Digital Hospitality is an interview podcast series that explores the ways successful people have harnessed the power of the Internet and social media. The show is hosted by Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn P. Walchef.
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Josh Sharkey , founder and CEO of meez , shares why staying focused has become one of the biggest lessons in building restaurant technology. From creating better tools for chefs and kitchens to earning trust through consistent storytelling, Sharkey explains why meez is doubling down on recipes, building deeper connections with the restaurant community, and staying true to what the company does…
Shaz Khan and Antonio Gambino of Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks share how they are growing the restaurant brand while protecting the culture and identity that made it successful. They explain why scaling requires more than opening locations, from building the right leadership team to creating systems that allow the business to grow without losing its hometown feel. Khan and Gambino also discuss the…
Jordan Boesch , CEO and co-founder of 7shifts , joins Shawn Walchef live from the National Restaurant Association Show to discuss why restaurant training needs to go beyond onboarding. Boesch explains why ongoing microlearning matters, how better training can help restaurants improve employee retention, and why the best restaurant groups build systems that allow their people and operations to…
Jennifer Pope, owner of Louie’s Bistro and Venice Island Coffee in Venice, Florida, joins Shawn Walchef to share what she has learned from running two restaurants and why the right technology can make the business easier to manage. Pope explains how DAVO took the stress out of managing sales tax, why investing in technology can give restaurant owners valuable time back, and the importance of…
Tom Holt , founder and owner of Urbane Cafe , joins Shawn Walchef at CREATE io share how he has grown the fast-casual brand from one restaurant in 2003 to nearly 50 locations. Holt explains why learning the operation inside and out became critical before expanding and how reaching five locations forced him to build stronger training systems and infrastructure. Urbane Cafe has grown without private…
Chris Lybeer , chairman of the board at Onosys , joins Shawn Walchef at the Food On Demand Conference in Dallas to share why restaurant technology has reached a turning point. After nearly four decades in the industry, including leadership roles, Lybeer believes restaurants are adopting technology faster than ever as digital ordering becomes a larger part of their business. Onosys is focused on…
Yassine Lyoubi of Barry’s Downtown Prime joins Shawn Walchef from the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, where the Barry’s team came with a clear goal: find new ways to make the restaurant better. In a Las Vegas market built around volume, Barry’s has taken a different approach, treating every guest like a relationship rather than a number and making its ownership team personally…
Elisia Flores , president and CEO of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue , joins Shawn Walchef from CREATE Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes to discuss leading the restaurant brand her father, Eddie Flores Jr., helped build into a global franchise. As a second-generation leader, Flores shares why franchisee success comes before corporate growth, how restaurant ownership continues to create opportunities for…
Jeff Kopple , co-owner of Sicilian Pizza and Pasta , joins Shawn Walchef to share how an independent restaurant has stayed competitive through more than 15 years of industry change. He explains why investing in digital ordering and strong technology partners has helped the business compete with national chains, how ChowNow and Pepsi have become trusted operational partners, and why genuine…
Lucy Logan , co-founder and president of EveryBite , joins Shawn Walchef to discuss why personalized dining experiences are quickly becoming an expectation for restaurant guests. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in nutrition analysis, Logan explains how ingredient-first menus help restaurants serve guests with food allergies and dietary preferences while improving transparency, loyalty,…
Ola Sars , founder and CEO of Soundtrack , joins Shawn Walchef to explain why music is one of the most overlooked parts of the restaurant experience. Sars shares how operators can use music to strengthen their brand, improve the guest experience, and even increase sales. He also explains why consumer streaming services aren't built for restaurants, how to create a soundtrack that reflects your…
