Best Food Systems Leadership Network Podcasts (2025)

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How to Build Systems That Actually Work 2:33

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2h ago2:33

2:33

Every operator talks about systems, but how do you build ones that actually work? Chef Matt Jennings shares how his restaurants handled everything from R&D to bar maintenance. Takeaways: Document and iterate on R&D processes with full team input Design systems with ownership in mind, not just compliance Layer small systems to create a culture of ac…

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How to Recognize When It’s Time to Close Your Restaurant 5:21

1d ago5:21

5:21

Chef Matt Jennings opens up about the hardest decision of his career: closing his restaurant. This deeply personal episode explores what led to that moment, and what other operators can learn from it. Takeaways: Monitor cash flow, receivables, and market fit Know when your well-being needs to come first Transparency with yourself is a leadership sk…

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99. Reality Architects: How Master Deceivers Reveal Fatal Flaws in "Smart" Systems 1:37:08

2d ago1:37:08

1:37:08

Harvard scientists fell for table-flipping séances while 8-year-olds saw through million-dollar magic tricks. The revelation? Your organization's most intelligent people systematically miss the most obvious solutions and risks —and this expertise blind spot is limiting every "intelligent" system we build. Stacy Alan, licensed therapist turned menta…

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How to Lead Without Micromanaging 3:34

2d ago3:34

3:34

Chef Matt Jennings reflects on a leadership lesson learned the hard way, and how it changed how he supports and empowers his team. If you’ve struggled with micromanagement or middle-manager turnover, this one’s for you. Takeaways: Balance trust and accountability with systems Avoid giving too much freedom without adequate tools Middle managers need…

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How to Prepare for Restaurant Ownership Before You Open 2:15

3d ago2:15

2:15

What do you wish someone told you before opening your first restaurant? Chef Matt Jennings shares his answer, and it’s not what you’d expect. This episode highlights the behind-the-scenes logistics most new operators miss. Takeaways: Build a trusted network of service providers before you open Create real feedback loops with guests to stay adaptabl…

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Boosting Restaurant Engagement with CaptiveWiFi: An Interview with Founder Adam 45:23

3d ago45:23

45:23

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian speaks with Adam, the founder of CaptiveWiFi. The discussion delves into the ways CaptiveWiFi is revolutionizing the use of WiFi in the hospitality industry by providing cloud-based, low-cost, high-value solutions that enhance guest engagement, loyalty, and revenue. Adam …

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How to See the Operator Role for What It Really Is 5:26

6d ago5:26

5:26

In this kickoff episode, Carolyn Grillo flips the script and interviews chef Matt Jennings, co-founder of MAJC, about his journey from acclaimed chef to founder. Matt opens up about what he got wrong in business and how that experience shaped his mission today. Takeaways: Prioritize business systems and financial literacy from day one Profitability…

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How to Raise Capital Without Giving Away the Business 5:52

7d ago5:52

5:52

From debt to equity to grants, Lauren Fernandez breaks down the full range of capital options restaurant founders can access and how to match funding to your stage of growth. Takeaways: Align capital choices to your stage, control preferences, and risk tolerance Explore debt, SBA loans, angel investors, and private equity options Don’t overlook gra…

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How to Offer Equity to Employees Without Losing Control 3:54

8d ago3:54

3:54

Equity is a powerful tool. Lauren Fernandez explains how founders can share upside while protecting ownership and preserving future capital flexibility. Takeaways: Grant equity carefully and only when it drives real retention Use employee profit pools or profit shares instead of voting shares Create internal, flexible programs that align with long-…

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98. Mind the Gap: Where Ecosystems Miss 50% of Human Behavior 59:53

9d ago59:53

59:53

Many ecosystems fail because they're designed for rational actors. The revelation? Humans are systematically irrational—and the ecosystems that embrace this reality dramatically outperform those that don't. While ecosystem architects optimize for logical decision-making, they overlook the implicit forces that drive actual stakeholder behavior. Dr. …

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How to Structure Partnerships That Actually Work 1:56

9d ago1:56

1:56

Money and management aren’t the same thing. Lauren Fernandez explains how to define operating roles, accountability, and partnership structure from day one. Takeaways: Clarify responsibilities and job titles inside your partnership Distinguish between passive investors and operational partners Document reporting lines, hiring authority, and account…

