Episodes

  • A Private Jet Upgrade That Shaped Dave’s Hot Chicken’s CEO.

    A Private Jet Upgrade That Shaped Dave’s Hot Chicken’s CEO.
    Nov 3 2026
    Jim Bitticks leads Dave’s Hot Chicken as both CEO and a franchise owner. He shares how his predecessor, Bill Phelps, shaped his approach to leadership through generosity, investing in employees and giving people opportunities to grow with the company. Watch now to learn how Jim Bitticks leads Dave’s Hot Chicken, why generosity matters and how he became a franchise owner. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Danny Meyer Once Thought Profit Got in the Way of Hospitality. He Explains Why He Was Wrong

    Danny Meyer Once Thought Profit Got in the Way of Hospitality. He Explains Why He Was Wrong
    Oct 27 2026
    Danny Meyer built Union Square Hospitality Group by putting people first. Through his approach to hospitality, he builds trust with guests and empowers employees while sharing lessons on leadership, entrepreneurship and creating experiences people remember. Watch now to learn how Danny Meyer builds trust through hospitality, empowers employees to care for guests, and turns small details into lasting connections. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Why Operating 650 Auto Body Shops Doesn’t Stop This CEO From Hosting His Own Podcast

    Why Operating 650 Auto Body Shops Doesn’t Stop This CEO From Hosting His Own Podcast
    Oct 20 2026
    Matt Ebert grew Crash Champions from one collision repair shop to 650 locations. Through his podcast, PodCrash, he builds trust with customers and connects with potential employees while sharing lessons on leadership, entrepreneurship and careers in the trades. Watch now to learn how Matt Ebert uses podcasting to build trust, why profitability must come before expansion and how trusting his team helped him grow Crash Champions to 650 locations. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • They Sold BBQ to Their Rugby Friends. Then Quit Their Jobs to Go All In.

    They Sold BBQ to Their Rugby Friends. Then Quit Their Jobs to Go All In.
    Oct 13 2026
    Matt Kears and Josh Alcock left their trades to build Black Cactus Barbecue in East London. They combine Texas barbecue techniques with global flavors, creating food they want to eat while introducing customers to barbecue beyond brisket. Watch now to learn how Matt Kears and Josh Alcock turned a barbecue side project into Black Cactus and built a menu combining Texas techniques with global flavors. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • He Runs 66 Pizza Restaurants. His Biggest Challenge Is Making Sure Customers Know What to Expect at Every One

    He Runs 66 Pizza Restaurants. His Biggest Challenge Is Making Sure Customers Know What to Expect at Every One
    Oct 6 2026
    Ed Bogan and his brother own Pizza King, a 70-year-old chain with 66 locations. Bogan wants customers to know what to expect at every restaurant, while staying open to new ideas that can help the business. Watch now to learn how Ed Bogan approaches consistency across 66 Pizza King restaurants and decides which new ideas are worth bringing back to his teams. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Once An Unfinished Roof, Years Later, His Restaurant Sits Above the Center of Dublin

    Once An Unfinished Roof, Years Later, His Restaurant Sits Above the Center of Dublin
    Sep 22 2026
    Alan Clancy, the Hospitality Entrepreneur behind DÍON, has developed and operated bars, restaurants and late-night venues in Ireland. His approach combines ambitious design with close attention to the customer journey, from transforming a rooftop above Dublin’s former Central Bank building to reconsidering the weight of the front door. Watch now to learn how Clancy transformed a rooftop above Dublin’s former Central Bank building, why he asked other hospitality leaders for guidance and how small details shape the customer experience. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • This CEO Says Quarterly Thinking Is “Insane.” His Company Is Building a Hotel Designed to Stand for 100 Years

    This CEO Says Quarterly Thinking Is “Insane.” His Company Is Building a Hotel Designed to Stand for 100 Years
    Sep 15 2026
    Alistair Darby, CEO of Sir Richard Sutton Limited, has over 25 years leading public and private companies through growth and change. His approach to hospitality looks beyond the next quarter, with investments built to last for generations and a willingness to take difficult assignments. Watch now to learn why Darby rejects quarterly thinking, why leaders should take the difficult assignment and how long-term investments build stronger hospitality businesses. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • She Helped Instagram Take On TikTok and was as CTO of Tinder — Now this Founder is Betting on AI’s Next Big Opportunity

    She Helped Instagram Take On TikTok and was as CTO of Tinder — Now this Founder is Betting on AI’s Next Big Opportunity
    Sep 8 2026
    Maria Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Palona AI, shares how her experience at Tinder, Meta and Google shaped her approach to artificial intelligence. Zhang is applying what she learned building technology at scale to help restaurants use AI to improve operations and hospitality. Watch now to learn why Maria Zhang left Big Tech, why she chose restaurants and how AI can help operators save time and capture opportunities. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins