Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack welcomes Amir Mostafavi, the Founder and CEO of South Block, a mission-driven smoothie and juice bar brand based in the DC area. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Amir shares his journey of creating a brand that’s not just about great products, but also about fostering connecti…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, we’re joined by Abney Harper, CEO and Founder of Prima Après, a unique fast-casual concept combining fresh pasta and pavlovas with a focus on thoughtful design, quality ingredients, and heartfelt hospitality. Abney shares her journey from fine dining and fashion retail to creating a chef-driven bra…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, we’re joined by Jason Sobocinski and Etkin Tekin, the co-founders of Haven Hot Chicken, who are on a mission to redefine the fast-casual dining space. From their roots as winners of the Perfect Pitch competition to expanding to nine locations, Jason and Etkin share the secrets behind their explosiv…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, Rick Malir, founder of City Barbeque, shares his journey from selling John Deere tractors to building a nationally recognized barbecue brand. With 25 years in the business and 75 locations, Rick dives into what it takes to deliver top-notch barbecue and create unforgettable guest experiences. Zack …

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Austin Titus, president of Cannoli Kitchen Pizza and a seasoned expert in the franchise industry. Growing up in a family of franchise entrepreneurs, Austin has developed a unique eye for brands that stand out in a crowded marketplace. Zack and Austin discuss: The story behind Cannoli Kit…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Jim Knight, a former executive at Hard Rock Cafe who has transformed his experiences into a dynamic career as a speaker and author. Known for his engaging style, Jim blends the charisma of Guy Fieri with the motivational prowess of Tony Robbins. Zack and Jim discuss: The importance of bu…

Send us a text Markus Pineyro is not just a restaurant owner—he’s a visionary reshaping how we think about dining experiences. As the co-founder of OOMI Digital Kitchen, Markus has created a food hall that operates almost entirely through digital interactions, yet still boasts a remarkable 4.9-star rating. On this episode of Give an Ovation, we div…

Send us a text Joey Cioffi is the founder and CEO of The Salad House, a fast-growing franchise with a passion for offering customizable, fresh meals for everyone. From his New Jersey roots to building a brand that’s now expanding to 19 locations, Joey has always prioritized hospitality and quality. In this episode, we explore how Joey’s background …

Send us a text Few people understand the art of blending people and technology in fast-casual dining like today’s guest, Doug Willmarth. As the President of MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes and a seasoned leader with experience at brands like Mongolian Concepts and Pizza Hut, Doug brings a wealth of knowledge that we were excited to explore in this e…

Send us a text You could argue that there’s no one more passionate about building successful restaurant brands than today's guest, Sherif Mityas. Sherif is the CEO of BRIX Holdings, overseeing iconic brands like Friendly’s, Clean Juice, and Red Mango. We were excited to tap into his wealth of insights on this episode! In this episode, Zack and Sher…

Send us a text Neal Parisawan is the owner of Nara Thai and a former consultant, bringing a unique perspective to how tech can enhance guest experiences rather than complicate operations. We were thrilled to hear his insights on this episode! In this episode, Zack and Neal discuss: Why restaurants struggle with adopting and maintaining technology H…

Send us a text You could argue that there's no one more experienced in leading fast-casual restaurants than today's guest, Beto Guajardo. Beto is the President & CEO of Blaze Pizza and has held leadership roles at Starbucks, Levi Strauss, and Schlotzsky’s. We were excited to tap into his extensive insights on this episode! In this episode, Zack and…

Send us a text You could argue that there's no one on the planet who has thought about hospitality more than today's guest, Will Guidara. Will is a restaurant icon, former leader of Eleven Madison Park, and NYT Bestselling Author of "Unreasonable Hospitality" (mandatory reading at Ovation). We were lucky to tap into his insights on this episode! In…

Send us a text Want to unlock the secrets behind a seamless restaurant grand opening? Richmond Green, VP of Operations at gusto!, joins us to share his invaluable insights from his extensive experience, including his tenure at Chick-fil-A. Discover why he compares grand openings to major sporting events and how adaptability and thorough preparation…

Send us a text In today’s competitive restaurant landscape, having the right tools can make or break your guest experience. On this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack Oates talks to Kelly Esten, CMO of Toast, about the journey behind one of the industry’s leading POS systems and how it helps restaurateurs succeed by focusing on what truly matters: th…

Send us a text Ever wondered what it takes to run iconic restaurants in some of the most bustling locations in the world? Join us as we sit down with Chef Glenn Rolnick, the mastermind behind the culinary operations of Carmine's and Virgil's. With over two decades of experience, Chef Glenn shares the captivating journey of Carmine's—from its humble…

Send us a text In the world of hospitality, few voices are as respected and influential as Peter Romeo's. With nearly 40 years of experience covering the restaurant industry, Peter has seen the rise and fall of countless concepts and the evolution of guest expectations. In this episode of "Give an Ovation," host Zack Oates dives deep with Peter to …

