QSR Uncut

Sambazon’s Next Chapter of Growth Arrives

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Açaí pioneer recently launched into franchising for the first time in 24 years. CEO and cofounder Ryan Black joins QSR editors Danny Klein and B...

The Making of a Better Chicken Joint, with Max Sheets

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

No stranger to the restaurant industry, Max Sheets got his start as a teenager scraping cheese off pans in a Pizza Hut kitchen. He later spent more th...

A Special Announcement (and Deal) from QSR Uncut

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

One of the industry’s biggest events is approaching, and we’re offering listeners an exclusive deal to attend. UNCUT25 is what's mentioned in...

Cinnabon and Carvel Join Forces, with Kristen Hartman

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kristen Hartman, the president of Specialty Brands at GoTo Foods (formerly Focus Brands)—the parent company of Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon,...

The Halal Guys CEO Ahmed Abouelenein on Legacy Leadership and Lasting Growth

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The food-cart-to-global-franchise brand has expansion on the mind once again as it prepares to take its iconic concept to new markets. Meanwhile, CEO ...

Why Every Restaurant Leader Needs Followers, with Jason Brooks

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Brooks has spent more than 30 years in the restaurant industry with six of the top 100 brands. He joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to sh...

Should Your Restaurant Try Influencer Marketing?

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Viral Nation cofounder and CEO Joe Gagliese joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss what’s fast become one of the most successful market...

Consistency Over Expansion, with Farmer Boys COO Joseph Oritz

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Farmer Boys COO and president Joseph Ortiz joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to take us inside a 40-plus-year-old brand that continues to chart...

Controlling the Kitchen Chaos, with Diana Geseking

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Diana Geseking, General Counsel at Restaurant Technologies, joins QSR Editorial Director Danny Klein to dive into the ever-evolving topic of sustainab...

Going Beyond Taco Tuesday, with Taco John’s CMO Barry Westrum

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Taco John’s chief marketing officer Barry Westrum joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the brand's expansion throughout the Midw...

The Future of AI at the Drive-Thru

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Lam, CEO of Berry AI, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss one of the most-buzzed about industry topics in recent memory: can you ...

Winning in a $146 Billion Industry, with Sip Fresh Founder Sharon Arthofer

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The inspiration for Sip Fresh began, as the company likes to say, on a balmy evening at a local bar. Could a juice chain mirror the mixology trend tha...

The State of Digital in Fast Food and Fast Casual: Revisited

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, restaurant operators shared their key priorities and initiatives in Qu’s fourth-annual State of Digital report. Now, CMO Jen Kern joins Q...

Shark Tank’s Matt Higgins Goes Unfiltered

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

RSE Ventures founder and “Shark Tank” guest Matt Higgins has created a multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio of leading fine-dining and fast-c...

A Conversation with Ronald McDonald Himself

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dustin Portillo joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss a journey unlike any other we’ve had here on QSR Uncut. From becoming the third-...

The Future of Restaurant Innovation, with Wow Bao’s Geoff Alexander

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Few restaurant brands, if any, have stayed at the forefront of innovation like Wow Bao, a concept that began as a small Chicago storefront and has now...

Sandwiches, Stories, and a Vision of Growth, with Penn Station’s Craig Dunaway

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Penn Station East Coast Subs chief operating officer Craig Dunaway joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein for a wide-ranging chat on the challenger ...

The U.S. Bubble Tea Boom, with Gong cha President Geoff Henry

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gong cha president Geoff Henry, who assumed the international bubble tea brand's top U.S. role last March, has 20 years of experience as a leader...

Cicis and the Life of Leading a Legacy Pizza Brand

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Hetsel, president of Cicis Pizza, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to share insight into what all restaurants search for in this business...

Lessons and Predictions from a Category Pioneer

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nekter Juice Bar CEO Steve Schulze joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the story and journey of one of the category’s true icons. Pl...

