🫶 Subscribe NOW - www.savor.fm for more in-depth research on fast casual and the restaurant industry. The episode explores the future of consumer engagement and experiences in restaurants through Web3 tools like blockchain, digital IDs, NFTs and gaming. While Starbucks dropped its NFT program, edgier brands like Wow Bao are partnering with gaming platforms like Roblox to reach younger audiences. Gaming is a major growth area, with the global market expected to hit $1 trillion by 2027, driven...

In this episode of Rocky My Restaurant, Freebirds World Burrito CEO Alex Eagle shares his insights on building a successful fresh-mex brand in the highly competitive fast-casual sector. He discusses the importance of differentiating through a unique brand identity, high-quality ingredients, and customizable options to cater to customer tastes. Eagle also emphasizes the need to adapt to evolving customer preferences, such as offering online ordering and curbside pickup, while maintaining...

In this episode of Rock My Restaurant, host Paul Barron and Tammy Billings sit down with Brandy Blackwell, the VP of Marketing for Another Broken Egg Cafe. The trio delves into women's growing presence and success in foodservice, highlighting the increasing number of women taking on leadership roles within the industry. The conversation reveals that women have made significant strides in VP and CXO roles across various sectors, with the fast casual industry experiencing the most notable...

In this episode of The Rock My Restaurant Podcast, hosts Paul Barron and Tammy Billings are joined by special guest Alexia Penna, a seasoned multi-brand and multi-segment marketer from Eureka! Restaurants. Together, they delve into the restaurant industry's pressing issues and explore innovative strategies to overcome challenges and drive success. Alexia shares her unique perspective on the current wage and employment crunch, offering valuable insights into navigating this complex issue. The...

In this episode of Rock My Restaurant, Paul and Tammy are joined by Bloomberg's renowned restaurant analyst Michael Halen. Together, they examine the current state of the restaurant industry and explore the potential obstacles that lie ahead. Despite the consumer sentiment survey trending upward, the trio discusses how this metric may not accurately reflect diners' true sentiment. Michael shares his expert analysis on why traditional sentiment indicators might be misleading in today's...

In a recent episode of "Rock My Restaurant," a thought-provoking podcast hosted by Paul Barron and Tammy Billings, the spotlight was turned towards the innovative intersection of brand and technology within the restaurant industry. The episode featured insightful discussions with executives from Dog Haus, a fast casual pioneer based in Los Angeles, known for its creative approach to Dogs and Burgers and rapid multi-brand growth. Key takeaways from their conversation, focusing on the role of...

In this episode, Paul Barron and Tammy Billings are joined by Chris Demery, the CTO of Blaze Pizza, a rapidly expanding fast-casual brand known for its focus on guest experience and innovative technology. The conversation dives deep into the strategies and insights behind building a stellar executive team to steer the company through its fast-paced growth. The discussion unfolds around three core areas:Building a Start Executive Team:The importance of assembling a team that combines expertise...

In this episode of Rock My Restaurant, we delve into the world of Web3 marketing with a fascinating case study: Glenlivet's recent foray into NFTs and AI.As the spirits industry experiences a slowdown, we explore how innovative brands adapt and push boundaries.Join us as we explore: How Glenlivet is leveraging cutting-edge technology to market their 50-year-old whiskey collection in a competitive and saturated market.The benefits and potential of Web3 marketing for brands, including:Enhanced...

In this episode of Rock My Restaurant, Paul Barron and Tammy Billings co-host the visionary Geoff Alexander and his journey with Wow Bao, which has embarked on a transformative journey that redefined how diners interacted with restaurants. Wow Bao emerged as a trailblazer in the culinary world through a strategic blend of technology integration, and next gen technology. Embracing Technological Advancements Alexander recognized the potential of technology to enhance the dining experience and...

In this episode of the Rock My Restaurant Podcast, we had the pleasure of interviewing Aaron Noveshen, the CEO of Starbird Chicken. His brand is rapidly growing and is taking the foodservice industry by storm. In this interview, we explored the secrets behind their remarkable growth and whether technology can keep pace with their ambitious expansion plans. The Starbirds Success Story: Starbird Chicken has become a household name in the fast casual sector, known for its delectable chicken...

In this episode, Paul Barron and Paul Molinari shed light on one of the most successful loyalty programs to date. Surprisingly, it's not from a major brand or a fast-casual giant; instead, it's a new brand that's shaking things up with innovative approaches. Moreover, we'll explore the triumph of Starbucks' Odyssey and discuss the potential integration of Web3 strategies by McDonald's in gamification, consumer loyalty, and brand IP. The New Paradigm in Foodservice Loyalty: Traditionally,...

In this episode, we talk with Josh Halpern, the CEO of Big Chicken, who has proven to be a visionary leader with a knack for navigating the unique challenges of leading a brand associated with a celebrity owner. Here are some key areas where Josh Halpern's leadership shines: Podcast Rundown - A Don’t Miss Episode! Celebrity Branding Done Right: Big Chicken's association with a celebrity owner, in this case, the iconic Shaquille O'Neal, is a testament to the power of celebrity branding....

