Take-Away with Sam Oches

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Peter Frey, chief brand officer at Sonny’s BBQ, a Florida-based concept that has grown to nearly 100 locations after more than 50 years in business. Sonny’s recently announced a new brand campaign called “It’s Always Sonny’s Here,” which is meant to reflect the easy-living vibe the brand tries to create. Peter joined the podcast to d...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Jodi Boyce, chief marketing officer for Teriyaki Madness. This 155-unit fast casual serving made to order bowls recently launched a new curbside pickup platform called Mad Dash that is designed to boost guest frequency. Jodi joined the podcast to talk about the newfound potential in curbside pickup and how it’s helping Teriyaki Madne...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Mike Ungaro, the CEO and co-owner of San Pedro Fish Market, an iconic restaurant on the San Pedro waterfront south of Los Angeles. Mike is part of the third generation to lead San Pedro Fish Market, and he helped the restaurant launch a hit online TV series, “Kings of Fi$h.” He joined the podcast to share how San Pedro Fish...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Andy Howard, president and CEO of Huey Magoo’s. This chicken-tender fast casual based in Florida recently opened its 66th location and is quickly franchising around the country. Andy was a part of the team that took Wingstop from about 80 stores to 600 before he discovered and bought Huey Magoo’s, and he joined the podcast to sh...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Chris Doody and Matt Harding, the CEO and chief creative officer, respectively, for Piada Italian Street Food, a fast-casual Italian brand that is approaching 60 locations across six states. Having launched in 2010, Piada was a part of fast casual’s first big wave, and Chris and Matt joined the podcast to explain why the brand has fi...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with John Meyers, the COO at Marco’s Pizza. The fifth-largest pizza chains in America had one of the best years among the pizza chains last year, according to the Technomic Top 500, enjoying 7.6% sales growth and 7.2% unit growth. John has been with the brand for about 4 years, but only recently stepped into the role as COO. He joined the...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam re-shares a conversation he had with Maria Rivera, CEO of Smalls Sliders, on a visit to her office in Atlanta last summer. Smalls has enjoyed incredible success since this interview first aired, and NRN is excited to announce that Maria will join Smalls and Walk-On's founder Brandon Landry, as well as Morven Groves of 10 Point Capital, for the keyno...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Heath Nielsen, president of HTeaO, an iced tea franchise that is enjoying incredible growth in its home state of Texas and beyond. HTeaO showed up for the first time on this year’s Technomic Top 500, growing its unit count by 47% in 2023 to 103 locations and climbing to spot No. 442 on the Top 500. Heath joined the podcast to talk ab...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Robert Thompson, founder and CEO of Joy Trade, an eatertainment platform that has two concepts within its portfolio: Camp Pickle and Jaguar Bolera. Joy Trade is a platform that Robert believes can capitalize on white space in eatertainment through newly developed brands and acquisitions, and he joined the podcast to talk about how th...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam shares two interviews that he recently conducted in person at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Both of these leaders are marketers with emerging restaurant businesses looking to make impact for their teams and their brands. First up is Nico Nieto, chief marketing officer at Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill, a restaurant marketin...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with chef Robert Irvine, host of the TV show “Restaurant Impossible,” owner of multiple restaurant concepts, and all-around food entrepreneur and innovator. Robert and Sam sat down at the recent National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago to discuss his leadership style, his thoughts on the state of the foodservice industry, and his r...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Scott Isaacs, president of Brixx Wood Fired Pizza, a 20-unit, full-service pizza concept out of Charlotte, N.C. Scott is a restaurant industry veteran, including 25 years spent at Darden, and he’s been tasked with bringing new energy and momentum to this 26-year-old concept. Scott joined the podcast to talk about the state of full-se...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam first talks with Elisia Flores, CEO of L&L Hawaiian BBQ, and then Beto Guajardo, CEO of Blaze Pizza, in person at the Restaurant Leadership Conference in Phoenix. These two CEOs get to the heart of what it takes to be the leader of a restaurant brand at a time when the challenges are many and the change is frequent, and they share...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Dan Bejmuk, CEO and cofounder of the marketing firm Dreambox, and Lena Katz, principal creative with Variable Content. Dan and Lena each work closely with social media influencers, and Dan shares some thoughts on why restaurants should consider influencer marketing, plus some do’s and don’ts in building a campaign, then Lena get...