Send us a text In today’s episode of Give an Ovation, we have the pleasure of chatting with Melissa Cummings, VP of Digital Marketing at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including a significant role at Domino's managing one of the largest loyalty programs, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and …

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast, host Zack Oates sits down with Jason Morgan, CEO of Original ChopShop, a rapidly expanding fast-casual restaurant known for its "better-for-you" menu. Jason shares insights on how his team, with experience from Zoe’s Kitchen, scaled Original Chop Shop from t…

Send us a text Creating an exceptional guest experience goes beyond just serving great food—it’s about making every interaction meaningful. On this episode of "Give an Ovation," Zack Oates chats with James Vitrano, co-owner of Sucre, who shares his journey from being a lawyer to becoming a leading restaurateur. James opens up about his unique appro…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, host Zack Oates sits down with Dawn Lafreeda, one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs and restaurant leaders in the industry. From starting as a server at Denny’s at 16 years old to becoming the largest female franchisee in the full-service restaurant industry, Dawn shares her incredible journey an…

Send us a text Flame Broiler isn’t just a restaurant; it's a thriving brand with deep roots in Korean cuisine and a strong commitment to guest experience. In this episode of Give an Ovation, we sit down with Christian Lee, the second-generation leader of Flame Broiler, to explore how his family's values and focus on fundamentals have shaped the bra…

Send us a text Curious about the secret sauce behind scaling a successful restaurant brand? Get ready to learn from Brandy Blackwell, VP Head of Marketing for Another Broken Egg Cafe, as she shares her journey from key roles at Tijuana Flats, McAlister's Deli, Dunkin', and Jimmy John's. Discover the essential elements of real estate, location, and …

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, host Zack Oates talks to Scott Henderson, CEO and co-founder of Salad Station. Scott shares how his agricultural roots in South Louisiana inspired him to create a fast, healthy restaurant concept that has grown to over 36 locations. He discusses the importance of maintaining freshness, cleanliness,…

Send us a text Unlock the secrets to rekindling lost customer relationships with expert insights from Dan Pfister, Founder of WinBack Labs. Discover proven strategies for understanding why customers leave and how to effectively bring them back. Dan highlights the importance of strategic outreach and ensuring customers feel heard and valued. Learn h…

Send us a text Can a great customer experience truly begin with how you treat your employees? In this fascinating episode of Give an Ovation, we host Jill Raff, the dynamic Founder and CEO of the Jill Raff Group, who makes a compelling case for her EX2CX® approach, for which she is an advisor. Drawing from her extensive background and personal hist…

Send us a text What does it take to turn failure into a stepping stone for success? Perry Rogers, the legendary sports marketing executive and agent behind iconic athletes like Shaquille O'Neal and his restaurant Big Chicken, shares his incredible career journey on today's episode. Listen as Perry recounts a pivotal moment with a challenging busine…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack Oates interviews Chris Treloar, CEO of PLNT Burger, to uncover his secrets to creating a standout guest experience in the restaurant industry. From his roots at Friendly's to leading a successful plant-based burger brand, Chris shares his insights on keeping operations simple, building strong …

Send us a text Join us for another episode of Give an Ovation, the Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast, as we dive into the fascinating journey of Michael Ungaro, CEO of San Pedro Fish Market. From setting Guinness World Records to becoming one of the most Instagrammed restaurants in the U.S., Michael shares his visionary approach to seafood, hospi…

Send us a text Ever wondered what goes into creating a dining experience so memorable that guests can't stop talking about it? Join us as we sit down with Jason Ganahl, the genius behind GQue Championship Barbecue, Denver’s first and only championship barbecue restaurant. Jason spills the beans on the art of personalized service, maintaining a cons…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, we learn about effective hospitality leadership with Matt Rolfe, a hospitality leadership coach, speaker, and author of "You Can't Do it Alone." Matt shares his insights on helping multi-unit restaurant operators, focusing on the people element of the business to ensure success and growth. Learn ab…

Send us a text Disney is known for some of best guest experiences in the world, and today we learn some of the magic formula as we chat with George Kalogridis, who shares his remarkable 50-year journey in Disney. As a busboy who later became President of Walt Disney World, George gives fantastic insights on how to make guests happy. Thanks, George!…

Send us a text On this episode, authenticity takes the spotlight as we explore what it means to provide genuine care and high-quality service in the hospitality industry with Ken McGarrie and Mark Braver of Fifty/50 Consulting. Listen to an inspiring story from a West Coast resort that showcases the power of meticulous staff training in creating si…

Send us a text Today we're learning about an often overlooked restaurant marketing channel, direct mail. Kevin Slaughter, Director of Operations at Mailwise Solutions debunks the myth that direct mail is a relic of the past, proving its remarkable ROI in 2024. Discover why consistency trumps one-time mail blasts and how sending menus three to four …

