Best QSR Podcasts (2024)

1
Trisha Bovell’s Journey to Building Big Chicken’s Training Playbook 21:13

3h ago21:13

21:13

How does a biology major become one of QSR’s Young Leaders to Watch? In this episode of Women in Restaurant Leadership, I chat with Trisha Bovell, Head of Training at Big Chicken, about her unconventional path into the restaurant industry, her rise from GM to training guru, and her hands-on approach to onboarding that’s helping Big Chicken grow! Tr…

1
Chicken Salad Chick CEO talks chicken salad game 18:01

3h ago18:01

18:01

In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler, editor of QSRweb.com and PizzaMarketplace.com, chats with Scott Deviney, CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. The brand was started by two entrepreneurs in Auburn with one making varieties of chicken salad out of her home. The first Chicken Salad Chick location opened in Jan. 2008 with…

1
EP. 164 JAMES BROWN: BREWDOG MEMORIES WITH CEO OF PREZZO AND CO-FOUNDER OF TIP JAR 1:50:36

14d ago1:50:36

1:50:36

In this episode, Mark McC hosts James Brown, outgoing CEO of BrewDog Bars, co-founder of Tip Jar, and incoming CEO of Prezzo. The discussion covers James' journey with BrewDog, from joining as Operations Director to becoming CEO, including growth milestones, international expansions, PR challenges, and unique marketing campaigns. James shares insig…

1
Meredith Sandland on the Future of Food, Digital Restaurants, and Building Empower Delivery 29:37

13d ago29:37

29:37

In this episode, I sit down with Meredith Sandland, author of Delivering The Digital Restaurant and founder of Empower Delivery, to discuss the transformative shift in how Americans consume food. Meredith shares her career journey, pivotal lessons learned along the way, and her passion for leading change in the restaurant and delivery industries. W…

1
Hunt brothers talk launching their brand Via 313, rise of Detroit-style pizza 22:45

3h ago22:45

22:45

In this episode of the Pizza Marketplace Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace, talks to Brandon Hunt and Zane Hunt, brothers who launched Via 313 in Austin, Texas. Zane said he and his brother were raised in the Detroit, and grew up eating square pizza, now known as Detroit-style pizza. "You thinking about where we're at right …

1
EP. 163 GEORGE RICE: GOURMET SNACKING WITH FOUNDER OF SERIOUS PIG 1:17:34

21d ago1:17:34

1:17:34

Show notes In this episode, Mark McC sits down with George Rice, founder of Serious Pig, at Waterloo BrewDog. They explore Serious Pig’s journey from pub snacks to a prominent brand featured in major retailers and airlines. The conversation delves into George’s experiences during COVID, including strategic shifts, product launches, and community ma…

1
EP. 162: RICHARD HARPHAM, CEO BOOM BATTLE BARS AND ESCAPE HUNT 1:15:45

28d ago1:15:45

1:15:45

In this episode, Mark McC sits down with Richard Harpham, CEO of XP Factory and former Pret strategist. They chat about Richard's career trajectory, including his strategic roles at Pret and Constellation Wines, and his current ventures, Boom Battle Bars and Escape Hunt. The discussion covers the growth and challenges of XP Factory during COVID, th…

1
Game On! How Devour Is Revolutionizing Restaurant Tech, with CEO Shelly Rupel 24:52

1d ago24:52

24:52

Let's talk tech! 👩‍💻🤖🎮 This week, we're catching up with Shelly Rupel, CEO and Co-Founder of Devour—a next-gen engagement platform that's "feeding the future" by weaving seamless food ordering into the world of gaming and streaming. Shelly is a fearless leader in three traditionally male-dominated fields: restaurants, technology, and gaming. With D…

1
Rush Bowls founder leaves financial world for restaurants 20:35

3d ago20:35

20:35

In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace and QSRweb, talks to Rush Bowls founder Andrew Pudalov, who started out in finance before trading dollar signs for menu items. Pudalov said 9/11 was a trigger for leaving the financial world. His wife worked in the Twin Towers and her first day back…

1
Ep. 161: SIMON MITCHELL, FROM DJ TO CEO WITH KERB FOOD CEO 1:12:25

1M ago1:12:25

1:12:25

In this episode, Mark McC chats with Simon Mitchell, CEO of KERB and Seven Dials Market, about his path from DJing at 16 to leading a key organisation in London's food scene. They explore KERB's evolution, including its catering business, food hall ventures, and social impact projects, along with its future expansion plans. They discuss London's vi…