Meet a Fast Casual to Watch in 2024

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

CEO Greg Willman has Naf Naf Grill poised and ready to hit the growth lever this coming year. He joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to discus...

The Evolution of Honey Baked Ham, from the Holidays to the Every Day

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Honey Baked Ham CMO Tripp McLaughlin joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to talk about the evolution of the legacy brand. For generations, Hon...

Jersey Mike’s and the Secret to Operational Excellence

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Three Jersey Mike’s leaders—Kevin Loughran, Field Training and Development Specialist, Amanda Vrabel, Manager of Business Management Systems, and ...

Nate Hybl’s Unique Entrepreneurial Journey

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nate Hybl is an ex-NFL quarterback-turned CEO of Atlanta-born gusto!, a fresh bowls and wraps brand with 12 restaurants and counting. It’s been one ...

What's Really ‘Sustainable’ These Days?

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brad Laport, the CEO of WinCup, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the topic of greenwashing and the challenges it creates for restau...

Dynamic Pricing: Myth or Magic Bullet?

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sherri Kimes, Emeritus Professor at Hotel School at Cornell, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to break down one of the hottest and most-debate...

A Multi-Brand Franchise’s Unique Strategy for Growth

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Austin Capoferi, the president of Next Brands, the family-owned strategic manager and growth accelerator of Beef-a-Roo and Blenderz, is charging forwa...

The Heiress of Miller Coors is Growing Multiple Fast Casuals

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Darden Coors, heiress of the Miller Coors company, also known as the CEO of Salad Collective, has decided to enter the world of franchising. Recently,...

The Reinvention of Veggie Grill

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the plant-based category's true pioneers recently had to shut down 12 locations. Cofounder and CEO, T.K. Pillan, joins QSR editorial direc...

Restaurant Marketing in a Changing World, with Brandon Rhoten

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

GroundTruth CMO Brandon Rhoten joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein for a wide-ranging chat on how the job of today’s restaurant marketer has ch...

The Female Culinary Powerhouses Out to Revolutionize Plant-Based Cuisine

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sisters and mompreneurs, Heather Golden Ray and Jenny Engel, are the authors of two cookbooks (Zooey Deschanel is a fan), and chefs and owners of Spor...

Drew Brees Scores Again with Smalls Sliders

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

NFL legend Drew Brees, along with founder Brandon Landry, join QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to discuss the sizzling growth of Smalls Sliders,...

The Breakout Journey of Bango Bowls

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Thorman, founder and CEO of Bango Bowls, joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to talk about how the brand is satisfying demand for healthy...

The Evolution of Digital Marketing, with El Pollo Loco’s Gabe Alonso

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you build cultural relevance for your brand in the current restaurant landscape? Authentically honor heritage while fostering a genuine connect...

Restaurant Investments, Opportunity, and the Future of Growth, with Jim Balis

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

CapitalSpring's Managing Director of Strategic Operations, Jim Balis, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to take stock of the restaurant in...

Mighty Quinn’s and the Making of a BBQ Empire

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Micha Magid, co-CEO of rising barbecue fast casual Mighty Quinn’s, joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to discuss the brand’s growth plans...

Salad Station's Journey from Farm to Franchise

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2012, Scott Henderson founded Salad Station, a Louisiana-based, family-focused restaurant concept, providing its guests with fresh produce—straig...

Is Catering Making a Comeback?

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the pandemic’s hardest-hit fields is back in force, and we’ve got the data to prove it. Mike O’Hanlon, ezCater’s chief partnership offi...

The Purpose-Driven Mission of Tacos 4 Life

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cofounder Austin Samuelson joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the background and ambitions of Tacos 4 Life, a brand ranked among the ...

The State of Insurance for Restaurants

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This has been a wild time for restaurants, from continued pandemic recovery to cyber-attacks to a changing labor force. How do you prepare and protect...

Why Crisp & Green is Ready to Explode

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Steele Smiley returns to QSR Uncut to update what’s becoming one of the most compelling growth stories in the business. Crisp & Green is on trac...