Send us a text Join us on this episode of Give an Ovation as we welcome back Andy Rebhun, the Chief Experience Officer at CAVA. With a rich background in leadership roles at Ford Motor Company, McDonald's, and El Pollo Loco, Andy shares invaluable insights into the restaurant industry's best practices. We dive deep into the importance of consistenc…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack Oates sits down with Marlo Fogelman, the Founder and CEO of Marlo Marketing. With a unique background that combines marketing expertise and a law degree, Marlo shares her insights on the intricacies of hospitality marketing, the importance of making guests feel welcome, and the small but impac…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, Tim Murphy, CEO of Boomers Parks and Big Kahuna's, shares his extensive experience in turning around businesses. From his days at Walt Disney World to managing financial turnarounds at various restaurant chains, Tim provides valuable insights into understanding financials, improving guest experienc…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, we sit down with Patrick Ewers, CEO and founder of MindMaven, an executive coaching firm that has transformed leaders from top companies like Reddit, Roblox, and Sequoia Capital. Patrick shares his insights on the importance of investing in relationships, leveraging time efficiently, and the powerf…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, we turn the mic around to interview Joe Guszkowski, a Senior Editor at Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains. He also hosts RB Daily, a restaurant news podcast. Joe shares his unique insights on the current state of the restaurant industry, highlighting the challenges and…

Send us a text In this episode of Give an Ovation, host Zack Oates sits down with Darden Coors, the CEO of Salad Collective. With over a decade of experience, Darden has been a driving force behind better-for-you fast-casual brands like Mad Greens, Snappy Salads, and Tokyo Joe's. As a fifth-generation Coors and a former lawyer, Darden shares her un…

Send us a text Note: This episode was recorded before the recent passing of Solomon Choi. He was a dear friend to Zack and the Ovation team, and though we are saddened and shocked by his passing, we were grateful to share this conversation with him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. In this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack Oates sits d…

Send us a text In this special episode of Give an Ovation, host Zack Oates chats with Andrew Smith, Managing Director and Co-Founder of the Savory Fund. Andrew shares invaluable insights into building a successful team, the importance of decisive action, and the current state of the restaurant industry. Tune in to learn how Andrew and his team have…

Send us a text Today, we're thrilled to welcome Tom Gordon, CEO of Slim Chickens. With nearly 22 years at the helm, Tom has been instrumental in transforming Slim Chickens into a beloved brand known for its innovative LTOs and consistently delicious offerings. We discuss how Tom balances staying true to the core menu while continuously introducing …

Send us a text In this Crispy episode of "Give an Ovation," Zack Oates sits down with Jeremy Carlson, founder and CEO of Crispy Cones, to talk about the rollercoaster journey from starting a business to appearing on Shark Tank and beyond. Jeremy shares the highs and lows of building his brand, the importance of guest experience, and the innovative …

Send us a text In this episode of "Give an Ovation," Zack Oates welcomes Jim Mizes, a restaurant industry legend with an impressive track record, including roles as VP of PepsiCo, President of brands like Einstein Bros and Blaze Pizza, and various advisory roles. Jim shares his insights on scaling restaurant brands, the importance of aligning found…

Send us a text In this 300th episode of "Give an Ovation," host Zack Oates welcomes back Olga Lopategui, a seasoned restaurant marketing consultant and the Founder of Restaurant Loyalty Specialists. Olga shares her expertise in setting up and optimizing loyalty programs for restaurant chains, offering insights into the importance of process optimiz…

Send us a text In this episode of "Give an Ovation," host Zack Oates sits down with Seth Cohen, President and Co-founder of Sweetfin. Seth shares the inspiring journey of Sweetfin's inception, its innovative approach to fast-casual dining, and the emphasis on guest experience that has driven their success. From mastering the art of poke in a market…

Send us a text In this episode of "Give an Ovation," Zack Oates sits down with Natalie Green, the dynamic COO of Nekter Juice Bar. With over 200 locations, Natalie shares insights from her 12-year journey at Nekter, focusing on the importance of supply chain management, consistency in guest experience, and leveraging technology to enhance customer …

Send us a text Today we're joined by Emily Cole, the visionary owner of the viral sensation, the Savannah Bananas. Emily shares her journey of transforming the traditional baseball experience into a lively, fun-filled event that captivates fans of all ages. From introducing all-you-can-eat tickets to choreographed player entrances, Emily discusses …

Send us a text Susie Sarich created SusieCakes for two reasons: 1) to make it easier for women to work in hospitality, and 2) to bring back classic desserts recipes to the culinary wild west she was witnessing in San Francisco. With her Grandmas' timeless recipes and a focus on each guest, SusieCakes has grown to 26 locations and is poised to conti…