Table Talks Podcast

Moving from 30 locations to 1,000 means giving up control over detail. Discover the guardrails and trust models required to empower a team to move fast without executive sign-off on every asset.

This episode is part of our series on high-stakes marketing leadership. Follow the show to catch every unconventional strategy from the front lines of brand growth.

How do you take the keys to an established regional brand and upgrade the engine without crashing? Adam Williamson, Director of Marketing at Pizza 73, joins Caleb Clark to reveal the high-stakes playbook for moving beyond transactional marketing into true cultural relevance.

Tom Lockwood, Marketing Director at Hopdoddy Burger Bar, shares insights into innovative marketing strategies, including gamification, customer experience, and team leadership. Discover how a passion for quality and hospitality drives success in a competitive industry.

Are you trapped in execution instead of leading? Christina Lang (VP of Global Marketing) reveals how to escape "The Doer’s Trap" to become the strategic architect your organization actually needs. In this episode, we break down the Unconventional Playbook for navigating the most complex role in the C-suite, winning the war of internal influence, and why the most successful leaders master the Confi...

In an era where foot traffic is down and macroeconomic pressures are mounting, restaurant brands can no longer rely on "better ingredients" alone to win. Jennifer Kern, CMO at Qu, joins Caleb Clark to pull back the curtain on why the modern CMO must bridge the gap between marketing, operations, and technology. From reducing tech debt to leveraging edge computing for "always-on" stability, this epi...

Jessica Pellow breaks down the strategic shift required to enter new markets, the criticality of an ego-free leadership team, and the personal philosophy that forced her to step into the high-stakes world of P&L management to accelerate her career.

CMOS AND EXECUTIVES: PAY ATTENTION. 🚨 Evan Jones, Global CMO of a world-famous brand, is revealing the secret to transformation: STOP treating marketing as a "just a marketing thing". Transformation requires 100% buy-in. Are you willing to give up 10, 15, or 20% of your perfect idea to get the whole company behind you?

Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, reveals the playbook behind scaling a CPG brand from a family kitchen to 10,000 stores across North America. The secret isn't massive ad spend; it's being "unapologetically authentic" and turning consumers into "sneezers" (powerful brand evangelists).

Avery Akinini, CMO of VaynerMedia, reveals the playbook behind the agency's massive scale and evolution. Avery shares the mantra: "9.8 times out of 10, we will figure it out," emphasizing that you must stretch yourself to unlock big opportunities. Learn the "clouds and the dirt" operational strategy, the necessity of rapidly pivoting your teams (from Web3 to AI) , and the essential skill needed to...

In a market dominated by massive competitors, how does an iconic 60-year-old Canadian brand like Boston Pizza not only survive but achieve its best sales growth in over a decade? James emphazises that programs fail when they can't be operationalized at the restaurant level. He details his leadership philosophy built on truth and trust , explaining why this foundation is non-negotiable for mobilizi...

As a multi-unit franchisee himself (operating 11 stores in addition to the 11 corporate stores), Peter enjoys a unique instant feedback loop that informs every decision. Learn how he balances the fiduciary responsibility to the ad fund against the challenge of clarifying "what works" in different co-ops and markets. Peter’s ultimate lesson: The difference between winning brands and those that fail...

How do you tackle a marketing function that needs fixing and building from the ground up? Carolyn believes that problems are simply opportunities. She was called to her current role because it offered a unique scenario to leverage her extensive leadership history and apply it where things needed to be created or fixed.

Get a masterclass in brand building, leadership, and restaurant marketing strategy from Newton Hoang. Watch the break down on how the revolving sushi brand successfully scales in the ultra-competitive U.S. market by over-indexing on a unique customer experience.

Scaling multi-location restaurant marketing is no easy feat. Ashley Mitchell dives into the real strategies that drive success across national and local levels—balancing brand consistency with personalized customer experiences. From building trust with franchisees to innovating loyalty programs, she shares how to lead marketing teams while staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry.

Learn how to thrive under constraints, build strong customer loyalty, and integrate hospitality into marketing. Discover the journey from operations to marketing leadership, and how a New York-based coffee brand navigates challenges to deliver an exceptional customer experience.

From menu management across fragmented systems to driving AI-powered voice solutions in drive-thrus, Kevin reveals how modern marketing intersects with product, ops, and AI to drive business results.

With her extensive background in sports marketing, Liza shares how she transitioned from the sports world to leading marketing efforts for Impact Kitchen, a brand that not only caters to the wellness needs of its customers but also expands with a strong commitment to quality food. She talks about how Impact Kitchen differentiates itself in the restaurant industry through its focus on premium, heal...

Madelaine Brewer shares her unique journey from a business student passionate about food to a marketing leader driving growth across Mezza’s expanding footprint from Manhattan to Charlotte, NC. She dives into the challenges of balancing first-party and third-party sales channels in the fast casual dining industry, the importance of strong team leadership, and how digital marketing and loyalty prog...

Jessica opens up about the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and how she’s forging her own unique leadership style focused on servant leadership and empowering her team. She also discusses the challenges of navigating AI adoption in marketing, managing shrinking budgets and resources, and the discipline required to stay focused amid the “shiny objects” of marketing trends.

Jennifer dives deep into balancing leadership at a fast-growing startup with the demands of new motherhood, emphasizing empathy, autonomy, and hands-on marketing leadership. She opens up about scaling a lean marketing team, navigating retail marketing in a tech environment, and the critical importance of saying no to prioritize high-impact projects.

Tamra shares how her background in high-performance innovation and customer-focused strategy prepared her for the challenges of leading marketing efforts. In this insightful conversation, she discusses the importance of creating a frictionless customer experience, leveraging data for innovation, and her personal evolution as a marketing leader.

Jenna opens up about how her experiences, from Disney's magic to the grit of scaling a brand from the ground up, have shaped her approach to marketing. She discusses the importance of relationship-building, storytelling, and the balance of personal growth with professional ambition. Jenna also dives into the challenges and rewards of leading a lean marketing team, navigating franchise relationship...

Discover how Rob’s foundational beliefs in human connection, emotional marketing, and customer experience have shaped his approach to scaling businesses. Learn about his insights from his Disney mentorship, the challenges of scaling a brand while staying connected with customers, and why he believes that the key to success lies in understanding people’s emotions, not just selling products.

Janelle opens up about the challenges of transitioning from a solo marketer to managing a team, including the art of delegation, nurturing team trust, and learning to lead with empathy and self-awareness. She also offers a candid look at balancing personal tragedy with professional accountability, illustrating the importance of work-life integration over work-life balance.