say86 Hospitality Podcast

Why would anyone open a restaurant when costs are rising, margins are tightening and the industry demands relentless commitment? In this episode of The Business of Hospitality , Tim Mills explores the emotional pull that continues to draw chefs, families, entrepreneurs and investors into one of the toughest, and most rewarding businesses in the world. Drawing on a lifetime in hospitality, Tim shar...

Technology is transforming hospitality faster than ever. From AI and self-service kiosks to QR code ordering and digital menus, innovation is reshaping the way operators run their businesses and the way guests experience them. In this episode of the say86 Hospitality Podcast, Tim explores one of the industry’s most talked-about questions: Are we replacing hospitality with technology? Rather than d...

In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim is joined by Helen von Dadelszen, communication coach, speaker, vocal trainer and founder of Present Potential. Drawing on a unique background spanning theatre, HR, recruitment and coaching, Helen shares practical insights into building confidence, finding your authentic voice and communicating with greater impact in both business and life. Together, they...

In this episode of the say86 Hospitality Podcast, Tim is joined by Joshua Altman, founder of Beltway Media, to discuss why communication has become one of the most important yet overlooked drivers of business success. Drawing on his background in journalism and strategic communications, Joshua explains why so many businesses struggle to articulate what makes them different and why clear, simple me...

Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown, founders of the Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group, join the say86 podcast to share the journey behind building one of the most respected independent hospitality groups in the U.S. Starting with just 11 tables, they’ve grown into a collection of award-winning concepts, including Supperland, by combining strong commercial thinking with a clear vision of what great ho...

In this episode of Hospitality Mavericks, Tim sits down with Priya Dua, CEO of Arkive PR, to explore how strategic storytelling, brand positioning and authentic communication are shaping the future of hospitality. Priya shares her journey into public relations, the lessons learned from building a successful agency, and why the most effective brands focus on genuine human connection rather than sim...

In this episode of the say86 Hospitality Podcast, Tim sits down with Matt Ferebee and Josh Lane, co-founders of FerebeeLane, to explore the real role branding plays within modern hospitality. With experience working with globally recognised luxury and lifestyle brands, including Le Creuset, we move beyond logos and interiors to the emotional connection, storytelling, and consistency that define me...

In this episode of the say86 Hospitality Podcast, Tim is joined by entrepreneur, keynote speaker and author Mike DeJong for a wide-ranging conversation around leadership, business ownership and the realities of scaling companies in today’s challenging operating environment. Drawing from more than 30 years of experience across multiple industries, including franchising, Mike shares the lessons lear...

In this episode of the say86 podcast, Tim is joined by Zaher Ibrahim, CEO & Founder of Aklarity, a leadership advisory business focused on helping organisations navigate complexity, culture and decision-making more effectively. The conversation explores how leadership is evolving in a world increasingly shaped by pressure, uncertainty, generational change and artificial intelligence. Zaher sha...

In this episode of the say86 podcast, Tim speaks with Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown, founders of the Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group, about building and scaling a successful hospitality business. From starting with a single 11-table restaurant to creating multiple award-winning concepts including Supperland, they share their journey through over 15 years in the restaurant industry. We dive int...

Kendall Peterson joins the say86 podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, performance, and what it really takes to build and scale effective teams. Now leading Fugoid International , Kendall works as an executive coach and transformation specialist, partnering with leaders to grow their businesses while sharpening their professional edge. With over 25 years in senior leadership roles...

On this edition of the say86 podcast, Tim sits down with Courtney Kocak, writer, podcaster and comedian, to talk about her journey from working in restaurants to building a career in storytelling. Courtney gets into what it really means to be an author, comedian and podcast host, beyond the surface level. The reality of the work, the pressure to create, and what it takes to build something that pe...

In this episode, Tim talks about why hospitality remains one of the most exciting and rewarding industries to work in, despite the challenges that often dominate the headlines. Drawing on his own early career experiences, he reflects on what makes the sector so unique and why it continues to attract passionate people from around the world. Having started his career in a Michelin-level dining room...

