Restaurants Reinvented: Putting Growth Back on the Menu
113 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago -Shining a light on the change-minded Restaurant Leaders behind our favorite brands. Get inspired with innovative brand building, guest engagement, and revenue-driving strategies. Join host Jen Kern, long-time CMO, as she dishes with leading restaurant pros who are elevating their game and careers by staying agile in the face of uncertainty to help their brands shine and prosper.
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Episodes
Let's Fix Loyalty
June 01, 2024 12:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MBWe’re talking about all things loyalty in this block-buster episode with Zach Goldstein, the CEO of Thanx. Zach and Jen discuss why loyalty is broken, with 80% of Fast Casuals and QSRs looking to improve and invest in better loyalty strategies. The conversation emphasizes that the future of restaurant loyalty is here, now. It's data-driven, personalized, dynamic, and poised to redefine how guest loyalty is built and delivered for restaurant brands. Moments to listen for: The true definit...
The Straight Talk on Data: Best of Soundbites
April 27, 2024 10:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBWelcome to Part 2 in our "Best of" Series. This episode doubles down on data (not for) dummies as we explore the transformative power of data in the connected restaurant. Our esteemed guests dive into all aspects of data beyond the numbers⸺specifically, its strategic role in driving innovation from the kitchen to the customer experience. Top takeaways include: How API ecosystems impact data collection and strategies Innovative approaches for data storytelling Presenting the data …...
AI Insights Unleashed: Best Sound Bites of 2023
March 23, 2024 12:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBThis is the first of a short 3-part series with top 2023 sound bites that are resonating deeply in 2024: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data, and Platforms. This first episode delves into one of the year's most talked-about subjects: Artificial Intelligence (AI). The guests paint a hopeful picture of technology as a tool for enhancement, efficiency and automation--rather than displacement. Join Jen as she is accompanied by industry luminaries: Phil Crawford, former CTO at CKE; Darien Bates C...
Investing in the Future of Restaurants
November 11, 2023 15:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBGet ready for a blockbuster episode that's been cooking up for years! We've got the incredible Bobby Yazdani, the mastermind behind Cota Capital and lead investor in Qu, joining the party on Restaurants Reinvented with Jen Kern. Jen and Bobby take a ride through the thrilling intersection of restaurant tech and investment, following Bobby's epic journey from Tehran to the tech capital of Silicon Valley and Oracle. Bobby delves into his investment playbook, sharing the criteria and princi...
The State of Foodservice Technology
October 26, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBGet ready to hear all the juicy data and trends that came out of Technomic's "State of Foodservice Technology" report. Our guest, Richard Shank is the Sr. Principal & VP of Innovation at Technomic and he shares all the leading insights from the report with us. We focus on three main pillars defining the future of restaurant tech: 1) the kitchen as the nucleus of the restaurant 2) the role of AI/ML - separating hype from reality 3) the evolution of customer loyalty programs Moments to li...
The Big POS Reframe
August 19, 2023 11:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBIn the latest episode of Restaurants Reinvented, Jen Kern dives deep into the current frazzled, tenuous state of POS and tackles head-first the broad misconception that “POS is Dead.” Jen clarifies market confusion by clearly stating that POS isn’t dead but is instead going through a massive transformation and evolution. POS is no longer the main dish, it’s the side dish. POS is neither Hero nor Zero. Jen articulates the current evolution of POS as simply one of many order channels ste...
We Did This Together: 3 Years of Reinvention
July 22, 2023 12:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBIn this celebratory episode, Chelsea Madden, Marketing Director at Qu, turns the tables on your hostess Jen Kern, CMO of Qu. Reminisce with Jen & Chelsea as we look back on the past 3 years of the podcast. 3 years, 70 episodes, and thousands of reinventions later, these two marketing mavens muse over the collective beauty and struggle we’ve all experienced in restaurants and technology. The Best News Yet … >> From deep in the pandemic to today’s challenges around labor, supply chain, ...
