Heather Holmes is the Founder and CEO of Publicity for Good, a millennial-run communications firm that provides high-level disruptive publicity and social media services across industries. A seasoned professional in communication and marketing, Heather is dedicated to fostering community growth and brand development. With an inspiring journey guidi…

Andrew Dana is the Founder and Co-owner of Timber Pizza Company and Call Your Mother Deli. He started both successful restaurant concepts in Washington, D.C., establishing them as local favorites known for their high-quality and creative food offerings. Prior to launching his two restaurant brands, Andrew served as the Director of Business Developm…

Sharon Seivert is the CEO of CORE Coaching & Consulting, LLC, a global professional services organization that provides customized one-on-one coaching for business leaders and owners. With a distinguished background as CEO of a Group Health Plan, Sharon's expertise lies in guiding leaders and businesses to sustainable growth strategies. Her acclaim…

Jason Ogden is the President and Partner at Syrup, a marketing agency specializing in fostering revenue and maturity for B2B companies. With a robust background in finance and operations, Jason spearheads revenue-generating initiatives, account services, and financial operations at Syrup. Prior to his role at Syrup, Jason served as the Director of …

Octavia Gilmore is the CEO of Creative Juice, a minority and female-owned creative agency, disrupting marketing the millennial way. From discovering her passion for graphic design at 14 to founding her agency at age 23, Octavia's journey epitomizes creativity, determination, and entrepreneurship. With a mission to promote diversity and empower mino…

Markus Pineyro is oomi Digital Kitchen's Co-founder, a dedicated entrepreneur and visionary leader with 18 years of experience in the restaurant industry. His journey began with the founding of Dallas-based Urban Taco in 2007, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. In 2020, Markus ventured into the world of digital innovation by co-founding oomi Di…

Jonathan Weathington is the CEO of Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar, a fresh seafood and cold beer concept with locations spanning the Carolinas, Georgia, Maryland, Florida, and Illinois. Featured on the cover of FSR magazine and making appearances on Good Morning America, Jonathan has garnered recognition in esteemed publications like The Wall Street Jou…

Jeff Kennedy is Founding Partner at Moe's Original BBQ, a venture that began in 2001 as an effort to bring Southern flavors to the mountains of Colorado. Armed with a marketing degree from the University of Alabama, Jeff's journey has been a fusion of culinary passion and a commitment to creating spaces that exude comfort and inclusion. His focus o…

James Choi is the Owner of Cafe Dulce and a seasoned entrepreneur with a unique journey. Initially aspiring for a career in the PGA Tour, James found himself on a different path, obtaining his CPA license and working at Ernst & Young. Drawing upon his entrepreneurial spirit, he assisted his mother in launching various small businesses, including a …

Peter Boniface is the Owner and Co-founder of Yampa Sandwich Company. He grew up in Sandwich, Massachusetts, where he learned how to cook and blend flavors from his mother. He started in the restaurant business in 1983 and moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado in 1991 with the intention of being a ski bum. Seeing the need for a local quality delicat…

Mehdi Zarhloul is the CEO of Crazy Pita Restaurant Group, a beloved fresh-casual Mediterranean cuisine establishment he founded in Las Vegas in 2006. Recognized for its delectable signature dishes and warm service, Crazy Pita Rotisserie and Grill has been a top choice in the city for over 17 years. Driven by the brand’s consistent success, in 2022 …

Ric Ochoa is the Owner of SoCal Pizza in Norwalk, California. With 17 years of experience in sales operations, Ric's love for cooking led him to open SoCal Pizza in 2010, where he introduced a pasta bar and proudly sources fresh ingredients from local small businesses. Actively engaged in the community, his commitment to excellence earned SoCal Piz…

Mario Valencia is a multi-store Robeks franchisee and seasoned entrepreneur who has leveraged over two decades of food industry experience into a transformative business venture that mirrors his profound personal health journey. As an Air Force veteran who has battled to overcome PTSD, anxiety, and obesity, Mario's commitment extends beyond busines…

Patrick Terry, Owner and Co-founder of P.Terry's Burger Stand, launched the brand's first location on July 5th, 2005 in Austin, Texas. Inspired by classic burger stands like Mack Eplen's in Abilene, P.Terry's emphasizes fresh, all-natural ingredients — from its beef and chicken to fresh-cut fries devoid of trans fats. Beyond its signature burgers, …

Leigh Feldman is the CEO of Bishops Cuts/Color, a unisex hair shop concept with franchise locations in 21 states. Founded in 2001, Bishops provides customers with haircare services fueled by art, music, culture, acceptance, and community. Leigh was the CMO of Bishops and has been with the company for six years. Before that, he spent six years worki…

Bennett Maxwell is the Founder of Dirty Dough. Beginning his entrepreneurial journey in elementary school by selling candy bars, Bennett now leads a pioneering cookie-selling franchise. Dirty Dough's innovative centralized production introduces the first-ever three-layer cookie, streamlining franchise operations by addressing challenges like waste,…

