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Videos

Sept. 3, 2025

Hospitality’s Game Plan: Insider Insights & Emerging Trends for Restaurant Success

In this dynamic episode of the Hospitality Hangout Podcast, we welcome Josh Kopel—award-winning restaurateur and hospitality strategist—for a deep dive into the latest hospitality trends and insider insights that are shaping today’s food service industry. Josh shares his unique perspective on emerging brands making waves and how these innovations are…

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Aug. 26, 2025

Title: From Salads to Success: Bold Ideas & Insider Insights with Nick Kenner on QSR Trends and H...

In this laughter-filled yet insightful episode of the Hospitality Hangout Podcast, we sit down with Nick Kenner, Founder & CEO of Just Salad, to explore bold ideas and expert strategies that are reshaping the hospitality and food service industry. Get ready for valuable hospitality insights as we discuss the evolving…

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Aug. 19, 2025

Unlocking Restaurant Growth: How Entertainment Transforms Hospitality

In this episode of The Hospitality Hangout, we sit down with Neil Sudaisar, AVP of Commercial National Accounts at DIRECTV, to explore how entertainment is powering restaurant transformation and success in the hospitality industry. From digital hospitality innovations to emerging market trends shaping guest experiences, Neil shares insider tips and…

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Aug. 12, 2025

Essential Trends & Industry Strategies with PR Expert Sherri Fishman

In this episode, we delve into the must-know hospitality trends and effective industry strategies with PR expert Sherri Fishman from Fishman PR. As restaurants transform rapidly, understanding what exceptional PR looks like is crucial for success. Sherri shares insider insights into how modern PR integrates with digital hospitality, focusing on…

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Aug. 5, 2025

More Than Juice: Jamba’s Nathan Louer Talks Hospitality, Trends & Transformation

In this fresh episode of Hospitality Hangout, we sit down with Nathan Louer, Chief Brand Officer of Jamba, to explore how one of the most recognizable food and beverage brands is navigating the evolving hospitality industry and emerging trends. From reimagining legacy branding to embracing digital hospitality and innovative strategies,…

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July 29, 2025

Lodging, Loyalty & Leadership: Red Roof’s Big Bet on Bold Hospitality Ideas

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, we’re joined by Zack Gharib, President of Red Roof, exploring how hospitality brands adapt to fast-moving trends and guest expectations. Zack shares insider insights on digital hospitality, bold strategies for enhancing guest experience, and how Red Roof is positioning itself for the future of…

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July 23, 2025

Insider Tips & Tacos: Key Hospitality Strategies from Taco John’s CEO

In this sizzling episode of Hospitality Hangout, we’re joined by Heather Neary, President & CEO of Taco John’s International, to explore bold ideas and hospitality strategies that define today’s fast-paced food industry. Heather shares exclusive insider tips on navigating emerging trends, scaling legacy brands, and innovating in the hospitality business.…

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July 22, 2025

Insider Tips & Tacos: Key Hospitality Strategies from Taco John’s CEO

In this sizzling episode of Hospitality Hangout, we’re joined by Heather Neary, President & CEO of Taco John’s International, to explore bold ideas and hospitality strategies that define today’s fast-paced food industry. Heather shares exclusive insider tips on navigating emerging trends, scaling legacy brands, and innovating in the hospitality business.…

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July 17, 2025

The Future of Restaurant Tech? Chowly CEO Talks Super Apps & Industry Disruption

Broadcasting live from the 2025 NRA Show floor, Hospitality Hangout kicks off with hosts Michael Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling breaking down what’s hot (and what’s not) in the restaurant industry today. Then, they sit down with Sterling Douglass, founder and CEO of Chowly, for a candid and forward-thinking conversation on…

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July 15, 2025

Hospitality, But Make It Toasted: Frank Paci on Fast-Casual & the Future

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, we delve deep into hospitality strategies with Frank Paci, CEO of Newk’s Eatery, a leader in the fast-casual food industry. Join us as Frank shares his wealth of knowledge on how Newk’s thrives in an increasingly competitive landscape, his investment strategies, and how emerging…

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July 10, 2025

From Flip-Flops to Five Stars: Lucia Penrod’s Expert Strategies for Restaurant Transformation

In this Hospitality Hustler episode of Hospitality Hangout, we go from backroom to boardroom with Lucia Penrod, Co-Founder, Owner, and CEO of the iconic Nikki Beach. Lucia shares her journey scaling a single South Beach location into a global lifestyle and hospitality brand. Discover hospitality insights, expert strategies, and behind-the-scenes…

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July 9, 2025

Fries, Frosties & Food Service Fame: Inside Freddy’s with Erin Walters

In this mouthwatering episode, we dive deep into the world of hospitality as we sit down with Erin Walters, CMO of Freddy’s. Discover the latest hospitality trends and investment strategies that are reshaping the food service industry. Erin shares insider tips from her experiences with one of the food industry’s…

