Shauna Smith (Savory Fund) sits down with founders Nicole Robison (Swig) and Akshat Sethi (Thai Chili 2 Go) for a conversation about building enduring restaurant brands. Together, they share their journeys from opening a single shop to scaling across states, unpacking both the highs of breakthrough moments and the challenges of personal and professional trials.

The panel dives into the realities of entrepreneurship, from breaking Guinness World Records to protecting trademarks, refreshing brands, and safeguarding culture during rapid growth. With themes of resilience, kindness, and staying true to your original vision, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical lessons for anyone navigating the restaurant/F&B industry.

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Taylor DeHart (Principal, Savory Fund) leads a conversation with Claudia Lezcano (CEO of Fuku) and Neha Govindraj (Founder of Bonside) on how to fund and grow restaurant brands in today’s capital landscape. Together, they explore traditional financing, creative alternatives, and the rise of asset-light growth strategies that are reshaping the industry.

Claudia shares her journey of scaling Fuku through licensing and partnerships with major sports venues while protecting brand standards and culture. Neha explains how Bonside is rethinking capital for brick-and-mortar businesses by underwriting unit-level performance instead of relying on outdated models. The panel offers practical lessons on aligning with investors, protecting founder vision, and navigating new financial solutions that give operators more flexibility and ownership.

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Jeanette Bennett brings together Sam Oches (Nation’s Restaurant News) and Jonathan Maze (Restaurant Business Magazine) for an inside look at how trade media shape the stories that define the restaurant industry. With humor, candor, and decades of combined experience, they reveal what it takes to get your concept noticed by the publications that operators, investors, and franchisees read every day.

They explain the distinction between trade, local, and consumer media—and why understanding these differences is key to building meaningful coverage. They share practical guidance on what makes a story newsworthy, the mistakes operators often make when pitching, and how to create relationships with editors that last.

From the importance of being available and authentic, to the value of PR firms and the role of emerging technologies like AI in shaping the future of journalism, this conversation is a must listen for founders who want to see their names in the right headlines. Filled with behind the scenes anecdotes and actionable insights, it pulls back the curtain on the media world that influences the entire restaurant industry.

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 – Opening: Main Dish Energy

00:48 – Why the Restaurant Industry is Human

01:47 – From Competitors to Colleagues

03:11 – What is Trade Media?

04:54 – Trade Media Drives the Narrative

06:24 – The Key: Be Available & Present

08:57 – What’s Your Unique Story?

10:32 – Tell Stories with Real Drama

11:47 – Human-Interest Angles & Sources

13:31 – Podcasts, Video, and New Media Channels

14:10 – What NOT to Do

17:08 – When Local Media Does Matter

18:11 – Do You Need a PR Firm?

20:02 – Bribes, Crab Rangoons & Ethics

22:01 – Press Releases vs Personal Pitches

24:14 – Common Mistakes Operators Make

26:45 – What’s Next: Economy & AI

29:16 – Closing Thanks

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Is casual dining just surviving or thriving? In this dynamic roundtable from The Depot in Salt Lake City, Barry McGowan (Fogo de Chao) leads a conversation with Kaleb Harrell (Hawkers), Christine Magrann (FB Society), and Jeff Chandler (Hopdoddy) to explore why many believe casual dining is in the midst of a renaissance.

Together, they unpack how operators are innovating without losing hospitality’s soul, why experiential dining is driving growth, and how culture remains the foundation for sustainable expansion. From pricing strategies and tech adoption to guest connection and brand integrity, this panel delivers actionable insights for restaurateurs, founders, and foodservice investors alike.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 | Intro: The Casual Dining Renaissance

03:01 | Hawkers: Origin Story & Why Casual Lasts

07:01 | Guests Want Approachable Excellence

10:45 | Hospitality Is Human Connection

15:11 | Scaling Culture Without Losing the Soul

18:45 | Balancing Tech with Leadership Intuition

21:28 | Owning and Nourishing Company Culture

26:00 | Innovation Done Thoughtfully

27:34 | Guests Crave Experiences & Shared Moments

29:23 | Experimenting with Craveable Value

32:15 | Team Input & Operational Reality Checks

34:05 | Pricing Strategy: Art Meets Science

39:33 | The Promise & Pitfall of Technology

42:52 | Final Thoughts & Mic Drop Moments

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Andrew Smith (Co-Founder & Managing Director, Savory Fund) sits down with Charlie Kirk (Turning Point USA) for a candid exploration of the entrepreneurial mindset. Together, they reflect on the sacrifices and rewards of building lasting organizations, the unique spark founders bring to their businesses, and why vision and relentless drive remain the lifeblood of growth.