David Dittenber is Co-founder of BYOD — Bring Your Own Data. The company creates easy-to-use digital tools to improve operations and enhance customer experience. David is a longtime restaurant operator whose mission has been to leverage technology to address common problems with everyday operations in the restaurant industry. With BYOD, he has come…

Josh Molina is the CEO of Makers & Finders, a specialty coffee brand and Latin café with locations in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. Josh is a first-generation Colombian-American entrepreneur who opened his first brunch restaurant at age 25. A graduate of University of Nevada-Las Vegas, he toured the coffee countries of South America in 2013. In …

Brent Schwoerer is the Owner and Founder of Engrained Brewing Company. Raised on a family dairy and grain farm, Brent earned his bachelor's in mechanical engineering and a master's in human resources from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. After a decade in the corporate world — including two years in Brazil focusing on new product dev…

Steve Rowbotham is the Managing Director at Navigator Technology, an innovative solution that connects brands to the travel industry with first-party data. He is a former Olympic medalist whose current passion is building a global marketing technology business. Steve is also the Chief Commercial Officer at Ink, a travel media company. In this episo…

Matthew Rosenberg is the Founder and CEO of M-Rad Architecture and President of Fabel, a Miami-based restaurant. Matthew has been acknowledged by publications such as Forbes, where he was featured on their “Small Giants” list and INC. Magazine, which highlighted him as one of the top designers to watch. Over his career, Matthew has made significant…

Nicole Tanner is the Founder of Swig, which sells customized drinks, cookies, and treats. She started Swig in 2010 due to her love of Diet Coke and because she noticed a lack of connectedness in other drive-thru concepts. She is a mom of five children and grandma of four grandbabies who enjoys hiking in the outdoors and spending time with her famil…

Matthew Guelke is CEO and Co-founder of The Plant Cafe Organic, a San Francisco Bay Area restaurant group. In 2023, The Nature Conservancy selected The Plant as the most sustainable restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area. In January 2023, The Plant was recognized among the top 30 global food & beverage brands by the Real Leader's Sustainable Impa…

Anthony Valletta is the President at bartaco, which currently has 26 locations across 12 states. As an executive, Anthony is an analytical and hands-on leader with a wealth of knowledge regarding all aspects of the business from quick-service restaurants and fine dining startups to corporate operations. His people development and leadership skills …

Chris Medhurst is President and Chief Operating Officer at District Taco, with multiple locations in and around Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Chris started working at District Taco as a General Manager in 2010 before becoming Director of Operations, then VP of Finance and Operations, then Chief Financial Officer, and now Presi…

Josh and Pamela Beadel are the Owners of The Breakfast Bar, with two locations in Long Beach, CA. After many years of working in the restaurant industry, they founded the concept in 2013 with a vision for blending brunch and happy hour. Josh and Pamela introduced a happy hour at The Breakfast Bar called “the walk of shame” from 6-8 a.m., which is v…

Joanna Gossett is a serial entrepreneur who, along with her husband, owns and operates an executive recruiting practice, manages real estate, and handles administration for their fitness clubs, pizza shops, and cell phone stores. She also serves as Area Representative for Romeo's Pizza, a franchise poised to expand across the US. As Founder of Elit…

Kenneth Price is a Franchisee at Pizza Guys, an established California-based pizza restaurant with more than 70 independently-owned franchises. As Kenneth developed his entrepreneurial skills in the restaurant industry, he knew he wanted to build his own business. In 2020, he founded KAP’s HVAC, a specialized company that provides commercial and re…

David Leonardo is the CEO at Chill-N, a custom-order nitrogen ice cream shop. David’s extensive experience in leadership positions working for multinational brands like Arby’s, Wild Wing Cafe, Pet Supplies Plus, and Burger King solidified his expert portfolio in the franchising world. With a proven track record of successful scaling strategies, Dav…

Jonah Goldman is the Co-founder and Director of Strategic Marketing at PLNT Burger, a plant-based restaurant that exclusively serves chef-crafted 100% IKC Kosher and Halal burgers. During his time in Israel, he learned about different innovative agricultural practices that sparked the idea of plant-based burgers that are affordable and safe for eve…

Mike Gurevich is the Founder and Owner of M&A Brands, a restaurant group that includes Boston favorites such as Mike and Patty’s, Flourhouse, and Hot Box. Before diving into the restaurant industry, Mike was a real estate agent with an entrepreneurial spirit and a dream of opening his own business. After the success of Mike and Patty’s, he focused …

Randy Wyner is the Founder and President of Chronic Tacos, fast casual Mexican restaurants with more than 30 locations in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. As a passionate entrepreneur, Randy’s dream was to open and scale a worldwide chain restaurant business, which is a reality today thanks to his third-generation Mexican taco recipes and attitude for …

Michael Derrick is an entrepreneur and a multi-franchise owner with more than 20 years of experience. He’s operated some of the most successful Tim Horton locations in the United States and is now the proud owner of national franchises such as Supercuts and Smoothie King. Michael’s proven track record and passion for business allow him to create th…