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How to Take on Investors While Avoiding Legal Pitfalls 3:44

10d ago3:44

3:44

Lauren Fernandez outlines the most common legal mistakes operators make during fundraising and how to protect your business, your future, and your team. Takeaways: Separate investment agreements from promised services or perks Do due diligence on your investors, including background checks Include buy-sell clauses, dispute resolutions, and exit str…

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Optimizing Restaurant Operations with COGS-Well's Bill Lindsey: From Cost Management to Menu Engineering 54:53

10d ago54:53

54:53

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, host Jeremy interviews industry veteran Bill Lindsey, founder of COGS-Well, a company specializing in cost of goods sold software for restaurants. Bill shares insights from his long career in the restaurant industry, which began in 1974 as a restaurant manager and evolved into developing …

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How to Avoid Common Legal Mistakes 3:06

13d ago3:06

3:06

Lauren Fernandez shares why it’s critical to evaluate people, not just capital, before you take investor money—and how to avoid costly partner mistakes. Takeaways: Prioritize integrity, transparency, and humility in partner selection Assess how a new partner would support your team long-term Set clear personal filters to guide decisions Want to con…

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How to Structure Ownership as Your Restaurant Group Grows 2:27

14d ago2:27

2:27

Lauren Fernandez breaks down how to structure multiple entities inside a growing restaurant group, and why it’s critical for managing risk, minimizing taxes, and planning for expansion. Takeaways: Form parent LLCs with separate operating subsidiaries Separate intellectual property, franchising, and manufacturing entities Use ownership structures to…

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97. Ecosystemic Design: How Nature Redirects 1,200 G-Forces 48:43

15d ago48:43

48:43

Engineering often builds systems to withstand extreme forces. Nature's ecosystems build interconnected systems that never experience them through geometric redirection. Woodpeckers don't have super-strong skulls that absorb 1,200 G-forces—they instead have interconnected geometric features that fragment and redirect energy, so the brain never exper…

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How to Avoid Costly Mistakes While Scaling Your Business 3:25

15d ago3:25

3:25

Lauren Fernandez reveals the most common and most expensive scaling error operators make: choosing the wrong location. Takeaways: Vet real estate decisions with full data and on-the-ground observation Understand customer patterns beyond income levels Use brokers, site analytics, and franchise disclosure documents as resources Want to connect direct…

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How to Build a Franchise Playbook That Actually Works 2:38

16d ago2:38

2:38

Your grand opening plan can make or break a new restaurant launch. Lauren Fernandez shares her blueprint for generating buzz and driving momentum. Takeaways: Build a 90-day marketing ramp-up before opening day Create organic local buzz through grassroots outreach Avoid opening to an empty parking lot by building social proof early Want to connect d…

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How to Protect Your Brand While You Scaling 2:32

18d ago2:32

2:32

As you expand locations and partnerships, brand consistency becomes everything. Lauren Fernandez breaks down how to define, document, and protect your brand DNA. Takeaways: Define your mission, tone, and core brand personality Go beyond basic brand books to capture voice, style, and story Align all vendors, agencies, and teams to one clear brand vi…

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Revolutionizing Restaurant Operations with TechRyde's Sandeep 32:43

18d ago32:43

32:43

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, host Jeremy Julian sits down with Sandeep, the founder of TechRyde, to discuss how his innovative middleware solutions are transforming guest engagement and connectivity in the restaurant industry. Sandeep shares his journey from being a technology and POS installer to creating a comprehe…

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How to Rethink the Biggest Misconceptions About Franchising 3:24

21d ago3:24

3:24

Franchising doesn’t mean losing your soul or your brand. Lauren Fernandez reframes franchising as mentorship and culture-building done right. Takeaways: Coach early franchisees as extensions of your internal team Set high standards with first franchise partners Build brand loyalty and peer accountability through franchise culture Want to connect di…

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How to Know If You’re Ready to Franchise 1:32

22d ago1:32

1:32

Franchising isn’t for every restaurant. Lauren Fernandez explains the ethical and financial standards that must be in place before you even consider it. Takeaways: Validate your model with multiple profitable locations first Prove consistency in both sales and operational performance Avoid franchising if your business isn’t reliably cash-flow posit…

