Episodes
Dec. 16, 2025
More Than a Diner: Mark Politzer CEO of Norms Restaurants on Leadership Culture and Always On Hospitality
Mark Politzer, CEO of Norms Restaurants and a prominent figure among hospitality insiders, shares his extraordinary journey in the food service industry on Hospitality Hangout. From starting as a dishwasher to leading a belov...
Dec. 11, 2025
Building DogHaus: André Vener on Turning a Late Night Idea into a National Brand
André Vener shares the inspiring hospitality story behind DogHaus—from a late-night idea to a nationally recognized food brand. Discover industry trends in food service and hospitality strategies as André discusses the import...
Dec. 9, 2025
Purpose-Driven Hospitality Leadership: Kelli Valade, CEO of Denny’s on Feeding Communities
Kelli Valade, CEO of Denny’s and a leading hospitality insider, shares her purpose-driven leadership approach, and the powerful role hospitality plays beyond the dining room. In this special No Kid Hungry miniseries episode, ...
Dec. 2, 2025
Fresh Pressed Power: Building Wellness and Gut Health with Main Squeeze Juice CEO Jennifer Dodd
Jennifer Dodd, CEO of Main Squeeze Juice, shares her journey and insights into building an emerging brand within the food industry. Dive deep into hospitality trends around wellness-driven concepts, cold-pressed juice, and gu...
Nov. 25, 2025
Building People First: Leadership and Expansion Insights with Amy Hom of Barcelona Wine Bar
Amy Hom, COO of Barcelona Wine Bar and a recognized hospitality insider, shares her leadership journey and insights into navigating hospitality trends through talent development and brand expansion. From early experiences at ...
Nov. 18, 2025
Kimchi Magic: CEO of Bonchon Suzie Tsai on Korean Fried Chicken, Global Growth, and Flavor Innovation
Suzie Tsai, CEO of Bonchon Chicken, joins Hospitality Insiders to share captivating insights into one of the most iconic Korean fried chicken brands shaping hospitality trends worldwide. Dive into the science behind perfect t...
Nov. 11, 2025
Building BarTaco: Insights on Brand Culture and Growth in Hospitality
Scott Lawton, Co-Founder and Chairman of BarTaco, joins to share his unique journey from busboy to a leader in the food industry. In this episode, Scott offers insider insights on hospitality strategies, the importance of bra...
Nov. 4, 2025
Hospitality Leadership with Debbie Stroud: Leading Whataburger's Legacy and Future
Debbie Stroud, President and CEO of Whataburger, shares her unique hospitality leadership journey, guiding one of America's most iconic brands into a future driven by hospitality strategies and a people-first culture. In this...
Oct. 28, 2025
Building a Billion-Dollar Hospitality Brand: Leadership & Growth with Jim Bitticks of Dave’s Hot Chicken
Jim Bitticks, President and COO of Dave’s Hot Chicken, shares insider insights on building a billion-dollar hospitality brand. From a humble $900 East Hollywood pop-up to one of the fastest-growing food industry sensations, J...
Oct. 21, 2025
Fighting Summer Hunger: Hospitality Leaders Feeding Millions through Innovative Strategies
In this special episode, recorded live at the Prosper Forum, the Hospitality Hangout shines a light on how hospitality leaders are tackling childhood hunger. Featuring Anne Filipic, CEO of Share Our Strength and leader of the...
Oct. 14, 2025
It’s Bigger Than Biscuits: Roland Gonzalez, CEO of Church’s Chicken, on Expansion, Philanthropy, and Culture
Roland Gonzalez, CEO of Church’s Chicken, shares how he’s leading one of the world’s largest fried chicken brands through rapid expansion and brand evolution. He talks about growing up in Texas, his early start in food servic...
Oct. 7, 2025
Never Trust a Skinny CEO: Rob Lynch of Shake Shack on Hustle, Culture, and Community
Rob Lynch, CEO of Shake Shack, shares his journey from washing dishes at age five to leading one of the most recognizable burger brands in the world. He talks about his early roots in pizza shops, the lessons learned from wor...
