Episodes
April 15, 2025
From Docks to Disruption: Michael Ungaro on Restaurant Transformation, Trends & Hilarious Food Tales
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, we dive deep with Michael Ungaro — CEO, visionary, and third-generation owner behind the iconic San Pedro Fish Market and star of the hit Amazon Prime series Kings of Fi$h. Michael shar...
April 8, 2025
How Moe’s is Winning the Hospitality Game: Trends, Transformation & Insider Strategies with Mike Smith
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Mike Smith, Chief Brand Officer of Moe’s Southwest Grill, for a high-energy conversation...
April 1, 2025
Behind the BIG Deal: This Is What Success in Hospitality Looks Like
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Gregg Majewski and Josh Halpern to explore Big Chicken’s exciting move to join Craveworthy Brands.
March 25, 2025
Guest Experience as a Strategy with Mike Fiato of Eurest
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Mike Fiato, Senior Vice President of Guest Experience at Eurest, a division of Compass Group.
March 18, 2025
The Smartest Move in Restaurant Tech Is Simplicity and ScheduleFly Proves It
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Will Brawley, co-founder of ScheduleFly, a restaurant scheduling software that’s more than just a tool—it’s a philosophy. For over 15 years, Will and his team hav…
March 11, 2025
Spicy Strategies: How El Pollo Loco Stays Hot in QSR
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Liz Williams, CEO of El Pollo Loco.
March 4, 2025
Doughnuts, Hustle, and Hospitality: Chris Schultz on Scaling an Iconic Brand
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, hosts Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” welcome Chris Schultz, CEO of Voodoo Doughnut, for a conversation packed with brand innovation, fan-driven marketing, and the art of scaling while staying true to your ro…
Feb. 25, 2025
From Michelin Stars to Instagram Likes, The Restaurant World with Chef Laurent Tourondel
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Chef Laurent Tourondel, an acclaimed chef and restaurateur known for his innovative approach to fine dining and casual cuisine.
Feb. 18, 2025
Ketchup, Crinkle-Cut Fries & 1500 Shake Shacks: Rob Lynch Spills It All
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” sit down with Rob Lynch CEO of Shake Shack.
Feb. 11, 2025
Bold Ideas, Breakout Brands, and Big Apple Moves Inside FB Society
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Jack Gibbons, CEO of FB Society.
Feb. 4, 2025
How Big Mamma Went from a Scrapped Idea to 30 Restaurants with Co-founder Victor Lugger
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” sit down with Victor Lugger, co-founder of Big Mamma Group.
Jan. 28, 2025
Big Rock, Ocean Prime, and Butcher and Rose Make Big Moves in Fine Dining
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” sit down with David Miller, President and COO of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants.
Jan. 21, 2025
Driving Savings and Simplifying Operations
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” welcome Mike Barbary, Vice President of Foodbuy, to continue three-part Supply Chain Superstars Series sponsored by Foodbuy.com.
Jan. 21, 2025
Part 2: Future-Proofing Hospitality
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” continue the three-part Supply Chain Superstars Series sponsored by Foodbuy.com with Paul Levos, CEO of United Food Service (UFSO).
Jan. 21, 2025
Part 1: Cracking the Code of Supply Chain Success
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Amer Akhtar, CEO of iTrade Network, to kick off their three-par Supply Chain Superstars Series sponsored by Foodbuy.com.
Jan. 14, 2025
Big Moves in Hotel F&B: Jason Himber’s Vision at Mina Group
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy”, are joined by Jason Himber, CEO of Mina Group.
Jan. 7, 2025
The #1 Burger in the Universe! Habit Burger Crushes the Burger Wars
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” sit down with Shannon Hennessy, CEO of Habit Burger & Grill.
Dec. 31, 2024
REWIND: Being a World-Class Operator: The Secret to Success in the Restaurant Business
In this rewind episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” revisit their lively and insightful conversation with Greg Flynn, the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Flynn Group and Flynn Properties.
Dec. 24, 2024
REWIND: Union Square Hospitality’s Chip Wade | Expanding Daily Provisions & Breaking Barriers in Hospitality
In case you missed it, this Hospitality Hangout rewind episode features Chip Wade, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, as he joins Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy.” Chip shares his incredible journey from starting at Dunkin' Donuts to leading one …
Dec. 17, 2024
A&W’s Century of Craft and Nostalgia
In this episode of the Hospitality Hangout podcast, Michael Schatzberg (“The Restaurant Guy”) and Jimmy Frischling (“The Finance Guy”), welcome Kevin Bazner, Chairman and CEO of A&W Restaurants, to explore how one of America’s most iconic brands continues to honor its legacy while embracing a chang…
Dec. 10, 2024
Let The Food Speak – Sweetgreen’s Blend of Art and Science
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy”, are joined by Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO of Sweetgreen.
Dec. 3, 2024
Mario Del Pero from Busser to Boardroom
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” sit down with Mario Del Pero, a partner at Dom Foods and co-founder of Goop Kitchen and Mendocino Farms.
Nov. 26, 2024
Evolutionizing Restaurant Payments: Insights from Adyen's Phil Crawford at FSTech
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Phil Crawford, Global F&B Head of Adyen.
Nov. 19, 2024
Tiki Taco a “Hometown Hero” Scaling Up
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” sit down with Eric Knott CEO of Tiki Taco.