In this captivating episode of Restrocast, host Ashish Tulsian engages in a deep dive with Ziad Kassabieh, the visionary CEO of Advanced Food Co. Starting his culinary journey at the tender age of 15 in a family-owned restaurant in Lebanon, Ziad shares how his early experiences ignited a passion that would shape his future. The episode traverses his decision to pursue hospitality management, his strategic relocation to Saudi Arabia, and his ascension from a multi-unit manager to a major...

In this episode of Restrocast, host Ashish Tulsian engages with Jim Bitticks, the COO of Dave’s Hot Chicken, in a profound discussion that charts Jim’s extraordinary ascent within the restaurant industry. From his humble beginnings as a teenage employee at a Jack in the Box to pivotal executive roles at major chains like Blaze Pizza and now Dave’s Hot Chicken, Jim’s narrative is one of remarkable progression and strategic innovation. Throughout the episode, Jim shares the critical turning...

Welcome to the latest episode of Restrocast with your host, Ashish Tulsian. In this installment, we are thrilled to have Justin Skelton, the Senior Vice President and CIO at Dine Brands Global, as our special guest. Dine Brands Global operates a network of 3,700+ restaurants globally, featuring popular brands such as IHOP, Applebee's, and Fuzzy's Taco Shop. Join Ashish Tulsian as he delves into the fascinating journey of Justin Skelton, exploring the three peaks in his illustrious career as a...

Restrocast's latest episode brings to you the dynamic Prashanth Menon, Regional Director of PizzaExpress UAE, in a riveting conversation. Join host Ashish Tulsian as he unravels the layers of Prashanth's extraordinary 32-year journey, transforming PizzaExpress into a 14-outlet empire and earning him the prestigious PizzaExpress Worldwide Wonder Award 2023. Explore the day-to-day responsibilities of overseeing Pizza Express in the MENA region, where Prashanth shares strategic insights into the...

In this enlightening episode of Restrocast with Ashish Tulsian, we delve into the remarkable four-decade journey of Andy Holman in the hospitality industry. From his serendipitous start as a management trainee at Pizza Hut to achieving senior management roles globally, Andy shares the wisdom gleaned from his vast experiences. He discusses the critical importance of customer service and employee training, revealing how these core elements have evolved with technology while maintaining their...

Discover the unconventional path to success in the latest podcast episode featuring Alexander Debare, founder and chief growth officer of Burger28. From aspiring pilot to law student, Debare shares his inspiring journey of creating a thriving business in the competitive restaurant industry. In this exclusive interview, delve into the inception of Burger 28, where Debare's entrepreneurial spirit and nostalgia for '90s UAE converge to form a unique burger chain. Explore the role of social media...

Dive into the dynamic culinary landscape of Dubai with Fay Economides, Executive Managing Director at M Management. In this exclusive podcast episode, Fay recounts her entrepreneurial journey, from co-founding Elia, Mythos, and Nola to navigating the challenges of Dubai's restaurant scene.  Unveiling the strategic decisions and triumphs that shaped her ventures, Fay discusses authenticity, collaboration, and the delicate balance of maintaining diverse brand identities. From overcoming market...

Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palette America, shares his captivating journey in the hospitality industry with host Ashish Tulsian. Hooper's narrative unfolds from early exposure in Miami to culinary and maritime school experiences, where yachting instilled key leadership principles. The episode delves into Hooper's passion for turning around troubled businesses and the pivotal influence of Stephen Covey's Seven Habits on his leadership style. Hooper envisions integrating his diverse experiences in...

Embark on a sensory journey through the aromatic world of specialty coffee with Restrocast's latest episode, featuring the indomitable Kim Thompson, Founder and Managing Director of RAW Coffee Company. Tune in as we unravel the captivating story behind one of Dubai's pioneering coffee roasters. Hear about her journey from being a medical nurse in New Zealand to working in diamond mines in Australia to founding a leading specialty coffee brand in Dubai. Kim's story reflects entrepreneurial...

Embark on a transformative journey through the intricate nexus of technology and gastronomy with the latest Restrocast episode, featuring Phil Crawford, the illustrious CTO at CKE Restaurants. In this exclusive session our seasoned host, Ashish Tulsian, navigates the riveting narrative of Phil's extraordinary ascent from a 16-year-old working at Carl's Jr. to a trailblazing technology leader shaping the global restaurant landscape. Phil unveils the secrets behind his technological alchemy,...

Dive into the riveting narrative of Nadim Majdalani, a luminary shaping the Middle Eastern culinary landscape. In this podcast episode, hosted by Ashish Tulsian, Nadim unfolds his extraordinary transition from an engineering and investment background to becoming a key player in the restaurant industry. Starting with his initiation through private equity dealings with the French chain Pomme de Pain, Nadim elucidates the allure of the restaurant sector, dispelling the glamour myth. Navigating...

