Welcome to another insightful episode of Fast Casual Nation Podcast, where we uncover the latest and greatest in the fast-casual sector of the food industry. Today, we're diving into a story of innovation, health, and the entrepreneurial spirit with Alessandro Biggi, founder of Avo.The Genesis of Avo – A Health-Focused Culinary Delight In our conversation, Alessandro shares the fascinating evolution of Avo . Starting as the first avocado bar in 2017, Avo has now transformed into a top destinatio...
Nov 05, 2023•37 min
On "Fast Casual Nation," I've had the pleasure of engaging with some of the most innovative minds in the restaurant industry. My recent conversation with Jeff Drake, President and CEO of Protein Bar & Kitchen , stands out as a highlight. Jeff's journey from a chemistry graduate to a visionary in the fast casual dining sector is a story that's as unique as it is inspiring. A Rebrand that Resonates Since taking over Protein Bar & Kitchen in 2017, Jeff has led the company through a signific...
Nov 04, 2023•25 min
Chipotle Mexican Grill is one of the most popular fast food chains in the United States, but the company has been facing some challenges in recent months. The Restaurant Power Index (RPI) has shown a slide in Chipotle sentiment, and the company's stock price has also fallen. One of the challenges that Chipotle is facing is labor shortages. The company has had to close some stores due to a lack of staff, and it has also raised wages in an attempt to attract new employees. Another challenge that C...
Oct 06, 2023•12 min
When you think about the evolution of the fast-casual restaurant industry, digital innovation might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for those of us tuned into the latest episode of Fast Casual Nation, digital marketing's role in revolutionizing the customer experience became crystal clear. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Gabe Alonso, Vice President of Digital Marketing at El Pollo Loco. Gabe's 15+ years of experience across music, entertainment, apparel, and food and beve...
Oct 05, 2023•32 min
In this podcast, we sit down with two leaders who are breaking the mold of how to grow brands - Wow Bao exploding in virtual brands and Fat Brands growing in multi-concept. We pick the brains of Geoff Alexander and Andrew Wiederhorn. Wow Bao is a fast-casual brand that specializes in steamed buns. The company was founded in 2003 and has grown to over 500 locations in the United States and continues to grow the new model of virtual brand development with unused capacity of various restaurant conc...
Sep 21, 2023•18 min
In this podcast, we talk with two successful brand leaders at Wildflower and Dave's Hot Chicken are two of the fastest-growing fast-casual brands in the United States. Wildflower was founded in Phoenix in 2017 and has over 20 locations nationwide. Dave's Hot Chicken was founded in Nashville in 2017 and now has over 100 locations nationwide and internationally. Both brands have experienced rapid growth due to their unique offerings and strong appeal to millennials. Wildflower is the first plant-b...
Sep 21, 2023•24 min
Craveworthy Brands is a relatively new restaurant group, but it has quickly become one of the most successful in the fast casual sector. Founded in 2022 by Gregg Majewski, Craveworthy Brands is a multi-concept restaurant group that owns and operates a portfolio of emerging and legacy brands. Craveworthy Brands' brands include: Wing It On! Budlong Hot Chicken Krafted Burger Bar + Tap Lucky Cat Poke Company Genghis Grill BD's Mongolian Grill Flat Top Grill Craveworthy Brands has experienced rapid ...
Sep 19, 2023•16 min
Fast Casual Nation is the industry's longest-running podcast celebrated for its innovative and insightful discussions that are helping to shape the future of food and dining. Our latest guest, Greg Wold, Vice President of Marketing at Toppers Pizza, Inc., brings his 20-year experience in the food service industry, including stints at QSR heavyweights such as Jimmy John's, Jersey Mike's Subs, and Buffalo Wild Wings, to our conversation. Our dialogue traverses Wold's professional journey from agen...
Jun 15, 2023•31 min
Fast Casual Nation, the trailblazing podcast that's been leading conversations and setting trends in the restaurant industry for years delves into the meat of what makes a food business thrive in a market that's hungry for change. Today, we're honored to have André Vener, Co-founder and Partner of Dog Haus , joining us for an insightful discussion. André, along with his team, took Dog Haus from a single location to a nationwide phenomenon by reimagining comfort food classics and cleverly navigat...
Jun 01, 2023•30 min
Fast Casual Nation's latest episode features a candid conversation with Paris Baguette America's CEO, Darren Tipton. Stepping into his role in January 2020, Tipton navigated the uncharted terrain of the pandemic while redefining the brand's identity. Faced with operational hurdles due to COVID-19, Tipton focused on reframing the organization's vision. The mission was to re-establish the neighborhood bakery, building on the foundation of expertly crafted, brewed and baked goods. The blueprint, ac...
May 19, 2023•21 min
Our guest on Fast Casual Nation is Prakash Karamchandani, known as PK. He is a self-proclaimed foodie and technology junkie, as well as the co-founder of Balance Pan-Asian Grille, a nationally acclaimed fast-casual Asian fusion multi-unit concept based in Ohio. Prakash earned a finance degree from the University of Toledo, where he met his future wife Navdeep and business partner HoChan Jang. PK currently oversees development, finance, marketing, and technological innovation for Balance Grille, ...
