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Episodes

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.
Nov. 12, 2024

Revolutionizing Hospitality with Comcast's Technology Solutions

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Brian Klinger, Senior Strategic Partnerships Executive at Comcast Business.
Nov. 5, 2024

Powerhouse Dynamics' Drew Holst on Embracing Tech Through A Digital Transformation

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy”, are joined by Drew Holst, Vice President of Powerhouse Dynamics.
Oct. 29, 2024

From Hard Rock to First Watch, Chris Tomasso’s Playbook for Building Brand Loyalty and Driving Growth

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Chris Tomasso, CEO and President of First Watch Restaurants.
Oct. 22, 2024

Bad Ass Coffee CEO Tells the Brand's Badass Story

In this special episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, "The Restaurant Guy," and Jimmy Frischling, "The Finance Guy," sit down with Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, to talk about the brand’s unique identity and its bold reentry into the market.
Oct. 15, 2024

Julie Wade on Loyalty Programs & The North Star of Successful Restaurant Marketing

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy”, sit down with Julie Wade, Chief Marketing Officer at Taziki’s Mediterranean Café.
Oct. 8, 2024

Navigating the New Era of Restaurants: Connecting with Customers in a Shifting Landscape

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy”, sit down with Maria Rivera, CEO of Smalls Sliders.