Best Shawn Walchef Podcasts (2025)

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Transforming Pet Care: Jennifer Strickland's AI-Driven Leadership 33:15

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5d ago33:15

33:15

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, hosts Adam Brotman and Andy Sack sit down with Jennifer Strickland Fowler, CEO of Destination Pet, a rapidly growing company with over 160 pet care centers across 34 states. Jennifer shares her journey from human healthcare into pet care leadership and how her perspective on AI has shifted dramaticall…

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From Tulsa Pizza to National Recognition: Lessons from Mike Bausch 49:56

5d ago49:56

49:56

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line, host Naki Soyturk sits down with restaurateur, consultant, and author Mike Bausch. Known for founding Andolini’s Pizzeria, Mike shares the story of inventing“Tulsa style pizza” and growing his concepts into multiple thriving operations across Oklahoma. Mike opens up about the hard-earned lessons of…

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The Truth Behind Corporate AI Project Failures: Understanding the MIT Study and ChatGPT-5 Release 13:00

26d ago13:00

13:00

In this special mini-episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack dig into two of the biggest AI stories making headlines. They start with the recent MIT study that fueled a viral Fortune headline claiming 95% of corporate AI projects fail. Adam explains what the research actually found, from the limitations of wrapper apps to…

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Restaurant Startup Playbook: SBA Loans + Profit Strategies 51:40

24d ago51:40

51:40

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line, Naki Soyturk sits down with Kevin Moll, founder of Restaurant Consulting Services, Inc. Kevin brings over four decades of experience to the table, offering deep insights into the challenges, myths, and realities of running an independent restaurant. From outlining the "Rule of Thirds" — a sobering …

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Episode 50: Where Tech Meets the Beverage Cart + Angela Diffly of Coca-Cola 29:16

30d ago29:16

29:16

Angela Diffly, Director of Restaurant Digital and Technology Capabilities at Coca-Cola, talks restaurant tech trends and how the company is helping restaurants boost digital ordering and guest retention through smart partnerships. She also explores the future of instant delivery and where the digital dining experience is headed.…

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AI-Era Entrepreneurship: Fast Launches, Lasting Moats, and Customer-First Growth 37:54

1M ago37:54

37:54

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we’re joined by Henrik Werdelin and Nicholas Thorne, co-founders of Audos and authors of Me, My Customer, and AI. Drawing on decades of entrepreneurial experience, they share how AI is transforming not just the pace of innovation, but the very nature of what it means to build a business. From the rise…

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Scaling a Family-Owned Restaurant Brand with Arita Matini 34:37

1M ago34:37

34:37

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line Podcast, host Naki Soyturk sits down with Arita Matini, co-founder of Sweet Leaf Café — a family-owned fast-casual brand with six thriving locations in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Arita shares her entrepreneurial journey from studying interior design to opening her first restaurant in McLean, V…

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How Brooks Bassler created Tex-Orleans Cuisine and grew BB’s Tex-Orleans to 13 locations 43:29

2M ago43:29

43:29

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line, Naki sits down with Brooks Bassler, founder of BB’s Tex-Orleans, to unpack the origin story and explosive growth of one of Houston’s most beloved restaurant brands. Brooks shares how his Southern roots and experiences in the restaurant industry inspired him to launch the first location with no menu…

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Episode 49: Scaling Sidewalk Delivery Robots with Zach Rash of Coco Robotics 32:47

2M ago32:47

32:47

In this episode, Zach Rash, CEO and Founder of Coco Robotics, walks us through the journey of building the company—from its inception to its latest advancements in AI and automation. He shares what it takes behind the scenes to prepare cities for robotic delivery and how Coco partners with restaurants for last-mile logistics. We also explore the be…

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Learning AI Together: Inside Cabiʼs Transformation with CIO Keith Fairclough 36:12

2M ago36:12

36:12

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we’re joined by Keith Fairclough, CIO of Cabi, a women’s apparel brand with a national network of over 2,000 independent stylists. Keith walks us through how he went from early AI experimentation to spearheading a full-scale transformation at Cabi, turning curiosity into capability across the entire c…

