Hospitality Hangout | Expert Strategies & Industry Trends from Hospitality Insiders

Michael Schatzberg & Jimmy Frischling - Hospitality Insiders | Expert Strategies & Trends.'
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Feb 27, 2024 • 48min

Solving Profitless Growth With AI — Chased by Grizzly Bears and Hunted by Alligators | Season 11, Vol. 6

In today's episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg "The Restaurant Guy" and Jimmy Frischling "The Finance Guy" are joined by Clinton Anderson, CEO of HotSchedules (now powered by Fourth.) Clinton shares his journey from a farm in rural Canada to CEO of Fourth, a restaurant technology provider serving 125,000 locations globally. Listen as he discusses the importance of collaboration between operators and tech partners, ideas for controlling volatile back-of-house costs, how purchasing and inventory management remain antiquated for most restaurants, and the key role forecasting plays in profitability.Clinton also reveals whether he was truly chased by a grizzly bear, arrested crossing the US-Canadian border, and if he speaks fluent Japanese.Key Takeaways[00:11 - 00:58] Live from Kings County Distillery Studios in NYC[00:59 - 02:56] PSA — Subscribe to the show[02:56 - 05:32] Introducing Clinton Anderson, CEO of Fourth/HotSchedules[] [05:48 - 08:37] Clinton talks about Fourth, and the HotSchedules software for maintaining employee schedules and is adopted widely in restaurants[07:47 - 08:37] Schatzy's loyalty to HotSchedules, it's been around for more than two decades[08:38 - 13:30] A deep dive into Clinton's history, leaving Canada to attend Harvard then Bain & Capital, then investing, then realizing he wanted to lead a technology company toward success[09:33 - 10:45] Operating responsibility, leading and motivating a team[10:46 - 11:48] Why Fourth? Adding simplicity to a complicated industry[11:49 - 13:03] An opportunity to get into restaurants and encourage adoption of a tool that will make lives easier and consistent[13:05 - 13:55] Jimmy on taking a similar path in the past in investments[13:55 - 16:43] Unbreaking rules — AI-powered forecasting tool by Fourth, anticipate rising labor and food costs, leverage data to become profitable[16:43 - 19:27] Predictability is a differentiator, considering the cost of food waste and the idea that not everyone can be winners in the restaurant industry[19:28 - 22:45] A lot of restaurant operators don't have time to think about technology[22:59 - 24:38] Sometimes the grumpiest customers are the best customers because they tell the truth about what isn't working, a customer advisory council[24:52 - 28:32] "It's hard to drain the swamp when you're up to your ass in alligators" and how it applies to the food service industry's biggest pain points[28:33 - 33:22] Talking Back: Clinton asks what the biggest challenge facing the average operator is. Everyone discusses procurement, forecasting, software solutions and a lot of equipment[33:22 - 35:56] Spice is Right, IHOP Breakfast Sample[36:22 - 40:13] Trivia — Clinton edition[40:14 - 42:27] Branded Quickfire with Clinton Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Feb 20, 2024 • 38min

