The SHIT YEAH! Show
THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY SUCKS AND WE’RE HERE TO CHANGE IT! Welcome to the SHIT YEAH! Show, hosted by Chris Smith, Founder/CEO of Zunzi’s + Zunzibar. He’s asking the real questions to the real stakeholders… Starting with: “What makes you say SHIT YEAH?” Chris will be joined weekly by some of the company’s 6 stakeholders: Team Members, Fans, Community Members, Franchisees, Vendors, and Investors. From navigating the chaos of franchise life to pushing for big changes in an industry that isn’t always easy to love, this podcast always GETS WEIRD! So whether you're in the restaurant biz or you just want the inside scoop, GRAB SOME SAUCE and tune in!
Episodes
In this episode, we sit down with Olivia Lafayette to talk about her journey in the restaurant industry, from hosting at 15 to working at Texas Roadhouse and now thriving at Zunzibar. Olivia shares her thoughts on tipping culture, teamwork, and customer expectations, plus how she’s combining her SCAD social media studies with real-world hospitality experience.
A real look at the highs an...
Patton Jaynes joins us from Zunzi’s to talk about life in the restaurant industry, from Chipotle to Zunzibar, the highs and lows of hospitality, and what makes great service culture. We cover growth at Zunzi’s with new locations in Jupiter, The Villages, and Jacksonville, plus the differences between fast casual and fine dining.
Hospitality, leadership, food, and a shot of sauce, this e...
Musician-turned-entertainment-director Kellen Powers joins the SHIT YEAH! SHOW to talk about transforming the live music experience inside Zunzibar. From managing over 100 musicians to improving restaurant operations and guest experiences, Kellen shares how better booking systems, communication, and culture can elevate both the hospitality and music industries.
...In this episode of the SHIT YEAH! SHOW, Chris Smith chats with Tony Lang, a hospitality pro helping lead Zunzibar’s Florida expansion. From growing a scratch kitchen concept to navigating post-COVID restaurant challenges, Tony shares what it takes to build strong teams, deliver great guest experiences, and grow a restaurant brand with purpose.
They cover everything from staffing stress a...
In this milestone episode of the SHIT YEAH! SHOW, Chris Smith sits down with Sam Case and Tyler Cooke to celebrate the new podcast studio and unpack how Zunzibar and Zunzi's redefine the restaurant industry through innovation, hospitality culture, and next-level guest experiences.
The team dives into the challenges of launching a podcast while growing a brand, the power of building in-ho...
In this episode of the SHIT YEAH! SHOW, Chris Smith, and Sam Case sit down with Mark Spurling, a passionate guest, to dive deep into what’s broken and working in the hospitality industry. Mark shares his journey from healthcare to hospitality, how a rocky experience at Zunzibar sparked a deeper conversation, and why the company’s 2.6% service fee and SHIT YEAH! Promise are changing the g...
Artist and entrepreneur Josh Bilkis joins Chris Smith and Sam Case on the SHIT YEAH! SHOW to share how his time in the restaurant industry fueled the launch of his vibrant art brand, Primal Spirit Gallery. From slinging breakfast on River Street to showcasing his work at Zunzibar, Josh dives into the power of guest connection, storytelling, and finding your spirit animal.
This one’s for ...
In this episode of the SHIT YEAH! SHOW, Chris Smith and Dalia Simpson sit down with William Laflower, a creative powerhouse known for his bold storytelling and artistic vision. They dive into the power of storytelling, the challenges of staying authentic in a fast-moving world, and the mental game of being a creative. William shares his personal journey, the lessons he’s learned along th...
In Episode 16 of the "SHIT YEAH! Show," Chris Smith and Dalia Simpson sit down with Matt Higgins, co-founder of Origin Coffee Bar, to talk about taking risks, building a brand with purpose, and changing the coffee game. Matt shares how he and his wife gave up their dream jobs, sold everything, and started a mobile coffee bar that grew into a thriving business. They dive into what makes a...
In Episode 15 of the "SHIT YEAH! Show," Chris Smith and Dalia Simpson sit down with Aakash Nair, aka the Guac King to talk about the power of creating memorable guest experiences in the restaurant industry. Aakash shares how he earned his legendary title by selling guac like a pro and driving tons of five-star reviews. They dive into what makes Zunzi's different, the challenges of the in...
In Episode 14 of the "SHIT YEAH! Show," Chris Smith and Dalia Simpson welcome Kai Syphax, an OG member of the Zunzi's team since 2017. Kai shares his journey through multiple restaurant locations, from the legendary York Street to Atlanta, Tybee, and back to Savannah. They discuss the challenges of the restaurant industry, from rolling with unexpected punches to maintaining high standard...
In Episode 13 of the SHIT YEAH! Show Chris Smith and Dalia Simpson continue their conversation with Tony Edgerton, VP of Beverage Operations, diving into the future of the bar industry and how Zunzibar is leading the way. They explore the evolution of Zunzibar's cocktail program and the balance between quality and approachability in the drinks space. Tony shares insights on bar culture, ...
In Episode 12 of the "SHIT YEAH! SHOW" Chris Smith and co-host Dahlia Simpson sit down with Tony Edgerton, the newly appointed VP of Beverage Operations at Zunzibar. Tony shares his incredible journey from the NYC cocktail scene to leading beverage programs at world-class venues like the Rainbow Room and Waldorf Astoria. They dive into his passion for hospitality, the challenges of the r...
In Episode 11 of the "SHIT YEAH! Show," host Chris Smith takes a deep dive into the core values and culture driving Zunzi's. Joined by co-host Dalia Simpson, they explore the six key stakeholders in the business, the company's vision to revolutionize the restaurant industry, and the mission to inspire people to live their dreams. Chris shares insights on why company culture is crucial, h...
Episode 10 of the "SHIT YEAH! Show" dives into the restaurant business with special guest Tyler Cooke, a 19-year-old content creator. Hosts Chris and Dalia explore Tyler's journey from working with Savannah Bananas to driving creative content for the podcast and the business. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the restaurant industry, the importance of embracing problems as...
In this episode, we welcome Sarah Armstrong, Zunzi's own Digital Media Manager. Sarah shares her journey from working as a server to becoming a social media and digital strategy manager. Join us as we explore the challenges and rewards of the restaurant business, the art of connecting with customers online, and the unique ways Sarah brings creativity and passion to her role. From behind-...
In this episode, we welcome Sam Case, Zunzi's own Events, Catering + Retail Sales Manager with over three decades of experience, to discuss the highs, lows, and controlled chaos of the restaurant industry. Sam shares his journey from McDonald's to Zunzi's, the importance of culture, and how passion drives success. Join hosts Chris and Dalia for an insightful and energetic conversation fi...
For this episode of The SHIT YEAH! Show, host Chris and his team welcome Larry Belton for an entertaining and insightful conversation about the ups and downs of the restaurant business. From early jobs at Chuck E. Cheese to his journey managing and innovating at Zunzi's, Larry shares candid stories, hard-earned lessons, and a passion for putting people first. Tune in for lively banter, r...
In this lively episode of The SHIT YEAH! Show, we dive into the chaos, challenges, and joys of the restaurant world. Join Chris, Chico, and Dalia as they share raw and unfiltered stories of hustle, leadership, and living with purpose. From wild catering adventures to scaling operations, this episode is packed with laughs, lessons, and the launch of our Dank Sauce movement. If you've ever...
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