Restaurant Influencers

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...

Elizabeth Chambers of BIRD Bakery knows the power of Smartphone Storytelling to connect with consumers while celebrating the importance of family and food. She has learned the best way to get your real story told is to tell it yourself on your own terms. Listen to this interview with @elizabethchambers to learn about embracing hospitality in every moment, opening an international location, and bui...

In Jon Taffer's eyes, the restaurant industry isn't just about serving food and beverage — it's about creating REACTIONS. The Bar Rescue host and executive producer knows the importance of understanding the psychology behind customers' reactions. It’s at the core of his business philosophy. Listen to this interview to learn about defeating self-doubt, keeping authenticity intact, and being in the...

Sara Kear, Chief Marketing Officer at Condado Tacos (@condadotacos), has embraced the power of social media as a game-changing tool. Sara and her team strategically mapped out Condado Taco's web presence, understanding the unique expectations of consumers for each channel. Listen to this interview to learn about effective use of social media, how to be a CMO, and being forced to pivot in the resta...

Uzi Wizman's culinary journey began as a 16-year-old dishwasher. After opening PSY Kitchen in the heart of the Sherman Oaks Shopping Center in Los Angeles, his passion for growth and innovation led to him founding Borekas (pronounced Bo-Re-Kas) Sephardic Pastries. Listen to this interview to learn about growing a food brand from an Instagram Story, not rushing to expand your business, and sharing...

Bennett Maxwell is the founder of cookie franchise Dirty Dough (@dirty_dough) and host of the Deeper than Dough podcast. He embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery and personal growth that has shaped both his life and his business.  Listen to this interview to learn about creating a company mission statement, finding balance in content creation, and podcasting with a purpose.  Spons...

In the competitive global restaurant industry, having a unique concept that captivates both operators and consumers is no easy task. But Pepper Lunch has done it. Listen to this interview from the National Restaurant Show with the executive team behind Pepper Lunch — Troy Hooper, Yuto Tago, and Sumio Matsumoto — to learn about Japanese hospitality, embracing global culture, and the “DIY Teppanyaki...

Lawrence Longo (@bigshot) is the founder/CEO of Off the Menu, a unique concept created out of providing access to food items not on the menu at popular restaurants. The serial entrepreneur is also an operating partner for Irv’s Burger and Prince St. Pizza. Listen to this interview to learn about being the “Don King of Food Promotion”, the secret to business partnerships, and choosing the right inf...

Busboys and Poets, a socially conscious restaurant, bookstore, and community hub, was inspired by one of the most famous busboy poets of all time: Langston Hughes. By providing space for all, the full-service restaurant chain has inspired much more than appetites. Listen to this interview from the Toast HQ with Busboys and Poets COO Joy Zarembka to learn about operating an inviting space and being...