1
EP. 160: SHAMIL THAKRAR, DISHOOM 1:10:34

15d ago1:10:34

1:10:34

In this episode, Mark McC hosts Shamil Thakrar, co-founder of Dishoom and Permit Room, to delve into the vibrant journey of Permit Room and its homage to Bombay's drinking culture. Shamil discusses the expansion into cities like Oxford, Brighton, and Cambridge, alongside Dishoom's new menu launch and a strategic focus on community-driven marketing,…

1
Changing Lives One Sandwich at a Time, with Healey Mendicino 31:28

16d ago31:28

31:28

Today I'm joined by Healey Mendicino, who shares her journey to becoming the president of Port of Subs, a beloved 52-year-old nationwide sandwich shop. We also dive into the nuances of franchising and what it takes to successfully grow in today's ever-changing environment. We also learn about Healey's favorite sub order!…

1
EP. 159: ANN ELLIOTT, MASTERING HOSPITALITY STRATEGY WITH HOSPITALITY MARKETING EXPERT 1:11:46

2M ago1:11:46

1:11:46

In this episode, Mark McC chats with Ann Elliott, Hospitality Marketing Guru and NED. The conversation covers Ann's insights into customer experience and hospitality operations, and a dive into the evolving role of marketing. They also discuss Ann's career journey, her advocacy for young people and women in business, as well as her role as a chair …

1
Restaurant Marketing Fundamentals with Chip Close of Restaurant Strategy 34:17

28d ago34:17

34:17

Keywords restaurant coaching, marketing strategy, restaurant profitability, Chip Klose, restaurant industry, P3 Mastermind, restaurant marketing, customer acquisition, customer retention, differentiation Summary In this conversation, Shane Murphy interviews Chip Klose, a restaurant coach and author, who shares his journey from theater to the restau…

1
EP. 158: MICHEL ROUX, INSIDE LE GAVROCHE WITH LEGENDARY CHEF 1:03:58

2M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

In this episode, Mark McC visits Brewdog in Waterloo to have an in-depth conversation with Michel Roux, legendary chef, restaurateur, author, and broadcaster. They discuss Michel's storied career, including his time at Le Gavroche, why he decided to close it, and what's next for him. The episode covers various aspects of the hospitality industry, i…

1
The Queen of Brunch Shares Her Recipe for Success, with Brandy Blackwell 35:10

30d ago35:10

35:10

This time on the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast, we're joined by Brandy Blackwell, VP of Marketing at Another Broken Egg Cafe. Brandy opens up about her inspiring career journey, unique leadership style, and what it takes to thrive as a woman in a male-dominated industry. We’ll also dive into the “Brunch Boom” phenomenon and explore how Ano…

1
3 Tips to Grow Your Restaurants Revenue This Month 56:22

1M ago56:22

56:22

The Three Tactics to Grow Your Restaurant’s Revenue webinar, hosted by ChowNow and Boostly, provides actionable strategies for restaurant owners to increase sales and customer loyalty. It covers the importance of collecting and using customer data to send targeted SMS and email marketing campaigns, driving repeat business and boosting order volume.…

1
Leveraging Text Marketing to Drive More Orders at Your Pizzeria 29:08

2M ago29:08

29:08

In this episode, Shane Murphy and Bruce Irving of Smart Pizza Marketing dive into the world of text marketing and how it can bring immediate impact to a pizzerias sales. Discover practical tips on creating compelling SMS campaigns that drive foot traffic, boost online orders, and encourage repeat business. We'll share how to craft messages that get…

1
Accelerating Growth and Enriching Loyalty in QSR feat. Scooter’s Coffee’s Mitch Walden 55:00

1M ago55:00

55:00

After three inspiring days at Braze Forge 2024 in Las Vegas, Billie sits down with Mitch Walden, Senior Director of Digital & Loyalty at Scooter's Coffee, to discuss the company's remarkable digital transformation journey. Scooter’s Coffee, one of the nation’s fastest-growing drive-thru coffee franchise companies, partnered with WillowTree to assis…

1
Little Caesars franchisee gone to the dogs 19:49

2M ago19:49

19:49

In this episode of the Pizza Marketplace Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace, talks to Little Caesars franchisee Vicki Dunn-Marshall. Dunn-Marshall's focus on philanthropy has led to start Pizza Paws, a campaign that raises money for police K-9 units across the country. The idea came about after there was a prison break in one…

