Teague Talks Podcast

Teague heads west to Phoenix for a conversation with Sam Fox—the visionary force behind Author & Edit Hospitality and Fox Restaurant Concepts. Known for building some of the most beloved restaurants across the country, Sam now brings his creative lens to hotels with The Global Ambassador, his first foray into hospitality that rethinks the food and beverage experience and avoids the pitfalls many hoteliers face. With more than 150 restaurant concepts to his name and a $353 million transaction with The Cheesecake Factory behind him, Sam has proven he knows how to scale without losing the magic. Having earned a Michelin Key less than two years in, he shares how creativity and consistency is shaping The Global Ambassador, why focusing on today is the key to unforgettable guest experiences, and the lessons he’s carrying from restaurants into hotels. And of course—Teague asks the question we’re all wondering: what’s tougher to run, restaurants or hotels? Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive tour of The Global Ambassador in Phoenix, coming next Friday.

Teague travels to Nashville to sit down with Anup Patel, Managing Director at Tara Investments, inside the firm’s recently opened dual-branded Canopy and Homewood Suites in the heart of The Gulch. Anup shares how his family’s journey from textiles in the UK to U.S. hotel ownership led to over $275 million in developments and acquisitions, including this $150 million flagship project. From balancing family and business to navigating financing, construction challenges, and design details, Anup offers a behind-the-scenes look at building from the ground up—and why this property cements Tara’s confidence in their long-term development strategy. Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive tour of the Canopy and Homewood Suites Nashville Downtown The Gulch, coming next Friday.

Growing up around the hotel business, Amar Shah and Rahul Rohatgi never felt called to operate properties themselves. Instead, they felt compelled to tell the stories behind them—and how South Asians helped reshape the trajectory of the American hospitality industry. In this episode, Teague sits down with the directors of "The Patel Motel Story," a short-film making waves at the Tribeca Film Festival. For Amar, a self-described “counter kid” who grew up working at his family’s gas station, the project is deeply personal. Rahul’s path was different, but their shared roots and vision brought this story to life. The film is the result of years of research, interviews, and time spent at AAHOA conventions—piecing together a narrative that had never truly been told on screen. Together, they talk about heritage, the hustle behind the American Dream, and why the time was right to tell it now.

Teague travels to Wrightsville Beach to sit down with Mike Weiss and Ben Weinberg, the visionaries behind Trailborn and founders of Castle Peak Holdings. These Goldman Sachs alums share how they built a vertically integrated hospitality platform, from development to operations, and landed a deal with Marriott with just four open properties. Trailborn is reimagining experiential lodging with thoughtfully designed hotels in iconic destinations, combining curated itineraries, local flavor, and outdoor access for a stay that feels anything but standard. Fresh off raising $315 million in just four months, Mike and Ben talk capital, brand building, and what’s next for the industry’s most-watched new brand. Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive look at the brand-new Trailborn Surf & Sound coming next Friday.

With 20+ years in Wall Street investment banking and a sharp eye for brand growth, Phil Zrihen—Brand COO and Head of Americas at Ennismore—brings a strategic lens to lifestyle hospitality. Through immersive design, integrated F&B, and a culture-driven operating model, he shares how Ennismore is building brands that owners want to invest in and travelers want to experience. With 180+ properties open and 140+ in the pipeline, Phil discusses how Ennismore is scaling across the Americas, what makes a lifestyle brand financially viable, and why evolving guest expectations are reshaping development strategy.

There’s a reason the Savannah Bananas have a 3 million-person ticket waitlist. And there’s a reason their next game is set to draw 80,000 fans. It’s more than the wild choreography or the sea of yellow—it’s a business model built entirely around one thing: the fan. Teague sits down for an exclusive interview with founder and entrepreneur Jesse Cole to explore how the Bananas have reimagined what a sports franchise can be. From eliminating all sponsorships to paying the taxes and fees from tickets, the Bananas are proof that putting fans first isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a sustainable, strategic advantage. He shares the 10+ year journey it took to get there—filled with tough decisions, financial risk, and a relentless belief in doing things differently. Learn how you can apply the same bold thinking and long-game vision to build something that truly lasts.

Chris Nassetta, the President & CEO of Hilton, shares his insights on the booming travel industry, declaring it a 'new golden age of travel.' He discusses Hilton's impressive growth with over 8,400 properties and recent record-breaking achievements, including high stock prices and new brand launches. Delving into the hospitality landscape, Chris emphasizes the role of technology in enhancing customer experiences and navigates the economic challenges facing the industry, while also celebrating the excitement surrounding the upcoming conference at the Signia Hilton in Atlanta.

Teague Talks? More like Teague Tip-Off! This month, Teague takes it to the next level for an unstoppable conversation with Mit Shah, the Founder and CEO of Noble, at the Atlanta Hawks' elite training facility. Mit’s journey is a masterclass in ambition, from working the front desk at his parents’ motel to building one of hospitality’s most respected private equity firms with over $6.0 billion in assets. They go deep on family-driven grit, the power of top-tier talent, and why education is the ultimate game-changer in leadership and philanthropy. Looking to 2025 and beyond, Mit reveals where Noble is making its biggest plays and offers a first look at the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at the upcoming Hunter Conference. And because no great episode is complete without a bit of action, they take the court for fast-paced, rapid-fire questions. Big moves. Big insights. Big episode.

NEW YEAR, NEW TEAGUE TALKS! Kicking off Season Five of Teague Talks, Teague sits down in the new Regent Santa Monica Beach with Andre Zotoff, CEO of Strategic Hotels & Resorts, to explore his journey from a 16-year-old restaurant worker in Germany to a leader in luxury hospitality. Overseeing a portfolio of 13 iconic properties, Andre discusses how his culinary, operational, and cultural backgrounds shape his leadership at Strategic. From innovative renovations and redefining the luxury guest experience to a surprising IMDb connection, this episode offers plenty of laughs and an up-close look into high-end hospitality to start off 2025.  Stay tuned next week for an exclusive tour of the brand-new Regent Santa Monica Beach.

This week, Teague sits down in the brand new Regent Santa Monica Beach during its opening week for a conversation with IHG's Leanne Harwood, SVP, Managing Director, Luxury & Lifestyle Americas. With a luxury and lifestyle portfolio spanning 700 hotels across 70 countries, Leanne highlights IHG's goal to establish themselves as the core player in the space by bringing back the iconic Regent brand to the shores of America. Leanne shares what else IHG is focused on, what each brand brings to the table, and the trends she's seeing amongst travelers.