She's a Game Changer - Kelly MacPherson
June 10, 2023 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBJoin our special guest Kelly MacPherson, from the mega-James Beard award winning Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG). More than a trailblazer, she's been a Game Changer for her entire career. Kelly shares her remarkable journey in hospitality and retail, from configuring her first POS network to becoming one of the early female CTOs -- and she continues to revolutionize how restaurants operate. Despite plans for retirement, she canceled them to join USHG and lead their Technology and S...
The Path to Digital Maturity
May 26, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBTwo-time authors, Meredith Sandland and Carl Orsbourn, join Restaurants Reinvented for the second time! Hear their predictions about the next big restaurant concept > the digitally native restaurant and key snips from their new book “The Path to Digital Maturity.” Moments to listen for: The key phases in the path to digital maturity How to better drive first-party data ownership The next new concept category to hit restaurants SVB's influence on the startup tech scene Improving effi...
Bridging Communities: GiftAMeal & The Social Conscious Restaurant
May 20, 2023 12:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBIn this episode of Restaurants Reinvented, host Jen Kern from Qu invites Andrew Glantz, the founder of GiftAMeal, and Dan Sokolik, Vice President of Marketing at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, to discuss their partnership that aims to fight hunger and support local communities. GiftAMeal is a mobile app that enables users to provide meals to those in need by simply taking a photo of what they're eating at participating restaurants. The app has already facilitated the donation of 1.3 million ...
AI Inside & Outside the Four Walls - Phil Crawford CTO of CKE Restaurants
March 21, 2023 15:00 - 52 minutes - 35.8 MBJoin the man, the myth, the legend - Phil Crawford, CTO of CKE Restaurants, on how he’s using AI to drive better efficiencies for his brand and what he thinks “the store of the future” will operate like. Moments to Listen for: Harnessing technology more efficiently to save time (labor efficiency), extract data easier (personalization efficiency), and please guests (revenue efficiency) How CKE is using new AI technologies at the drive-thru How CKE is using AI on the back end to build pro...
Savory’s Growth Formula Starts with Data Ownership (and it works!) - Josh Boshard COO
February 11, 2023 12:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBJosh Boshard, the COO of Savory, leads the Operations & Technology teams for their 10-brand portfolio. Since their first location in 2008, Josh + Savory have amassed a wealth of best practices that he shares openly in this episode. Key Moments to Listen for: A solid foundation of data ownership & APIs Integrating systems to drive local store performance Partners must share the data A/B testing best-of-breed systems Growth playbooks, benchmarks, and KPIs Restaurants must continu...
The Future of Data Starts Here - Darien Bates, co-founder, Fourtop Solutions
January 21, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBIf you’re wondering how to make sense of that ocean of data your restaurant is trying to wrangle, Darien has answers! Formerly the CTO at &Pizza, Darien’s new company, Fourtop Solutions, is all about helping restaurants organize and activate their data -- while encouraging humans to do the discovery of data and using technology to automate that discovery. Top Moments to Listen For: Technology is not a pre-packaged meal, it’s a set of ingredients with overlapping capabilities and core com...
Mastering the Digital Dance - Michael Chachula, CIO of Fat Brands
December 04, 2022 15:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBThe CIO of FAT Brands, Michael Chachula, brings the heat to our CTO Trailblazer series talking about all things technology, customer experience, marketing hacks, and how the restaurant world evolved from a show to a dance post pandemic. Are you dancing with your customers? Or still operating a static show? Hot Takes: Training your guests on effectively using all the available order channels is critical to improving order accuracy and avoiding defection. 5 Components of FAT Brands tec...
Burn it Down and Fail Forward Fast - Justin Keenen CTO Hart House
October 22, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 47.6 MBJustin Keenen, CTO of Kevin Hart's plant-based QSR, Hart House is redefining the role of tech in restaurants with his burn-it-down, fail-forward mentality. Justin's willingness to embrace change in tech and use it to create a remarkable experience establishes him as a titan in the industry. Find out how Justin built his restaurant tech stack from the ground up to align with the Hart House brand vision. Key Moments to Listen For: Don't be afraid to burn it all down and start again. Fail ...
