In today’s episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “The Finance Guy” are joined by Josh Kern, CEO of SPB Hospitality.

Josh shares his experiences from his time in politics to working in the marketing sector for high-profile brands like Quiznos, Outback, and American Blue Ribbon Holdings. The trio discuss the challenges of running a restaurant business, the use of AI in drive-thrus, the impacts of inflation and supply chain issues on pricing, and how technological advances are changing the industry.

Listen to this episode for discussion about how the role of CMO is evolving, the game of Frogger, and Josh’s special love for craps.

Key Takeaways:

– Josh’s remarkable journey from the political arena to Quiznos.
– An overview of SPB Hospitality, formerly CraftWorks Holdings, now boasting 16 brands and 590 restaurants.
– The intriguing shift from a legislative aide to a pivotal role in the Quiznos marketing team.
– Josh draws parallels between his leadership style and the unpredictability of playing craps.
– Insights into the experimentation with AI-driven technology in the drive-thru setting, with Josh acknowledging its current “bleeding edge” status.
– An honest discussion about the formidable challenges in the restaurant industry, including supply chain volatility and the impact of inflation on pricing strategies.
– Recognition of a tipping point in pricing elasticity amid inflationary pressures.