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Storytelling Is the Secret Sauce to Restaurant Growth with Shawn Walchef 32:17

2M ago32:17

32:17

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line, Naki Soyturk sits down with Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media. What started as a single-location barbecue restaurant in San Diego has evolved into a national brand and thought leader in hospitality tech and digital storytelling. Shawn shares the philosophy behind turning every r…

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BBQ Meets AI: How Shawn Walchef Turned a Restaurant into a Tech-Driven Media Empire 30:49

2M ago30:49

30:49

In this special episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we go global with our first international guest, Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media, joining us from Bulgaria. Shawn shares how he’s using AI not just to support operations, but to fuel real innovation across both his restaurant and media businesses. He walks us through a ga…

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From a $10k Loan to a Michelin Star: The Unstoppable Grit of Fred Castellucci 34:42

2M ago34:42

34:42

Send us a text Fred Castellucci, founder of Castellucci Hospitality Group, didn't just build a restaurant business; he built an empire on grit. He started by reviving a failed family restaurant with a $10,000 handshake loan and went on to launch his flagship, The Iberian Pig, with a negative bank account, a stolen budget, and a chaotic opening nigh…

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From a Single Shop to Six Locations: The Bel Fries Strategy for Scaling Simplicity 31:51

2M ago31:51

31:51

Send us a text How does a recent college grad turn a simple European street food into a thriving six-location brand in the heart of New York City? Annalee Schlossberg, founder of Bel Fries, reveals the strategy behind her fast-growing french fry empire. Inspired by the "frit shops" of Belgium, Annalee didn't just copy a concept—she perfected it for…

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Episode 48: Food On Demand Conference Series Part 4 with Ashley Elzinga of the Foodservice Packaging Institute 9:49

2M ago9:49

9:49

Ahead of speaking on a panel at the conference, Ashley Elzinga joins the podcast to discuss key packaging trends, such as the growing focus on recyclability, compostability, and reuse. And touches on how legislation is shaping packaging decisions and how brands are leveraging packaging as a marketing opportunity.…

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The Seven Brothers Story: How Faith and Family Built a Burger Empire 59:54

2M ago59:54

59:54

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line, Naki Soyturk speaks with Seth and Shem Hannemann of Seven Brothers Burgers—a family-run restaurant born in Laie, Hawaii, that’s now spreading the spirit of aloha across the mainland U.S. The brothers share how their father’s uncompromising vision for quality and their family's deep-rooted faith tur…

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How Joe Fontana Built a Fried Chicken Empire by Starting Lean 1:04:11

2M ago1:04:11

1:04:11

Send us a text Episode Summary In this episode of The Bottom Line, your host Naki Soyturk sits down with Joe Fontana, the founder of the wildly successful Chicago-based restaurant group, Fry the Coop. Joe shares the unfiltered story of his journey, starting with the financial pressure that pushed him to leave his corporate job and chase a dream in …

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AI Notebooks, Second Brains & The Future of Knowledge Work 45:07

3M ago45:07

45:07

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, author and tech thinker Steven Johnson shares the surprising origin story of Google’s NotebookLM. Learn how a writer’s personal obsession with note-taking turned into a viral AI-native product now transforming enterprise workflows.By Forum3

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Mission-Driven Burgers: How Grassburger Is Changing Fast Casual 36:28

3M ago36:28

36:28

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line, Naki Soyturk sits down with Jessie and Ed Kileen, the husband-and-wife duo behind Grassburger, a growing fast casual brand that fuses sustainability, values-driven leadership, and operational discipline. The Kileen’s share their journey building a burger concept with a conscience. They source 100% …

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From One Oven to a Movement: The Billy Bricks Story 1:04:56

3M ago1:04:56

1:04:56

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line, host Naki Soyturk sits down with Ric Gruber Jr., the attorney-turned-entrepreneur who brought Neapolitan-style pizza to Chicagoland 20 years ago—and never looked back. Ric shares how he and his family bootstrapped Billy one unique wood-fired oven into a powerful regional brand with seven stores, se…

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No More Guesswork: Inventory, Cost Management and Consistency, and Real Results with MarginEdge 40:31

