Titans of Foodservice

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Daniel Neeley, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Brown Food Service. Nestled in the heart of Kentucky, Brown Food Service is a venerable establishment with a rich lineage dating back to 1942, originally serving mining communities in Appalachia. Daniel shares the intricacies of managing a multi-generationa...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with T. Shane Johnson, a Marine Corps veteran and the driving force behind Big Guns Coffee. T. Shane shares how he transformed a simple desire into a high-powered coffee brand inspired by his daughter's entrepreneurial spirit. Big Guns Coffee epitomizes innovation and resilience with a remarkable array of 38 coffee blends and th...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Pat Phelan, CEO of Leap Companies, a distinguished entity that specializes in providing comprehensive hospitality services, including furniture and logistics for various dining establishments. Pat's entrepreneurial journey, which commenced with the acquisition of Leap in 2006, is marked by significant challenges, including...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Jeff Kyer, VP of Sales and Retail at Portillo Sales & Marketing. Nick and Jeff traverse the intricate landscape of food service and retail sales, elucidating the distinct methodologies and strategies employed within each sector. Jeff, with his extensive background in retail food brokerage and his recent ascension to Vic...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with David Benowitz, President of Craft and Crew Hospitality. David discusses the challenges and rewards of working alongside his father, highlighting the need for open communication and the evolution of their relationship as they navigate the complexities of a family business. David elaborates on the entrepreneurial operating s...

This week marks our 100th episode on the Titans of Food Service podcast! Nick Portillo speaks with Joey Cioffi, the CEO and founder of the rapidly expanding Salad House chain. With a vision for healthier, fast-casual dining, Joey has successfully opened 20 locations and is set to scale even further across the Northeast and beyond. His story begins in his family's deli in New Jersey, where he learn...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Charles Johnson, CEO of the Detroit Athletic Club, to discuss its rich history and significance in the community. With a legacy dating back to 1887, the DAC has evolved from an athletic club into a premier destination for fine dining and hospitality, showcasing Detroit's heritage and resilience. Johnson shares insights into...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Michael DiBeneditto, CEO of Golden Waffles. Michael shares insights into the evolution of his company and the unique all-inclusive waffle program they offer. Since its establishment in 1937, Golden Waffles has transformed from a traditional distributor to a pioneer in providing seamless service for waffle stations in hotels...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Tim Petrillo, co-founder and CEO of The Restaurant People and Urban Street Development. Tim shares his remarkable journey in the food service industry and how he has significantly impacted South Florida's dining scene. With over 70 restaurants under his belt, Tim discusses the unique challenges and strategies involved in ru...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Ralph Bauer, CEO of The Melt. Ralph shares his remarkable journey in the food service industry, highlighting how he quintupled the average revenue per unit from $700,000 to an astounding $3.5 million. With over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at Popeyes and Domino's, Ralph emphasizes the importance of lis...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Dr. Emily Williams Knight, the President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association. Emily is a powerhouse advocate for the Texas food service industry, representing over 60,000 restaurants and 1.3 million employees. She shares her journey from a military upbringing to her prominent role in advocating for restaurant owners...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Bill Lewis, the President and CEO of Frosty Acres Brands. They explore the critical role of independent food distributors and how Frosty Acres is leveraging data-driven insights to identify new growth opportunities in the industry. Bill shares his journey from Ohio to Georgia and his extensive experience in food distributio...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Betsy McAtee, CEO of Dreamland Barbecue. Betsy shares the legendary history and cultural significance of barbecue in Alabama. The conversation highlights Dreamland's unique approach to barbecue, which includes cooking over an open pit and using a signature vinegar-based sauce, setting it apart from other regional styles. Be...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Elisia Flores, the CEO of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. Elisia discusses her remarkable journey with her family-owned restaurant chain, which has grown into a global brand with over 200 locations. Elisia shares her unique perspective on managing a large business while maintaining the authentic flavors that define Hawaiian cuis...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Derrick Green, former Army veteran, and Alaska’s “breakfast king”. Derrick shares his inspiring journey of transforming personal health challenges into a thriving food business, Waffles and Whatnot. After facing significant health issues within his family, including cancer diagnoses for both his wife and mother, Derek turne...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Joe Prewett, CEO of Oregon Fruit Products. Nick and Joe explore the innovative strategies driving success in the food service industry today. With a robust background in marketing, Joe discusses his journey from the Bay Area to leading a renowned fruit brand, highlighting lessons learned from his time at Tillamook. Listen a...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Tom Boucher, CEO of Great New Hampshire Restaurants. Nick and Tom discuss the importance of employee recognition and engagement within the food service industry. With over 40 years of experience, Tom emphasizes how a robust reward system has transformed his business, allowing employees to recognize each other and fostering...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with celebrity baker Dana Herbert. With a background in both savory and pastry arts, Dana has made a name for himself not only in Delaware but also nationally, thanks to his appearances on shows like TLC's Cake Boss. Nick and Dana discuss the importance of mentorship and the unique challenges of running a bakery while maintainin...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Michel Nischan, a four-time James Beard Award Winner and chef. Michel shares his journey from working on his grandfather's farm to becoming a celebrated chef and influential advocate for food equity and sustainability. Michel talks about co-founding Wholesome Wave and Wholesome Crave, and working with the late actor Paul Ne...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Mike Pilkington, CEO of KEY Sparkling Water, to discuss his diverse career journey from corporate management at Sysco Foods to entrepreneurship with Death Wish Coffee and now, KEY Sparkling Water. Mike shares insights on leadership, and resisting unionization, and underlines the importance of “beginning with the end in mind...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Richard Byers, President of Cash-Wa Distributing. Richard’s unique journey from working in an Italian restaurant in Philly to leading a major food distributor highlights his resilience and dedication to continuous learning. He talks about the ups and downs of his career, the challenges of closing facilities, the impact of m...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with John Miller, President and COO of Legacy Food Group. John Miller dives into the dynamics of the food service industry, discussing how he transitioned from banking into food distribution and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Nick and John discuss the significance of leveraging strong relationships, understanding ge...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Sean Lyons, Managing Partner of Up Hospitality Partners. Sean shares his enriching journey from a finance graduate at Purdue University to becoming a prominent name in the Tennessee restaurant scene. Sean and Nick explore the practical aspects of finding investors, structuring deals, and the significance of robust operation...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Mike Bausch, Award-Winning Restaurateur & Certified Master Pizzaiolo. Mike shares his journey from law school dropout to owning twelve restaurants across seven brands. Nick and Mike discuss effective restaurant management, building a strong brand, and creating a thriving staff culture. Whether you’re a restaurateur or a...

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo continues interviewing food service titans in his "Across America in 50 Weeks” series. Nick speaks with Chris Munz, Vice President of Growth at Voosh, a company offering data-driven tools aimed at optimizing profitability for restaurant owners. Nick and Chris explore the dynamic food scene in Maine and discuss Voosh's role in helping r...