Jon Taffer Returns with a $20,000 Offer

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The outspoken star of “Bar Rescue” is teaming with Shift4 on a $20,000 business grant program open to restaurant owners. We’ll talk about how to...

Pizza Hut President David Graves on a Transformation for the Ages

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2020, one of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands began a journey to find its brand DNA. The result: Become the “Pizza Lover’s Pizza.”...

The Sweet Legacy of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream, with CEO Rich Matherne

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Once named the best ice cream on the planet by National Geographic, Handel's has been in the business of making and selling fresh ice cream since...

The Enduring and Evolving Story of Donatos, with CEO Tom Krouse

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Krouse, CEO of Donatos, the fast-casual pizza franchise famous for its “Edge to Edge” toppings, joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to...

Smoothie King Has Big News, with CMO Marianne Radley

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The 1,400-unit brand is diving into a whole-new category. Spearheading the charge is marketing chief Marianne Radley, who arrived in September and hit...

Olo CEO Noah Glass Reveals the Restaurant of the Future

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Noah Glass, chief executive and founder of Olo, an open SaaS platform that empowers a network of over 600 brands across 87,000 locations, shares his v...

From Surfer to Superfruit Empire: How Abby Taylor Grew Playa Bowls

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Self-described Jersey Shore girl Abby Taylor was surfing her way around the globe when the idea to open an acai shop struck. Now, Playa Bowls has 170-...

Where is the Restaurant Consumer Really Going?

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Buss, director of client services at Curion, takes us inside the mind of today’s restaurant guest. What are the trends to watch? How can you ...

The Future of the Soda Fountain Takes Shape

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What's coming to a soda fountain near you in 2023? Kevin Sherman, CEO of Tractor Beverage Co., predicts innovation will shake up the conventional...

Jon Taffer on Changing the Restaurant Game as We Know It

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The always-outspoken star of “Bar Rescue" joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to introduce the first concept with his name on it, and o...

Pizza Factory Finds its Stride

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

CEO MJ Riva rejoins the QSR team to share an exciting update from one of the category’s fastest-rising brands. The franchise is leading with a cultu...

How The Melt Made Guests ‘Love it Here’ Again

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Melt CEO Ralph Bower joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to share the inside story behind one of the industry’s most impressive turnaround ...

Finding Real Solutions for Delivery

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Benjamin Kool, CEO of Solutions 4 Delivery, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to tackle one of the sector’s most-pressing (and not going away...

Damon Dunn’s Remarkable Journey from Poverty to NFL to Dunkin’ Franchisee

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Former NFL athlete and current Dunkin’ operator Damon Dunn has come a long way since growing up in dire straits. He joins QSR editors Danny Klein an...

What Awaits Restaurants in 2023

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kellie Zimmerman, the president and CRO of customer data platform Brightloom, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the state of the ind...

The Improbable Story of Dillas Quesadillas

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kyle and Maggie Gordon put all their chips into a dream, and a fast-food category unlike any other. After some rocky and eventful early days, Dillas Q...

Norman Wu Builds the Next Great Poké Brand

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Norman Wu, who launched Conscious Hospitality Group in his 20s, has already seen impressive growth in less than 10 years. With a motto of “people ov...

One of TIME’s Best Inventions Disrupts the Restaurant Industry

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Schindler, CEO and cofounder of PathSpot, joins QSR Editorial Director Danny Klein to chat about a technology featured as one of TIME’s Be...

The State of Digital in Fast Food and Fast Casual

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Operators from 85-plus brands representing over 35,000 locations share their key priorities and initiatives for the next two years in Qu’s fourth-an...

Fat Boy’s Goes Beyond The World’s Biggest Slice

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gabe Corchiani opened Fat Boy's Pizza with wife, Karen, in 2019. Inspired to create massive 30-inch pies and bring them to New Orleans, the brand...

Chicago’s Original Italian Beef Maker Readies for Growth

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Originally founded by Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto and their five sons, Buona started with the goal of using family recipes and fresh ingredients to fee...

