Restaurants Reinvented: Putting Growth Back on the Menu

On this episode, Jodie Conrad, CMO talks candidly about how she's boosted the chain’s off-premise dining initiatives in the midst of the pandemic — and how Speed, Value, and Cleanliness have saved the day for the brand. In 2020 overall they are up 7% over 2020 sales! With experience working at Wendy, Coca-Cola, Rax Roast Beef Restaurants, and The Pillsbury Company, Jodie is well positioned to...

On this episode of Restaurants Reinvented , Scott Hudler of Torchy's Tacos dives into how he's growing the brand—embracing the “damn good” promise across the product, customer experience, and marketing—and by creating a new category called “Craft Casual” for the unique concept.  Torchy's just announced new investors and plans to double growth by 2024.  No doubt that Scott will get t...

We need to get beyond "coupon crack" as Kelly calls it, and move to a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) mindset in restaurant marketing.  On this episode of Restaurants Reinvented, Kelly explains the most effective way marketers  can collect useful data, how to sell directly to your consumers, the true meaning of loyalty,  and more tips for meeting consumers where they are today.  Top Takeaways: ...

Alan Magee loves working with turnaround brands, guiding them through digital transformation and paving the way for stronger growth and customer experiences.  “It’s a tough balancing act” he says. Digital is supposed to make things so much easier but that’s not always the case. Alan is in Year 3 of his implementing a turnaround strategy for Church’s Chicken, a global chicken-lovers brand.  He advo...

Del Taco created a new position for Erin Levzow: VP of Marketing Technology, and you’ll hear why on this episode. Erin’s fresh perspective includes challenging the status quo when it comes to everything from big data, RFPs, and personalization to loyalty and the real meaning of “no.”  An early digital marketing native, this tech-minded marketing executive brings years of experience in hotels -- an...

The First Episode in our Taco Series!  Meet Laura Purser, the VP of Marketing behind the rapidly growing and super-fun Fuzzy’s Taco brand. Laura talks about all the ways the brand has pushed through the pandemic to overcome common off-prem obstacles, while opening 4 new locations and always seeking to stay relevant with the guest. The vibe is real and fun inside a Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and Laura talks...

From entry-level to executive status, Justin McCoy has been at Cousins for over 14 years. And that long-term tenure and consistency has helped the brand fare better than most during the pandemic. Several years ago Justin, VP of Marketing, and his executive team prioritized technology investments and contactless ordering solutions (delivery, online ordering, loyalty, drive-thru). That combined with...

He’s got red-hot Digital DNA and he’s bringing it to El Pollo Loco (EPL). Meet Andy Rebhun, the digital leader behind this growing brand.  Get a glimpse into how EPL is transforming on all digital fronts—from its differentiated loyalty and offers programs to data-driven personalized marketing, super fast curb-side rollout in under 6 weeks.  Ever heard of the Digital Flywheel? Find out what that me...

Dive deep into the brain of one the industry’s leading tech wizards, Cody Jones , sr. product manager and tech mastermind at Qu . Learn everything you need to know about the ghost & host kitchen phenomenon, how to simplify enterprise technology, and how modern tech can power stronger marketing. Cody has taken Qu’s POS one step further, into the kitchen, as the wizard behind our new product, Ki...

Meet Angela Diffly , co-founder of the Restaurant Technology Network (RTN) , the leading industry think-tank and peer share organization that’s pushing the industry forward—while bringing us all together—with technology standards and virtual workgroups.  In this episode, Angela and Jen dish about the explosion of RTN membership, the fusion of marketing and technology, the fate of the industry and...

Jodi Boyce joined Teriyaki Madness 4 years ago as the EVP of Marketing. Since then, this irreverent and fun brand has experienced 3x growth and is still opening new locations through the pandemic.  Hear Jodi's secrets to success - from simplicity, value, and menu innovation to technology upgrades, data collection, and thriving on a limited budget. But paramount to her success is her sharp foc...