Trailblazin’ CTO Completes Full Tech Refresh in Under 1 Year - Dawn Gillis Freebirds World Burrito
October 08, 2022 11:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBDawn Gillis, CTO of Freebirds World Burrito, kicks off our new CTO series and we couldn't find a better pioneer in our space. In true trailblazin' in fashion, she joined the fast-casual concept and took the brand by storm, revamping the entire technology stack - including POS, KDS, Back of House, and Online ordering - in under a year. Dawn shares all her secrets and strategies for achieving the ambitious technology platform upgrade - as well as the early results she's achieved which are b...
What Does it Mean to Go "Beyond POS with Amir Hudda (Part 3 of 3)
September 24, 2022 11:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBIn this 3rd and final part of our mini-series, Amir Hudda, the CEO of Qu discusses the evolution of POS technology in the restaurant industry and what it means to go “Beyond POS.” Today, it's possible to build a platform from the ground up that will last for the next 20 years. The challenge is eliminating the mindset of fear restaurant operators have toward new technology. Find out how a strong foundation of trust between restaurant operators and tech providers helps restaurants embrace n...
What Does it Mean to Go "Beyond POS" with Amir Hudda, CEO of Qu (Part 3 of 3)
September 24, 2022 11:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBIn this 3rd and final part of our mini-series, Amir Hudda, the CEO of Qu discusses the evolution of POS technology in the restaurant industry and what it means to go “Beyond POS.” Today, it's possible to build a platform from the ground up that will last for the next 20 years. The challenge is eliminating the mindset of fear restaurant operators have toward new technology. Find out how a strong foundation of trust between restaurant operators and tech providers helps restaurants embrace n...
What Does it Mean to Go "Beyond POS" with Amir Hudda, CEO of Qu (Part 3 of 3)
September 24, 2022 11:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBIn this 3rd and final part of our mini-series, Amir Hudda, the CEO of Qu discusses the evolution of POS technology in the restaurant industry and what it means to go “Beyond POS.” Today, it's possible to build a platform from the ground up that will last for the next 20 years. The challenge is eliminating the mindset of fear restaurant operators have toward new technology. Find out how a strong foundation of trust between restaurant operators and tech providers helps restaurants embrace n...
Here’s What Innovation Looks Like - Amir Hudda, CEO of Qu (Part 2 of 3)
September 17, 2022 11:00 - 13 minutes - 9.03 MBIn this 2nd part of our 3-part mini-series with Amir Hudda, the CEO of Qu, we discuss technology innovations that improve transaction speed, in-store redundancy, and uptime. We dive into innovation areas like Edge Computing and how it helps reduce data loads (speed) when implemented on modern cloud architecture. We also discuss Voice Ordering and how Qu was "accidentally" led to integrate voice into our mobile reporting App, Notify. Bonus content: Learn how real-time POS data can drive ...
Making Technology Invisible in Your Restaurant with Amir Hudda, CEO of Qu (Part 1 of 3)
September 10, 2022 11:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MBIn this 3-part mini-series, Jen interviews the CEO of Qu, Amir Hudda. We reflect on the past 2 years of sweeping industry changes and how we can collectively innovate to create a more sustainable and profitable future for restaurants. Technology is just one piece of that puzzle, but a larger one than ever before. Jen and Amir explore the historically tense relationship between restaurants & technology - and how to make it less “friction-filled” - in this short and educational segment. Q...
Reinventing BBQ & Busting Vegan Myths – Kerry Fitzmaurice, Founder of Pure Grit BBQ
August 27, 2022 11:00 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBIf you want to hear what it’s like to open a restaurant in 2022 - listen to Kerry Fitzmaurice, Founder of Pure Grit BBQ. She found her Chef on Instagram during the pandemic, started with selling sauces, then did pop-ups, and recently opened her first location in NYC in May. Not only is she reinventing what BBQ looks and taste like, but she’s on a mission to make it accessible and delicious for anyone - carnivores, omnivores and plant-eaters! She shares her early journey with us, all the...