1
EP. 157: TOM SHEPHERD, BALANCING FOOD, FAME, AND FAMILY WITH OWNER OF UPSTAIRS RESTAURANT 1:22:55

2M ago1:22:55

1:22:55

In this episode, Mark McC welcomes Tom Sheppard, Chef Patron of the Michelin-starred restaurant Upstairs. They delve into Tom's journey in fine dining, from early career milestones to his renowned restaurant's philosophy. Topics include the culinary industry's evolving landscape, Michelin inspections, TV appearances, and the influence of prominent …

1
Gong Cha focuses on quality of tea, customer service 18:55

2M ago18:55

18:55

In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler, editor of PizzaMarketplace.com and QSRweb.com talks to Geoff Henry, president of bubble tea brand Gong Cha. "The bubble tea category has been around for quite some time," Henry said in the podcast. "It kind of started back in Asia, typically in Taiwan in the early 1990s. Taiwa…

1
Marketing Strategies for Off-Premise Dining | Allen Beck of Costa Vida 35:05

2M ago35:05

35:05

Keywords catering, off-premise marketing, restaurant industry, Costa Vida, profitability, marketing strategies, sales techniques, relationship building, business growth, food service Summary In this conversation, Shane Murphy interviews Alan Beck, the director of off-premise and catering for Costa Vida. They discuss Alan's journey in the restaurant…

1
EP. 156: OLLY SMITH, WINE WISDOM WITH SATURDAY KITCHEN PRESENTER 1:29:25

2M ago1:29:25

1:29:25

In this episode, Mark McC visits Soho Radio Podcast Studio to chat with Ollie Smith, renowned wine expert known for his roles on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. They cover an array of topics including the intricacies of orange and canned wine, the rise of non-alcoholic options, and the best ways hospitality operators can connect with customers. Ollie share…

1
Building a Career You're Proud Of, with CEO Jennifer Dodd 36:14

2M ago36:14

36:14

Today we're joined by Jennifer Dodd, CEO of Main Squeeze Juice Company! In this episode, we talk about everything under the sun when it comes to career growth. With over 30 years of experience leading successful turnarounds, driving strategic growth, and empowering diverse teams across brands like The Melting Pot, Tim Hortons, Dunkin’ Donuts, Apple…

1
How Hickory Station Pizza Added $100,000+ in Pizza Sales with Text Marketing 22:52

2M ago22:52

22:52

Keywords text marketing, restaurant marketing, customer engagement, sales growth, pizzeria success, marketing strategies, Jamie McMahon, Boostly, customer loyalty, digital marketing Summary In this conversation, Jamie McMahon, owner of Hickory Station Pizzeria, shares his journey of transitioning from traditional marketing methods to text marketing…

1
Series 10 Trailer 8:28

2M ago8:28

8:28

Welcome to the Supersonic Podcast Series 10! Today, Mark introduces the headline sponsor, NFS hospitality, and outlines the stellar guest lineup for a supercharged series, including Olly Smith, Tom Shepherd, Michel Roux, Richard Harpham, and more! Tune in weekly from October 2nd for expert tips, industry news, and inspiring stories. This podcast is…

1
Unlocking the Secrets of Modern Restaurant Loyalty, with Emily Rugaber 31:21

3M ago31:21

31:21

This week I'm joined by Emily Rugaber, VP of Marketing at Thanx. She's a leading expert in digital transformation, loyalty, and data-driven restaurant marketing. Together, we explore how customer behavior has evolved over the past few years and the pivotal role that digital transformation plays in shaping loyalty programs today. Emily breaks down t…

1
TailGate Brewery owner talks perfect pizza, beer pairings 24:51

3M ago24:51

24:51

In this episode of the Pizza Marketplace Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace, talks to Wesley Keegan, founder of TailGate Brewery, a nine-unit pizzeria and brew hall in Nashville, Tennessee. Keegan started with a brewery, but found his customers would have a beer and then leave to go find food. He tried bringing in food trucks…

1
How Wetzel's Pretzels Built a Snack Food Empire, with CMO Hillary Frei 23:40

3M ago23:40

23:40

Once upon a time, Wetzel's Pretzels was the go-to treat during your annual "school clothes shopping" marathon at the mall. Fast forward to today, and Wetzel's has stepped beyond the mall scene, spreading pretzel joy through food trucks, Walmart partnerships, and stand-alone bakeries. In this week’s episode, Hillary Frei and I dig into how Wetzel's …