Andy Hooper, the President of &Pizza , talks about all the unique ways this iconic and beloved DC-based pizza brand builds loyalty & trust with their tribes, communities, and customers . Andy also talks about how they're accelerating their growth plans during the pandemic and doubling-down on digital. As one of the first all-in restaurants to stand up text messaging, their "do th...

For Brian Hipsher, being a “marketing outsider” served as an advantage. When he first started in the restaurant industry, his curiosity didn’t only help him get the job done — it helped him land the job in the first place.   “That's probably why I sounded so different because I didn't know, and I asked lots of questions. I was really curious and I knew I could figure things out if given...

Hear how Dunkin’ is brewing its digital and delivery strategy during a global pandemic (hint: It's not a light roast) with the original off-prem diva, Brandy Blackwell. Jen Kern talks with Brandy about her restaurant marketing journey—how she went from an early off-prem pioneer at a local tex-mex chain to driving delivery and key digital strategies at global coffee/breakfast icon. Brandy expl...

The plan was for Donna Josephson to be a stay-at-home mom. But when Chick-fil-A recruited her for a grassroots marketing and training role that plan quickly dissipated. Now, five restaurant brands later, she’s the Chief Marketing Officer of Corner Bakery. In this episode of Restaurants Reinvented, Jen Kern interviews Donna about her atypical entry into the industry, the lessons she’s learned about...

How this executive pastry chef, turned creamery expert, launched a CBD Vegan Ice Cream business during the pandemic. The Nashville-based entrepreneur, Lokelani Alabanza , discusses reinvention and finding her own identity by mixing nostalgia with her roots to create a new kind of ice cream legacy. With inspiration from black-authored cookbooks, she shares her love of storytelling by weaving the pa...

In this episode, Jen talks with Jessica Smith , the Marketing Director at Groundwork Coffee LLC . Celebrating its 30th Anniversary , Groundwork is staying afloat during the pandemic by employing a multi-channel strategy that includes selling its organic coffees in grocery, e-commerce, many foodservice outlets, and in its cafes on the West Coast. Jessica highlights her journey in the restaurant ind...

Jen Kern talks with Steph Hoppe, a two-time CMO at Bar Louie and LYFE Kitchen who most recently served as 7-Eleven’s VP of Marketing. Steph outlines her path from dishwasher to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and all the stops in-between, sharing how she’s kept a focus on innovation and transformation for restaurant brands. Steph currently provides fractional CMO services for clients, helping them g...

During this podcast episode, Jen Kern, the Chief Marketing Officer of Qu, talks with Rachel Layton. Rachel is the Vice President of Marketing and Growth at Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe. Taziki’s is a fast-casual, Mediterranean concept that has elevated your typical fast-casual experience by bringing food to your table, focusing on guest services and providing a “scratch kitchen” where over a hundre...

During this episode of Restaurants Reinvented, Jen Kern, the Chief Marketing Officer of Qu, chats with Mark Mears, the Interim CMO at Saladworks. The podcast draws from Mark’s lengthy experience in the restaurant industry, with leadership positions at the Cheesecake Factory, Pizza Hut and Noodles & Co. Mark discusses the importance of building teams that are aligned and where everyone is focus...

During this episode of Restaurants Reinvented, Jen Kern, the Chief Marketing Officer of Qu, chats with Matt Smith, the Chief Marketing Officer of The Madera Group. During the episode, Matt talks about his experience transitioning from agencies to an in-house marketing team. He dives into the innovative fast casual experience created with the various brands offered by the Madera Group and discusses...

As the former Head of Marketing at Halal Guys, Justin Bartek has a knack for helping emerging brands drive international growth and expansion. Now at Ramen-favorite JINYA Holdings, hear how he's building strong franchisee/operator relationships and designing creative marketing campaigns for JINYA's four different brand concepts. From working with influencers at the MMA to performing arti...