New Orleans Treats Meet Luxury Eats: The Sucré Story | Season 11, Vol. 5

In today's episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “The Finance Guy” are joined by James Vitrano, Chief Executive Officer of Sucré.They discuss James' background, from his early ambitions to getting into the restaurant industry and working for major chains like Ruby Tuesday's. They talk about his current role as CEO of Sucré, a high-end New Orleans-inspired dessert chain that he and his partners acquired and are now focused on growing. The three discuss topics such as franchising models, use of technology in restaurants, what's right and wrong with the hospitality industry, along with James' vision for bringing Sucré to new markets.Key Takeaways:[00:08 - 03:19] Live from ICR Conference in Orlando Florida, introducing a conversation with James Vitrano, CEO of Sucré[03:20 - 04:44] Two Truths and a Lie[04:56 - 06:26] James talks about his background and journey, buying Sucré and becoming its CEO. The original New Orleans patisserie, originally founded by Joel Dondis[06:27 - 10:40] Sucré is opening up its 15th store, and reflecting on James' background at Louisiana Tech with an interest in pursuing law, but going into hospitality with Noah Restaurant Group, Ruby Tuesdays, among others[10:04 - 10:40] Ruby Tuesdays and being head of international, that taking James to Iceland, Romania, and Guam[10:42 - 13:37] Jimmy gives background on the fragmented nature of food service and hospitality, and asks James about leveraging tech. Thinking about the "tech stack"[13:42 - 15:42] Engagement, opportunity, and an explosion of software solutions. NOLA as a unique market.[15:52 - 16:38] New Orleans fusion of culture and heritage[16:39 - 19:18] Learning franchising and taking Noah's Bagels from 7 stores to 2 million. Currently focusing on corporate franchising.[19:47 - 22:17] Talking Back — How Jimmy and Schatzy met[22:17 - 24:54] Talking Back follow up — What's right with the hospitality industry?[24:54 - 27:16] Talking back part three — what's missing in the hospitality industry and needs fixing?[27:23 - 29:38] The Spice is Right — Disney World edition, the price of Chef Mickey character breakfast buffet[29:38 - 32:35] Trivia Tuesday answers[32:35 - 36:38] Branded Quickfire — Orlando edition Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Feb 13, 2024 • 30min

Beyond the Candy Bar: Transforming Iconic Treats into Foodservice Goldmines | Season 11, Vol. 4

In this episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Herb Ring, National Foodservice Director of The Hershey Company.Herb shares how he got his start working in his family’s restaurants before transitioning into foodservice sales roles at companies like The J.M. Smucker Company. Twenty years ago, Herb moved his family to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to take on a role heading up foodservice sales and marketing at Hershey. He talks about major foodservice customers like Dairy Queen using nostalgic ingredients like Twizzlers for milkshake straws, the importance of data and chopped candy in driving Hershey’s explosive growth, and more!Key Takeaways[00:08 - 03:17] Introducing Herb Ring, National Food Service Director of Hershey[02:47 - 03:39] An opportunity to work at Smucker[03:41 - 05:51] Moving to National County, and working with Aramark[05:50 - 06:37] The first thing Herb sold for Hershey's was their chocolate syrup[06:38 - 08:18] Moving to Hershey, Pennsylvania for work. Realizing it was a great place to raise a family, and connected to major hubs like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington DC[08:20 - 10:34] How Herb helps food service clients avoid the sandpits of business[10:58 - 15:19] How Hershey's is using technology and innovation to drive better decision making. Using data, selling goods as ingredients vs just candy bars, and having connections across the food industry[15:28 - 18:36] Limited time offers and how customers are incorporating Hershey's products into their line of nostalgic desserts and alcoholic drinks[18:45 - 22:27] Reflecting on four years of the podcast and 156 episodes, Hospitality Hangout podcasting frequency shifting to weekly,[22:32 - 24:49] Spice is Right, the price of a wing combo meal at Wingstop[24:49 - 28:44] Branded Quickfire with Herb Ring Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Feb 6, 2024 • 32min

The Inside Scoop on the Global Food Manufacturing Industry and How IFMA Is the Connector | Season 11, Vol. 3