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July 8, 2025

Slice, Slice Baby: Hospitality Trends from Grimaldi’s Marketing Maven

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, we’re tossing dough and dropping knowledge with Pam Brock-Nedwetzky, Director of Marketing at the legendary Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. Discover how Pam keeps this iconic brand at the forefront of the food industry by leveraging hospitality strategies and understanding emerging hospitality trends. She shares insider tips…

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July 2, 2025

Wade Allen Discusses Hospitality Strategies and Emerging Trends

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, we sit down with Wade Allen, a leading voice in hospitality strategies and digital innovation, to explore what real restaurant transformation looks like in today's fast-evolving landscape. Wade shares powerful insights on hospitality trends and the role of tech in enhancing dining experiences that…

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July 1, 2025

Rolling With It: How Pokeworks Is Reinventing the Bowl Game

Join us for a deep dive into the world of hospitality as we chat with Ha Ly, Head of Marketing at Pokeworks, a leading player in the fast-evolving food industry. Discover the hospitality strategies and insider insights that make Pokeworks stand out in the restaurant scene. From operational excellence to…

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June 25, 2025

From Hot Chicken to Hot Chains: Mike LaRue on Franchising, Fun Dining & Hospitality Wins

This week on Hospitality Hangout, we’re turning up the heat with Mike LaRue, Franchisee and VP of Franchise Development at Angry Chickz — one of the fastest-growing brands in the hospitality industry focused on fun dining. In this episode, we discuss essential hospitality strategies including restaurant transformation and building a…

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June 25, 2025

From Hot Chicken to Hot Chains: Mike LaRue on Franchising, Fun Dining & Hospitality Wins

This week on Hospitality Hangout, we’re turning up the heat with Mike LaRue, Franchisee and VP of Franchise Development at Angry Chickz — one of the fastest-growing brands in the hospitality industry focused on fun dining. In this episode, we discuss essential hospitality strategies including restaurant transformation and building a…

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June 24, 2025

Tech Meets Taste: Kevin Bentley on Hospitality Transformation at Jollibee Group

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, join us as we uncover how technology is transforming hospitality with Kevin Bentley, Head of Technology at the Jollibee Group. Discover vital hospitality strategies that redefine the guest experience while driving success across noteworthy brands like Jollibee, Smashburger, and The Coffee Bean & Tea…

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June 19, 2025

Grill. Grind. Greatness. The Derrick Hayes Hustler Story

In this Hospitality Hustlers episode, sponsored by Toast, we’re serving up a story of grit, growth, and cheesesteaks that changed a life. Meet Derrick Hayes, CEO and founder of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, who went from the street grind to the executive grind — using flavor and focus as his fuel.…

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June 18, 2025

Breaking Bread & Bold Ideas: Marc Torres on Cheba Hut, Hospitality Trends, and the Future of Fun ...

In this episode of the Hospitality Hangout, recorded live at RLC’s Influencer Alley, we sit down with Marc Torres, CEO of Cheba Hut Toasted Subs, one of the most unique and emerging brands shaking up the restaurant industry. From hospitality insights to funny food stories, Marc brings the heat with…

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June 17, 2025

Guac, Grit, and Guest Experience: The bartaco Playbook

Live from RLC’s Influencer Alley, this episode of the Hospitality Hangout features Anthony Valletta, CEO and President of bartaco, the elevated street food concept redefining fun dining and guest connection. Anthony shares sharp hospitality insights and bold strategies behind bartaco’s rise — from creating a seamless guest experience through a…

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June 12, 2025

Building Brands with Flavor & Foresight: A Conversation with Potbelly’s CEO

In this kickoff episode of Hospitality Hustlers—powered by Toast—we sit down with Bob Wright, the CEO of Potbelly, to dig into what it takes to transform a beloved sandwich chain into a tech-forward, trend-setting brand. Bob shares expert insights on the intersection of food service, emerging brands, and breakthrough technology,…

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June 10, 2025

Hospitality Hangout | Bold Moves & Better Bowls: Restaurant Transformation with WOWorks CEO Kelly...

Hosted by The Restaurant Guy and The Finance Guy, Hospitality Hangout delivers hospitality stories, loud ideas, and insider strategies from top hospitality insiders driving change. In this episode, we’re chopping it up with Kelly Roddy, CEO of WOWorks, the brand group behind better-for-you concepts like Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, and more.…

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June 10, 2025

Hospitality Hangout | The Smart Playbook for Digital Hospitality & Restaurant Growth

Hosted by The Restaurant Guy and The Finance Guy, Hospitality Hangout delivers hospitality stories, loud ideas, and insider strategies from the most influential hospitality insiders in the game. In this episode, we sit down with Alison Quinn, CEO of Dinova, to talk restaurant transformation, the power of connecting players in…

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