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How to Build Systems That Support Scalable Growth 3:28

23d ago3:28

3:28

Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It requires documented, teachable processes. Lauren Fernandez shares how to build systems that scale across locations. Takeaways: Document daily operations with clear, actionable checklists Use digital, mobile-accessible training tools for younger staff Build systems that work even with high turnover and quick onb…

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How to Know When You’re Ready to Expand 2:42

24d ago2:42

2:42

Expansion sounds exciting, but Lauren Fernandez explains why adding locations before you’ve dialed in your model can destroy your business. Takeaways: Avoid expansion until your first unit is fully profitable Validate your model with multiple locations before franchising Use early expansion to experiment with formats and fine-tune operations Want t…

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96. Unraveling Linear Thinking: Unlocking $500B in Hidden Economic Value Through Ecosystemic Transformation 44:08

23d ago44:08

44:08

Linear thinking squanders $500 billion annually. The revelation? Ecosystemic collaboration across value chains unlocks it. Textile innovators shatter assumptions—strategic design choices create immediate circular economics. Dr. Rawaa Ammar, Chief Sustainability & Impact Officer at Resortecs, reveals a counterintuitive reality: While companies optim…

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How to Monitor Unit Economics for Long-Term Success 3:09

25d ago3:09

3:09

Strong unit-level economics are non-negotiable if you want investors or long-term stability. Lauren breaks down the numbers every operator should know inside and out. Takeaways: Know your trailing 12-month AUV, prime costs, and EBITDA Watch both top-line sales and bottom-line profitability trends Train your managers to monitor and own these core KP…

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Transforming Restaurant Experiences with Personalization: Insights from Every Bite Co-Founders 38:59

25d ago38:59

38:59

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, host Jeremy Julian speaks with co-founders Lucy Logan and Sid Conklin from Every Bite. They discuss their innovative solutions for restaurant menus focused on personalization and food safety to better cater to a growing population with dietary restrictions and allergies. The smart menu te…

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How to Master P&L Literacy to Protect Profitability 2:15

28d ago2:15

2:15

Lauren Fernandez shares how restaurant operators must learn to “play P&L detective”—tracking every dollar to catch issues early and prevent financial leaks. Takeaways: Review your P&L monthly to catch issues before they escalate Investigate line items to identify waste, theft, or pricing shifts Use P&L insights to drive menu pricing, ordering, and …

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How to Build Strong Financial Systems from Day One 4:25

29d ago4:25

4:25

In this kickoff episode with Lauren Fernandez, we dive into the three systems every operator should put in place from day one, and how they set the foundation for long-term profitability. Takeaways: Establish clean accounting systems and P&L reporting early Implement easy, accurate inventory processes for key ingredients Build flexible labor schedu…

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Navigating Uncertainty in Hospitality: Insights from Leadership Coach Matt Rolfe 7:37

29d ago7:37

7:37

In this episode, hospitality leadership coach Matt Rolfe discusses the challenges faced by the industry, particularly surrounding the alignment of strategy and execution. He emphasizes the importance of co-creating strategies with operational teams and understanding guest experience to optimize average checks. Addressing the role of culture, resili…

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How to Plan for Every ‘What If’ in a Business Partnership 2:15

30d ago2:15

2:15

Every partnership ends, so plan for that from day one. Attorney Michael Zalay shares legal steps to ensure your restaurant survives breakups, buyouts, and the unexpected. Takeaways: Include exit plans in your operating and partnership agreements. Define next steps in case of death, departure, or disputes. Limit investor risk by planning for “key pe…

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How to Decide Between a Lease and a Management Agreement 2:20

1M ago2:20

2:20

Attorney Michael Zalay compares traditional restaurant leases with management agreements, highlighting the pros, cons, and legal implications of each model. Takeaways: Decide who owns the space, licenses, and payroll obligations. Understand that leases offer higher upside, but carry higher risk. Use management agreements for lower-risk growth oppor…

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95. High-Velocity Market Ecosystems: ASEAN's Integrated Industrial Exchanges 51:15