Listen Up … (to your employees) - LeBaron Meyers, NotMe Solutions
July 23, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 45.5 MBDo your employees feel safe speaking up? It’s time to stop avoiding the topic of workplace harassment and misconduct in restaurants. Abusive environments will not prosper or attract employees. If you really want to improve your culture and employee retention you need to do two critical things: Listen to your employees Encourage them to speak up when harassment occurs LeBaron Meyers, President of NotMe Solutions, is on a mission to improve work cultures and environments for employees. T...
Listen Up … (to your employees) - LeBaron Meyers, NotMe Solutions
July 23, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 45.5 MBDo your employees feel safe speaking up? It’s time to stop avoiding the topic of workplace harassment and misconduct in restaurants. Abusive environments will not prosper or attract employees. If you really want to improve your culture and employee retention you need to do two critical things: Listen to your employees Encourage them to speak up when harassment occurs LeBaron Meyers, President of NotMe Solutions, is on a mission to improve work cultures and environments for employees. T...
The New Way to Do Employee Training - Rachael Nemeth, Opus
July 01, 2022 19:00 - 46 minutes - 32.1 MBEmployee Training has been a big "miss" in the restaurant industry because the tools and techniques for training desk-less workers are dated or have not even existed . The way we train restaurant employees needs a whole new perspective, approach, and strategy. Enter Rachael Nemeth, CEO and Co-Founder of Opus. An expert trainer and life-long hospitality worker, Rachel knows what it takes to succeed in developing embraceable training that people actually learn from. If you're serious abo...
How to Support Restaurant Employees in Need with Sheila Bennett
June 04, 2022 01:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBThe Restaurants Reinvented community is committed to supporting our industry's children and employee by participating in CORES Summer of Giving campaign. 1 in 4 restaurant workers are not able to pay a medical bill over $400 When unexpected medical crises arise, restaurant workers have limited financial options and resources. That’s where CORE -- Children of Restaurant Employees -- comes in. CORE helps restaurant employees with children by providing financial support, through grants, w...
How to Prevent Employee Burnout with Milena Regos of Unhustle
May 21, 2022 01:00 - 52 minutes - 35.8 MBToxic work environments (and burnout) is the #1 reason employees quit their jobs. Milena Regos is a “burnout expert.” An award winning marketer who had her own burnout experience - that led her to found the “Unhustle” movement. Restaurant culture has been based on Hustle since the beginning of time. YET … the majority of restaurant workers are BURNED OUT. Over-stressed. Over-worked. Under-paid. Under-appreciated. Under-rewarded. Add to that a thinning workforce and severe labor shorta...
The Straight Talk Employees Want – Newton Hoang, 7 Leaves Cafe
April 13, 2022 19:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MBThe Great Resignation has turned into the Great Reshuffle and now the “Great Re-Reckoning.” We invited Newton Hoang from 7 Leaves Café on to talk about the “Culture of Care” he’s building and how that fits in with the “Cultural Reckoning” the restaurant industry must address to improve employee retention, hiring, leadership, working conditions and care. [Newton defines a Culture of Care] – it’s one where the company leaders listen to employees, uncover what they want, and then work to de...
Who Comes First: The Employee or Guest? - Lauren Fernandez of Full Course
March 24, 2022 14:00 - 56 minutes - 38.5 MBLet’s talk about this folks…. Such an important question to suss out! How do you prioritize it all and deliver awesome experiences with your brand one person at a time? Tune in, because Lauren Fernandez delivers the goods. The future of our restaurant industry is bright with Lauren Fernandez at the forefront. The recent NRN Power List maker answers the pivotal question - “What comes first, the employee or guest experience?” This is EPISODE 5 of our Labor, Culture, and Leadership seri...
