Southern Soul. The restaurant industry leader has emerged with a strong and empowered voice to help others succeed. Listen to this interview to learn about giving back to the community, serving on the Toast Customer Advisory Board, user-generated content, and what it means to be...

Soliciting feedback from customers is often a daunting task. But Zack Oates and Ovation have cracked the code with a proven strategy that not only encourages guest feedback, but also establishes a personal connection for exceptional results. Listen to this interview to learn how to get feedback from guests in real time, creating brand loyalty through relationships, and digital storytelling that co...

Gregg Majewski, the visionary CEO/Founder of Craveworthy Brands (@craveworthybrands), has shown that innovation, forward-thinking, and a commitment to personal connections can lead to exceptional achievements and growth in the hospitality industry. Listen to this interview with @greggmajewski to learn about starting his own Craveworthy Media company, scaling multiple brands, and the need for real...