Apr 13, 2023•25 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Katy Velazquez, Corporate Executive Chef at QDOBA about how the fast-casual Mexican restaurant is able to stay current on trends and be true to its identity. QDOBA with over 730+ restaurants located in the U.S. and Canada is the second largest brand in ...
Mar 29, 2023•15 min
he Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode I talk with Josh Luger, co-founder of Capital Tacos about key strategies for successfully expanding your restaurant. Capital Tacos founded in 2013 is a fast-casual Tex-Mex chain of restaurants Based in Tampa, Florida, known for their scratch-made kitchen and a menu c...
Feb 02, 2023•30 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Frank Paci, chief executive officer of Newk’s Eatery about improving productivity and simplifying restaurant operations. Paci, an industry veteran, has worked within the restaurant and retails industry over the past 30 years. He has held CEO and CFO pos...
Jan 20, 2023•23 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Mike Lenard, founder and chief executive officer of TaKorean, a DC based fast-casual restaurant chain serving Korean tacos and rice bowls. After a career in the outdoor retail industry selling kayaks and hiking gear, Lenard really wanted to get into foo...
Nov 17, 2022•27 min•Ep. 119
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Bob Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer about Potbelly Sandwich Shop’s plans for expansion and the digital kitchen. Wright has been President and CEO at Potbelly Corporation since July 2020. He has over 30 years of experience in the restaurant...
Oct 27, 2022•26 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Flynn Dekker, chief executive officer of Bonchon growing the brand, customer base and celebrating Bonchon’s 20th anniversary. Dekker, prior to Bonchon, was the chief marketing officer at Wingstop from 2014 to 2018. He also worked at Rave Restaurant Grou...
Oct 13, 2022•22 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Mary Jane Riva, chief executive officer and president of the Pizza Factory about growing the brand and the importance of community. Riva has been in the industry for more than thirty years. She worked in a donut shop at 16 years old, which led to owning...
Sep 28, 2022•27 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with the founder and chief executive officer of Chi'Lantro, Jae Kim about building a brand, giving back to the community and marketing a fast-casual brand. Chi'Lantro, the name is a combination of the words kimchi and cilantro and is based in Austin, Texas. ...
Sep 15, 2022•24 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Andy Rebhun, chief marketing officer, El Pollo Loco about technology, innovation and marketing to a younger audience. I asked Rebhun about getting started in the industry and he shared, “I actually got my first dip in QSR way back in 2006. I was a maste...
Sep 01, 2022•19 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I talk with Troy Charhon, co-founder, owner and operator of Bread Zeppelin. Troy Charhon and Andrew Schoellkoph are the founders, owners and operators of Bread Zeppelin and have been friends since high school. Charhon started his career in the food service industry...
Aug 19, 2022•19 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I chat with Kyle Frederick, chief operating officer of Original ChopShop, a fast-casual restaurant based in Dallas. Frederick’s story is one of growth and dedication, he worked his way from entry-level to C-suite executive in just 10 years. When asked about his sta...
Aug 05, 2022•24 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I chat with the chief executive officer of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Charles Watson. Watson, a veteran franchise professional, worked for several hospitality companies including Intercontinental Hotels Group and US Franchise Systems. We talk about his early introduct...
Jul 22, 2022•20 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I chat with Stacey Pool, chief marketing officer and Sue Petersen, executive vice president of Noodles & Company about the uncommon goodness that has been the core of the brand for more than twenty-five years. Pool shares her background prior to joining Noodles...
Jul 08, 2022•30 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, I chat with Raji Sankar, co-founder of Wholesome International a multi-concept restaurant development company and co-chief executive officer of Choolaah Indian BBQ restaurants which is owned and operated by Wholesome International. I asked Sankar about her backgrou...
Jun 16, 2022•33 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, Pepe chats with Lori Cominsky, Vice President at Mongolian Concepts, about driving growth strategy, labor shortages and menu innovation. When asked about her 20 plus years of experience in restaurant operations, Cominsky shares that she began working in the industr...
May 12, 2022•21 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, Pepe chats with Craig Erlich, President and CEO of Friendly's Restaurants, about Friendly’s Cafe, labor shortages, and technology. Erlich talks about his background in the industry. He shares that he got his start in the restaurant business as a teenager and worked...
Apr 28, 2022•21 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, Pepe chats with Graham Humphreys, Chief Executive Officer, and Haley Kabus, Associate Director of Strategy at The Culinary Edge, about creating new fast casual concepts, launching virtual brands and how cryptocurrency can impact a restaurant’s bottom line. Humphrey...
Apr 14, 2022•24 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, Pepe chats with Alan Nathan, Co-Founder and CEO at Sweetfin about his start in the industry, moving into the fast casual space and 94 million poke bowl combinations. Nathan shares how he got started in the hospitality industry over 30 years ago. He had a nightlife ...
Apr 04, 2022•32 min
The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, Pepe chats with Karl Goodhew, Chief Technology Officer at BurgerFi about the latest restaurant technology, labor shortage solutions, and Patty the Robot. Goodhew shares how he got started in the industry and restaurant technology, he says that his background was or...
Mar 17, 2022•26 min