Sept. 30, 2025
Rolling Forward: Scott Boatwright, CEO of Chipotle, on Growth and Fighting Childhood Hunger
Scott Boatwright, CEO of Chipotle, shares his journey from humble beginnings to leading one of America’s most recognizable brands. He reflects on his personal experience with food insecurity, Chipotle’s work with No Kid Hungr...
Sept. 23, 2025
Carving a Better Future: Barry McGowan CEO of Fogo de Chão on Leadership and Giving Back
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, hosts Michael Schatzberg (“the restaurant guy”) and Jimmy Frischling (“the finance guy”) sit down with Barry McGowan, CEO of Fogo de Chão, as part of the No Kid Hungry CEO Pledge minise...
Sept. 16, 2025
Game Day, Every Day: Brooks Schaden, Co-Founder and CEO of Tom’s Watch Bar, on Reinventing the Sports Viewing Experience”
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, the Restaurant Guy and the Finance Guy sit down with Brooks Schaden, co-CEO and co-founder of Tom’s Watch Bar, to explore how he’s reinventing the modern sports bar. From 150+ TVs and c...
Sept. 9, 2025
Igniting Restaurant Growth: From Flames to Fame: Steve Kislow on Igniting Restaurant Growth at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
In this sizzling episode of The Hospitality Hangout Podcast, hosts Michael “Schatzy” Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling sit down with Steve Kislow, CEO of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. They delve into hospitality strategies and re...
Sept. 2, 2025
Hospitality’s Game Plan: Insider Insights & Emerging Trends for Restaurant Success
In this dynamic episode of the Hospitality Hangout Podcast, we welcome Josh Kopel—award-winning restaurateur and hospitality strategist—for a deep dive into the latest hospitality trends and insider insights that are shaping ...
Aug. 26, 2025
Title: From Salads to Success: Bold Ideas & Insider Insights with Nick Kenner on QSR Trends and Hospitality Leadership
In this laughter-filled yet insightful episode of the Hospitality Hangout Podcast, we sit down with Nick Kenner, Founder & CEO of Just Salad, to explore bold ideas and expert strategies that are reshaping the hospitality and ...
Aug. 19, 2025
Unlocking Restaurant Growth: How Entertainment Transforms Hospitality
In this episode of The Hospitality Hangout, we sit down with Neil Sudaisar, AVP of Commercial National Accounts at DIRECTV, to explore how entertainment is powering restaurant transformation and success in the hospitality ind...
Aug. 12, 2025
Essential Trends & Industry Strategies with PR Expert Sherri Fishman
In this episode, we delve into the must-know hospitality trends and effective industry strategies with PR expert Sherri Fishman from Fishman PR. As restaurants transform rapidly, understanding what exceptional PR looks like i...
Aug. 5, 2025
More Than Juice: Jamba’s Nathan Louer Talks Hospitality, Trends & Transformation
In this fresh episode of Hospitality Hangout, we sit down with Nathan Louer, Chief Brand Officer of Jamba, to explore how one of the most recognizable food and beverage brands is navigating the evolving hospitality industry a...
July 29, 2025
Lodging, Loyalty & Leadership: Red Roof’s Big Bet on Bold Hospitality Ideas
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, we’re joined by Zack Gharib, President of Red Roof, exploring how hospitality brands adapt to fast-moving trends and guest expectations. Zack shares insider insights on digital hospital...
July 22, 2025
Insider Tips & Tacos: Key Hospitality Strategies from Taco John’s CEO
In this sizzling episode of Hospitality Hangout, we’re joined by Heather Neary, President & CEO of Taco John’s International, to explore bold ideas and hospitality strategies that define today’s fast-paced food industry. Heat...
July 15, 2025
Hospitality, But Make It Toasted: Frank Paci on Fast-Casual & the Future
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, we delve deep into hospitality strategies with Frank Paci, CEO of Newk’s Eatery, a leader in the fast-casual food industry. Join us as Frank shares his wealth of knowledge on how Newk’s...