The Pineapple Perspective

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper welcomes Carl Orsbourn, a leading expert in the digital evolution of the food and beverage industry and co-author of two influential books: Delivering the Digital Restaurant and The Path to Digital Maturity. Carl shares insights into how restaurants, from small independents to global chains, can adopt technology and AI to streamline operati...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy meets with Avi Goren, co-founder and CEO of Marqii (Mar-KEE), a digital operations platform revolutionizing the restaurant industry. Avi shares his journey from growing up in a family that cherished hospitality to launching a tech company designed to simplify the lives of restaurant operators.  With a background at Yelp and a passion for food and...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy sits down with Chef Nikki Newman, a culinary veteran with a passion for regional sourcing, community impact, and creating unforgettable dining experiences. They discuss her career journey from casual restaurants to high-end resorts, her innovative approach to creating localized menus, and how embracing health-conscious practices like gluten-free o...

In this week's episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy welcomes franchise expert Mike LaRue, who shares his journey from direct marketing to becoming a sought-after leader in restaurant franchising. They discuss the essential components of building a sustainable franchise model, balancing growth with culture, and why understanding hospitality is crucial for long-term success. Mike recounts his...

In Episode 27 of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper welcomes Sebastian Stahl, founder of Breadth Marketing, for a discussion on redefining restaurant branding and marketing. Sebastian delves into the critical role hospitality plays in creating human connections, how a strategic brand vision helps businesses thrive, and the common challenges restaurants face when aligning brand identity wi...

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper dives into the innovative intersection of hospitality, gaming, and technology with industry leader Shelly Rupel, co-founder and CEO of Devour. Together, they explore how the worlds of hospitality and gaming are merging in creative ways, providing new opportunities for restaurants to connect with Gen Z and digitally savvy consumers in i...

In Episode 25 of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper dives deep into a compelling conversation with Geoff Alexander, a trailblazer in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Known for his leadership at Wow Bao, Geoff shares his journey from growing up in New York to running a renowned brand that has revolutionized quick-service dining with innovative strategies like self-ordering kiosks, mobil...

This week's hospitality guest is Scot Turner, a hospitality expert, and founder of Auden Hospitality. Listen in as Scot discusses with Troy the challenges and opportunities in the hotel Food & Beverage industry, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, local community focus, and embracing digitization. - The significance of crafting a compelling story for Food & Beverage outlets to ensure consi...

Looking for a chicken brand that goes above and beyond organic certifications? Tune in to learn about Greener Pastures Chicken's USDA certified organic, non-GMO, and regenerative organic certifications, and how they're delivering a superior product. In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Cameron Molberg and Diego Diverde, the founders of Greener Pastures Chic...

Want to know more about Greener Pastures Chicken's commitment to regenerative agriculture and organic practices? In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper interviews Diego Diverde, a key member of Greener Pastures Chicken. They discuss the concept of hospitality and how it applies to their farm-to-table approach.  Here are the key topics discussed: - The importance of intentio...

How is a pasture-raised organic chicken operation in Texas revolutionizing the poultry industry? In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper interviews Cameron Molberg, CEO of Greener Pastures Chicken. They discuss Cameron's background in the food industry and his journey from restaurant management to agriculture. They also delve into the benefits of organic and pasture-raised c...

Are you ready to learn how to navigate the current economic challenges in the restaurant industry and come out stronger than ever? In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands, shares insights on the current state of the economy and its impact on the restaurant industry. He discusses the significant increase in inflation and how it has affected consumer s...

Looking for ways to build a strong and caring team in the fast food industry? Learn from Monica Rothgery's experiences as she shares her journey from being a Taco Bell manager to becoming a COO, and discover the importance of showing genuine care and appreciation for your team members. In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper interviews Monica Rothgery, a former Taco Bell man...

Interested in how AI and technology are revolutionizing the QSR space? Discover how Jim Balis and his team are implementing innovative solutions to enhance labor efficiency and improve the guest experience. Summary: Jim Balis, partner of Strategic Operations Group at Capitol Spring, discusses the importance of hospitality in the restaurant industry and shares insights on implementing technology to...

Want to learn the secrets to exceeding guest expectations and how it can elevate your business and brand? Join Troy Hooper as he dives into the strategies behind the power of customer retention, maximizing revenue and minimizing expenses with restaurant expert Chip Klose. In this conversation, Chip Klose discusses with Troy the key topics that are top of mind for restaurant operators today. He emp...

Looking for expert advice on performance measurement and how to create a performance-driven culture in your restaurant? In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper interviews Derek Smith, CEO of Canopy Metrics, a data analysis company specializing in data collection and visualization for restaurants.  Derek shares his perspective on hospitality, emphasizing the importance of a g...

Want to hear real-life success stories of brands using Adentro's platform to drive customer engagement and increase sales? Tune in to this episode as Michael Potter shares case studies and examples of how businesses have leveraged Wi-Fi gating and personalized messaging to connect with their customers on a deeper level. Don't miss out on these valuable insights!   In this episode of the Pineapple...

Are you a chef looking for new avenues to create a life beyond the kitchen? Discover how Chef Christian Fisher is helping chefs find independence and success through his disruptive chef entrepreneur show and book writing system. In this episode, Troy talks with Chef Christian Fischer who shares his journey in the hospitality industry and his commitment to helping chefs transition into successful e...

Looking for inspiration to take your marketing efforts to the next level? Don't miss this episode of the Pineapple Perspective podcast, where Troy Hooper and Justin Ulrich share their experiences and insights on the importance of giving, local marketing, and leveraging data to drive growth. In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper interviews Justin Ulrich, the marketing lead at Ev...

Are you struggling to find quality candidates in the current labor market? Curious about the latest trends in the hiring process? Discover how Landed, a unique SaaS platform, is revolutionizing the hiring process for restaurant brands. In this episode of the Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper interviews Rouhaan Shahpurwala, CEO of Landed, a SaaS product and service partner business. They disc...

Curious to hear the insights and experiences of the head of development at Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken and how integrating hospitality into your mindset and operational framework can elevate your business and brand? In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy interviews Sam Stanovich, the head of development at Big Chicken, a concept founded by Shaquille O'Neal. They discuss various topi...

Looking for inspiration to transform your family-owned business into a thriving brand?  Don't miss this episode of The Pineapple Perspective featuring CEO Michael Ungaro of San Pedro Fish Company. From humble beginnings to becoming a top ten Instagram restaurant, CEO Michael Ungaro takes us on a journey of resilience, innovation, and the power of storytelling. Discover the secrets behind his succe...

Curious about the challenges and rewards of leaving a corporate career for the restaurant industry and becoming a multi-unit franchisee?    In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper interviews Lauren Fernandez, CEO of Full Course, a company that invests in and supports early-stage food and restaurant brands. Here are the key points discussed in the interview:   - Lauren shares...

Curious about the challenges of franchising and the communication expectations across multiple generations, from baby boomers to Gen Z, that  create a unified and hospitable environment?   In this conversation, Troy discusses with Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken, the need for businesses to adapt to the evolving hospitality expectations of different generations, such as Gen Z's desire for collabor...

How can packaging enhance the customer experience and drive growth in the fast-casual industry?  In today's episode, Troy meets with Zachary Stein, the Co Founder and CEO of SupplyCaddy, a leading global manufacturer of custom packaging and disposables for the food service industry with clients such as Burger King Popeyes, Dave's Hot Chicken, Huey Magoo's, Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Levain Bakery and...