In today’s episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by Phil Kafarakis, President and CEO of International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA).Phil focuses on strengthening connections between the food manufacturing and restaurant industries. He also shares his career journey, from working for Oscar Mayer to going on to earn an MBA from Georgetown later in his career. As head of IFMA, Phil is focused on opening membership beyond just manufacturers. He discusses this year’s IFMA conference and collaboration across the “ecosystem,” highlighting the importance of manufacturers to the success of restaurants.Key Takeaways[00:08 - 01:30] Introduction — IFMA and the Global Restaurant Leadership Conference, introducing Phil Kafarakis the President and CEO of the International Food Manufacturers Association[01:38 - 04:55] 1980-1985, not loving football, getting married, creating a career in food service with Oscar Meyer and beyond. Phil’s career started with hotdogs, not hamburgers.[04:55 - 06:45] 1985—Now, getting an MBA, mastering English, and development goals at McCormick[06:48 - 09:52] Phil's work for IFMA and celebrating two years of leadership. An eighteen month listening tour and understanding some of the "dinosaurs" of the business[10:02 - 11:58] A living eco-system is what the restaurant industry is, inviting in the right people into that ecosystem[12:19 - 15:29] Some of the largest companies in the world are in food manufacturing[15:35 - 17:08] Phil's takeaways from IFMA, an environment for authority on food away from home, research, education, analysis, and data. Meeting consumer needs.[17:50 - 23:32] Talking Back — How Branded Hospitality Ventures evolved to Branded Hospitality Media and that journey. Manufacturers, the backbone of restaurants.[24:52 - 27:04] Spice is Right — Jack in the Box, Jumbo Jack Cheeseburger edition[27:07 - 31:25] Branded Quickfire Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Jan 30, 2024 • 32min

MEAT the man who pioneered the casual dining segment | Season 11, Vol. 2

In today’s episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg, “The Restaurant Guy,” and Jimmy Frischling, “The Finance Guy,” are joined by George McKerrow, CEO of Ted’s Montana Grill.George pioneered the casual dining segment with LongHorn Steakhouse, which he founded in 1981 and eventually took public. He later partnered with Ted Turner to bring bison meat mainstream at Ted’s Montana Grill. Now CEO of Ted’s, George reflects on lessons learned over his long career launching concepts and delighting guests. Key Takeaways:[00:08 - 01:46] Live from Pepsi Studios in Scottsdale, Arizona for IFMA the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association's President's Conference[03:30 - 08:19] Introducing George McKerrow, CEO at Ted's Montana Grill, talking about opening the first ever LongHorn Steakhouse in 1981 and founding Ted's in January 2002.[05:38 - 07:44] George on getting a job for gas at 16, working his way up the restaurant industry, and making Ted Turner a deal he couldn't refuse[08:56 - 11:17] George credited with giving birth to the entire casual dining segment by Nation's Restaurant News, and how he turned a single unit of LongHorn Steakhouse into a dining phenomenon[09:51 - 11:17] A fun honky-tonk saloon, quality feeds and genuine hospitality[11:19 - 14:59] Schatzy and George on bartending, on starting and working your way up the foodchain[15:01 - 18:42] The three greatest lessons George has learned in hospitality leadership: financial input, great people, and restaurant unpredictability[18:48 - 20:58] Democratization is part of the restaurant industry, there's a career path[21:04 - 26:17] Talking Back: George asks what Schatzy and Jimmy think are the next big trends in hospitality[21:40 - 23:29] Schatzy: People want to go out more, but you need to give them a reason, the rise of experiential restaurants and smaller footprints[23:43 - 25:39] Jimmy: meet the guests where they're at, leveraging technology in labor[26:21 - 28:42] The Spice is Right: Cost of a classic chicken sandwich at Popeyes in Route 17 in New Jersey[28:43 - 31:11] Branded Quickfire: George's lightning round Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Jan 23, 2024 • 33min

Beyond Cookies and Coffee: Nestlé Professional CEO Perry Miele On How Nestlé Is Innovating Food Service and Hospitality | Season 11, Vol. 1

Perry Miele, CEO of Nestlé Professional, discusses receiving the IFMA Oberkfell Award and his upcoming retirement after 30 years at Nestlé. He shares insights on Nestlé's use of AI for operators, embracing technology like robotics, and innovating post-COVID. The podcast covers Nestlé's future in the food industry, highlighting their commitment to understanding operators' needs and leading during rapid change.
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Jan 16, 2024 • 43min

