Fast Casual Nation Podcast

Savor.fm•www.savor.fm

Join the longest-running and most influential podcast in the fast-casual restaurant industry. Hosted by Paul Barron, the founder of fastcasual.com, the Top 100, and the Fast Casual Executive Summit. Joining him as Co-Host is Cherryh Cansler, Sr. Editor of Fastcasual.com. This team has reunited after over a decade to deliver unparalleled insights into the trends and future direction of the fast-casual sector.

Each week, they will share their deep knowledge gained from over two decades as a leading voices in this dynamic segment of the restaurant business. Paul literally wrote the book on fast casual, "The Chipotle Effect" " along with the documentary Fast Casual Nation, and Cherryh has been a driving force for the growth of Fastcasual.com over the past decade.

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Episodes

13. My Ceviche — International Delight in Miami

On this episode, we visit Miami's own My Ceviche. A unique concept, especially within the fast casual segment, My Ceviche combines the culinary expertise of fine-dining Chef Sam Gorenstein with the ease and accessibility that fast casuals offer. Sam began his career as a prep-cook only to continue training as a fine dining chef in New York City and Miami. Join Paul Barron as he dives into what makes My Ceviche a standout in not just the fast casual segment but in the culinary world as well.

Feb 02, 2016•10 min

12. Tender Greens Caters to Sophisticated Diners on a Budget

On this episode, we are in Los Angeles at Tender Greens, an elevated fast casual concept that brings farm fresh food to the forefront, with a chef-driven culinary edge. After seeing a gap in the market, Erik Oberholtzer, Matt Lyman and David Dressier decided to leave the fine dining world and take on the concept full-force. Join Paul Barron as he speaks with Oberholtzer and Santa Monica Executive Chef, Rian Brandenburg. They share with us the Tender Greens story and its connection to farms among...

Dec 01, 2015•8 min

11. XOCO — Rick Bayless Merges Mexican Street Food with Fast Casual

On this episode, we’re visiting XOCO in Chicago, a fast casual that’s more “Mexican street food using seasonal Midwest ingredients” than Fresh Mex. Owned by Rick Bayless, XOCO is a chef-driven concept with a large focus on ingredients, and has been around since 2009. Join Paul Barron as he talks to XOCO's Manager, Arthur Mullen, about how XOCO came to be and what it stands for, and as we indulge in some of the concept’s most notable, historically cultured dishes, including tortas, churros and ho...

Aug 01, 2015•9 min

10. Bruxie Waffles Wrap Up Fast Casual

On this episode, Paul Barron heads to southern California to visit Bruxie, a chef-driven fast casual centered around a very unique menu item: the waffle. Headed by Chef Dean Simon, Bruxie was inspired by his travels to Belgium where, as you can imagine, waffles are a big thing. Stick around to learn more about this fast casual concept.

Jun 01, 2015•9 min

09. Beers & Bratwurst – Downtown L.A.'s Wurstküche

On this episode, we head to downtown L.A.'s Wurstküche for a little beer and bratwurst - ok a lot of beer, bratwurst, and gourmet sausage, as well. Literally meaning "sausage kitchen," Wurstküche is the place to go for unique links (like Duck & Bacon sausage) and good German beer. Pull up a seat and relax a while as host Paul Barron sits down with owner Tyler Wilson to learn a bit more about this unique fast casual concept.

May 01, 2015•9 min

08. Pitfire Pizza – Artisan Pizza Heats Up Local Markets

On this episode, we visit fast casual Pitfire Pizza in Los Angeles. Owner & Founder Paul Hibler tells us how the concept came to be and what Pitfire is doing to inject the local market into each of its seven locations. Join Paul Barron as he chows down at this modern-day artisan pizza parlor, and explore – from its ingredients to its unexpected menu offerings – what truly makes Pitfire a standout.

Feb 01, 2015•10 min

07. Pincho Factory Serves Up Creative Menu Options

On this episode, we make our way to Pincho Factory in Miami. Owner Nedal Ahmad walks us through the Pincho experience – an assembly line-type, build-your-own operation with plenty of options. As one of the most unique menus we have seen thus far in a fast casual concept, Pincho Factory serves up “styles,” rather than individual topping selections. We dig into the concept’s creative food – including some gluten-free options and a croquette burger!

Dec 01, 2014•8 min

06. Huahua's Taqueria

On this episode, we head down to Miami taco outpost Huahua's Taqueria. Co-owned by Chef Todd Erickson of Haven Hospitality Concepts, Huahua's is the perfect mix of cool and spicy for South Floridians, and highlights Chef Todd's southwestern background -- he's even created his own line of hot sauces. Join Paul Barron as we explore all Huahua's has to offer, including both playful and traditional dishes like deep fried avocado tacos, fried chicken tacos, and elote.

Aug 01, 2014•9 min

05. Joe's Farm Grill, A Modern-Day Farm to Fork Burger Stand

On this episode, we visit Joe’s Farm Grill just outside of Phoenix, AZ. The fast casual concept, dubbed a “modern-day burger stand,” has a flexible innovative menu (hotdog sushi, a fully vegan burger, flatbreads, burgers, chicken – you name it); a cool aesthetic with some quirky touches, and even its own farm on site. Join Paul Barron as he talks to Joe about the perks and challenges of growing their own food and how the Farm Grill came into fruition.

Jun 01, 2014•11 min

04. Foodlife and Foodease — Customizing Fast Casual

On this episode, we're exploring two separate Lettuce Entertain You restaurants under the same roof in Chicago. The first, Foodlife, is a multi-concept fast casual that includes 14 different kitchens of fresh food – everything from pizza to sushi to Mexican. Like Foodlife, the Market boasts tons of choices – all of which are prepared with fresh, chef-driven ingredients. Join Paul Barron as he talks with Steve Hofferth at Foodlife and Executive Chef Janet Kirker at Foodmarket, to find out what se...

May 03, 2014•11 min

03. Food Truck Revolution in Fast Casual

On this episode take to the streets of San Francisco to check out the Soma StrEat Food Park. The food truck revolution has really taken off, especially in this locale, where dozens of startups and tech companies, including Twitter and Zynga, are headquartered. Join Paul as he visits some unique food truck concepts, including Seoul on Wheels, Phat Thai, Me So Hungry, and explores the reason behind the movement.

Feb 01, 2014•9 min

02. Shula Burger redefining what better burger means

On this episode, we visit Shula Burger to sit down with legendary NFL head coach Don Shula and his son Dave, President of Shula's Steak Houses, LLLP. In response to the exploding burger segment and how the Shula team spun their casual dining experience to fast casual without compromising the quality or the experience. Join Paul Barron as we learn the plays that make Shula Burger a fierce competitor in the better burger segment.

Dec 01, 2013•10 min

01. Sweetgreen - the making of a legend

When Georgetown friends Jon, Nic and Nate came up with the Sweetgreen concept, they did so in the hopes of creating a place they would want to eat at every day. Focusing on consumer trends like healthy, honest food Sweetgreen has become more than just a fast-casual brand; it's a lifestyle. Join host Paul Barron as he dives into the early beginnings of Sweetgreen with Co-Founder Nic Jammet and the mission that would make them one of the top fast casual concepts ever conceived.

Sep 13, 2013•16 min

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