Embark on a journey of knowing a purveyor of fine gastronomy with Restrocast as we sit down with Panchali Mahendra, the dynamic President of Atelier House Hospitality, in an exclusive episode titled "Feast of Ambition." Join us as we delve into the chapters of Panchali's extraordinary life, from the basketball courts of India to the Michelin-starred restaurants of Dubai. With almost two decades of industry expertise, Panchali oversees a diverse portfolio that includes acclaimed brands like...

Welcome to Restrocast by Ashish Tulsian, the podcast where we talk to the movers and shakers of the restaurant industry. In this episode, we are delighted to have Karl Goodhew, the Chief Technology Officer of BurgerFi, a fast-casual burger chain that is known for its fresh and natural ingredients, eco-friendly practices, and delicious menu. Karl Goodhew is a pioneer in the field of retail technology, having worked for companies like Macy’s, Home Depot, and Yellow Pepper. He is now leading...

In this episode of Restroworks by Ashish Tulsian, we had the privilege to host a very special guest, Benson Tsai, the Co-founder and CEO of Stellar Pizza, a company that uses automated mobile kitchens to deliver fresh and affordable pizzas.  Benson Tsai is a former SpaceX engineer who left his job building rockets to start Stellar Pizza. He shares a rich heritage with the food industry, as his parents were Taiwanese immigrants who ran a fish and chips restaurant in Los Angeles. He has always...

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking episode as we sit down with David Bloom, a highly experienced professional in the restaurant industry. With his current role as Chief Development and Operating Officer of Capriotti’s and Wing Zone, David brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Mastering the art of global franchising. During our conversation, we dive deep into various aspects of restaurant franchising and draw learnings from his inspiring journey at Quiznos where he took the...

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking episode as we sit down with Dan Mesches, a highly experienced professional in the restaurant industry. With his current role as President and CEO of Sprinkles, Dan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. During our conversation, we dive deep into various aspects of the restaurant industry, exploring topics such as the importance of passion in driving success, the role of innovation and adaptability in staying competitive, and the...

Are you curious about the secrets to running a successful restaurant business? In this episode of F&B Talks, we welcome Geoff Alexander, a seasoned professional in the restaurant industry, to discuss his journey into the hospitality industry, the lessons learnt, and interesting insights. Geoff Alexander began his career as a fry cook, grill cook, bartender, and chef supervisor. He worked his way up from a number four manager to a number two manager at Big Bowl, a small Asian concept...

Duncan Muir is a Senior Director - F&B and Retail at Bateel International, a luxury gourmet dates and confectionery brand based in the United Arab Emirates. With over 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Muir comes with a wealth of knowledge and expertise of growing some of the finest homegrown hospitality brands across Dubai such as Carluccio’s, Mango Tree, Ushna & Chi’Zen throughout the GCC region.    At Bateel, Muir leads the retail division, overseeing the...

Tapan Vaidya, CEO of Papa Johns (UAE, KSA, & Jordan), is one of the most respected and trusted voices in the hospitality industry. With an experience of more than 35 years in the industry, Tapan is responsible for the success of many quick service and casual dining brands such as Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Fuddruckers, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Chili’s, and Outback Steakhouse.  Investing his own money into the business, Tapan led the rollout of US pizza giant Papa Johns in the Gulf Cooperation...

George Kunnappally is one of the most accomplished figures in the hospitality industry. As a Managing Director of Nando’s UAE, he heads the popular fast-casual chain known for its flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken across 20+ locations. He has also been voted #3 on the Caterer Middle Power List for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021.   George is a seasoned hospitality industry professional and has been in franchise operations, management, and brand development for over 20 years. Throughout...

With almost 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry in Australia, Asia and the Middle East, Naim Maadad is the Chief Executive and Founder of Gates Hospitality, a home-grown hospitality group based in the UAE, with award-winning concepts such as Bistro Des Arts,  Reform Social & Grill and the much admired Folly by Nick & Scott - a Michelin-lauded restaurant. He also sits on the board of Dubai Restaurant Group, which now is UAE Restaurant Group. Naim’s pioneering work in the...

Each episode of Restrocast explores the inspiring stories behind restaurateurs and executives who have achieved remarkable growth in their fields.  Restrocast is hosted by the Co-founder and CEO of Restroworks, Ashish Tulsian, who brings his unique perspective as a technologist, restaurateur, investor and entrepreneur. Much more than just an interview show, this is a genre-defining series on how to think boldly and differently about the world. Follow the journey of some of the world’s...