3M ago40:31

40:31

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line, Naki Soyturk welcomes Matt Molaski and Rich Dunham from MarginEdge—the industry’s “Swiss Army knife” for inventory, invoice processing, and restaurant cost control. They break down the biggest myths about inventory, why most operators get stuck in spreadsheet chaos, and how MarginEdge helps transfo…

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Scaling Restaurants & Systems: Real-World Lessons with Greg Provance 50:39

3M ago50:39

50:39

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line, Naki Soyturk sits down with Greg Provance—restaurant consultant, former operator, and the founder of GP Hospitality Partner —to talk about the real challenges and rewards of growing a restaurant business today. Greg shares lessons from his own journey, why so many owners stay stuck at one or two un…

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Episode 47: Food On Demand Conference Series Part 3 with Carl Orsbourn of Invisible Technologies and Deborah Matteliano of Amazon Web Services 22:55

3M ago22:55

22:55

Fresh off their “Demystifying AI” panel at the Food On Demand Conference, Carl and Deborah join us to break down how AI can help operators across the industry. From voice AI in the drive-thru to predictive data modeling, they share real-world use cases, unexpected wins, and what operators should focus on next.…

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AI First Digital Epilogue: Living in the AGI Zone 17:18

3M ago17:18

17:18

AI First: A Playbook for Future-Proofing Your Business and Brand in the AI Era is officially out, and the world of AI has moved fast since we submitted the manuscript nine months ago. In this special launch-day episode, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack bring listeners behind the scenes to reflect on what has changed, what didn’t make it into the book, an…

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What Restaurant Leaders Can Do to Unlock Growth Again: Recapping Food on Demand Conference 2025 7:13

4M ago7:13

7:13

Fresh from the floor of the Food on Demand Conference in Las Vegas, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack unpack what’s top of mind for today’s restaurant leaders. In this episode, they reflect on the slowdown in digital growth, rising consumer price sensitivity, and the evolving challenges facing operators in 2025. They also explore how AI is transitioning f…

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Episode 46: Food On Demand Conference Series Part 2 with Shawn P. Walchef of Cali BBQ Media 12:59

4M ago12:59

12:59

In this episode, we sit down with Shawn P. Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ Media, right after a dynamic Next Gen Marketing panel at the Food On Demand Conference. Shawn shares his journey from running a San Diego barbecue restaurant to becoming a leading voice in restaurant storytelling through social media and podcasting. We dive into practical advic…

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Episode 45: Food On Demand Conference Series Part 1 with Allen Beck of Costa Vida 14:55

4M ago14:55

14:55

In this episode, we’re bringing you insights straight from Vegas at the eighth annual Food On Demand Conference! Bernadette sits down with Allen Beck, Director of Off-Premise and Catering at Costa Vida, as he breaks down how the brand uses a holistic, fully burdened approach to grow its catering business profitably. Plus, hear how technology integr…

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25 Years, 8 Stores: Pete Boniface’s Restaurant Systems Playbook 58:56

4M ago58:56

58:56

Send us a text Key Quote: "You don’t need to lose your soul to grow—but you do need systems." — Pete Boniface In this episode of The Bottom Line, host Naki Soyturk sits down with Pete Boniface, co-founder of Yampa Sandwich Company, to dissect what it takes to build and sustain a thriving restaurant business for 25 years. Pete shares the philosophy …

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AI in Commercial Real Estate: A $100B Opportunity with Locate.ai 27:59

5M ago27:59

27:59

Commercial Real Estate brokerage is a $100B market, yet still stuck and manual as ever. In this episode, Joe Lee, CEO and founder of Locate.ai, shares how his company is using predictive AI and generative AI to transform the way national enterprises transact and expand into brick-and-mortar. From boosting store sales by 15% and increasing broker th…

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Pizza Boss of Minnesota Antonio Gambino (Andrea’s & Tono’s) on Great Food, Culture & Partnership 42:35