Toasting Your Partner In Crime and Ingredients for Restaurant Success! | Season 10, Vol. 18

In today's episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “The Finance Guy” are joined by Lance Trenary, President and CEO of Golden Corral Corporation, and Roy Gilad, Founder and CEO of Vitality Bowls.Lance discusses how Golden Corral persevered through COVID shutdowns by innovating business models while maintaining quality and caring for staff and partners. Roy shares how he started Vitality Bowls because of his daughter's severe food allergies.Listen to this episode to hear more about the role of technology like point-of-sale systems to enable service and efficiency, and the surprise capital of hard seltzer consumption!Key Takeaways[00:06 - 04:46] Live from RFDC Pt2 — Introducing Lance Trenary, President and CEO of Golden Corral[04:49 - 09:29] Golden Corral, revived and regenerated after the pandemic through innovative pivots and taking care of employees[05:47 - 09:29] Doing right by guests, seven new business models while fans waited for buffet to come back. Stronger now because of it. "Thank goodness God loves a buffet"[09:31 - 12:21] Breaking News: Lance talks about introducing a new fast casual concept of Golden Corral, Homework Kitchen in Southern Pines North Carolina.[10:15 - 11:48] COVID exposed Golden Corral's underbelly, Lance wanted to fix that weakness so Golden Corral will be around for at least a hundred more years[12:21 - 14:07] Food Service Feud with Lance: Which type of business performs worst on Mondays?[14:29 - 17:27] Branded Quickfire with Lance[18:36 - 22:15] Introducing Roy Gilad, Founder & CEO of Vitality Bowls[22:16 - 24:21] Roy talks about the secret sauce to his success. The secret is people.[24:28 - 27:15] Vitality Bowls' tech stack — Schatzy's impromptu ad for Vitality Bowl, and why they use Toast POS[27:15 - 29:14] Instant TVO Online Ordering and Loyalty, a golden ticket[29:18 - 31:12] Supporting growing teams, doubling down on culture and alignment with franchisees[31:13 - 33:35] Food Service Feud with Roy — Which state consumes the most amount of hard seltzer?[33:42 - 36:46] Branded Quickfire with Roy Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Jan 9, 2024 • 47min

Gridiron Burgers to Blizzard Billions: Fast Food Fortunes From Freddy's and Dairy Queen | Season 10, Vol. 17

