The Operator's Table

French whisky, Costa Rican single-estate rum, and a French house betting big on the US market. In this episode of The Operator’s Table , host Cris Morgado sits down with Pierre Bardinet , Technical Director & US Export Manager at Les Bienheureux — the team behind Bellevoye French whisky and rums like El Pasador de Oro and Embargo — to unpack how they’re redefining what French-made spirits can...

What does it take to turn a beloved local wrap shop into a scalable, franchise-ready brand—without losing its soul? In this episode of The Operator’s Table , Cris Morgado sits down with Jason Lyon , Chief Operating Officer at Wrap City Sandwich Company , to unpack how he’s taking a New England favorite from 15 locations to a 50-location vision—with systems, culture, and guest experience at the cor...

Veteran CPG operator Andy Horrow , founder of Second Seat Partners , joins Cris Morgado on The Operator’s Table to break down how early-stage and emerging CPG, food & beverage brands can scale sustainably —without grinding themselves into the ground. In this episode, Andy shares lessons from years inside PepsiCo/Gatorade , protein and beverage startups, and now as a “second seat” operator help...

Former Chicago Bears tight end Desmond Clark sits down at The Operator’s Table with host Cris Morgado to unpack how he went from the NFL to building Bear Down Logistics into a fast-growing freight brokerage. In this episode, Desmond shares his philosophy that “every obstacle is an opportunity” —and how that mindset powers his journey as a founder, leader and coach. You’ll hear us dive into: How De...

Host Cris Morgado sits down with Ron Eliot Dichter , founder & CEO of Sixpack , an all-in-one business and payments platform that helps real-world operators run, sell, and get paid —online and in person. In this episode, Ron shares: His 30+ year entrepreneurial journey and first internet business in college Why he built Sixpack as a single core system instead of stacking third-party tools What...

Join us at the Operators' Table with Cris Morgado as we dive into the inspiring journey of Jason Greenwood, co-owner and head distiller at Divine Distilleries. Discover how Jason transitioned from global SAP operations to crafting award-winning spirits, earning just shy of 50 international medals along the way. Learn about the challenges of distribution, the importance of local partnerships, and t...

Join Cris Morgado on The Operator’s Table as he sits down with Carlos Parisi, a key figure in Detroit's food scene and owner of Ant Nee's Prepared Foods. Discover Carlos's journey from musician to food entrepreneur, his insights on community-driven business, and the challenges of distribution in the food industry. This episode offers a deep dive into the realities of running a food business, the i...

In this episode of the Operator's Table, Cris Morgado sits down with Tom Valentine of Valentine Solutions to explore the journey of entrepreneurship and the intricacies of logistics. Tom shares his insights on building a successful business, the importance of integrity, and how Valentine Solutions is transforming supply chain management. Discover how trust and innovation drive their approach to so...

Join Cris Morgado as he engages with Reena Milani, Chief Growth Officer at Empyrean Hospitality Group, to delve into the nuances of brand building, fostering customer loyalty, and crafting unforgettable dining experiences. Discover how Reena's transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship is redefining the hospitality industry.

Join Cris Morgado as he sits down with Ralph Mandarino, the visionary behind Necromantic Brew Co., a unique gluten-free craft brewery with a horror-themed taproom. Discover Ralph's journey from a stay-at-home dad to a pioneering entrepreneur, and learn how his passion for horror movies and gluten-free beer created a community hub for those looking for belonging and enthusiasts alike. Dive into the...

"Join us at the Operators Table as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Autumn Pruitt from Hardy Coffee Company. Discover the journey of entrepreneurship, the importance of community, and the art of balancing quality with growth. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights and stories that will motivate and inform. Don't forget to lik...