Labor Series: A Labor Equation that Makes Better Dollars & Sense - Jim Taylor of BenchmarkSixty
March 05, 2022 13:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBSo far our labor series has touched on the need for emphatic leadership & positive modern company culture in restaurants. However, we have yet to discuss why restaurants ALSO need to modernize how they look at their P&L → ditch looking at labor costs as a percentage of gross sales. Your focus should instead be on employee productivity, zoning in on a ratio of labor costs to guests, rather than labor costs to sales. To help us explore the importance of how labor data is viewed in modern res...
A Labor Equation that Makes Better Dollars & Sense - Jim Taylor of BenchmarkSixty
March 05, 2022 13:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBSo far our labor series has touched on the need for emphatic leadership & positive modern company culture in restaurants. However, we have yet to discuss why restaurants ALSO need to modernize how they look at their P&L → ditch looking at labor costs as a percentage of gross sales. Your focus should instead be on employee productivity, zoning in on a ratio of labor costs to guests, rather than labor costs to sales. To help us explore the importance of how labor data is viewed in modern res...
Labor Series: What's Self-Care Got to Do With It? Donald Burns, The Restaurant Coach
February 05, 2022 13:00 - 55 minutes - 37.8 MBOur Labor Series continues with "The Restaurant Coach" who further validates that the restaurant industry is NOT suffering from a labor crisis, but rather a leadership, culture, and self-care crisis! We explore these themes with our guest, Donald Burns, who discusses how self-care and empathetic leadership are so pivotal to improving restaurant cultures and teams -- one employee at a time. Donald is an author, speaker, and trusted restaurant expert who has helped countless brands and own...
Labor Series: What's Self-Care Got to Do With It? - Donald Burns, The Restaurant Coach
February 05, 2022 13:00 - 55 minutes - 37.8 MBOur Labor Series continues with "The Restaurant Coach" who further validates that the restaurant industry is NOT suffering from a labor crisis, but rather a leadership, culture, and self-care crisis! We explore these themes with our guest, Donald Burns, who discusses how self-care and empathetic leadership are so pivotal to improving restaurant cultures and teams -- one employee at a time. Donald is an author, speaker, and trusted restaurant expert who has helped countless brands and own...
What's Self-Care Got to Do With It? - Donald Burns, The Restaurant Coach
February 05, 2022 13:00 - 55 minutes - 37.8 MBOur Labor Series continues with "The Restaurant Coach" who further validates that the restaurant industry is NOT suffering from a labor crisis, but rather a leadership, culture, and self-care crisis! We explore these themes with our guest, Donald Burns, who discusses how self-care and empathetic leadership are so pivotal to improving restaurant cultures and teams -- one employee at a time. Donald is an author, speaker, and trusted restaurant expert who has helped countless brands and own...
Labor Series: We’re In The People Business - Amir Mostafavi of South Block Juice
January 08, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 49.6 MBThis week, we continue our discussion on labor with another innovative restaurant leader, the Founder & CEO of her favorite local juice shop in the DC Area, Amir Mostafavi of South Block. South Block currently has 11 locations, all in the DC Area. Like many fast-food/quick-service brands, South Block was not immune to the COVID pandemic, however, he was able to keep all of his staff employed during the lockdowns. Amir is THE model business owner for this new restaurant era. Company cultu...
We’re In The People Business - Amir Mostafavi of South Block Juice
January 08, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 49.6 MBThis week, we continue our discussion on labor with another innovative restaurant leader, the Founder & CEO of her favorite local juice shop in the DC Area, Amir Mostafavi of South Block. South Block currently has 11 locations, all in the DC Area. Like many fast-food/quick-service brands, South Block was not immune to the COVID pandemic, however, he was able to keep all of his staff employed during the lockdowns. Amir is THE model business owner for this new restaurant era. Company cultu...
