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The Hospitality Hangout | Restaurant Industry Trends & Hospitality Leaders

The Hospitality Hangout | Restaurant Industry Trends & Hospitality Leaders

Written by: Michael Schatzberg & Jimmy Frischling - Hospitality Insiders | Expert Strategies & Trends.' Hosts: Michael Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling | Branded Hospitality Media Hospitality Insiders | Michael Schatzberg & Jimmy Frischling | Branded Hospitality Media
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About this listen

 The Hospitality Hangout is where the restaurant industry gets real. Hosted by Schatzy, the Restaurant Guy, and Jimmy, the Finance Guy, this funny, unfiltered hospitality podcast dives into restaurant trends, food service innovation, hospitality technology, and the investment strategies shaping the future of the industry. With decades of hands-on experience operating restaurants and structuring capital markets deals, these two bring real-world insight from the kitchen to the boardroom. They connect the biggest operators, boldest founders, and sharpest investors in hospitality for conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. Each week you’ll hear from C-suite restaurant executives, franchise leaders, emerging brand founders, hospitality tech innovators, and private equity investors who are building the next era of food and hospitality. Expect insider stories, sharp opinions, real numbers, and plenty of laughs. No fluff. No corporate spin. Just honest conversations about what is actually happening in restaurants and food service. If you care about scaling restaurants, raising capital, building brands, or staying ahead of hospitality trends, this is your show. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let’s talk shop. Welcome to The Hospitality Hangout.A Branded Media Experience Art Cooking Economics Food & Wine Leadership Management & Leadership Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The Rise of Mike’s Hot Honey: Founder Mike Kurtz on Authentic Growth & Collaboration in the Hospitality Business

    The Rise of Mike’s Hot Honey: Founder Mike Kurtz on Authentic Growth & Collaboration in the Hospitality Business
    Feb 24 2026

    Mike Kurtz, Founder of Mike’s Hot Honey, shares invaluable hospitality insider insights on building a successful hospitality business from the ground up. Discover how strategic restaurant partnerships and collaborations fueled the rapid growth of Mike’s Hot Honey, making it one of the fastest-growing food brands nationwide. Mike dives deep into hospitality trends shaping brand expansion from restaurant menus to grocery store shelves through effective CPG strategies.

    Listeners will learn key restaurant growth strategies and what it takes to stay authentic amid intensifying competition. Mike also discusses menu innovation, flavor experimentation, and how hospitality executives and restaurant operators can create lasting brand trust while scaling their businesses without losing their unique identity.

    Tune in for a wealth of knowledge from a hospitality industry leader that offers practical advice for anyone involved in the restaurant industry podcast landscape, hospitality media, or looking to elevate their hospitality leadership skills.

    Episode Credits:

    • Sponsored by: DirecTV
    • Produced by: Branded Hospitality Media
    • Hosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy Frischling
    • Producer: Julie Zucker
    • Creative Director: Adam Levine
    • Show Runner: Drewe Raimi
    • Post Production: GrodMedia

    www.thehospitalityhangout.com


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    51 mins
  • Building the McAlister’s Brand: Hospitality Insights from Danielle Parra on Fast Casual & Innovation

    Building the McAlister’s Brand: Hospitality Insights from Danielle Parra on Fast Casual & Innovation
    Feb 17 2026

    Danielle Parra, Chief Brand Officer of McAlister’s Deli, joins the Hospitality Hangout to share her expert insights on building and scaling a renowned hospitality brand. With over 500 locations and a billion-dollar presence in the hospitality industry, McAlister’s continues to lead with innovative strategies in fast casual dining. From pioneering data-driven loyalty programs to creative menu innovations like pickle-powered limited-time offers, Danielle reveals how guest-centered hospitality drives sustainable restaurant growth. This episode also explores catering strategies, beverage and mocktail trends, franchisee economics, and how authentic hospitality leadership remains a key factor in success. Tune in for insider hospitality trends, restaurant growth strategies, and much more!

    Episode Credits:

    • Sponsored by: DirecTV
    • Produced by: Branded Hospitality Media
    • Hosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy Frischling
    • Producer: Julie Zucker
    • Creative Director: Adam Levine
    • Show Runner: Drewe Raimi
    • Post Production: GrodMedia

    www.thehospitalityhangout.com


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Building Iconic Food Brands: Hospitality Insider Insights from Boqueria, Rita’s Italian Ice, Hot Head Burritos & ChopShop

    Building Iconic Food Brands: Hospitality Insider Insights from Boqueria, Rita’s Italian Ice, Hot Head Burritos & ChopShop
    Feb 10 2026

    In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, hospitality industry leaders Jason Morgan (CEO of The Original ChopShop), Kelly Gray (SVP of Hot Head Burritos), Lawrence Brown (Chief Development Officer of Rita’s Italian Ice), and Yann de Rochefort (CEO of Boqueria) come together to share their expertise on building iconic food brands. Dive into essential hospitality trends, restaurant growth strategies, and hospitality insider insights that are shaping the modern hospitality business.

    Episode Credits:

    • Sponsored by: Restaurant Finance & Development Conference
    • Produced by: Branded Hospitality Media
    • Hosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy Frischling
    • Producer: Julie Zucker
    • Creative Director: Adam Levine
    • Show Runner: Drewe Raimi
    • Post Production: GrodMedia

    www.thehospitalityhangout.com


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
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