In today's episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “The Finance Guy” are joined by Chris Dull, President and CEO of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, and Chris Wren, Vice President Head of International Development of Dairy Queen.Chris Dull shares how Freddy’s great franchise partners have powered growth to over 500 locations by mastering operations and development. He highlights innovations like kitchen display software that optimize speed and consistency. Chris Wren provides an overview of Dairy Queen's 2500+ international locations, including a major presence in China. He emphasizes the importance of knowing a company's history before making changes. He also talks about the significance of recognizing restaurant workers during visits for the profound impact it has on morale.Whether you bleed DQ Blizzards or Freddy’s custard, don’t miss this cross-industry extravaganza!Key Takeaways[03:47 - 07:16] Introducing Chris Dull, President and CEO of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers[04:03 - 05:50] Chris' time as a linebacker at Baylor University in 1995, then tracing his path from Marble Slab Creamery, the International Franchise Association, Global Franchise Group, Bean & Brew, and now Freddy's[05:59 - 07:16] Chris' journey in his own words[07:20 - 09:54] Jimmy gets the breaking news, Freddy's just opened their 510th restaurant in Freddy's Nation. Chris discusses the phenomenal growth and strategy behind it.[09:55 - 13:08] The importance of the tech stack in any restaurant,[13:09 - 14:26] What's next for Freddy's and Freddy's Nation? New innovations in quality chicken. The guys talk shop about the new chicken club sandwich.[14:27 - 18:41] Talking Back — Chris asks what Schatzy finds exciting about the industry right now, and asks Jimmy how to measure technology and savings that might see on paper versus interfering with guest experience[18:41 - 20:49] Food Service Feud, The Toast Restaurant Report: Which state sells most alcoholic beverages during lunch?[20:54 - 23:12] Branded Quickfire, Chris Dull Las Vegas Edition[24:49 - 28:56] Introducing Chris Wren, Vice President and Head of International Development for Dairy Queen. His history in Western University for political science, MBA from Southern Memphis University, to Yum! Brands, Pizza Hut France, then Dine Brands, Citibank Restaurant franchising, Wingstop, and finally Dairy Queen[29:05 - 30:21] Singing the Dairy Queen jingle[30:23 - 32:01] Expanding Dairy Queen into international markets and discussing growth, "People will seemingly consume an unlimited quantity of ice cream"[32:01 - 32:56] Chris thinks the Gulf is a huge area of opportunity for Dairy Queen's expansion, and in the United Kingdom[32:56 - 33:28] Discussing their favorite items at Dairy Queen[33:29 - 35:51] Enabling businesses to succeed and people to work their way up, Chris talks about how the industry should be having fun or you're doing something wrong.[35:53 - 36:37] Ice cream and beer summits[36:36 - 39:12] Chris' career in international franchising, and the lessons he learned, advice for visiting restaurants as corporate employees.[39:12 - 41:32] Learning on the job, cumulative result of the efforts of thousands of people over a long period of time and many mistakes[41:32 - 42:51] Food Service Feud, Chris Dull edition: Toast Restaurant Report, Which US state has the most generous tippers[42:53 - 45:20] Branded Quickfire, Chris Dull Vegas edition Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Jan 2, 2024 • 30min

REWIND | Blend Your Way to Success | Season 10, Vol. 16

In this REWIND episode of Hospitality Hangout, hosts Michael Schatzberg, "The Restaurant Guy," and Jimmy Frischling, "The Finance Guy," were joined by Marianne Radley, the Chief Marketing Officer of Smoothie King. The trio engaged in a discussion revolving around effective marketing strategies and insights within the food and beverage industry.During the episode, Radley shed light on Smoothie King's recent marketing initiatives and shared valuable insights into the company's success. She emphasized the importance of understanding customer needs and tailoring marketing efforts accordingly. Radley pointed out that staying relevant in the ever-evolving marketplace requires continuous innovation and adaptation.Smoothie King's CMO emphasized the role of data in guiding marketing decisions. Radley revealed that the company leverages comprehensive customer data to create personalized experiences and develop targeted campaigns. By analyzing consumer preferences, Smoothie King has successfully implemented strategies to drive customer loyalty and engagement.They delved into third-party delivery services and the invaluable insights derived from their analytics. The trio eagerly discussed the challenges and opportunities that arise when partnering with external delivery platforms, emphasizing the importance of harnessing the power of data to enhance customer experiences and drive business growth. With Marianne's wealth of knowledge and expertise, they explored innovative strategies for leveraging third-party delivery analytics to make informed decisions and optimize operations.The discussion also touched upon the significance of brand authenticity. Radley emphasized the need for businesses to genuinely connect with their target audience by aligning marketing messages with their core values. She explained how Smoothie King's commitment to providing nutritious and delicious smoothies resonates with health-conscious consumers, leading to a strong brand identity.Hospitality Hangout once again proved to be an engaging platform for industry professionals. This episode delivers Marianne Radley's expertise and provides an enriching exploration of marketing strategies in the food and beverage industry.Key Takeaways:[01:50 - 03:36] Introducing Marianne Radley, CMO and Smoothie Queen of Smoothie King[03:36 - 04:38] Marianne's past at Anheuser-Busch, Monster, Pizza Hut[04:38 - 06:04] The Smoothie Bowl experience at Smoothie King[06:35 - 07:18] Innovation at Smoothie King, a new app and MVP platform[07:43 - 08:21] Growing and opening new stores internationally in the Caribbean, Korea and throughout Asia[08:21 - 09:02] Low entry fees for franchise start ups[09:24 - 10:23] Smoothie King origin story, 50 years of success[10:37 - 12:20] Takeaways from Food on Demand, the QSR landscape and third party delivery and new customer generation[12:22 - 13:31] How third party delivery can cause disharmony with intended food and brand experience[13:31 - 14:17] Third party delivery reflects poorly on the business not the delivery service[14:17 - 15:23] The analytics benefit of using DoorDash, UberEats, and third party delivery for data about your audience[15:23 - 20:40] Crystal Ball on digital engagement, minimum wage and tipping cultures[20:40 - 22:50] "What do you think of New Jersey?"[22:53 - 26:54] Branded Quickfire, Vegas EditionTo hear “Branded Quickfire” answers and all of Radley’s conversation check out this episode of Hospitality Hangout. Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Dec 26, 2023 • 39min

