

Restaurant Influencers
Entrepreneur Media
Are you SICK and TIRED of scrolling through your social media feeds and not seeing your business anywhere? On the new Restaurant Influencers podcast, top leaders in the restaurant and hospitality industries share their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling and showing up where your customers are spending time online. The weekly digital series is hosted by Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn P. Walchef and presented by Entrepreneur Media, Yelp, and the Restaurant Point of Sale company Toast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 5, 2024 • 38min
Hardships led MasterChef India’s Vikas Khanna to a 1200-page Masterpiece and Award-Winning Film
Chef Vikas Khanna's life story is a profound journey of resilience, humility, and purpose. Born with a congenital foot defect in India and facing discrimination and hardship, he defied expectations to become one of the most celebrated Indian American chefs in the world. Listen now to learn about turning failure to triumph, hosting MasterChef India, and becoming an award winning filmmaker.Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Oct 29, 2024 • 45min
How This Generational Alcohol Brand Built a Devoted Following By Leaning Into Hip-Hop Culture
Brett Berish, the dynamic CEO of Sovereign Brands, comes from a family with a long history in the wine and spirits industry. Yet he forged his own path, building a brand empire through creativity, resilience, and a passion for authenticity. Listen now to learn about embracing authenticity, learning from “failures”, and partnering with Rick Ross, Jay-Z and more music icons.Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Oct 22, 2024 • 46min
This ‘Chopped’ Celebrity Chef Has An Innovative Pop-up Restaurant That’s Only Open 3 Days a Month
For Celebrity Chef Marc Murphy, food is more than a career — it's a way to take care of others. Having built a name for himself through restaurants and TV appearances on shows like Food Network's Chopped, Murphy is driven by the gratification that comes from supporting his team.Listen now to learn about being on the Food Network, operating a pop-up restaurant, and the gratification that comes with having a business.Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Oct 16, 2024 • 30min
This Soup Dumpling Brand Is Demystifying Chinese Food and Bringing Visibility to the “Third Culture”
MìLà was founded by Jennifer and Caleb Liao and provides restaurant-quality dishes for people to eat at home. From food to how it intertwines with culture, the modern Chinese food brand uses design, videos, influencers, and more, to help tell a story that honors heritage while taking it into the future.Listen now to learn about learning to start a food business, amplifying modern Chinese food, and partnering with Simu Liu.Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Oct 8, 2024 • 38min
Breathing New Life Into a Legacy California Ice Cream Institution Without Losing Its Cool Factor
Michael Palmer, CEO of McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams since 2012, stepped into his role leading the legacy brand with a mission to breathe new life into an institution that had been delighting ice cream lovers since 1949 — without losing its cool factor. Listen now to learn about revitalizing McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, rethinking social media strategies, and keeping it simple.Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Oct 1, 2024 • 38min
This Coffee Company CEO is Leading a “Bad Ass” Experiential Brand
CEO Scott Snyder's journey with Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii began as a mission to help the brand regain its footing, but it quickly evolved into a larger vision. Brought in initially to assist with turning operations around, he soon saw the incredible potential the brand held. Listen now to learn more about revamping Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, building an experiential brand, and marketing to a diverse fanbase.Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Sep 24, 2024 • 28min
Big Diesel to Big Chicken: How Shaquille O’Neal is Leading his Restaurant Empire to Victory
After a prolific 20 year NBA career that saw Shaquille O’Neal also release platinum-selling music and star in box office smash movies, he brings his championship mentality and larger-than-life persona to new heights with Big Chicken.Listen now to learn about being resourceful in marketing, Shaq’s social media strategy, and becoming a part of the Big Chicken team.Sponsored by:• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc• WALMART BUSINESS: https://business.walmart.com/

Sep 17, 2024 • 38min
is Chicago Native Wants To Build the In-N-Out of Tacos
Taylor Mason, CEO/founder of Taylor's Tacos, is on a mission to create the “In-N-Out of Tacos”. She’s transforming her beloved taco concept into a streamlined experience that caters to the modern customer’s craving for convenience. Listen now to learn about growing a restaurant business, using community resources to build a business, and the Good Morning America effect. Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc • WALMART BUSINESS: https://business.walmart.com/

Sep 10, 2024 • 39min
“The Billionaire Chef” Wants To Bring West African Cuisine to the World
Gourmet Foods, founder/CEO of Cookie Jar Bakery, and creator of gourmet Nigerian restaurants, including iLÉ EROS. Listen now to learn about becoming “The Billionaire Chef”, his collaboration with Michael B. Jordan and Chase Sapphire, and the differences between West Africa and the US. Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc • WALMART BUSINESS: https://business.walmart.com/

Sep 3, 2024 • 39min
Food Trucks Drive the Culinary Passion for this Food Network Star
Celebrity Chef Eddie Jackson, known for his appearances on the Food Network, has successfully transitioned his culinary talents into a thriving business model that blends creativity, mentorship, and efficient operations. Listen now to learn about the advantage of food trucks, being mentored by Bobby Flay, and streamlining operations with restaurant technology like Toast. Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc • WALMART BUSINESS: https://business.walmart.com/