The Pineapple Perspective

In this week's episode, Troy Hooper appears as a guest on The Local Marketing Lab to discuss brand growth, franchise expansion, and modern marketing strategies through the lens of hospitality. Hooper shares how staying visible through podcasts, social platforms, and industry conversations allows him to give back while staying closely connected to emerging operators and multi-unit franchise groups....

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Carin Stutz, a longtime restaurant executive whose leadership spans quick service, casual dining, fast casual, and global operations. Stutz defines hospitality as genuine connection, something felt immediately through first impressions, authentic greetings, and the way guests are welcomed and thanked. From her current va...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with franchise attorney Leslie Curran of Plave Koch PLC (Falls Church, Virginia) for a practical conversation on how strong legal guidance supports long-term brand health especially in restaurant franchising. Curran explains what "hospitality" looks like in a legal-services context: listening closely, understanding a client's...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper talks with Ricky Richardson, CEO of Eggs Up Grill, about what hospitality looks like in practice and what it takes to scale a franchise brand without losing the culture that made it successful.  Richardson shares lessons from a 35+ year career spanning Black-Eyed Pea and TGI Fridays, then explains why he chose a smaller, high-growth en...

077: Scaling Pepper Lunch: Global Growth, Consistency, and Consumer Insight with Troy Hooper on Grounded In this week's episode, Troy is a guest on Grounded. He shares an inside look at the rapid growth and operational strategy behind Pepper Lunch as the brand expands across North America and beyond. He discusses the differentiators that drew him to Pepper Lunch, including its experiential fast-ca...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper joins as the guest on Zaller Talk to share an in-depth look at his career path, the evolution of his consulting practice, and his executive role leading global expansion for Pepper Lunch. He discusses how his early exposure to hospitality, construction, and entrepreneurship shaped his operating philosophy, as well as how experiences in culi...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Jim Bitticks, President and COO of Dave's Hot Chicken, for a deep conversation on leadership, hospitality, team building, and the operational foundations behind some of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the industry. Jim shares how his early experiences from Jack in the Box to Rally's to Carl's Jr., shaped a servi...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper appears as a guest on the Single Tree Nation podcast, hosted by Charlie Eblen of Single Tree Wood Fire Barbecue. Troy shares his journey from bussing tables at Bennigan's to becoming CEO of Kiwi Restaurant Partners and the North American CEO of Pepper Lunch, a major international franchise.  The conversation dives into his hospitality philo...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper interviews Adam Sanders, CEO of Killer Burger, to explore how a finance executive transitioned into leading a fast-casual burger brand through strategic franchising and customer experience innovation. Adam shares his path from valuation consulting to beverage partnerships at Anheuser-Busch before joining Killer Burger as CFO and eventually...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Mijo Alanis, founder and franchisor of Beyond Juicery + Eatery. Mijo shares his journey from dishwasher to successful brand builder, offering candid insight into the realities of starting, scaling, and franchising a health-focused restaurant concept. He reflects on lessons learned from decades in the restaurant business,...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper speaks with David Youngberg, CEO of Stonefire Grill, about what it truly means to lead with hospitality. With decades of experience in restaurant operations—from his early days at McDonald's to senior leadership at BJ's and now Stonefire—David offers grounded insights on building a people-first culture. He shares how Stonefire is refin...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy sits down with Rob Ertmann, CEO of Mo'Betta's Hawaiian-style restaurant chain. With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Rob shares the brand's growth journey from 22 to 68 stores in four years, its partnership with Savory Fund, and its recent acquisition by Blue Marlin and Tribe.  The conversation focuses on operational excellence, cultural...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with Guy Weiss, tech entrepreneur and founder of ZenZap, to discuss how workplace communication is evolving—especially in the hospitality industry. Guy shares his journey from cybersecurity to launching a purpose-built messaging platform designed for frontline teams in fast-paced environments like restaurants and franchises. The c...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper interviews Jim Balis, partner of Strategic Operations Group at Capitol Spring. They delve into how hospitality can be delivered effectively in the fast-casual and QSR space. Jim shares thoughts and insights on the future of loyalty programs, automation, and customization in the industry. Here are a few key topics discussed:   - Importance o...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper speaks with Laura Wilber, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Dinova, about the business dining landscape and how restaurants can tap into the lucrative market of corporate dining.  Laura shares her journey from custom boot fitting and radio ad sales to becoming a trusted partner for over 600 global companies through Dinova's extensive re...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with tech industry veteran Davi Dubinski, co-founder at Momos. They unpack the critical role of customer data and engagement tools in today's hospitality landscape. Davi shares his journey from international relations and ad tech to co-building a platform designed to streamline guest feedback and lifecycle marketing for restaurant...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper welcomes Mehdi Zarhloul, founder of Crazy Pita, to discuss the evolution of hospitality, business resilience, and brand-building in the restaurant industry. From humble beginnings as a teenage immigrant to becoming a multi-concept restaurant operator and franchisee, Mehdi shares his journey, philosophy, and the values that guide his team. H...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper welcomes Kathleen Wood—industry veteran, consultant, and founder of Kathleen Wood Partners—for a dynamic conversation about hospitality, founder-led businesses, and the future of leadership in the restaurant space. Kathleen shares her journey from dishwasher to CEO, discusses the philosophy behind transforming transactions into human c...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with Andrew K. Smith, co-founder and managing partner of the Savory Fund. They explore the principles of servant leadership, authentic partnership in franchising, and how discipline, transparency, and an abundance mindset can shape the future of the hospitality industry. Andrew shares lessons from both tech and restaurant sectors,...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper talks with Cameron McNie, co-founder and executive chairman of Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, about leading with values in the fast casual restaurant space. Cameron shares how he and his brother have scaled the brand from its roots in Kansas City to more than 60 locations while prioritizing employee well-being and embedding the Aloha spirit in...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper speaks with Wade Allen, President of Costa Vida, about his unique journey from a digital and tech background to leading a fast-casual restaurant brand. Wade shares his philosophy on hospitality, the importance of leadership over management, and how Costa Vida is scaling while maintaining a strong food culture.  He also discusses the us...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Tony Smith, co-founder and CEO of Restaurant365, a SaaS platform transforming restaurant back office operations. Tony shares the story behind R365's founding and its evolution from a niche accounting software to a comprehensive operational platform used across the industry.  He provides a data-driven view of the current...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper welcomes longtime hospitality leader Andrew Parr to discuss his journey from operator to consultant and coach. Drawing on his experiences with Applebee's franchisees, major hotel groups, and independent restaurants, Andrew shares how a guest-first mentality shaped his view of hospitality.  He breaks down the distinctions between consul...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper interviews Kelly Esten, CMO of Toast, live from the National Restaurant Association Show 2025. They discuss the role of technology in enhancing hospitality, including how Toast integrates tools to empower staff and improve guest experiences without losing the human touch.  Kelly shares insights on the use of AI for personalization, Toa...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Amy Hom, Chief Operating Officer at Barcelona Wine Bar, live from the National Restaurant Association Show 2025. Amy shares her journey from starting at McDonald's to leading major brands through culture transformation. They discuss the power of authentic hospitality to change lives, the importance of building trust with...