REWIND | There Is No Debate Over Taco Tuesday Vs. Fried Chicken Friday | Season 10, Vol. 15

In the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “The Finance Guy” chat with R.J. Melman, President of Lettuce Entertain You, a fifty-one year old restaurant group that is privately held with over one hundred and twenty restaurants across the country in thirteen different states. It is based out of Chicago, Illinois.Melman’s dad, Rich Melman started the company back in 1971 when he opened a restaurant with his best friend Jerry Orzoff. Melman’s siblings Jarrod and Molly are both part of the Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants team.The guys share breaking news and say that Lettuce has just opened their first restaurant in Florida. It is Aba, a Mediterranean restaurant that brings cooking influences from the Mediterranean, including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece. Also the group is opening RPM Italian in West Palm Beach and Summer House in Orlando.In Chicago in 2023 Melman talks about the new collaboration between Tao Group Hospitality. The partnership will bring a new private members club. The guys also talk about the Lettuce loyalty program that has been around for more than three decades. Now the program is free through the app. Recently they announced that Lettuce has partnered with DoorDash for a first of its kind loyalty program. The program powered by DoorDash will now allow guests to receive loyalty points and redeem gift cards for takeout and delivery.Melman’s goal when he became President was to use tech to transcend hospitality in dining rooms, bringing hospitality and technology together. Melman says they are in the process of switching over our general ledger, HR solution and more.Melman shares how the company continues to keep things going well with all of the expansion. They have been consistent on expansion over the last thirty years and said that the team has played a role in the growth.Key Takeaways:[02:42 - 04:17] Introducing RJ Melman, President of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants[04:18 - 07:20] RJ introduces himself and his company, its history in Chicago and their 120 restaurants[07:20 - 08:31] RJ's first job as a restaurant host[08:36 - 09:51] Breaking news, Aba opens its doors in Miami's Bal Harbor Shops[09:49 - 11:24] Working in Florida, the opportunity to do a restaurant for Disney Corporation[11:24 - 14:17] Partnering with Tao Hospitalities, more on working with RJ's brother and sister[14:24 - 16:07] Lettuce Entertain You partnership and menu powered by DoorDash[16:15 - 18:19] Redeeming loyalty points on delivery orders, bringing technology and hospitality together. The Tech Stack.[18:20 - 22:27] A family business that has focused on growth. RJ's dad gave them autonomy and acted as their cheerleader in managing the restaurants[22:30 - 25:11] Learning from RJ's store success, "Someone ahead of you never stops you from growing in this company...And developing someone below you never makes you be replaced either."[25:11 - 29:31] Talking Back, RJ asks about the best of the best[29:36 - 32:55] Food Service Feud, favorite pretzel chain and Franke The Tank[32:55 - 37:40] Branded Quickfire, Taco Tuesday or Fried Chicken FridayTo hear more about Lettuce’s tech strategy, the foodservice feud and the talking back segment plus get the answer to the trivia question, check out this episode of Hospitality Hangout. Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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