Titans of Foodservice

This week, Nick Portillo catches up with Cody Wong, CEO of CW Management Services. With oversight of more than 120 franchise locations, Cody breaks down the operational strategies that fuel scalable growth, emphasizing the importance of strong systems, smart technology, and disciplined execution. He shares firsthand insights into managing the complexities of human resources, accounting, and regula...

Foodservice operators are embracing fresh, innovative marketing strategies that are essential for staying relevant and successful in today’s consumer landscape. This week, Nick Portillo sits down with Kate Finley,  Founder of Belle Communication, to uncover the wide-ranging opportunities for financial growth in the foodservice industry. Kate shares how strategic storytelling and authentic bra...

In this episode, host Nick Portillo speaks with David Youngberg, CEO of Stonefire Grill, for an insightful conversation about the vast opportunities in the food service industry. Drawing on a career that spans more than 40 years, Youngberg shares how a commitment to operational excellence has been the cornerstone of his success. He reflects on his early days as a grill cook at McDonald’s, where he...

This week, Nick sits down with Alison Patt, President and CEO of Thomas Cuisine, to explore how food can be a powerful catalyst for both personal and professional transformation. Alison shares her inspiring journey through the food service industry, a career rooted in real food, genuine hospitality, and a passion for improving lives through nutrition. From her early experiences in luxury hotels to...

This week, join us as we explore the culinary and leadership journey of Chef Franck, shaped by Brittany roots and Michelin-starred mentorship. From top kitchens to luxury hotel boardrooms, he shares insights on resilience, teamwork, and intentional growth.  Nick and Franck explore his transformative path, from bustling kitchens of prestigious restaurants to the strategic boardrooms of luxury...

This week, Nick explores the diverse paths to financial success in the food service industry, emphasizing that the key lies in identifying a single, effective approach. His guest, Shawn Walchef, a leading voice in restaurant storytelling and digital hospitality, shares insights shaped by years of experience. We examine the power of narrative in building authentic connections, highlighting Shawn’s...

In this episode of Titans of Foodservice, host Nick Portillo sits down with Emily Reeves, Vice President of Capital Solutions at Bridge, to unpack the financial strategies every foodservice founder needs to know. Emily shares how she has helped founders secure more than $300 million in growth capital in 2025, breaking down complex loan structures into practical, actionable insights. Together, Nick...

In this episode, Nick Portillo dives into one of the industry’s toughest challenges: staffing and employee retention. He is joined by Luke Fryer, founder and CEO of Harri, a platform built to tackle these exact issues.  With a career that spans decades in hospitality, including launching the very first Burger King in Australia, Luke brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective on how...

In this episode, Nick Portillo welcomes Michael Spinner, VP of Global Frozen Foods for a discussion on the diverse revenue streams within the food service industry. A trailblazer in the produce sector, Michael shares his extraordinary journey, including his pivotal role in introducing Mexican avocados to the U.S. market amidst significant legal and logistical hurdles. He offers valuable insights f...

In this episode, Nick Portillo welcomes Oli Ostertag, General Manager at PAR Technologies Operator Cloud. Together, they dive into one of the biggest shifts shaking up the industry: the rise of appetite-suppressing drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. With more than a quarter of Americans considering these medications, dining habits are changing fast, and restaurants are being forced to adapt. Ollie sha...

In this episode, Nick Portillo sits down with Ryan Staniscavage, president of First Pick Produce, for an in-depth look at the fresh produce supply chain. Ryan breaks down how factors like weather impact pricing and availability, while also sharing strategies for navigating the ups and downs of crop markets. The conversation sheds light on why strong industry relationships and a commitment to quali...

In this episode, Nick Portillo and guest Ashley Hatfield, Senior Director of Ag Services North America at Lamb Weston, explore the surprising number of ways the humble French fry can drive revenue in the food service industry. Nick and Ashley discuss potato fields to the fryer basket, showing how innovation and sustainability shape every step. They also talk about Lamb Weston’s forward-thinking fa...