The conversation dives into time management, leadership principles, and the balance of physical, mental, and spiritual health in sustaining an entrepreneurial journey. Charlie shares insights from leading teams of thousands, navigating criticism, and keeping a brand rooted in founder energy and mission. With perspective on both the challenges and the optimism surrounding the U.S. economy, this episode provides a thoughtful and practical look at what it takes to thrive as a founder today.

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In this episode of Restaurantology, Andrew Smith sits down with Chris Connors and Li Hsun Sun, the visionary partners behind Bonrue Bakery, for a candid conversation on building and scaling one of the most talked about bakery cafés in it's region.

Chris and Li share their unlikely paths from cabana hosts and family run restaurants to leading a bakery concept that blends Michelin level pastry talent with a guest first culture and lightning fast service. They dive into the importance of operational excellence, the power of surrounding yourself with great people, and how their “hub and spoke” production model has become a game changer for consistency and growth.

Andrew explores how Bonrue became a must visit destination for locals and travelers alike, what makes their team culture stand out, and why they believe the bakery café experience can be reimagined for the modern guest.

For entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders, this episode delivers practical insights on innovation, resilience, and building a brand people can’t stop talking about.

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In this episode of the Restaurantology Podcast, host Andrew sits down with Daniel Estrada, co-founder of 86 Repairs, to uncover how this innovative solution is transforming the restaurant industry. They discuss the challenges operators face with repairs and maintenance (R&M), the costs of reactive management, and the critical need for streamlined processes as brands scale.

Daniel shares insights about the importance of proactive data management, staff retention through stress reduction, and how 86 Repairs offers a human-first approach alongside cutting-edge technology. From warranty tracking to dispatch avoidance and integrating with service vendors, this episode dives deep into why R&M is core to business success.

Whether you're managing 5 units or 50, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and strategies for operators aiming to optimize their equipment management and scale effectively. Don't miss this comprehensive guide to improving efficiency and reducing stress in restaurant operations.

For more information, visit 86Repairs.com.

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In this episode, we sit down with Cassie Ghaffar and Sandy Nguyen, co-founders of Saigon Hustle, to discuss how they built one of Houston’s most exciting new food brands. They share their story of turning a college friendship into a successful partnership, tackling the challenges of opening a restaurant during COVID-19, and scaling their authentic Vietnamese concept into a fast-casual drive-thru model.

Discover the inspiration behind their menu, their approach to maintaining authenticity while making Vietnamese flavors accessible, and how they’ve built a thriving culture within their team. Cassie and Sandy also reveal their plans for expansion, their vision for dominating the Houston market, and their ultimate goal of taking Saigon Hustle nationwide. Filled with stories of resilience, partnership, and culinary passion, this episode is an inspiring look at entrepreneurship in the food industry.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Restaurantology, we dive deep into the story behind SWIG, the revolutionary drink brand that’s taken the industry by storm. Join us as we sit down with Nicole Tanner, the Queen of Dirty Soda, to explore her journey from a single shop in St. George, Utah to becoming a national brand.

Nicole shares her experiences in creating an iconic brand, the challenges of standing out in a crowded market, and the power of maintaining a strong culture. Discover how SWIG’s unique customization approach turned it into a household name, and learn the importance of staying true to your brand’s roots amidst rapid growth.

Tune in to hear about the birth of “dirty soda”, the strategic decisions behind franchising, and how SWIG continues to innovate while keeping its customers and team at the heart of everything. Whether you’re a seasoned restaurateur or just starting out, this episode offers invaluable insights and inspiration for building a successful and enduring brand.

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In this episode of Restaurantology, we dive deep into the essential details that make or break restaurant success. Join us as we explore how refining the small aspects of your business can lead to significant profits, featuring insights from Taylor Dehart and Jessica Moyer of Savory. From managing prime costs to building customer trust, we cover it all.

Learn how to create efficiencies in your labor model and menu design, understand the importance of consistent customer experiences, and discover why cash on cash return is the ultimate measure of restaurant investment success. Don't miss this master class in restaurant operations!

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In this episode of Restaurantology Amir Mostafavi shares his fascinating entrepreneurial journey, from the inception of South Block to its triumphant growth in the competitive food and beverage industry.

Amir's story is filled with personal anecdotes of challenges faced, lessons learned, and the importance of community involvement in business growth. He discusses the strategic decisions that propelled South Block's success, emphasizing the role of product quality, customer engagement, and a strong brand culture. Amir also touches on his experience with a significant business transaction, offering insights into the emotional and practical aspects of navigating such milestones.

Throughout the episode, Amir's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in entrepreneurship. His journey with South Block and Restaurantology highlights the critical elements of scaling a business in the food and beverage industry and celebrates the spirit of community and determination that drives success.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.