In this episode of The Bottom Line, Naki Soyturk sits down with Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media. What started as a single-location barbecue restaurant in San Diego has evolved into a national brand and thought leader in hospitality tech and digital storytelling.
Shawn shares the philosophy behind turning every restaurant into a media company, breaking down how consistent storytelling builds brand equity and customer trust. From using content to drive catering sales to automating digital hospitality through smart tech, Shawn outlines a playbook any operator can follow.
This episode is a must-listen for any owner or GM wondering how to stand out in an AI-driven, content-hungry world—and how to build a brand that lasts longer than the next trend.
Shawn Walchef’s Links:
Website: https://calibbq.media
Instagram: @shawnpwalchef
Podcast: Cali BBQ Media
What You’ll Learn
- Why every restaurant is already a media company—whether they admit it or not
- How Cali BBQ built a global brand with one location and a smartphone
- The “3 Ts” that every operator must master: Time, Temperature, and Tech
- Why storytelling beats advertising for long-term success
- How podcasting and video built a stronger catering business
- The mindset shift required to invest in content even when it feels like a luxury
- What hospitality looks like in a digital-first world
00:00 – Meet Shawn
01:38 – Time of Technology and Story Telling
05:30 – Shawn's Podcast, Cali BBQ Media
06:27 -- Getting Started
08:22 -- Digital Hospitality
12:20 – How Companies Tell Their Stories
18:42 – Who is Going to Listen to Me?
26:31 – Treating Vendors like Partners
27:51 -- True Partnership Matters
28:38 – What Transparency Can Do For Your Professional Relationships
31:09 – Connect with Shawn
Welcome to The Bottom Line – the real talk podcast about restaurant profit and growth. Each episode, we explore the decisions, systems, and stories behind the most successful food businesses out there in the market. No fluff. No hype. Just real operators, real challenges, and real advice from people who know how to get results. Let's get to The Bottom Line.
Have a question or need a professional opinion? Reach out!
Web: https://consultingaccross.com
Get a Free Profitability Audit
Connect with Naki on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ufuksoyturk/
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