1
Slim Chickens CEO gives insight into brand's successes 16:51

3M ago16:51

16:51

In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace and QSRweb, talks to Tom Gordon, CEO of Slim Chickens. The brand launched in 2003, has more than 280 units and is based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. "We open about a store a week," Gordon said. "We do 50 to 60 domestic stores every year, and we do int…

1
How to Clarify Value In Today's Restaurant Climate | Danny Klein Editorial Director QSR Magazine 22:08

3M ago22:08

22:08

Danny Klein, the editorial director for QSR and FSR magazines, shares his background and how he got involved in the restaurant industry. He discusses the challenges the industry is currently facing, such as inflation, labor costs, and access to capital. He also highlights the opportunities for innovation and managing the value equation. Examples in…

1
EP. 155: MARTIN WILLIAMS, STEAK & STRATEGY WITH CEO OF RARE RESTAURANTS 1:24:34

3M ago1:24:34

1:24:34

In this episode of the Supersonic Marketing Podcast, Mark McC talks with Martin Williams, CEO of Rare Restaurants, which includes Gaucho and M Restaurants. They talk about Martin's journey in hospitality, leadership insights, and the transformation of Gaucho. The discussion covers important topics such as strong team engagement, innovative marketin…

1
How to Turn 3rd Party Orders into Direct Orders | Juan Orrego of Cuboh & ChowNow 26:58

3M ago26:58

26:58

Juan Orrego, co-founder of Cuboh, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the story behind Cuboh's acquisition by ChowNow. Cuboh helps restaurants integrate their online orders into their point of sale system, while ChowNow is a direct online ordering platform. The acquisition allows ChowNow to offer both third-party integration and direct ordering …

1
Modern Market Eatery president talks brand excellence, ethos 18:09

4M ago18:09

18:09

In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler interviews Rob McColgan, brand president and co-founder of Modern Market Eatery, at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit about how the brand has evolved since its launched in 2009 in Boulder, Colorado. The brand now has just over 30 units in six states. McColgan adm…

1
EP. 154: AKTAR ISLAM, MICHELIN MASTERY WITH CHEF AND OWNER OF OPHEEM 1:33:13

4M ago1:33:13

1:33:13

In this episode, Mark McC interviews two-Michelin-starred chef Akhtar Islam from Opheem. They discuss Akhtar's career, dedication to continuous improvement, and the evolving landscape of Indian cuisine and social media in the culinary world. Insights are shared on the challenges faced by the hospitality industry, the importance of authenticity, and…

1
Co-branded Concepts Are Making a Comeback... with Kristen Hartman 27:07

4M ago27:07

27:07

Auntie Anne's. Cinnabon. Carvel. Moe's Southwest Grill. If these brands sound familiar to you, listen up! On this week's episode, Kristen Hartman, President of Speciality Brands for GoTo Foods (formerly Focus Brands), discusses the evolution of co-branded QSR concepts. She gets down into the nitty gritty of what makes a co-branded concept successfu…

1
How to Create a Unique and Memorable Marketing Experience | Scott Porter of San Diablo Churros 28:57

4M ago28:57

28:57

Scott Porter, founder and CEO of San Diablo Artisan Churros, shares his unconventional career path and the origin story of his churro business. He discusses the importance of customer and brand experience in creating a thriving brand and marketing strategy. Scott talks about how he secured partnerships with stadiums and event centers by winning the…

1
Cicis Pizza leads buffet-style pizza concept with customer-focused tech 18:42

4M ago18:42

18:42

In this episode of the Pizza Marketplace Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace, and Jeff Hetsel, president of Cicis Pizza. Hetsel says Cicis, which is a buffet concept, is doing well with positive sales, and the brand is currently looking for ways to leverage technology to increase those sales. "One of the great things we try to…

1
EP. 153: SHEREEN RITCHIE, BAKING INNOVATION WITH CEO OF BUNS FROM HOME 1:09:32

4M ago1:09:32

1:09:32

In this episode, Mark McC welcomes Shereen Ritchie, CEO of Buns From Home. Reflecting on her dynamic career across notable venues like Leon, TGI Fridays, and the London Underground, Shereen shares her journey on mentorship, gender equality, and innovation within the hospitality industry. Highlights include her memorable viral moment at the Women's …