1M ago51:15

51:15

Global consensus is the enemy of market efficiency. The solution lies in interconnected market ecosystems that work, while others debate. Many business leaders assume that global alignment is necessary first, followed by implementation. But ASEAN is proving the opposite—regional market ecosystems can out-innovate global bureaucracy. Dr. Renard Siew…

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How to Choose the Right Location for Your Concept 1:59

1M ago1:59

1:59

In this episode, Attorney Michael Zalay outlines what to look for when signing a lease, from HVAC to neighbors to liquor laws, and how to avoid costly surprises. Takeaways: Hire a local broker and research neighborhood dynamics. Inspect infrastructure and negotiate key landlord responsibilities. Avoid lease terms that leave you footing major upgrad…

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Revolutionizing Restaurant Operations with Love My Point 30:56

1M ago30:56

30:56

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, Jeremy Julian is joined by Christian, the President of Love My Point. They discuss the innovative strategies Love My Point is employing to enhance franchise success through technology automation. Christian shares his background in the restaurant industry, the concept behind American-style…

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How to Legally Prepare for Business Growth 2:59

1M ago2:59

2:59

Thinking of opening a second location? Attorney Michael Zalay shares the IP, entity, and licensing considerations every hospitality brand should prepare in advance. Takeaways: Separate IP ownership from the operating restaurant entity. License brand assets to each location through a holding company. Clarify investor rights and revenue participation…

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How to Raise Capital for a New Restaurant 6:53

1M ago6:53

6:53

Raising money isn’t just hard—it’s risky. Attorney Michael Zalay offers legal advice for attracting the right investors and structuring restaurant deals that work. Takeaways: Vet investors carefully and prioritize accredited backers. Create clear terms around returns and decision-making. Prepare a full business plan before pitching your concept. Wa…

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Transforming Inventory Management with Nomad Go's Spatial Vision Technology 10:11

1M ago10:11

10:11

In this episode, Jeremy interviews David Greschler, CEO and co-founder of Nomad Go, about their innovative inventory management technology. David explains how Nomad Go utilizes spatial vision and augmented reality to eliminate the tedious manual inventory counting process. The technology, leveraging the computational power of devices like iPads and…

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94. Connected Care Networks: How Strategic Technology Adoption Reshapes Healthcare Ecosystems 45:36

1M ago45:36

45:36

🔗 How do you scale from a startup to $2 billion in revenue while transforming healthcare delivery models? Denise Hatzidakis cracked this code at WellBe Senior Medical, directing 8,000 developers at Deutsche Bank (achieving 40% faster delivery), and enabling $50+ million in hospital savings at Premier Healthcare Alliance. Her strategic approach reve…

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How to Structure Your Business to Protect Personal Assets 1:52

1M ago1:52

1:52

Attorney Michael Zalay explains how to protect your personal finances from restaurant liabilities using smart business structuring and proper insurance. Takeaways: Form an LLC or S-Corp and keep business formalities separate. Avoid personal guarantees unless clear limits are in place. Understand your insurance policy and what’s excluded. Want to co…

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How to Stay Compliant with Labor Laws When Hiring 3:07

1M ago3:07

3:07

Labor law violations are one of the most common—and costly—mistakes restaurants make. Attorney Michael Zalay shares how to protect your business and your staff. Takeaways: Understand local employment laws and tip pooling rules. Use HR and legal partners for guidance on agreements and disputes. Create employee handbooks to document procedures and pr…

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How to Avoid Common Mistakes in Licensing and Contracts 2:19

1M ago2:19

2:19

From signature dishes to content rights, attorney Michael Zalay highlights the most common contract mistakes made by chefs, and how to fix them before trouble hits. Takeaways: Clarify IP ownership in every licensing or media agreement. Retain control over personal recipes when appropriate. Consider trademarking famous dishes to protect their brand …

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Innovating the Pizza Dining Experience: A Conversation with Mellow Mushroom's Technology Leader 36:34

1M ago36:34

36:34

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, Jeremy Julian, Chief Revenue Officer for CBS Northstar, interviews Ahsan from Mellow Mushroom. They discuss the unique aspects of Mellow Mushroom, a casual dining brand based in Atlanta that offers a distinct spin on pizza. Jeremy shares his love for the brand, and they delve into topics ar…