Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates

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.

Episodes

October 6, 2025 20 mins

Send us a text

Jason Sobocinski joins Zack Oates to share how Haven Hot Chicken builds lasting guest love through great food, consistent hospitality, and small gestures that surprise and delight. From “reverse tipping” cards to weekly community drop-offs, Jason explains how joy and consistency fuel growth in a competitive chicken market.

Zack and Jason discuss:
 • Why exceeding expectations defines hospitality at Haven
 • How...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Paul Damico joins Zack Oates to share what still wins guest loyalty today. His take is simple: nail the four walls first, then scale. With leadership across Blaze, Fuzzy’s, Global Franchise Group, Focus Brands, and Moe’s Southwest Grill, Paul explains how culture, training, and clean execution turn into traffic, while technology should remove friction rather than add it.

Zack and Paul discuss:
 • Why the in-store e...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

John Laun, CMO of Earthbar, joins Zack Oates to share how a wellness brand with roots in the 1970s is scaling nationally while keeping guest experience front and center. With over 60 locations and a strong partnership with Equinox, Earthbar focuses on energy, consistency, and culture to make every visit the best part of a guest’s day.

Zack and John discuss:

  • How Earthbar grew from supplements to smoothies to 60+ stor...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

Justin Falciola, President of the Americas at Deliverect, joins Zack Oates to explore how technology and hospitality can work hand in hand. With leadership experience at Papa John’s and CKE, Justin has seen the restaurant industry from both the operator and vendor sides. He shares how Deliverect is helping brands scale profitably by connecting POS systems, delivery aggregators, and first-party digital platforms—all wh...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

From NFL MVP to franchise powerhouse, Mark Moseley has done it all. After a legendary 16-year career as the Washington Commanders’ clutch kicker and the only special teams player to ever win MVP, Mark went on to help grow Five Guys from just 3 locations to nearly 2,000 worldwide. In this episode of Give an Ovation, Mark shares how lessons from football shaped his approach to franchising and what it takes to create a c...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Drew Kimball, Relationship Manager at SpotOn, joins Zack Oates to talk about what it really takes to build lasting relationships in hospitality. With over 15 years in B2B sales and a background in restaurants, Drew shares stories from his work with operators, his time as a game store owner, and how he helps brands improve guest experience, efficiency, and revenue.

Zack and Drew discuss:

  • Why relationship-building is ...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

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 ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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:

  • Why quality, value, and craveability win in any location
  • How to grow usi...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

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:

  • Why restaurant growth is outpacing population growth
  • How to make sense of complex guest data wit...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

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:

  • Why personalization is the new loyalty
  • Ho...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

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:

  • What it means to deliver true hospitality, not just service
  • How Ralph’s tea...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

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. 

  • Why re...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

 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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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 ...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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:

  • How culture drives results and retention
  • Why team energy is the foundation of guest ex...
Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

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...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.