1
Scaling from 1 Unit to $2.5 Billion in Sales | Andrew K. Smith of Savory Fund 23:11

4M ago23:11

23:11

Andrew Smith, the managing director and co-founder of Savory Fund, shares his journey in the restaurant industry and how he helps small local concepts scale and grow. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the underbelly of a business, which includes leadership, systems, and people. Marketing should be inside-out, with a strong emphasis on exe…

1
EP. 152 ROBIN ROWLAND OBE, SUSHI AND STRATEGY WITH TRISPAN 1:29:27

4M ago1:29:27

1:29:27

In this episode, Mark McC sits down at Brewdog Waterloo with Robin Rowland OBE, partner at TriSpan. They discuss Robin's significant impact on Yo Sushi as CEO, where he grew the brand through innovative strategies, Robin's investment insights at TriSpan, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, and successful investments in hospitali…

1
Happy Employees Make for Happy Guests... With Mistie Boulton, Founder of EyeSpy Critiquing & Consulting 28:18

4M ago28:18

28:18

Mistie's seen it all. From mystery shopping to operational development, team training, and more, she helps restaurants and hospitality companies enhance their guest experience through team building and culture development. We discuss some of the biggest challenges facing the industry today in terms of making employees feel seen, heard, and valued..…

1
Economics of Delivery & The Value of a High Percentage of Direct Orders | Andrew Nakkache 27:20

4M ago27:20

27:20

Summary Andrew Nikash, co-founder and CEO of FIRST, discusses the challenges and opportunities of third-party delivery for restaurants. He highlights the importance of restaurants maintaining a direct relationship with their customers and offers strategies to reduce the cost of delivery while maximizing profits. Andrew emphasizes the need for resta…

1
Bonchon SVP chats about competing in the chicken market, appealing to Americans 16:04

4M ago16:04

16:04

In this episode of the Restaurant Operator Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler talks to Amanda Millikan, vice president of chicken chain Bonchon. Millikan oversees the growth strategy for the United States and has been with the company for a year and a half. The Korean fried chicken brand has been in the U.S. since 2006. The chicken is double fried and ha…

1
Finding the North Star for Your AI Strategy feat. CMO and eCommerce Leader Pauline Reader 51:01

4M ago51:01

51:01

In this episode of Room for Growth, Billie sits down with accomplished CMO Pauline Reader. With a career that includes CMO and SVP marketing leadership positions with renowned brands such as eBay, Minted, and Stitch Fix, and most recently Podium, a communication SaaS platform for SMBs and larger enterprises. Pauline now runs Reader Consulting, wher…

1
EP. 151 MATT OVINGTON, ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS WITH SALIENCE RESEARCH 1:12:45

4M ago1:12:45

1:12:45

In this episode, Mark McC invites Matt Ovington, Director of Research at Salience Plus, to talk about the power of research in hospitality marketing. They explore cost-effective techniques, understanding customer behaviour, and leveraging System 1 and System 2 thinking to boost business performance. The discussion also covers qualitative and quanti…

1
How Restaurants Do "4 Walls Marketing" | Eric Cacciatore of Restaurant Unstoppable 28:43

4M ago28:43

28:43

Summary Eric Cacciatore, founder and host of the Restaurant Unstoppable Movement and podcast, shares his background and journey in the restaurant industry. He emphasizes the importance of four walls marketing and creating a great in-store experience. Eric also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the restaurant industry, including rising l…

1
Ep. 150 PATRICK MCGUIGAN, FROM FARM TO TABLE WITH THE AUTHOR OF THE CHEESE LIFE 1:09:42

5M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

In this episode, Mark McSee chats with Patrick McGuigan, a renowned cheese journalist, teacher, and judge. They delve into Patrick's journey from food writer to cheese expert, his role in judging world-class cheeses, and the nuances of different cheese types globally. Patrick also shares insights on cheese's growing popularity in restaurants and th…

1
The Rita’s Way, with CEO Linda Chadwick 28:34

5M ago28:34

28:34

Meet Linda Chadwick, president and CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. In today’s episode, we discuss her 25-plus years of experience in the industry, the moments that defined her leadership strategy, the fundamentals that shape Rita’s culture, and the idea of balancing nostalgia with innovation. Plus, I found out what her favorite Rita’s f…

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QSR Podcasts

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