Welcome to the Hospitality Hangout!
The Hospitality Hangout
The Hospitality Hangout
Join Michael Schatzberg (The Restaurant Guy) and Jimmy Frischling (The Finance Guy) on The Hospitality Hangout as they explore hospitality, food service, and investment trends while connecting with industry leaders. Each week, receive insider insights and funny stories that shape the hospitality landscape. They live at the intersection of hospitality, food service, technology, and investment, connecting the biggest players and boldest ideas shaping the industry. Each week, they serve up funny, informative, and wildly entertaining conversations with the insiders who are leading a new era of hospitality. From emerging brands and breakthrough tech to industry trends and restaurant success stories, no topic is off the table. It’s where the who’s who of hospitality hangs out – packed with expert insights, laugh-out-loud moments, and must-know trends that keep you ahead of the game. 🍽️ Tune in, grab a drink, and let’s talk shop! 🚀
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Hospitality Hangout Podcast

Join Michael Schatzberg (The Restaurant Guy) and Jimmy Frischling (The Finance Guy) on The Hospitality Hangout for bold, hilarious, and insight-packed conversations with the power players redefining hospitality. From hot trends and tech breakthroughs to behind-the-scenes stories, no topic is off the table.

Recent Episodes

Feb. 3, 2026

Building Zingerman’s Deli: Ari Weinzweig on Hospitality Leadership, V…

Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of Zingerman’s Delicatessen, shares invaluable hospitality insider insights and leadership lessons from building one of the most respected brands in the hospitality business. As a pioneering restaura...

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Jan. 27, 2026

Hospitality Never Changes: Experience & Growth in Airport Dining with…

Join Richard Schneider, COO and Chief Development Officer of Areas USA, on Hospitality Hangout as he shares insider insights into scaling one of the largest airport and travel plaza hospitality operators in the country. From ...

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Jan. 20, 2026

Third Place Thinking: John Dillon CEO of La Madeleine on Reviving Leg…

John Dillon, CEO of La Madeleine, joins Hospitality Hangout to share his expert strategies on reviving a 42-year-old legacy brand by blending tradition with modern hospitality trends. Drawing on his journey through major rest...

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Jan. 13, 2026

Reviving an Icon: Nate Fowler CEO of Long John Silver’s on Brand Grow…

Nate Fowler, CEO of Long John Silver’s, joins Hospitality Hangout live from RFDC in Las Vegas to share insider insights on revitalizing a 56-year-old restaurant brand while maintaining its core identity. This episode dives de...

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Jan. 6, 2026

Scaling Dirty Soda: Alex Dunn, CEO of Swig, on Building a National Be…

Alex Dunn, CEO of Swig, shares insider insights on how Swig pioneered and scaled the dirty soda category from its Utah roots to a thriving national franchise. Explore key hospitality trends in the beverage and restaurant indu...

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Dec. 30, 2025

Hospitality Industry Growth & Technology Insights from Leaders at FSt…

Featuring top hospitality leaders from Groucho’s Deli, Long John Silver’s, Tiki Taco, Cowboy Chicken, Crazy Pita, and Beans & Brews Coffee House, including Mehdi Zarhloul, Brittany Mercer, Eric Knott, Deric Rosenbaum, Doug Wi...

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Recent Blog Posts

Feb. 3, 2026

The Zingerman's Way: More Than Just a Deli

Introduction: Beyond the Baguette - What is Zingerman's? Welcome back to the blog, where we unpack the meaty goodness of our latest podcast episode! In this installment, we’re venturing beyond the bustling aisles of a traditional deli and del…

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Feb. 2, 2026

Why Hospitality Still Reigns Supreme in the Age of Tech

Welcome back to the blog, and more importantly, welcome back to our discussion that expands on our latest podcast episode! In this week's installment of The Hospitality Hangout, we had the distinct pleasure of speaking with the insightful Richard Sc…

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Jan. 20, 2026

What is 'Third Place Thinking' and How La Madeleine Masters It

Welcome back to the blog, listeners! In our latest episode of [Related episode title](https://www.thehospitalityhangout.com/third-place-thinking-john-dillon/), we had the distinct pleasure of speaking with John Dillon, the CEO of La Madeleine. John …

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