Labor Series: Using Technology to Create a Healthier Work Environment - Stacey Sikorski of 7shifts & Niko Papademetriou of Qu
December 09, 2021 19:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBHave you recently visited your favorite coffee shop or fast food joint and it’s taking longer than usual to get your order? Unfortunately, you are not alone. Across the nation, operators are struggling to staff their restaurants and retain talent for the long term. This can lead to shortened store hours or even restaurants closing their doors altogether. To solve these dire labor challenges, we believe broad sweeping changes are needed for a stronger future. This episode of Restaurants Re...
Delivering the Digital Restaurant - Meredith Sandland & Carl Orsbourn of Learn Delivery
November 16, 2021 21:00 - 42 minutes - 28.9 MBHear what these two digital restaurant savants and best-selling authors, Meredith Sandland & Carl Orsbourn, have to say about the future of the restaurant industry and what possible challenges restaurant operators may face during the digital age. Our guests had the idea to write their book, Delivering the Digital Restaurant, as they ''want the industry to survive this big omnichannel shift. And to do that, they need some tools and a group discussion to talk about how to navigate this"! Mo...
How to Get Closer to Your Customer & What Does POS Have to Do with It? - Solomon Choi, CEO & Founder of 16 Handles
November 05, 2021 22:00 - 57 minutes - 39.4 MBJoin this modern and savvy restaurateur and marketer, Solomon Choi, as we explore why POS has fallen into the “uncool” category in an industry sprinting to keep up with the digital consumer. Solomon explains how he got into the “FroYo” business and found himself on point for figuring out the technology as well. Moments to Listen For: • Omni-Channel is Not New to Consumers. The consumer has been omni-channel for many years, it’s just that the hospitality and foodservice industry has bee...
How to Get Closer to Your Customer & What Does POS Have to Do with It? - Solomon Choi
November 05, 2021 22:00 - 57 minutes - 39.4 MBJoin this modern and savvy restaurateur and marketer, Solomon Choi, as we explore why POS has fallen into the “uncool” category in an industry sprinting to keep up with the digital consumer. Solomon explains how he got into the “FroYo” business and found himself on point for figuring out the technology as well. Moments to Listen For: • Omni-Channel is Not New to Consumers. The consumer has been omni-channel for many years, it’s just that the hospitality and foodservice industry has bee...
How to Balance Data & Ideation - Alice Crowder, CMO of Krystal Restaurants
October 22, 2021 21:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBFor this 40th episode of Restaurants Reinvented, we're hosting the new CMO at Krystal Restaurants, Alice Crowder. Alice has a very distinct and innovative way of testing "new ideas" and it comes down to a detailed process hinging on research and data -- while still leaving tons of room for creativity. Show Highlights: • Balancing Data and the Creative Process Alice's approach to marketing is a marriage of instinct & innovation supported by a process infrastructure. Hear how she and her...
Back in Person at FSTEC (Live!) - Marcus Viscidi & Zack Oates
October 07, 2021 15:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBJoin us as we celebrate getting back to the first in-person conference in 18 LONG months. This week's episode is with Marcus Viscidi (Winsight Media) & Zack Oates (Ovation), as they reflect on the sweeping changes and impacts to the hospitality industry and how that made this first live event even more meaningful. Marcus, a hospitality expert and leading Winsight Media spokesperson, has his finger on the pulse of all the hot topics in restaurants today. He emphasized the true heart and so...
Back in Person at FSTEC (Live!) - Marcus Viscidi of Winsight Media & Zack Oates of Ovation
October 07, 2021 15:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBJoin us as we celebrate getting back to the first in-person conference in 18 LONG months. This week's episode is with Marcus Viscidi (Winsight Media) & Zack Oates (Ovation), as they reflect on the sweeping changes and impacts to the hospitality industry and how that made this first live event even more meaningful. Marcus, a hospitality expert and leading Winsight Media spokesperson, has his finger on the pulse of all the hot topics in restaurants today. He emphasized the true heart and so...