[NextGen] Huckleberry CEO Greg Graber and The Magic of Differentiation

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There's nothing quite like Huckleberry’s in today's breakfast and lunch game. The NextGen Casual's “Southern Cookin’ With a Calif...

The Future of Guest Engagement

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paytronix CEO Andrew Robbins joins QSR Editorial Director Danny Klein to discuss the changing face of loyalty and engagement as the restaurant industr...

There’s a New Smoothie Competitor on the Block

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Amir Mostafavi was a D.C. pioneer when it came to cold-pressed juice, smoothies, and acai bowls. But now, regional cult-favorite fast casual South Blo...

Pioneering Froyo’s Next Wave, with Yogurtland President Sam Yoon

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The category icon isn't letting off the throttle, from a growth or innovation angle, as the froyo segment evolves into its next act. From develop...

The World's First Cupcake Bakery is Going Global

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sprinkles, creators of the famed Cupcake ATM, just opened its first U.S. franchise. Is this the start of a major growth push? CEO Dan Mesches joins QS...

Is Restaurant Training Broken?

29 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Caucci, founder and CEO of 1Huddle, joins QSR editor Danny Klein to address what’s really causing the labor shortage for restaurants, and where ...

Krystal’s Mission to Win Back Customer Loyalty

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bankrupt to bankrolling: One of America’s oldest fast-food chains is back on the offensive with a new marketing direction, double-digit sales growth...

What Consumers Really Want from Food Delivery

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Noah Hayes, general manager, U.S. and Canada at Deliverect, a global scale-up company that simplifies digital orders for more than 27,000 locations ac...

Evolution at the World’s Largest Hot Dog Chain

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you take a legendary brand and bring it into the future? QSR editor Danny Klein catches up with Wienerschnitzel COO Rusty Bills, a 15-year Gala...

Location-Based Tech is Disrupting the Restaurant Industry

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Patrick, the CEO of Radar, a company that’s helped brands like Panera Bread leverage technology to meet customers’ needs, joins QSR editor Da...

Main Squeeze CEO Thomas Nieto on Building the Next Big Juice Brand

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Entrepreneur Thomas Nieto stumbled upon Main Squeeze after a friend introduced him to the founders and they offered him a juice. The rest is history. ...

NFTs, Web3, and the Restaurant Industry: Should We Invest?

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are these buzzy topics just headline-grabbers or something far more for restaurants?  Savneet Singh, president and CEO of PAR Technology Corp., joins...

[NextGen] Condado Tacos Rewrites the Rulebook

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our first NextGen Casual episode, featuring industry icon Chris Artinian, explores what the future of full-service dining will look like in a post-COV...

The Making of a Food Truck Empire, with Marcus Crawford

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Marcus Crawford, the award-winning founder of Bro-Ritos, a food truck business that serves the NYC/New Jersey metro area, joins QSR editors Danny Klei...

The Unsung Hero of the Takeout and Delivery Boom

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What's one restaurant topic operators can't live without but seldom grabs headlines? Packaging. And it's never been as critical as it i...

Noodles & Company CMO Stacey Pool on Culture and 'Uncommon Goodness'

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Noodles & Company's chief marketing officer, Stacey Pool, joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to dive into the fast casual's ind...

Shipley Do-Nuts CEO Clifton Rutledge and the Rebirth of a Legacy Brand

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Industry veteran Clifton Rutledge has helped reface the iconic chain since joining in 2021, including the launch of Shipley’s first advertising and ...

The Way America Wants to Eat, with Native Foods CEO Carin Stutz

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With a lengthy and storied restaurant resume, from Red Robin to Applebee’s to McAlister’s Deli, Carin Stutz, the president and CEO of vegan fast c...

The State of the Restaurant Industry

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lee Schulman, president of Panacea Management Group Consulting and owner of Atlanta’s famed Old Vinings Inn, joins QSR editor Danny Klein to dive in...