In this episode of Titans of Foodservice, host Nick Portillo explores the remarkable journey of Brian Hofmeier, Vice President of J.T.M Food Group, whose leadership has transformed the company’s food service division from just 10% to an impressive 95% of total sales. Hoffmeier shares key milestones from his 30-year career, including his instrumental role in launching the groundbreaking commodity p...

In this episode of Titans of Foodservice, host Nick Portillo dives into the proven strategies behind successfully expanding food brands into new markets. Nick unpacks the essential steps brokers take to drive growth, from identifying the right operator profile to building strong distribution networks and leveraging the power of local broker relationships. You’ll learn why purposeful sampling, stra...

With over 90,000 restaurants and a population of more than 40 million, the Golden State offers a dynamic and diverse market that’s as competitive as it is promising. This week, Nick unpacks key strategies to boost your sales and marketing efforts and explores what it takes to stand out in such a saturated space. From navigating complex regulations to understanding regional trends and shifting cons...

In this week’s episode, Nick sits down with Alex Strauch, CEO & Founder of Conza—a brand that’s making waves with their high-quality sourdough breadcrumbs. Together, they dive into the challenges of food service sales and discuss key tactics for growth and market entry, especially for new brands. Alex shares firsthand experience on navigating supply chains, positioning products for food servic...

This week, Nick Portillo welcomes David Garascia, General Manager of Food Service at Bell Brands, to explore how to grow a food service business within a retail-driven company. David shares strategies for building strong distribution networks, creating operator relationships, and delivering value beyond pricing. He also reveals how Bell Brands is evolving to meet shifting market demands, making th...

This week, Nick is breaking down why so many food brokers fail early on — and what you can do to avoid the same mistakes. It’s not about bad sales skills. The real issues come from not understanding how to run the business side of a brokerage. Drawing from real-world experience, listen as Nick unpacks the five critical mistakes that often lead to early failure in the food brokerage industry. TIMES...

Nick explores the “force multiplier” effect—an elite military strategy—and how it applies to sales in the food service industry, this week on the Titans of Foodservice podcast. By building scalable systems, training teams, and leveraging tools like LinkedIn, sales professionals can expand their reach and grow their brands more efficiently.  Listen for practical, high-impact strategies to help...

There are many ways to generate revenue in the food service industry. This week, Nick talks about the power of choosing one clear, effective strategy. Drawing from personal experience as a food broker, he shares three major missteps that stalled his growth but ultimately reshaped how he approaches business. From the importance of strong market coverage to the importance of cultivating the right re...

There are many reasons why so many brands struggle—and ultimately fail—in the food service industry. Spoiler: it’s not because their products aren’t good. It’s often because they underestimate two crucial factors—demand and logistics. This week, Nick is breaking down the common misconceptions, especially among those moving from retail to food service. One of the biggest mistakes? Assuming that ret...

Nick is breaking down a core truth of selling in the food service industry: profitability is king. Buyers aren’t just looking for passion or a great product story—they’re focused on what drives their bottom line. Listen as Nick unpacks why enthusiasm alone won’t close the deal and explores the real factors that influence purchasing decisions: profit potential, product performance, and availability...

There is a game-changing distinction in the food service industry: the difference between brands that successfully generate demand and those that struggle to gain traction. Nick is breaking down this distinction through the lens of two hypothetical brands this week—Brand A, which takes a proactive approach by building strategic partnerships and driving demand, and Brand B, which remains passive an...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo talks about why being adaptable in the foodservice industry is so important. He shares lessons from his 10 years as a food broker, including key strategies to stand out in a competitive market. Nick shares how you can use tech and digital marketing—especially LinkedIn—to boost your brand and connect with the right people. Plus, he brea...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo dives into the many ways to make money in the food service industry—not just in theory, but through real, hands-on experience. Nick shares why true success comes from actively engaging with the key players in the field, building relationships, and staying adaptable—especially in the ever-changing post-COVID landscape. Nick also shares...