5M ago42:35

42:35

Send us a text In this episode of The Bottom Line, host Naki sits down with Antonio Gambino, co-founder of Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks, to unpack the real strategies behind one of Minnesota’s fastest-growing restaurant brands. Antonio shares his story, from growing up in a family of pizzeria owners to launching multiple concepts for new restaurant…

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Episode 44: The Building Blocks for Catering Success + Jim Rand of Rand Parker Group 30:04

5M ago30:04

30:04

In this episode, industry veteran and current catering consultant Jim Rand shares lessons from building and scaling catering programs at brands like Panera Bread and PF Chang’s. Jim walks us through how to build a robust catering program—from understanding production and technology integration to menu adaptation—and how operators can use tools and …

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Speed, Data, and AI: How Matt Britton Future-Proofed Suzy 37:01

5M ago37:01

37:01

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we sit down with Matt Britton, Founder & CEO of Suzy, to explore how AI is transforming the way businesses operate. Matt shares his personal “aha” moment with AI, how he applied those insights to revolutionize his company, and why he believes CEOs must lead the charge in AI adoption—or risk getting le…

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Episode 43: How Restaurants Can Win with Unified Data and Smarter Tech with Jenifer Kern of Qu 34:24

5M ago34:24

34:24

Jenifer Kern, CMO of Qu, joins us to unpack key insights from Qu’s 2025 State of Digital Report. We dive into the major trends shaping the restaurant industry—from the shift from third-party to first-party ordering, to tech stack consolidation, AI adoption, the rise of kiosks and smart kitchens, and more. Plus, how success hinges on how effectively…

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The Iron Man Suit for Startups: How AI Drives Efficiency at Decent 56:09

6M ago56:09

56:09

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, the hosts dive into a dynamic conversation with Nick Soman, CEO of Decent and an AI-first leader. They explore how Nick leverages multiple large language models to act as an "Iron Man suit" for his business, enabling his team to punch above their weight and unlock new levels of efficiency and innovati…

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AI in CPG: Athletic Brewing’s Marketing Playbook with Andrew Katz 51:04

6M ago51:04

51:04

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we sit down with Andrew Katz, Chief Marketing Officer at Athletic Brewing, to explore how AI is reshaping marketing in the CPG industry. Andrew shares his hands-on approach to integrating AI into daily workflows, the role of GenAI in creative ideation, and the challenges of navigating the attention ec…

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Episode 42: The Future of In-Car Ordering + Cynthia Hollen of Mavi.io 26:10

6M ago26:10

26:10

In this episode, Cynthia Hollen, CEO of Mavi.io, shares how in-car ordering is changing the game for consumers. We explore the growing demand for seamless ordering as people look for ways to streamline the process without reaching for their phones. Cynthia also discusses how tech can enhance promotions, upselling, and overall user experience. From …

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Leadership in the Age of AI: Fred Crosetto on Transforming Traditional Industries 1:09:29

6M ago1:09:29

1:09:29

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Fred Crosetto, founder of AMMEX, reveals how a traditional company became a global AI innovator. From automating HR with a 68% self-service rate to transforming supply chain and marketing processes, Fred offers a masterclass in leadership during technological disruption. Topics include: Breaking down …

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Episode 41: AI & the Future of Restaurants + Fred LeFranc of Results Thru Strategy 33:35

7M ago33:35

33:35

Join Fred LeFranc, CEO of Results Thru Strategy, as we explore the adoption of agentic and generative AI, the impact of robotics, and how restaurants are navigating the value wars. Plus, Fred gives us a look at what's driving success at brands like Chili’s in today’s competitive market.By Food on Demand News dot com

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Redefining Entrepreneurship with AI: VC Jeff Bussgang on AI, Startups, and the Future 1:02:41

7M ago1:02:41

1:02:41

On this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, the hosts sit down with Jeff Bussgang — Harvard Business School professor, venture capitalist, and author of The Experimentation Machine. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping startup formation, product-market fit, and business strategy. Following the interview, Adam and Andy share their expert c…

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Episode 40: How to Manage Your Restaurant Tech Stack + Maia Tekle of Science On Call 30:35

