Restaurant Influencers

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...

Chef Joe Isidori (@joeIsidori) learned a secret that resonated with him: “Cut the BS.” Thanks to leaning into his authenticity, the Michelin starred restaurateur has built a global brand and growing food empire.  Listen now to learn about opening Arthur & Sons NY Italian, being a successful brand online, and leveraging social media. Sponsored by: Toast POS System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Atmospher...

Brett Sussman of Kabbage from American Express (@kabbageinc) has embraced the new economy and is determined to help small business owners adapt to how people learn and buy. Listen now to learn about helping small businesses with a TikTok collaboration, branding and marketing online, and the future of shopping on social media. Sponsored by: Toast POS System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Try DAVO Sales T...

Virtual Dining Concepts CEO Stephanie Sollers (@cregansollers) uses inspiration drawn from athletics to create unique opportunities for brands to collaborate with the innovative restaurant technology company. Listen now to learn about marketing and branding in the creator economy, the importance of storytelling, and working with Mr. Beast, Faze Clan, and more. Sponsored by: Toast POS System — http...

Cattle, X-Pot, and an organization that battles Cyber Bullying. Listen now to learn about getting on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List 2022, what goes into creating a successful business, and why everyone should create social media content. Sponsored by: Toast POS System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Try DAVO Sales Tax and Save — https://bit.ly/3rf2BcB Atmosphere TV for Your Business — https://bit.ly/3Mbc2TZ...

Hospitality Leadership Coach Matt Rolfe (@matt_rolfe_coaching) uses his personal story of triumph and a healing journey through therapy to inspire others. Listen now to learn about setting boundaries in life and work, creating positive leverage, and being honest as a leader. Sponsored by: Toast POS System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Try DAVO Sales Tax and Save — https://bit.ly/3rf2BcB Atmosphere TV f...

From restaurants to media, Emeril Lagasse (@emeril) has had a remarkable career. Through it all the famed chef and humanitarian has been able to grow his business empire by prioritizing people. Listen to learn about making memorable moments with hospitality, putting relationships first, and creating content with purpose.  Sponsored by: Toast POS System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Atmosphere TV for Yo...

Sanjiv Razdan, president and CEO of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (@thecoffeebean), provides a global experience in a mug. Listen now to learn about making the most of nontraditional opportunities, brewing customer curiosity, capitalizing on user-generated content, and inspiring industry leaders with the nonprofit GLEAM Network. Sponsored by: Toast POS System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Try DAVO Sales T...

Employee retention is one of the more difficult things on the long list of necessities for business owners. For Jason Berry, co-founder of Knead Hospitality + Design (@kneadhd), hospitality for his employees is non-negotiable. Listen now to learn about loving what you do, creating a revamped work week, and leading by committee. Sponsored by: Toast POS System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Atmosphere TV...

Daniel Stoller started Square Pie Guys (@squarepieguys) with his friend turned business partner as a solution to Oakland’s lack of a proper pizza spot. It’s becoming so much more. Listen to learn about building culture from the inside out, using media as a learning tool, and creating the Domino’s Pizza of the next generation. Sponsored by: Toast POS System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Try DAVO Sales T...

After Richie Romero (@richieromero1) realized his knack for helping people have a good time, the NYC native embarked on a legendary career in hospitality. Listen now to learn about putting relationships at the forefront of business, the celebrity economy, and a mission to have NYC become “The City That Never Sleeps” again. Sponsored by: Toast POS System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc AtmosphereTV for Yo...

Andy Lederman created Bucket Listers (@bucketlisters) because he saw a chance to help others discover new adventures and experiences. As his company grew, so did he. Listen to this interview to learn about standing out as a content creator, testing social media growth hacks, and building trust through strong core principles. Sponsored by: Toast Restaurant Point of Sale System — https://bit.ly/3vpe...

For Norfolk State track and field star Rayquan Smith (@rayquansmith), his throne as the King of the NIL was earned through a strong self-worth and ability to navigate rejection to keep running forward. Listen to this interview to learn about personal branding, being more than a student athlete, and profiting from name, image, and likeness. Sponsored by: Toast Point of Sale — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc...

Cop-turned-Chef Wayne Carrington (@officialchefwayne) found inspiration to enter the restaurant business from the 2008 movie The Ramen Girl. He acted on his big idea and has now built a brilliant food empire. Listen to this interview to learn about mentorship, being a constant learner, and creating a strong family business. Sponsored by: Toast Restaurant Point of Sale — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc DAVO...

In 2011 Marguerite Zabar Mariscal was an intern at Momofuku (@momolongplay). By age 30 she was CEO. Listen to this interview to learn about building strategic partnerships, new technology, and not being obsessed with perfection. Try TOAST Tech to Make Your Restaurant Run Smoother and Stronger — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc Never Worry About Sales Tax Again. Try DAVO and Get Your 1st Month FREE — https:/...

Robert Irvine (@chefirvine) is so much more than a celebrity chef and Food Network host. More than anything, Chef Irvine is a man who believes firmly in the benefits of genuine benevolence and philanthropy. For him, “Nothing is Impossible.” Listen to this interview to learn about the importance of supporting others, having a military culture in business, and the essence of leadership. https://cont...

Rodney Scott’s daring approach and “we’ll figure it out” fearlessness has been the foundation upon which his Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ restaurant (@rodneyscottsbbq) empire was built. Listen to this interview to learn about winning a James Beard award, becoming a social media celebrity, and how cooking with soul is vital to sustained success. https://content.calibbq.media Try TOAST Technology to...

Brewpoint Coffee Founder Melissa Villanueva is the author of “Starting and Running a Coffee Shop”. Like the title suggests, the CEO has aspirations to grow Brewpoint Coffee (@brewpointcoffee) and teach other people of color how to effectively find their way in the café space. Listen to this interview to learn about balancing big ambitions, creating opportunities for others, and equity and inclusio...