In this episode, Tim sits down with Adam Tuttle for an open and practical conversation about operating, supporting, and scaling businesses across complex service environments. Adam shares real-world insights from working across the hotel sector of hospitality, exploring what helps organisations run smoothly, where complexity tends to creep in, and how clarity, consistency, and better systems can m...

Business rates are one of the biggest pressures facing UK hospitality right now, and for many operators it feels like the cost that never stops rising. In this solo episode, Tim Mills breaks down what business rates are meant to do, how the system evolved, why it’s become such a flashpoint for pubs, restaurants and hotels, and what the latest changes could mean in 2026. The episode explores the po...

In this episode of the say86 podcast, we take a deep dive into how hospitality operators can rethink procurement as a commercial advantage, not a back-office task. From supplier relationships and cost control to consistency, scalability and smarter decision-making, we explore how procurement quietly shapes margins, guest experience and operational resilience. With rising costs, tighter labour mark...

In this episode of the say86 Podcast, host Tim Mills speaks with Brian Vujnovic and Robert Finvarb, founders of MIA Hospitality Management, a company built on the principles of Mastery, Innovation and Assurance. With decades of operational, ownership and development experience, they share a grounded look at how hospitality is changing, and what it now takes to run successful hotels. Together, they...

In this episode of the Say86 Podcast, Tim takes a deep dive into a growing crisis that’s hitting restaurants, cafés, hotels and hospitality businesses across the UK: chargeback fraud. What begins as a simple, innocent transaction, a guest enjoying a meal and paying their bill, is increasingly turning into a devastating financial loss for operators. Customers are disputing payments after the fact,...

   In this episode, Tim shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of hospitality, the suppliers, service providers, and behind-the-scenes teams who keep the industry running. From the engineers fixing kitchen equipment before dawn to the linen companies, delivery drivers, and independent producers who make every guest experience possible, this episode explores the invisible backbone of hospitality,...

In this episode, Tim Mills is excited to announce the launch of our brand-new podcast alongside the official rollout of say86, the UK’s first B2B procurement platform built exclusively for the hospitality industry. In this special launch episode, he explores why nearly half of hospitality businesses are struggling with supply chain issues and how say86 provides a lifeline by connecting operators d...

  In this episode of The say86 Podcast , host Tim Mills is joined by Chef Franck Desplechin, a French-born executive chef, leadership coach, and founder of Incrementum, joining from Connecticut, USA. Franck’s story is one of passion, resilience, and transformation. From the pressure-filled kitchens of fine dining to leading teams of over sixty chefs by the age of twenty-nine, his career reflects b...

   In this episode of The say86 Podcast , host Tim Mills sits down with Chris Carter , Founder and CEO of Approyo , to explore the fascinating crossover between technology and hospitality . Chris shares how decades in enterprise tech shaped his approach to running his own bar, what hospitality can learn from digital transformation, and why data-driven thinking could redefine how operators run thei...

   In this episode, Tim Mills explores why the UK’s casual dining sector is in such deep trouble and why mid-market restaurants are closing faster than pubs, quick-service brands, and even fine dining. We go back to the boom years of the 2010s, when chains like Jamie’s Italian, Byron, Prezzo, and Carluccio's were everywhere, and trace how over-expansion and high costs left them fragile. We’ll...

   Artificial Intelligence is everywhere right now, but what does it really mean for hospitality? Is it just another buzzword, or can it genuinely help hotels, restaurants, pubs, and cafés deliver better experiences and run more efficiently? In this episode, we explore the reality behind the hype. From chatbots at hotel front desks to predictive ordering in kitchens, AI is already part of hospital...

   In this special launch episode, we take you behind the scenes of say86: what it is, why we built it, and how it’s set to change the way the hospitality industry connects. From the very first idea to the moment we realised “86” perfectly captured the urgency and decisiveness of hospitality life, this is the story of a platform born from experience, not just theory. Hospitality is a fast-paced, h...