#70. Join host Josh Sharkey as he welcomes an old friend and pioneering entrepreneur, Alex Beltrani, the founder and CEO of Tattle, to the show. In this engaging episode, Josh and Alex dive into the story of Tattle, a revolutionary tech company that digitizes the customer feedback experience for restaurants.

Alex shares his journey from the inception of Tattle to its impressive growth, providing insights into how his platform quantifies and drives restaurant success by analyzing customer feedback on service, quality, and consistency. With clients ranging from Chili's and Mod Pizza to Hooters and Dave's Hot Chicken, Tattle's impact on the industry is undeniable.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation as Josh and Alex reminisce about their early collaborations, discuss the importance of metrics and results, and explore the future of restaurant success through innovative technology. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, restaurant management, and the power of data-driven decision-making.

Where to find Alex Beltrani:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Where to find Tattle:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• YouTube

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

In this episode, we cover:

(05:11): Where Alex's passion for helping others comes from
(13:56): How the definition of "the grind" has changed for Alex
(19:43): Raising capital
(22:12): Where Alex spends most of his time at Tattle
(27:24): Being a founder: Addiction? Or passion?
(39:09): Tattle 101
(1:02:08): Reminiscing on Tattle's launch party at Bark

#69. Join host Josh Sharkey on today's meez Podcast as he delves into the world of barbeque with Jessica Bograd, the Senior Director of Culinary for City Barbeque. Jessica is not only an incredible chef but also runs an exceptional operation at City Barbeque. Before her tenure at City Barbeque, Jessica was deeply involved in R&D, creating menu items for well-known brands like Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, TGI Fridays, Inspire Brands, and Focus Brands.

In this episode, we explore Jessica’s extensive experience in R&D at scale, highlighting her insights and expertise. Discover the fascinating world of food competitions, where Jessica has been a fierce competitor since a young age, excelling in sandwich and barbeque contests with her dedicated team.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the intricacies of barbeque, including the training and culture at City Barbeque. Jessica shares how they educate their team on different styles, smoking processes, and safety protocols, fostering a culture of learning and growth. The company’s commitment to excellence has earned them a spot in the top 100 fast-casual movers and shakers.

Tune in to hear Jessica's inspiring journey and gain a new appreciation for the art and science of barbeque at scale. This episode is a must-listen for barbeque enthusiasts and culinary professionals alike.

Where to find Jessica Bograd:

• LinkedIn

Where to find City Barbeque

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

In this episode, we cover:

(03:28): Jessica's background
(04:35): Jessica's passion for competing
(10:13): How Jessica defines barbeque
(19:25): Wood preference for smoking
(23:23): Jess's experience in the R&D world
(36:56): A day in the life of Jess at City Barbeque
(42:16): Upward mobility options for City Barbeque employees
(47:25): The hardest and best part of Jess's job
(50:16): What Jess is looking forward to for the future of City Barbeque

#68. In this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Matt Wampler, co-founder and CEO of ClearCOGS, one of the rising stars in the food tech industry. Josh and Matt delve into the fascinating world of predictive analytics, AI, and machine learning in the food sector.

ClearCOGS is revolutionizing the way large-scale organizations forecast sales and manage food prep. By leveraging advanced technologies, ClearCOGS provides daily insights that help businesses like Jimmy John's reduce waste and optimize operations. Josh and Matt explore the practical applications of these technologies and discuss how they make it easy for companies to access vital information.

The conversation also delves into Matt's background in the franchise world, where he managed multiple Jimmy John's locations. Matt shares his experiences of starting from scratch in a franchise, the resources available, and the unique challenges and advantages of having established processes in place.

Listeners will gain insights into Matt's journey from franchise management to co-founding ClearCOGS and learn about the company's mission to minimize food waste. This episode offers valuable perspectives on building a tech-driven company in the food industry and the impact of innovative solutions on sustainability.

Tune in to hear Josh and Matt's engaging discussion and discover how ClearCOGS is paving the way for smarter food management. Enjoy the episode!

Where to find Matt Wampler:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Where to find ClearCOGS

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Twitter

In this episode, we cover:

(02:58): Owning a Jimmy John's franchise
(12:39): All about systems
(15:21): In the people business
(20:14): ClearCOGS 101
(35:11): Using AI for ClearCOGS
(39:28): How Matt met Osa
(51:31): What's next for meez?
(59:18): Matt's two questions for Josh
(1:05:53): What makes Matt really angry?