Restaurant Influencers

Restaurant Influencers

Video Series • About

Latest Episode

Charles Bililies of Souvla on Creating a Fast-Fine Greek Restaurant

Interview with Founder/CEO of Souvla Charles Bililies about being a fast-fine restaurant, believing in an entrepreneurial vision, and how Toast technology revamped his tech stack.

Episodes

Charles Bililies of Souvla on Creating a Fast-Fine Greek Restaurant

Interview with Founder/CEO of Souvla Charles Bililies about being a fast-fine restaurant, believing in an entrepreneurial vision, and how Toast technology revamped his tech stack.

Guga of GUGA FOODS on Breaking the Rules of BBQ and Social Media

Interview with Guga of Guga Foods about becoming a YouTube Sensation, the power of content collaboration, and his book Guga: Breaking the Barbecue Rules.

Mr. Bake Kareem Queeman on Telling Your Product Story

Interview with Kareem Queeman, founder of Mr. Bake Sweets, about being a voice for the LBGTQ+ community, building a product story, and leaning into your power.

Steele Smiley of Steele Brands on Moving from Fitness to Restaurants

Interview with Steele Smiley about the fitness and restaurant business, creating a hospitality ecosystem, and being the nice and cool kids at the lunch table.

Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media talks Toast and Digital Hospitality

Interview with Cali BBQ Media founder Shawn Walchef about starting a media company, being the tortoise not the hare, and making a tech stack.

Josh Halpern of Shaq's BIG CHICKEN on BIG Fun and BIG Ideas

Interview with Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern about big fun and big work with Shaquille O'Neal, opening a restaurant in space, and moving as one team with one dream.

Jeff Fenster of Everbowl on How To Start a Media Company

Interview with CEO of Everbowl Jeff Fenster about ditching commercials for content, the Relationship Bank Account, creating The Jeff Fenster Show, and asking for help.

Ford Fry of Rocket Farm Restaurants on Making Memorable Customer Experiences

Interview with Rocket Farm Restaurants founder/owner Ford Fry on his dream to help others, the increasing role of technology in restaurants, and creating emotional connections with customers.

Chris Do of The Futur on his 1 Billion Mission

Interview with CEO of The Futur Chris Do about self development, creating the best content, and The Futur Euro Tour.

André Moraes of PepsiCo Foodservice Digital Lab on Helping Restaurants Be Future-Proof

Interview with the head of PepsiCo Foodservice Digital Lab André Moraes about using digital tools effectively, technology being an enabler, and the positive culture at PepsiCo.

Téa Ivanovic of Immigrant Food on the Cause Casual Restaurant Mission

Interview with co-founder and COO of Immigrant Food Téa Ivanovic about their 3-pillar mission, retaining quality employees, and enhancing media exposure the right way.

Jamie & Kayla Giovinazzo of EAT CLEAN BRO on Creating a Meal Prep Business

Interview with owners of Eat Clean Bro Jamie & Kayla Giovinazzo about prioritizing every customer, the business of healthy food, and building a culture with clear communication.

Charlie Eblen of Single Tree BBQ on Becoming the "Nike of BBQ"

The founder of Single Tree BBQ talks about building community with the perfect plate of barbecue, capturing customer data, and the power of podcasting and online storytelling.

Meredith Sandland of Empower Delivery on the Steps to Digital Maturity

Meredith Sandland, CEO of Empower Delivery, discusses growing your loyal customer base and keeping up with the digital restaurant evolution.

Kim Malek of Salt & Straw on Modernizing the Ice Cream Industry

The co-founder and CEO of Salt & Straw discusses organic storytelling, brand collaborations, remaining authentic during business expansion, and building back after tragedy.

About Restaurant Influencers

Welcome to the Restaurant Influencers podcast and video series. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn P. Walchef talks with leaders about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling and how to show up and engage where customers are spending time online.

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