Can We Fix Food Delivery Management?

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Zhong Xu, who created the first iPad POS in EMEA in 2012, is on a mission to simplify what’s long been one of the restaurant world’s biggest fric...

The Chicken Chain with a Million TikTok Followers

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn Lalehzarian went from working as a dishwasher who didn’t speak English to the founder and CEO of The Red Chickz, a Nashville hot chicken fast ...

Lunchbox CEO Nabeel Alamgir Takes the Gloves Off

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The outspoken and always candid CEO and cofounder of digital ordering and marketing platform Lunchbox joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to r...

Sparking Major Franchise Growth: Mici Italian Part 2

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mici Italian CEO Elliot Schiffer and Chief Growth Officer Matt Stanton join QSR Editor Danny Klein to discuss the brand’s franchise journey, challen...

[BONUS] Del Taco Makes a Big Move

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Del Taco chief marketing officer Tim Hackbardt returns to QSR Uncut for a special episode to announce a new multi-faceted brand initiative that's...

The Right Way to Rebrand: Mici Italian Part 1

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Elliot Schiffer and Kim Miceli from Mici Italian join QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to discuss rebranding a legacy restaurant chain after 18 y...

Growth During the Supply Chain Crisis: Velvet Taco Vol. 2

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the second part of QSR Uncut's two-part series with Velvet Taco, QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley chat with the fast casual's direct...

Into the Innovation Lab with Velvet Taco's Venecia Willis

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Venecia Willis, director of culinary innovation at growing fast casual Velvet Taco, chats with QSR editor Danny Klein about the brand's legendary...

How to Win the Mobile App Revolution

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Blacker, the VP of insights at Apptopia, joins QSR editor Danny Klein to discuss one of the biggest topics in the restaurant industry today. Whic...

Rush Bowls CEO Andrew Pudalov on Blazing the Trail

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Founder and CEO Andrew Pudalov left a New York financing career to open a restaurant that offered filling, yet healthy meal replacements for people on...

The Restaurant-preneur Teaching World-Class Company Culture

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michel Falcon is a serial entrepreneur and best-selling author who went from earning $15/hour in a call center to advising billion-dollar brands and b...

A Vision Into the Future of Fast Food

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Zietz, CEO of GRUBBRR, an industry-leading provider of self-ordering technologies, and Karl Goodhew, chief technology officer of BurgerFi, join th...

From Restaurant Owner to CEO: Pizza Factory’s Mary Jane Riva

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mary Jane Riva has been an entrepreneur for 20-plus years, starting out as a Pizza Factory restaurant owner and then transitioning into the head of th...

El Pollo Loco CMO Andy Rebhun on the Future of Restaurant Innovation

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

El Pollo Loco CMO Andy Rebhun has led the charge of the chicken chain's lean into digital in recent years. He joins QSR editors Danny Klein and B...

The Tech Trends Changing Fast Food After COVID

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Rice, the EVP of Bounteous, a company that works with brands like Domino’s, Panda Express, and Wingstop, joins QSR editor Danny Klein to talk ...

Lessons from an Entrepreneur: PITA Mediterranean Street Food CEO Nour Rabai

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A dream of opening an authentic Lebanese restaurant brought Nour Rabai to Atlanta, and he’s been a trailblazer opening new restaurants and sharing h...

Pokeworks CEO Steve Heeley on Turning an Idea Into an Empire

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Conceptualized in 2015, Pokeworks was created after the founders returned from one of many trips to Hawaii. Now, it’s taking aim at global growth, a...

Sweetfin President Seth Cohen on Leading the Poke Craze

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sweetfin’s culinary philosophy, “Pole to Bowl,” has brought to the doorstep of major growth. Brand president and co-founder Seth Cohen joins QSR...

Steele Smiley is Out to Reinvent Fast Food

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Steele Smiley, CEO and founder of Crisp & Green—one of the category’s fastest-growing franchises—has a new plant-based brand with major pote...