In this captivating episode of the Rock My Restaurant Podcast, our hosts Paul Barron and Paul Molinari sit down with Nicole Tanner, the innovative founder of Swig, to explore the remarkable journey behind creating a viral restaurant brand. Swig has taken the fast-casual restaurant sector by storm, but it's not your typical food establishment. Nicole has steered Swig towards a unique path, one centered around creative beverages that cater to an entirely new demographic of...

In this podcast, we get to talk with Jeremy Theisen, the CDO of Craveworthy Brands, a Multi-brand restaurant operator, who is at the forefront of this revolution, capitalizing on the growing consumer demand for diverse dining experiences. In this podcast, we will explore the phenomenon of Craveworthy Brands and their focus on growth in the fast-casual segment.We explore the array of brands and what makes them work in a new landscape of fast-casual. The Podcast Rundown and What We...

In the competitive restaurant industry, standing out is no easy feat. But for some breakout brands, the secret to success lies in unexpected places. In this episode, we dive into the tactics and ideas that restaurants could embrace in the next generation of technology adoption with Shelly Rupel CEO and Founder at Devour.io, a company on a mission to revolutionize restaurant loyalty programs through gamification.The Podcast Rundown Gaming Culture and why it matters to restaurantsNext-Gen...

In today’s show, Paul Barron and Paul Molinari break down the insight of evangelists vs influencers and why this can make a difference in your restaurant. We have a special guest, Wayne Mullins, author of the book Full Circle Marketing. Wayne is here to talk about how restaurants can turn customers into brand evangelists versus just influencers. Wayne's book dives deep into the natural laws and psychology behind how a customer transitions into a raving fan who voluntarily markets your...

Todays Guest: Caprice Kidgren - Caprice's most notable achievement was her groundbreaking approach to Urbane Cafe's loyalty program. With her strategic insight, she revolutionized the program by introducing non-discount rewards. In today’s episode Paul Molinari of Devour.io and Paul Barron break down some key brand features when it comes to loyalty and app-based engagement. One key aspect gaining traction is using mobile apps to foster customer loyalty. Urbane Cafe, a Savor.fm Top 100 Fast...

In today’s Rock My Restaurant episode, we take a deep dive into Voice Tech and the future of how it will affect the foodservice and marketing space. Our Guest is Ben Bellettini of Sound Hound. Ben has over a decade of experience working in restaurant technology with expertise in strategic leadership roles at Yelp and Postmates. His expertise lies in helping restaurants leverage groundbreaking technology to evolve and improve customer interactions. Voice Tech in Customer Service: Improved...

In today's podcast, we focus on three key areas of loyalty and frequency and some example from some brands you might recognize, like Nike, and Starbucks and the idea of how Mcdonald's could be approaching an entirely new way of connecting with consumers in the future. In an increasingly digital world, brands are constantly seeking innovative ways to engage with their customers and foster loyalty. While self-directed technology has emerged as a promising tool for achieving these goals, its...

Welcome Back - Rock My Restaurant is a resurgence of our longest-running podcast next to The Restaurant Report, all focused on Restaurant Branding, Marketing, and the technology shift driving it. Time to Break Your Brain! Next-gen consumers use tech, social, and Web3 to discover and purchase new brands. Here are a few examples: Social commerce: Next-gen consumers increasingly discover and purchase products through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. These platforms offer a...

The latest episode of “Hospitality Hangout” hosted by Michael Schatzberg, known as “The Restaurant Guy”, and Jimmy Frischling or “The Finance Guy”, the podcast with Scott Boatwright, the Chief Operating Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill. It was a delightful spread of insightful career stories, automation in restaurant operations, and a sprinkle of light-hearted banter to top it off. A Dishwasher’s Journey to COO At 50, Scott Boatwright holds an impressive resume that starts from his initial...

In the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout, hosts Michael Schatzberg "The Restaurant Guy" and Jimmy Frischling "The Finance Guy" were on the road at FSTEC in Dallas, Texas. They ventured into the intricacies of the hospitality industry, with guests John Pepper of 211VC, Emily Williams Knight, CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, Angela Leet, CEO of QSR Automations, and Golden Corral’s CIO, Dawn Gillis. John Pepper: From Restaurant Startups to Tech Stardom Opening the session was John...

On the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout, co-hosts Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “The Finance Guy” sat down with a breakfast industry giant: David Birzon, CEO at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery. This conversation offers unique industry insights that you will not want to miss. From Paradise Bakery to Snooze, A Journey of Expansion Birzon, who began his journey in the hospitality realm with Paradise Bakery in Aspen back in 1988, recounted his experience of growing...

In the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout, hosts Michael Schatzberg, affectionately known as "The Restaurant Guy," and Jimmy Frischling, "The Finance Guy," sit down with the legendary Don Fox, Chairman of Firehouse Subs. The Meteoric Rise of Don Fox Starting his culinary journey scrubbing dishes at an Italian restaurant in New Jersey, Fox has seen it all. From his aspirations of being a trumpet player to a substantial 23-year tenure with Burger King, Fox's tale is nothing short of...