Kenny Templeton is a program and leadership development executive with more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He recently became a franchise owner of multiple Robeks specialty juice spot locations and is focused on honing his entrepreneurial skills and growing his business. In this episode… In this episode of the SpotOn Serie…

Veteran restaurateur David Grossman has created his serial success by working at notable franchises like Subway and DMK Burger Bar. His experience in the hospitality industry sparked an entrepreneurial passion to start his very own company. David’s latest endeavor is being the President and CEO of Epic Burger, a specialty burger restaurant with a m…

Restaurateur Shawn Walchef is the Founder of Cali BBQ, an award-winning comfort barbecue restaurant with three locations in California. Shawn also leads the Digital Hospitality podcast where he discusses hospitality trends and innovative business strategies with fellow entrepreneurs and restaurateurs. In this episode… In this episode of the SpotOn …

Serial entrepreneur Ben Riegsecker is the Owner and CEO of The Casselman, a historic bed and breakfast outfitted with a memorable restaurant and bakery. Ben’s success comes from maintaining a healthy work-life balance and his background of excellent work ethic across multiple industries. He’s also passionate about working with young leaders to help…

Veteran franchisee and restaurateur Scott Slaymaker is the Co-owner of Wingers, a sports restaurant and alehouse with a family-friendly atmosphere. Working alongside his brother Eric, Scott was able to expand the franchise to multiple states by implementing and improving the strategies he’s learned from his career working at some of the best-known …

Seth Brink is the President of Gyro Shack, a franchise with locations in Boise, Idaho and Tucson, Arizona. With an impressive career in leadership positions around the world, Seth is also the President of Arete Food Group, LLC, the parent company for Gyro Shack and Negranti Creamery. In this episode… In this episode of the SpotOn Series, Chad Franz…

Joe Rare is the Owner and CEO of Level 9 Virtual, a company providing businesses with certified, industry-experienced, and college-educated virtual assistants to assist with tasks so business owners can prioritize what matters most. Joe is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and outsourcing expert. Owning four digital companies, five wedding venues, a…

Christian Ochsendorf is the Owner of three Dunn Brothers Coffee locations in Minnesota, where customers can enjoy classic and specialty coffees made entirely from in-house roasted coffee beans. As a self-made entrepreneur, Christian has been part of the Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise for over 15 years while also devoting his time to building a care…

AJ Davis is the Founder and CEO of Experiment Zone, a company designed to help online businesses maintain, expand, and improve digital experiences using conversion strategy and testing, site experience audits, and conversion audits. As a conversion rate optimization specialist, AJ is passionate about enhancing business websites to promote sales and…

George Pertesis is the Co-owner of Truly Greek, a restaurant that embodies authentic Greek cuisine in Norwalk, Connecticut. He also operates Urban Greek, a fast-casual restaurant that brings the taste of Greece to the people of Shelton, CT. As a Greek American, George’s passion for the restaurant industry has allowed him to create a valuable presen…

Peter Demos is the President and CEO of Demos Brands. As a veteran restaurateur, Peter’s extensive experience in the hospitality industry includes owning and operating multi-location restaurants and brands across Tennessee. Peter also authored Afraid to Trust and On the Duty of Christian Civil Disobedience. In this episode… In this episode of the S…

Experienced Chef and restaurateur Mo Assi is the Founder of Crush Taco, a fast-casual taco shop with two locations in Frisco, Texas. Mo’s impressive career as an executive chef for some of the most recognized fine dining restaurants in the nation allowed him to develop his skills and create his very own restaurant brand. He’s passionate about growi…

Wayne Kimmel is a Managing Partner at SeventySix Capital, a venture capitalist company investing in passionate entrepreneurs and startups in the sports tech, esports, and sports betting industries. Besides being a sports tech VC investor, Wayne is an entrepreneur, author, and podcast host. In 2022, he was named the Sports Tech Power Player by The S…

Brian Hurowitz is the owner of Wings Over in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Brian is an avid entrepreneur and his versatile skill set includes experience in management and leadership positions in several big retail brands. He also had the opportunity to attend a culinary school in Switzerland through a program at the University of Massachusetts, further…

Serial entrepreneurs Tracy and Maurice Jennings are the owners of three Jersey Mike’s Subs franchise locations in Virginia. Their shared management of several successful businesses over the past 10 years has allowed them to develop their skills in business management, marketing, and operations, helping them execute effective business growth strateg…

Pano Anthos is the Founder and Managing Director of XRC Ventures, an NYC-based venture fund and startup accelerator for entrepreneurs in the retail technology and consumer goods industry. Pano is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs through the early stages of brand building. Since 2015, his team has launched 100+ startup businesses and has bu…

Award-winning restaurateur and chef Andy Husbands is the owner of The Smoke Shop BBQ, a restaurant centered around the culinary art and long-standing traditions of barbecue with five locations in Massachusetts. Andy’s passion for exquisite food and barbecue techniques led him to co-author six cookbooks in which he shares his wisdom of more than 30 …