An ad free resource for restaurateurs! Over 100 episodes and a new episode every Monday. Listen in to learn from industry leaders how to grow your restaurant, improve your guest experience, turn your customers from strangers to friends, and to leverage data and marketing tools to increase your revenue.
Zach takes the Ovation mic to the streets of Chicago for a special edition of the Two Question Podcast, recorded live at the National Restaurant Association Show. From tech innovators to restaurant operators, leaders across the industry answer two key questions: what should restaurants focus on over the next 12 months, and what tactics can improve the guest experience? You’ll hear quick insights, real-world tips, and ...
Alice Crowder, CMO of Krispy Krunchy Chicken, joins Zack Oates to break down how the brand grew to nearly 3,400 locations without traditional franchising. From gas stations to guest experience strategy, Alice shares how high-quality food, grassroots marketing, and authentic partnerships drive brand love and repeat visits.
Zack and Alice discuss:
Michael Lukianoff, CEO of SignalFlare, joins Zack Oates to unpack the restaurant industry's biggest data challenges and opportunities. From AI-driven decision-making to understanding local market dynamics, Michael explains how restaurants can stay ahead in a crowded, fast-changing landscape.
Zack and Michael discuss:
Russ Hawkins, CEO of Agilence, joins Zack Oates to break down how restaurant operators can use data to improve guest experience, boost loyalty, and align teams. With a background spanning telecom, retail, and hospitality, Russ shares practical strategies for avoiding waste, tracking behavior, and turning missed expectations into long-term relationships.
Zack and Russ discuss:
Ralph Lewis, CEO and third-generation owner of Okeechobee Steakhouse, joins Zack Oates to share the secrets behind one of Florida’s most iconic dining institutions. From 75 years of legacy service to 350,000 free birthday steaks, Ralph dives into how family values and consistent hospitality drive lasting guest loyalty.
Zack and Ralph discuss:
Eric Robison, developer and multi-unit owner at Rock N' Roll Sushi, joins this episode of Give an Ovation to break down how the brand has grown from 16 to 75+ units and what it takes to get guests back through the doors. From creating a fun, high-energy dining experience to transforming guest feedback into operational change, Eric shares how his team makes sushi dining loud, vibrant, and unforgettable.
Barry McGowan, CEO of Fogo de Chão, joins Zack to share his incredible rise from washing dishes to leading a global hospitality brand. With over 40 years in the industry, Barry dives into what real value means for guests, why customization and celebration matter, and how to scale culture while staying people first. He discusses the importance of consistency, how to use pricing as a tool for value not margin, and what...
Anthony Bambino, founder and CEO of 3Natives, joins Zack Oates to share how he grew a 900-square-foot juice bar into a 50+ location health-focused brand. With no outside investment, Anthony emphasizes why slow, steady, and personal growth beats fast cash. He shares insights on creating memorable guest experiences, leading a tight-knit team, and empowering employees to deliver service that stands out.
Zack and Anthony d...
Josh Boshard, COO of Savory Fund, joins Zack Oates to talk about what it really takes to scale great restaurant brands. With a background in tech and an obsession for operations, Josh shares how momentum, team empowerment, and data-driven decisions shape unforgettable guest experiences. From system-wide A/B testing to feedback-fueled growth, this episode is a masterclass in modern hospitality leadership.
Zack and Josh ...
Amy Hom, CEO of Barcelona Wine Bar and a powerhouse leader in hospitality, joins Zack to share how she’s created strong cultures and top-tier guest experiences across some of the industry’s most iconic brands. From reducing turnover to building future leaders, Amy brings practical wisdom and contagious energy.
Zack and Amy discuss:
Sebastien Silvestri, CEO of The Dinex Group, joins Zack Oates to share lessons from decades of global hospitality leadership—spanning Bora Bora, Vegas, Miami, and NYC. He dives into how restaurants can elevate the guest experience through entertainment, precision, and people-first operations. From value perception to theatrical dining, Sebastien shares why success starts with obsessed attention to detail and team care...
Pete Mora, founder of Fajita Pete’s, joins Zack Oates to share how a catering-first mindset transformed his brand from a full-service Tex-Mex restaurant into a thriving, multi-unit concept. Pete reveals how simplifying the model, building genuine guest relationships, and leading with care have been the keys to sustainable growth. He also discusses how small gestures—from handwritten notes to surprise gift cards—can cr...
Avery Ward, CEO of Little Italy Pizza, shares how he transformed his family's business from a small pizza shop into a multi-million-dollar restaurant group. In this episode, Avery talks about the power of content marketing, building lasting relationships with customers, and staying true to core values while innovating. From the “Slice of Life” series to the challenges of creating a great guest experience, Avery d...
Jane Abell, Executive Chairwoman and Chief Purpose Officer of Donatos Pizza, joins Zack Oates live to discuss how leading with love and purpose has fueled Donatos' growth and guest loyalty. Jane shares how a people-first mindset, innovation, and agape capitalism shape every decision, from store operations to franchise relationships. She also explains how Donatos blends automation with hospitality to preserve thei...
Bob Andersen, President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, joins Zack Oates live at RLC to share how the brand delivers full-service hospitality in a fast-casual setting. Bob discusses the art of preserving authentic experiences while scaling rapidly, the role of franchisee relationships in sustainable growth, and why Mediterranean cuisine hits the sweet spot for today’s diners. He also dives into the huge opport...
Rob Ertmann, President of Mo’ Bettahs, joins Zack Oates live to share how the brand scaled from 22 to over 60 locations while staying true to its “be aloha” culture. Rob explains how simplicity, consistency, and operational focus helped Mo’ Bettahs deliver great guest experiences at every stage of growth. He shares insights on training, culture preservation, and why handling mistakes the right way builds loyalty.
Zack ...
Oliver Barwin, CEO of Bushfire Kitchen, joins Zack Oates live to share how he transitioned from Wall Street to hospitality, building a fast-casual brand focused on healthy food, hospitality, and smart growth. Oliver explains how technology upgrades, streamlined operations, and a better-for-you menu helped Bushfire Kitchen scale during challenging times. He dives into how loyalty to the guest experience shaped their te...
Jeff Perera, founder of Jeff’s Bagel Run, joins Zack to share how a passion project turned into one of the fastest-growing bagel brands in the country. From baking fresh bagels all day long to building real connections with guests, Jeff explains how focusing on hospitality, simplicity, and genuine joy helped grow his business to 12 locations—and counting. Whether it’s innovating with pimento cream cheese or rememberin...
Lawrence Longo, serial food entrepreneur and founder of Off the Menu, joins Zack to share how building craveable products, creating genuine hospitality, and staying relentlessly simple have driven his success across multiple brands. As CEO of Prince Street Pizza, Irv’s Burgers, and The Bar Next Door, Lawrence talks about what it really takes to create businesses guests love—and how passion and great teams make it all ...
Yasaman Stewart, Senior Director of Marketing at Brix Holdings, joins Zack to share how consistency, energy, and real connection drive powerful guest experiences. Drawing from her deep operations and marketing background, Yasaman explains how brands can inspire their teams, build authentic connections, and turn recognition into loyalty.
Zack and Yasaman discuss:
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The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.