Dhilon Solanki - How to Build a Hospitality Brand That People Actually Believe In

This week on Captive Conversations, I sat down with a creative force in hospitality: Dhilon Solanki — founder of Story Locker, co-founder of Pecking Order, and previously behind one of the most useful tools in the industry — Sprout.

Dhilon's journey is a masterclass in brand building with heart. He’s grown tech tools for hospitality, helped operators train better, and now helps people preserve their life stories through beautifully crafted, private podcast-style interviews.

🔥 Highlights include:

• 📲 Building and exiting Sprout – a digital marketing tool used by 100s of restaurants
• 🍗 The lessons from launching and running Pecking Order, his fast-casual brand
• 🎧 The powerful human stories behind Story Locker – a new way to preserve legacy
• 👨‍🍳 How Sideways is rethinking team training with short-form video and storytelling
• 🧠 Why you don’t need a flashy launch — you need tight feedback loops and strong intent

From emotional storytelling to operator tech, this episode covers what it takes to build something meaningful in hospitality — and life.

Dhilon's Podcast Answers

🔥 Best Hospitality Experience: Sticks n Sushi 

🔥 Best Hospitality Tech: Glue Loyalty

🔥 Best Restaurant: Roka

🔥 Best Burger: Bleeker & Shake Shack

🔥 Best Hotel: Ham Yard Hotel

🏷️ Brands Mentioned

Connect by Me&u https://www.meandu.com/gb/grow/connect 

Story Locker https://storylocker.co.uk/

Sideways https://hospitality.sideways.ai/ 

Sentiment Search https://sentimentsearch.com/ 

👉 Listen now and subscribe to hear more behind-the-scenes chats with leaders shaping hospitality.