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
Zack sits down with David Scott Peters, restaurant coach, speaker, and author of Restaurant Prosperity Formula, to break down how independent restaurant owners can create financial and operational freedom. He shares why delegation without documentation leads to failure, how to build a system that works without you, and why great guest experiences start with operational excellence.
Zack and David discuss:
- Why most re...
Zack welcomes Stacey Kane, a fractional CMO for emerging and beyond brands, to discuss the importance of brand voice, guest experience, and tactical marketing strategies in the restaurant industry. With experience leading marketing efforts for multiple brands, Stacey shares how businesses can define their identity, engage guests, and use nostalgia to create memorable experiences.
Zack and Stacey discuss:
- Why brand p...
On this episode of Give an Ovation, Johnathan Chen, CEO and Co-Founder of 5&5, joins Zack Oates to discuss how restaurants can optimize their technology stack to improve operations and guest experience. With years of experience in restaurant tech and digital services, Johnathan shares insights on streamlining systems, avoiding tech overload, and ensuring that technology serves the guest—not complicates their journ...
On this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack Oates welcomes Michael Halen, Senior Restaurant and Foodservice Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence and host of Chopping It Up. Michael shares his insights on industry trends, value perception, and the impact of inflation on restaurant profitability. He discusses how brands like Texas Roadhouse and Wingstop are winning by delivering strong guest experiences. From operational exce...
Zack welcomes Julie Zucker, CMO and Partner at Branded Strategic Hospitality and producer of the Hospitality Hangout podcast. With years of experience in restaurant marketing and guest experience, Julie shares invaluable insights into building genuine guest connections, leveraging technology, and fostering a hospitality-driven culture.
Zack and Julie discuss:
- The power of personalized guest interactions
- How technolog...
Mitch Baker, VP of Marketing at Robeks, shares his expertise on evolving marketing strategies in the hospitality industry. With a background spanning Hollywood entertainment, Disney, and more, he dives into the role of guest data, technology, and omnichannel marketing in shaping brand success. Mitch also discusses the vital relationship between marketing and operations, the power of consistency, and what truly drives ...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Erin Levzow, a hospitality marketing and technology expert with nearly 20 years of experience at brands like Caesars, MGM, Wingstop, Freebirds, and Del Taco. Erin shares her insights on how to blend technology with human connection to create exceptional guest experiences.
Zack and Erin discuss:
Why brands often forget about the guest and how to refocus on their needs
The pow...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Jennifer Dodd, a 30-year restaurant industry veteran and the CEO of Main Squeeze Juice Co. Jennifer has led in QSR, casual dining, and franchising, making her a powerhouse in restaurant operations and leadership.
Zack and Jennifer discuss:
- Why hospitality is—and always will be—a people-first business
- The power of customization and how it impacts guest experience
- How techn...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Joe Sample, President of Crave Management Group, the multi-unit, multi-brand operator behind top-performing Taco Bell locations and Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay. With over 22 years of experience, Joe shares his proven strategies for creating high-performing teams and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Zack and Joe discuss:
- The key question every GM should ask to...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Seth Goldman, co-founder of Honest Tea and Just Ice Tea, chairman of Beyond Meat, and co-founder of PLNT Burger. Seth’s journey from government and activism to launching purpose-driven brands showcases his commitment to health, sustainability, and creating positive social impact.
Zack and Seth discuss:
- How Seth transitioned from politics to entrepreneurship to...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Ming-Tai Huh, Head of Food and Beverage at Square and a restaurateur with over a decade of experience through Cambridge Street Hospitality Group. Ming brings a unique perspective, blending his deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge restaurant technology to help operators thrive in an ever-evolving market.
Zack and Ming discuss:
- The intersection of hospitality and tec...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Andrew Dana, founder of Call Your Mother Deli and Timber Pizza Company. Andrew’s journey from the corporate world to building thriving restaurant brands is a testament to passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to creating unforgettable guest experiences.
Zack and Andrew discuss:
- The transition from corporate life to launching a food business
- How authenticity and co...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack welcomes Amir Mostafavi, the Founder and CEO of South Block, a mission-driven smoothie and juice bar brand based in the DC area. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Amir shares his journey of creating a brand that’s not just about great products, but also about fostering connections and building better communities on every block they serve.
Here’s what you’ll learn...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we’re joined by Abney Harper, CEO and Founder of Prima Après, a unique fast-casual concept combining fresh pasta and pavlovas with a focus on thoughtful design, quality ingredients, and heartfelt hospitality. Abney shares her journey from fine dining and fashion retail to creating a chef-driven brand that delivers a luxury dining experience in a fast-casual setting.
Zack and Abney di...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we’re joined by Jason Sobocinski and Etkin Tekin, the co-founders of Haven Hot Chicken, who are on a mission to redefine the fast-casual dining space. From their roots as winners of the Perfect Pitch competition to expanding to nine locations, Jason and Etkin share the secrets behind their explosive growth and the passion for exceptional food that drives their brand.
Zack, Jason, and...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, Rick Malir, founder of City Barbeque, shares his journey from selling John Deere tractors to building a nationally recognized barbecue brand. With 25 years in the business and 75 locations, Rick dives into what it takes to deliver top-notch barbecue and create unforgettable guest experiences.
Zack and Rick discuss:
- How a love for barbecue sparked a fast-casual empire
- The key role e...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Austin Titus, president of Cannoli Kitchen Pizza and a seasoned expert in the franchise industry. Growing up in a family of franchise entrepreneurs, Austin has developed a unique eye for brands that stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Zack and Austin discuss:
- The story behind Cannoli Kitchen and how it differentiates itself in the pizza space
- What Austin looks for in fra...
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Jim Knight, a former executive at Hard Rock Cafe who has transformed his experiences into a dynamic career as a speaker and author. Known for his engaging style, Jim blends the charisma of Guy Fieri with the motivational prowess of Tony Robbins.
Zack and Jim discuss:
- The importance of building a rockstar team and cultivating a vibrant culture
- How to create a guest experi...
Markus Pineyro is not just a restaurant owner—he’s a visionary reshaping how we think about dining experiences. As the co-founder of OOMI Digital Kitchen, Markus has created a food hall that operates almost entirely through digital interactions, yet still boasts a remarkable 4.9-star rating. On this episode of Give an Ovation, we dive into how Markus has built a successful, customer-focused operation without the tradi...
Joey Cioffi is the founder and CEO of The Salad House, a fast-growing franchise with a passion for offering customizable, fresh meals for everyone. From his New Jersey roots to building a brand that’s now expanding to 19 locations, Joey has always prioritized hospitality and quality. In this episode, we explore how Joey’s background in the food business has shaped his approach to guest experience.
In this episode, Zack...
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