Cotton Patch Cafe CEO Brandon Coleman joins the podcast to share how the Texas-based chain is driving double-digit traffic growth without chasing constant menu innovation. Instead, Coleman explains how simplifying operations, lowering prices on key items, investing in team members, and building a culture of feedback helped unlock the brand’s latent equity. He also discusses why occasion-based thinking matters, what full-service operators can learn from Chili’s and Texas Roadhouse, and how Cot...
Jun 10
35 min
In this episode, chef Michael Campbell shares how he’s expanding a multi-concept restaurant group in Southern California at a time when many operators are pulling back. From Pacific Pearl Café to White Rooster and his newest concept, Capo Leisure House, Campbell shares the strategy behind his post-COVID growth and how each concept is designed for today’s economic realities. He breaks down his approach to the “new math” of restaurants and shares how his team-first mindset is shaping the next p...
Jun 3
38 min
Chefs Britt Rescigno and Kinsey Leodler dive into the high-stakes first year of Fiamma, their live-fire destination restaurant in Sun Valley, Idaho. The duo shares how they successfully pivoted their concept from a pasta house to an Italian steakhouse, the operational genius behind their "five-burgers-a-day" exclusivity play, and the mindset shift required to move from micromanagement to empowered leadership. It’s a masterclass in adapting to an emerging market, building a sustainable team cu...
May 20
32 min
Basil Dean, executive chef at Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau, reflects on three decades in the hospitality industry. He shares what it takes to lead nine dining concepts at the island destination and how he uses his global experience to mentor the next generation of chefs. He also dives into the importance of trust and consistency in the kitchen, and why his legacy is built on giving back to the talent that supports him.
May 13
49 min
From line cook to leading innovation for a $3.2B brand, Chef Jeremy Lett breaks down what it really takes to create craveable food at scale. He shares how data, cross-functional teamwork, and real-world restaurant insight shape every dish at Cracker Barrel, plus how to balance nostalgia with fresh ideas without losing what guests love.
May 6
34 min
With 25+ years in hospitality, Alan Roth—operating partner of The Restaurant People and the mind behind iconic venues like Rosa Sky and Giselle—is now launching Atlanta’s newest rooftop destination, Jagger Suite. In this episode, Alan discusses the strategy for expanding into the fast-growing Atlanta market and the Studio 54-inspired concept behind Jagger Suite. We dive into how headline-grabbing design, curated programming, and energy drive revenue beyond traditional food and beverage. Alan ...
Apr 29
39 min
Nick Kennedy and Greg Root, co-owners of Defined Hospitality, break down how they scaled a seven-concept restaurant group without losing sight of what matters most: the basics. From reading guest body language to something as simple as whether the trash can is placed correctly, they explain how small details reveal bigger operational standards. It’s a candid look at building authentic concepts, developing people from within, and why doing the fundamentals exceptionally well still wins in mode...
Apr 22
36 min
From biomedical engineering to the high-stakes kitchen of “America’s Culinary Cup,” chef Katie Button has spent 15 years building Cúrate into an Asheville icon. In this episode, she breaks down the systems that sustain a decade-plus legacy, the reality of Asheville’s recovery, and a critical "operator’s warning" on the gaps in business interruption insurance. We explore how her scientific background fuels her culinary precision and why she believes restaurants remain the most beautiful—and vu...
Apr 1
39 min
Jenna Law from Keke’s Breakfast Cafe joins host Sam Danley to trace the chain’s evolution from a regional favorite to a growing leader in the $15 billion brunch segment. She unpacks what it’s like “flying the plane while building it” at nearly 100 units, why loyalty is about more than earning points, and how AI should support decisions instead of making them. She also explains how the brand is entering new markets without built-in awareness, refreshing its cafe design to reflect its made-to-o...
Mar 25
36 min
In this episode, Paul Mangiamele shares the remarkable story of rescuing Bennigan’s from the brink and leading the triumphant return of the iconic Steak and Ale under his Legendary Restaurant Brands umbrella. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bennigan’s, Paul breaks down his "NEWstalgia" strategy—balancing five decades of brand heritage with modern guest expectations—and explains why emotional connections are the ultimate driver of guest frequency.
Mar 18
51 min
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