With a heart for innovation and a mind for leadership, Maria leads a brand that values simplicity yet delivers big on flavor. Her journey, shaped by her time at Disney and other industry giants, has instilled in her the belief that even the smallest details matter. Smalls Sliders isn’t just…
Jennifer isn’t just shaking things up, she’s squeezing every drop of her expertise into a brand focused on health and wellness. She has learned that a solid brand, like a great smoothie, is all about authenticity - with a dash of rock star flair and a whole lot of heart,…
As head of the Upward Projects Restaurant Group, Bailey steers five brands and 30 restaurants toward profit, success, and good experiences. In her conversation with Jimmy and Schatzy at CREATE, the trio discusses how Bailey got into the restaurant industry and some of the lessons learned as an emerging restauranteur.…
Chip Wade shares his inspiring journey from Dunkin' Donuts to becoming a CEO, highlighting the significant upward mobility within the hospitality industry and how it can represent the American dream. Chip brings a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry sharing insights into his journey and the dynamic nature of…
During the conversation, Willmarth discussed his background and passion for leadership and airplanes. Having served in the Navy as a pilot, he transitioned into business leadership and marketing, eventually finding his love for the restaurant industry. Willmarth had worked with renowned brands such as Frito-Lay, Chili's, and Pizza Hut before…
Noah has been a driving force in revolutionizing the restaurant industry through technology. With a background in Political Science from Yale and early career experiences ranging from service stations to tech startups, Noah launched Olo to streamline digital ordering and delivery for restaurants. Under his leadership, Olo has become a…
Perry talks about recently receiving the prestigious IFMA Oberkfell Award and what it means to be recognized for his leadership and impact. He also reveals that he will soon retire after an impressive 30 years at Nestlé! Perry provides insights into Nestlé Professional’s innovative efforts to embrace technology and better…
John’s first job as a dishwasher at Au Bon Pain nurtured his relationship within hospitality eventually leading him to Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. John furthered his career in the hospitality industry by opening up his first restaurant, Gin Lane, in Manhattan and then later founding the original Scarpetta…
Gregory shares how he built his brand on the foundation of family values and entrepreneurial grit. Following his passion for coffee, he launched his first café in New York City in 2006 - with a focus on quality, innovation, and authentic customer experiences, Gregory's Coffee has grown into a beloved…
In the latest episode of "Hospitality Hangout", industry insiders are treated to an enlightening conversation as hosts Michael Schatzberg, fondly known as "The Restaurant Guy", and Jimmy Frischling, dubbed "The Finance Guy", sit down with G.J. Hart. Currently at the helm of Red Robin as President, CEO, and Director, Hart's…
Scott’s journey into marketing began at PepsiCo, where he led many successful initiatives, and now brings twenty-one plus years of a strong, innovative, and consumer-focused approach to marketing and he plays a leading role in establishing key partnerships and developing effective marketing strategies, connecting the company's brands with the food…
Lisa attended Michigan State University, where she completed her undergraduate studies and later earned a Master’s degree in Food Safety. Her academic focus laid a solid foundation for her career in the industry. At Ecolab, she is known for her data-driven approach to improving food safety practices and has extensive…
In today's episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “The Finance Guy” are joined by James Vitrano, Chief Executive Officer of Sucré. They discuss James' background, from his early ambitions to getting into the restaurant industry and working for major chains like Ruby Tuesday's. They…
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” sit down with second-time guest Sam Bakhshandehpour, CEO of José Andrés Group. Sam started his career as a financial analyst, working with major banks such as Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan, UBS, and Bear…
Pull up a chair and grab a napkin as Greg serves a hearty helping of inspiration. Greg shares his pursuit in the hospitality industry, his insights on various market segments, and his experiences with different aspects of the business, including restaurant operations, real estate investments, and the expansion into fitness…
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by guests Nick Bishop Jr, co-founder of Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, and Todd Williams, co-president and CFO of Hattie B’s Hot Chicken. A partnership that took flight over a few rounds…
In today’s episode of the Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy”, and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy”, are joined by 5-time returning guest Josh Halpern (https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-halpern-168b29) , founder and CEO of Big Chicken (https://www.bigchicken.com/) and Beer Park. Josh narrates how he began his business and how the relationships he…
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by two returning guests, Christi Ravneberg, Senior Director of Media Intelligence and Custom Content for Informa Connect and Joe Donnelly, President of Media and Events at Informa Connect. Christi and Joe…
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Zack Stein, co-founder and CEO of Supply Caddy. Zack shares his journey into hospitality, starting with his degree from Wayne Huizenga School of Business, followed by years in venture capital…
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “Finance Guy”, welcome a titan of the restaurant tech industry, Ben Leventhal. Ben a co-founder of Eater, the visionary, co-founder, and former CEO of Resy, and now the co-founder and CEO of Blackbird Labs. Throughout his…
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are thrilled to welcome Zachary “Schmackary” Schmahl, the Nebraska native who turned his Broadway dreams into a cookie empire right in the heart of New York City’s theatre district. Starting at 24, Zachary…
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “Finance Guy”, are joined by Craig Dunaway COO and a member of the Board of Directors of Penn Station East Coast Subs. Craig recounts his journey, beginning as a young professional at a regional accounting firm…
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Tracy Kim, CEO of DIG. Tracy tells us about her journey from a pre-med student at Stanford and earning her MBA at Harvard Business School and her subsequent leap into…
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “Finance Guy,” are joined by Scott Redler, co-founder of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and founder of Redler’s Hospitality. Scott tells his story of 48 years of experience, dedication, and admiration for the restaurant industry and creating an…