Wise Tales

Donna Herbel , Founder of Blue Phoenix Learning and Co-Founder and COO at Savii , joins us to share how technology and AI empower frontline teams, preserve institutional knowledge and shape confident leaders. Drawing on decades of experience in hospitality training and leadership development, Donna highlights how organizations can turn chaos into clarity through practical strategies, people-first...

Audrey Benet , Director of Training at GuestCounts Hospitality , shares insights into how modern training techniques can transform learning in the hospitality space. With two decades of experience leading operations, culture and training for global brands, Audrey brings a human-centered perspective to scaling systems while prioritizing team well-being. Audrey outlines how humor, improv and technol...

In this episode, we speak to Mike Stasko , President at Sunny Street Cafe , a breakfast and lunch restaurant group headquartered in Columbus, Ohio with 22 locations across the US. Mike offers insight into how the brand scales with intention, blending consistency with adaptability to support both franchisee success and long-term growth. Mike shares how a clear but flexible brand framework enables f...

On this episode we feature Wesley Epstein , Director of Training and Franchise Business Consultant at Eggs Up Grill , who shares how culture and hospitality fuel operational excellence across a growing restaurant franchise. Wesley explains how consistency and connection are built from day one through onboarding, digital training and ongoing franchise support to ensure every guest and team member e...

Julius Ridgley , Director of Learning and Development at Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar , joins us to share how he applies a creative, culture-driven approach to workplace training. With a deep-rooted background in hospitality and a passion for pop culture, Julius shares how his role goes beyond designing courses to shaping mindset, motivation and community. He explains how humor, personal conn...

We speak with Robin Robison , President at Thrive Restaurant Group , who leads the growth of Modern Market Eatery and HomeGrown. With past leadership roles at Red Robin, Bob Evans and Chili’s, Robin brings decades of experience in brand strategy, operations and people development. In this conversation, she shares how a people-first approach, amplified by the right technology, can elevate both team...

Cody Pepper , CEO at Fast Fresh Brands , shares his journey and recent strategic moves in the healthy fast-casual dining space. Cody's career path began with Bee Healthy Cafe, where he transitioned from a customer to a consultant, co-owner and, eventually, CEO. In 2025, he formed Fast Fresh Brands, bringing Bee Healthy Cafe under its umbrella and acquiring Florida-based Nature's Table. Cody discus...

We are joined by Jamal Rasoully , Founder and CEO at The Halal Shack , a fast-growing brand that brings New York Street food and Afghan flavors to college campuses nationwide. Jamal shares insights into maintaining operational excellence in seasonal business environments and the importance of cultural alignment in leadership. Key Takeaways: (01:26) Continuity and excellence are challenging in seas...

Building a restaurant brand from scratch requires grit, vision and a commitment to people-first values. At Dillas Quesadillas, success is fueled by a strong culture, innovative leadership and a willingness to embrace new challenges. We're joined by Kyle Gordon , Co-Founder and CEO at Dillas Quesadillas , to hear his insights on what it takes to thrive in the competitive restaurant industry. Kyle s...

We’re joined by Sam Worobec , Co-Founder at Training Simplified , a company revolutionizing corporate training by blending education with entertainment.  With over 20 years of experience, Sam has played pivotal roles in scaling global development platforms for companies like Chipotle and Red Ventures, hiring and developing tens of thousands of leaders annually. Known for his innovative approa...

Leadership, culture and systems are the cornerstones of scaling successful multi-unit operations while empowering teams to thrive.  We welcome Daniel Acuña , Managing Partner at JM Valley Group, which operates 24 Jersey Mike’s locations across Southern California and South Florida. Daniel shares how his company maintains a culture-first approach while scaling operations across two states. He...

For this episode, we’re joined by Carol Britt , Training and Development Manager, and Dunadel Daryoush , Regional Operations and Training Director, both at Georgetown Events Hospitality Group . Carol and Dunadel discuss the unique dynamics of training and development in a seasonal hospitality environment, focusing on cultivating respect, buy-in and tailored approaches to staff training. Key Takeaw...

We’re joined by Thuy Ngo-Shaw , Vice President of Learning and Development at Black Rock Coffee . Thuy brings over 25 years of experience in L&D, having led training initiatives for companies like P.F. Chang’s and SYNC3 Restaurant Solutions. Now, she’s spearheading Black Rock Coffee’s efforts to scale training for over 1,100 employees through web-based platforms. Thuy discusses her process of...

In this episode, we’re joined by Curt Archambault , Consulting Partner at People and Performance Strategies , and Education Strategist at the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART). Curt shares insights from his extensive career, including his role at Jack in the Box, leading teams across multiple locations, and his work with notable brands like Alaska Airlines, Ben Bridge Jeweler and Fi...

In this episode, we are joined by Ali Knapp , President of Wisetail ; Kat Claypool , Director of Sales; Max McGee , Account Executive; and Brittany McCulley , Account Manager, all also working at Wisetail. They share insights from their experience at Chart 106 in Chicago, with a focus on creating engaging learning environments and enhancing training programs through empathy, technology and clear c...

We’re thrilled to be joined by Jim Bitticks , President and Chief Operating Officer at Dave’s Hot Chicken. Jim’s journey started at just 15 years old, and since then, he’s been instrumental in scaling brands like CKE, Blaze Pizza and now Dave’s Hot Chicken. Under his leadership, Dave’s Hot Chicken has grown from four locations to over 200, with plans for 1,000 by the end of 2024. In this episode,...

Jay Hartwig , Director of People and Retention at Fox Restaurant Concepts , shares his insights on fostering a culture of growth and retention within the dynamic restaurant industry. With over 25 years of experience, Jay discusses the nuances of managing diverse brands and the importance of human connection in training and development. Key Takeaways: (04:56) Leveraging technology like Wisetail for...

Today, we sit down with Jason Berkowitz , Founder at Arrow Up Training , to discuss the evolving landscape of training and content delivery in the service and hospitality industries. Jason shares his journey from scaling restaurant companies to launching Arrow Up Training, focusing on practical, engaging and authentic training methods that resonate with today’s multigenerational workforce. Through...

For our inaugural episode, we’re joined by Rachael Nordby , Senior Global Digital Innovation Manager at Intertek , and Ali Knapp , Head of Digital Innovation at Intertek and President of Wisetail . Rachael and Ali discuss the dynamic realm of innovation and technology, focusing on how companies can leverage these tools to navigate and thrive. They share their experiences from Innovation Week and t...