In this special episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, NRN’s editor-in-chief talks with Tom Cindric, president of the National Restaurant Association Show. This year’s Show is held at Chicago’s McCormick Place this May 18-21, and Tom shares more about why restaurant leaders should attend this annual event, what’s new at the Show this year, how attendees can optimize their time in Chicago, and much m...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Ryan Ostrom, CMO for Jack in the Box. Recently named to NRN’s  Power List  of marketers and influencers, Ryan has been the driving force behind Jack in the Box’s CRAVED strategy, in which the brand focuses on being cultural, relevant, authentic, visible, easy, and distinctive to the guest. He joined the podcast to talk abou...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Kate Finley, founder and CEO of Belle Communication, a PR and social media firm that is particularly focused on influencer campaigns. Kate joined the podcast to talk about influencer marketing and how restaurants can properly tap into this creative community in an authentic and profitable way. In this conversation, you’ll find out wh...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Chip Graeter, head of retail operations for Graeter’s Ice Cream, a 154-year-old creamery out of Cincinnati that has 56 shops in five states. Alongside his brother and cousin, Chip is part of the Graeter family’s fourth generation to lead this iconic brand, and he joined the podcast to share some of the secrets to sustaining a family...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam turns the reins over to NRN executive editor Alicia Kelso, who spoke in-person with Yum Brands’ Chief Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Officer, James Fripp. Alicia was in Dallas for the annual Women’s Foodservice Forum Leadership Conference and had a chance to connect in person with James to discuss Yum’s diversity, equity and inclusion effort...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Nick Pihakis, founder and CEO of Pihakis Restaurant Group, a Birmingham, Ala.-based portfolio with six distinct concepts. That includes Rodney Scott’s BBQ, with the renowned pitmaster out of Charleston, S.C., and most recently Joyland, a fast casual concept in partnership with James Beard Award winning chef S...

In this encore episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam reshares a conversation with Lauren Fernandez, founder and CEO of the investment firm Full Course. Lauren joined Sam in person last summer to share her tips for emerging brands looking to secure capital and her thoughts on how to get more women and minorities involved in foodservice leadership. If you enjoy...

Washington, D.C.-based company &pizza is known for being an unconventional brand, from its oblong pies with quirky toppings, to its texting-only “Pizza Plug” hotline and political messaging. Although the emerging brand was once a significant part of the foodservice cultural zeitgeist (cofounder Michael Lastoria was named to NRN’s 2021 Power List), the company has been fairly quiet for a couple...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Andrew Pudalov, founder and CEO of Rush Bowls, a Boulder, Colorado based concept that has grown to about 50 locations across the country, leaning into Andrew’s knowledge of national distribution channels and his tight control of supply relationships to streamline the growth process. He joined the podcast to talk about how a reta...

In this special episode of Take-Away, NRN editor-in-chief Sam Oches talks with Chris Keating, EVP of Conferences for NRN parent Informa Foodservice. Sam and Chris talk about the upcoming Restaurant Leadership Conference (RLC), held April 14-17 in Phoenix, and why restaurant leaders should plan to attend this influential annual event. Chris shares more details on RLC’s program and speakers, ho...

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Susan Taylor and Noah Burgess, the CEO and director of R&D for Juice It Up, a Southern California-based juice, smoothie and bowl concept with about 90 locations in four states. Juice It Up was one of originators of this booming category of juice concepts that are introducing the U.S. to a wide range of superfood and function...