Hospitality Hangout
The Restaurant Guy and The Finance Guy are the personalities behind Branded Hospitality. Together they connect hospitality, technology, and capital. In the podcast, the Restaurant Guy and The Finance Guy explore exciting trends, happenings, and breakthroughs in hospitality technology. They will be chatting with leaders, marketers, and experts that are leading a new era of innovation. Our hosts bring their gregarious and entertaining personalities to all their topics.
Episodes
In today's episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “The Finance Guy” are joined by James Vitrano, Chief Executive Officer of Sucré.
They discuss James' background, from his early ambitions to getting into the restaurant industry and working for major chains like Ruby Tuesday's. They talk about his current role as CEO of Sucré, a high-end New Orleans-inspired dessert chain that...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” sit down with Lisa Robinson, Vice President of Global Food Safety and Public Health at Ecolab.
Lisa attended Michigan State University, where she completed her undergraduate studies and later earned a Master’s degree in Food Safety. Her academic focus laid a solid foundation for her career in the industry. At Ec...
In the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout, hosts Michael Schatzberg, affectionately known as "The Restaurant Guy," and Jimmy Frischling, "The Finance Guy," sit down with the legendary Don Fox, Chairman of Firehouse Subs.
The Meteoric Rise of Don Fox
Starting his culinary journey scrubbing dishes at an Italian restaurant in New Jersey, Fox has seen it all. From his aspirations of being a trumpet player to a substantial 23-y...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” sit down with second-time guest Sam Bakhshandehpour, CEO of José Andrés Group.
Sam started his career as a financial analyst, working with major banks such as Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan, UBS, and Bear Stearns, and has a background in real estate. He transitioned into the hospitality industry, starting with the SLS...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” dive into an engaging conversation with guest Greg Flynn, founder, chairman, and CEO of the Flynn Group and Flynn Properties.
Pull up a chair and grab a napkin as Greg serves a hearty helping of inspiration. Greg shares his pursuit in the hospitality industry, his insights on various market segments, a...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by guests Nick Bishop Jr, co-founder of Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, and Todd Williams, co-president and CFO of Hattie B’s Hot Chicken.
A partnership that took flight over a few rounds of golf eventually grew into the beloved Hattie B's Hot Chicken. Nick reveals his family's 50-year legacy in the restauran...
In today’s episode of the Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy”, and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy”, are joined by 5-time returning guest Josh Halpern, founder and CEO of Big Chicken and Beer Park.
Josh narrates how he began his business and how the relationships he has fostered with shareholders like Dr. Shaquille O’Neal has become invaluable. He also delves into what it is like to own a franchise, ...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by two returning guests, Christi Ravneberg, Senior Director of Media Intelligence and Custom Content for Informa Connect and Joe Donnelly, President of Media and Events at Informa Connect.
Christi and Joe dive into the Informa Connect intelligence platform, stirring the pot by surveying operator and r...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Zack Stein, co-founder and CEO of Supply Caddy.
Zack shares his journey into hospitality, starting with his degree from Wayne Huizenga School of Business, followed by years in venture capital focusing on early-stage startups. He discovered his flavor in CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods), garnishing his...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “Finance Guy”, welcome a titan of the restaurant tech industry, Ben Leventhal. Ben a co-founder of Eater, the visionary, co-founder, and former CEO of Resy, and now the co-founder and CEO of Blackbird Labs.
Throughout his career, Ben has been at the forefront of technological and marketing revolutions in the restaurant industr...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are thrilled to welcome Zachary “Schmackary” Schmahl, the Nebraska native who turned his Broadway dreams into a cookie empire right in the heart of New York City’s theatre district.
Starting at 24, Zachary began experimenting with cookie recipes, combining traditional concepts with bold twists. His creation...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “Finance Guy”, are joined by Craig Dunaway COO and a member of the Board of Directors of Penn Station East Coast Subs.
Craig recounts his journey, beginning as a young professional at a regional accounting firm in Indiana before venturing into the world of franchising with Papa John’s Pizza and eventually becoming a multi- uni...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Tracy Kim, CEO of DIG.
Tracy tells us about her journey from a pre-med student at Stanford and earning her MBA at Harvard Business School and her subsequent leap into the hospitality sector, culminating in her leadership role at DIG. Fast forward, Tracy dishes out how DIG has ‘bowled over’ thei...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “Finance Guy,” are joined by Scott Redler, co-founder of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and founder of Redler’s Hospitality.
Scott tells his story of 48 years of experience, dedication, and admiration for the restaurant industry and creating an impact on others’ entrepreneurial lives and experiences. From the birth of Shanghai Charli...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Angela Leet, CEO of QSR Automations.
Angela discusses the company’s innovative kitchen automation solutions and their recent recognition of being named as a finalist for the prestigious Ring of Fire award. She shares insights into their new product, ConnectSmart Recipes Plus, which aims t...
In today’s episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Ricky Richardson, Chief Executive Officer of Eggs Up Grill.
Ricky discusses the brand’s origins and rapid expansion since he took over. He provides background on Eggs Up Grill being started by a third-generation diner operator and becoming a 100% franchised system. Ricky highlights the impor...
In today’s episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Sterling Douglass, Co-Founder and CEO of Chowly, Inc., and Andrew J. Nash, CEO of Targetable.
Sterling and Andrew talk about Chowly’s recent acquisition of Targetable and the benefits this strategic move brings to restaurant operators. They discuss their combined vision of creating an all-in...
In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Theresa Montanaro, Regional Director of JSC Management for Burger King in New England; Jennifer Chavez, Chief Financial Officer of G2G Management Group, LLC; and John Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer of G2G Management Group, LLC.
They discuss the fast-food and restaurant industry’s future, to...
In today’s episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Paul Walker of Village Inn, and Yildris Rodriguez-Ross, Chief Financial Officer of Fresh Dining Concepts, LLC.
Paul and Yildris share the history of their companies and their involvement in the restaurant industry. They highlight the significance of familial and professional relationships th...
In today's episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “The Finance Guy” are joined by Steven Song, Chief Financial Officer at Luke's Lobster, and Kathi Turner, Executive at Turner's Seafood.
Steven and Kathi discuss the seafood industry and the pivotal role of technology in enhancing restaurant operations and customer experiences. They share their unique journeys into the s...
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