Episodios

  • Building Community Through Hospitality: Jeff Gigante's Blueprint for Upscale Casual Success

    Building Community Through Hospitality: Jeff Gigante's Blueprint for Upscale Casual Success
    Sep 4 2025
    Jeff Gigante, founder of Next Level Brands, joins Restaurant Masterminds to share how his Tampa-based restaurant group generates nearly $40 million with just three locations through "laid-back luxury" hospitality. Learn his strategies for employee retention (4.5 weeks vacation for all leaders), community integration, technology adoption challenges, and expansion plans for 20+ restaurants. Discover how treating culture as CapEx investment and authentic community engagement drives exceptional performance in upscale casual dining.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    #RestaurantBusiness #HospitalityLeadership #CasualDining

    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
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    44 m
  • Paris Baguette: Scaling A Bakery Empire

    Paris Baguette: Scaling A Bakery Empire
    Aug 21 2025
    Join Restaurant Masterminds hosts Paul Molinari and Anna Tauzin as they dive deep with Paris Baguette's Chief Development Officer Nick Scaccio about the brand's audacious plan to reach 1,000 North American locations by 2030. From their current 253 units to nearly $3M average unit volumes, discover the franchise strategies, operational excellence, and experiential design driving this Korean-French bakery café's explosive growth through economic uncertainty and intense competition.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    RestaurantFranchising #ParisBaguette #FranchiseGrowth
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory


    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Más Menos
    38 m
  • Greenlane: Healthy Drive-Thru Is The Future

    Greenlane: Healthy Drive-Thru Is The Future
    Aug 14 2025
    Restaurant Masterminds hosts Paul Barron, Rudy Miick, and Stacey Kane dive deep with Greenlane co-founders Erica Spector Wishnow and Chris Kern to explore their game-changing approach to fast-casual dining. Discover how this Tampa-based concept delivers made-from-scratch salads in just 15 seconds, their mission to bring healthy options to food deserts at $6.99 price points, and the critical challenge of scaling company culture while maintaining staff engagement. Industry veterans discuss why Greenlane has that elusive "X factor" and could be a Front Runner candidate for 2025's most promising emerging brands.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    RestaurantMasterminds #FastCasualDining #HealthyFastFood
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory


    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Más Menos
    49 m
  • The Future of Healthy Fast Casual

    The Future of Healthy Fast Casual
    Jul 24 2025
    In this episode of Restaurant Masterminds, Oliver Barwin, CEO of Bushfire Kitchen, shares his remarkable journey from Wall Street to running a fast-growing healthy fast-casual chain. Barwin discusses taking over the family business during the pandemic, completely rebuilding their tech stack, and scaling from a small California concept to nine locations with ambitious expansion plans. Learn about their "elevated fast-casual" approach, protein-focused menu strategy, AI-powered forecasting, and how they're positioning for 50% growth while maintaining operational excellence in the competitive healthy dining space.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    RestaurantMasterminds #FastCasual #HealthyDining

    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory

    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Más Menos
    39 m
  • Building an AI Integrated Workforce

    Building an AI Integrated Workforce
    Jul 10 2025
    Join Restaurant Masterminds hosts Paul Barron, Paul Molinari, and Stacey Kane as they dive deep into the future of restaurant workforce management with Legion Technologies CEO Sanish Mondkar. Discover how AI is revolutionizing employee scheduling, reducing turnover by 79%, and solving the restaurant industry's biggest challenge - balancing business needs with employee satisfaction. Learn about demand forecasting, instant pay solutions, and why AI-powered workforce management is becoming essential for restaurant success in 2024 and beyond.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    RestaurantTech #AIWorkforce #RestaurantManagement
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory


    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Más Menos
    52 m
  • Family Owned Business Make or Break

    Family Owned Business Make or Break
    Jul 3 2025
    Join Restaurant Masterminds hosts Stacey Kane and Robin Blanchette as they sit down with Frank Carpenteri, CEO of Garden Catering, to explore how this Connecticut-based chicken concept has maintained its cult-like following while preparing for aggressive expansion. From switching to premium chicken despite the cost impact to building a community-driven brand that makes college students' first stop home, Frank shares invaluable insights on scaling without losing your soul. Learn about their recent brand refresh, tech stack consolidation, and the leadership philosophy that kept every employee working during COVID—plus why their core value is literally "love the nugget."

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    RestaurantMasterminds #FastCasual #RestaurantBusiness
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory

    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Más Menos
    45 m
  • Technology Disruption With Catering

    Technology Disruption With Catering
    Jun 26 2025
    Restaurant industry legend Earl Dardick joins Paul Barron and Anna Tauzin on Restaurant Masterminds to reveal how catering can transform your restaurant's profitability. From his experience with Off Premises Growth Academy, Earl shares why CEO buy-in is non-negotiable, how catering can represent 20% of business while delivering 50% of profits, and why successful operators treat catering as a separate business rather than a menu add-on. Learn about the technology challenges plaguing the industry, the real investment required to scale catering operations, and why local community engagement remains crucial even as AI reshapes food service. Whether you're running a single location or managing a multi-unit brand, this episode delivers actionable insights on building a million-dollar off-premises business.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    RestaurantCatering #OffPremisesDining #RestaurantBusiness
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory

    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Más Menos
    59 m
  • How Houston Hot Chicken Conquered the Fast-Casual Space

    How Houston Hot Chicken Conquered the Fast-Casual Space
    Jun 5 2025
    Serial entrepreneur Edmond Barseghian shares how he built Houston Hot Chicken from a pandemic recipe with his sister into one of America's fastest-growing restaurant brands, selling 100 franchises in just 5 months and becoming Las Vegas's #1 restaurant. Learn his unconventional strategies including monthly car shows, premium customer experiences, and how he applied lessons from 12 previous businesses to revolutionize the hot chicken space with 26 locations, 300+ franchise commitments, and plans to reach 200+ restaurants within three years.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    RestaurantFranchise #HotChicken #FastCasualGrowth
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory


    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Más Menos
    40 m