Let's Think Outside the Bun, with Greg Creed - former CEO & CMO of Yum! Brands
September 24, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBHear from The Godfather of restaurant marketing himself, Greg Creed, former CEO at Yum! Brands and CEO/CMO of Taco Bell where he spearheaded the famous “Think Outside the Bun” campaign. Another small feather in his cap…. Running the Dove brand for Unilever. Most recently he’s co-authored a book with Ken Muench called R.E.D. Marketing: The Three Ingredients of Leading Brands - Relevance, Ease, and Distinctiveness. Greg is chock full of marketing wisdom and experience, and has the street cr...
Here’s How She Does It (One Sweet Episode) - Betsy Hamm, CEO of Duck Donuts
August 24, 2021 21:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBToday's female CEO super-star, Betsy Hamm, joins Restaurants Reinvented to talk about franchise marketing, branding, community involvement, empathetic leadership, & so much more! Betsy is the new CEO of Duck Donuts, a successful donut shop franchise with 100+ stores worldwide. She entered the restaurant industry after working at Hershey Foods for 14 years. After that, Betsy started the formal marketing function at Duck Donuts, moved into operations, and is now the chief executive officer. ...
Making Tech + Food Work Together for Good - Peter Wiley, Co-Founder & CMO at Rapid Fired Pizza & Hot Head Burritos
August 24, 2021 20:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBThis episode is a continuation of our interview with Peter Wiley, co-founder of two fast-casual chains and a technology superstar. We drill into today’s reality of technology in restaurants - Peter provides a great modern, fresh example of how busy operators can integrate fast, scalable tech into their daily operations to streamline both internal and external processes. If you haven’t checked out the first episode, we suggest you listen to it as a warm-up for this one. Peter is currently t...
Mastering the Balance at P.F. Chang's —Tana Davila, CMO
July 31, 2021 12:00 - 46 minutes - 32.3 MBCreating new in-restaurant dining experiences and balancing those with growing to-go-only concepts are the meat of this episode. What is the secret of a successful restaurant chain? According to Tana Davila, the CMO at P.F. Chang's, it is about brand distinctiveness, unique technology approaches, and being able to adapt quickly and creatively in a pandemic. Tana and her creative team of 30 people have reinvented P.F. Chang's due to a pandemic. They focused on To-Go concepts, delivery, e-...
One Lean Mean Restaurant Machine - Peter Wiley, Co-Founder & CMO at Rapid Fired Pizza & Hot Head Burritos
July 15, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 48.1 MBFasten your seat belts and get ready to hear from one of the Fast Casual industry's most innovative and cool restauranteurs -- Peter Wiley, the Co-Founder at Rapid Fired Pizza & Hot Head Burritos -- and super-human Qu account rep, Sean Brennan. These two guys are driving the restaurant tech industry forward with new ways of embracing technology, modern processes, and restaurant trends - like cryptocurrency, just to name one. Key Insights & Quotes • POS built from the cloud down versus fr...
Invest in Relationships - Paul Macaluso, President & CEO of Another Broken Egg Cafe
June 11, 2021 21:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBPaul Macaluso, President and CEO of Another Broken Egg Cafe, talks about the importance of investing in your staff, as taking care of your employees' career growth can lead to better relationships, business, and brand results. Paul also talks about the changes he’s seen across the restaurant landscape, namely the growth of digital media and the importance of technology in current restaurants. Key Takeaways & Quotes • Implementing & scaling off-prem from 0 to 15% of business ''We started pr...
Refresh Your Brand (Now!) - Lidija Davidson of Sift, Cipher & Bloom
May 28, 2021 20:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBMeet Lidija Davidson, brand expert extraordinaire and restaurant innovator. This episode is all about the Power of Brand. If you haven’t thought about your brand in a while - start now. The post-pandemic world is rife with opportunities to engage guests and grow your business to a whole new and different level. Communicating a relatable, relevant (and fun) brand to your employees, guests, franchisees, and partners is paramount to building that success in 2021. As a passionate restaurateur...