7M ago30:35

30:35

With no one-size-fits-all solution, managing a tech stack can be tricky—especially when handling multiple vendors while operators are already juggling so many hats.. In this episode, Maia dives deep into the everyday tech challenges restaurants face, from legacy POS system switches to simple Wi-Fi issues. She explains how Science On Call helps tack…

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Game-Changing AI: Inside the Seattle Sounders’ Strategic Shift 1:01:50

7M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Join hosts Andy Sack and Adam Brotman as they sit down with Hugh Weber, President of Business Operations at Seattle Sounders FC, to explore how AI is reshaping sports management. Hugh dives into the team’s AI journey, revealing game-changing strategies, cultural shifts, and key lessons from integrating AI into operations. Hear firsthand about the p…

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Inside the Neil Patel Interview: AI, SEO, and Consumer Shifts 27:00

8M ago27:00

27:00

In this episode of AI First with Adam & Andy, our hosts discuss insights from their interview with Neil Patel, focusing on the impact of AI on consumer behavior, the importance of SEO and GEO for business leaders, and strategies for future-proofing businesses through AI. They explore how consumer behavior has shifted with the rise of AI, the need f…

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Beyond SEO: Neil Patel on Generative Search, AI-Powered Brand Strategy, and Future-Proofing Digital Presence 42:37

8M ago42:37

42:37

Marketing visionary Neil Patel, Co-Founder of NP Digital, breaks down how AI is reshaping search, SEO, and brand strategy. As AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Instagram Search become the new gatekeepers of information, Neil reveals why businesses must move beyond traditional SEO and embrace "Search Everywhere Optimization.…

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Episode 39: Catering 101 + Jenn Saunders-Haynes of Subway 29:12

8M ago29:12

29:12

Jenn Saunders-Haynes, Director of Global Catering at Subway explores how catering has shifted in recent years, with changing consumer demands for speed, quality, and accuracy. She shares how Subway adapts through tech and compelling food visuals, along with valuable advice for operators of any size.By Food on Demand News dot com

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AI-Driven Productivity at Moderna: A Conversation with Brice Challamel 1:13:15

8M ago1:13:15

1:13:15

In this episode of AI First, hosts Adam Brotman and Andy Sack engage with Brice Challamel, VP of AI Products and Platforms at Moderna, to discuss the transformative impact of generative AI on business operations. Brice shares how Moderna has successfully integrated AI into its culture, enhancing decision-making processes, productivity, and cross-fu…

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Episode 38: Local vs. Big Brand Marketing + Anna Tauzin of Molak Corporation 36:37

9M ago36:37

36:37

In this episode, Anna explores the differences in restaurant marketing strategies for small, local businesses versus larger brands, focusing on community engagement and standing out in a competitive market. She also discusses how leveraging technology and customer data for personalization can foster stronger connections with customers.…

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The Future of AI in 2025: Business Trends You Can’t Ignore 27:44

9M ago27:44

27:44

Welcome to the inaugural episode of AI First with Adam and Andy! Kicking off the new year, hosts Andy Sack and Adam Brotman share their bold predictions for AI in 2025. From the rise of AI-powered search and agentic AI to Apple's big move into artificial intelligence, this episode explores the trends set to disrupt businesses, reshape industries, a…

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Episode 37: AI Restaurant Use Cases + Deborah Matteliano of Amazon Web Services (AWS) 30:28

9M ago30:28

30:28

Deborah Matteliano, Global Head of Amazon Web Services discusses how AI, predictive ordering, and chatbots are transforming the restaurant industry, plus dives into the future role of tech in hospitality. She also shares valuable, actionable leadership tips for women in tech, focusing on confidence, resilience, and empowering others.…

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Episode 36: Wonder Buys Grubhub + Andrew Garfrerick of Papa Johns 31:42

10M ago31:42

31:42

Andrew dives into Papa John’s hybrid delivery strategy, how the brand leverages technology to adapt to new generations in a competitive pizza market, and explores the future of pizza delivery innovations.By Food on Demand News dot com

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Episode 35: Starship Robots in Minnesota + Christine Schindler of PathSpot 30:29

10M ago30:29

30:29

Christine Schindler, CEO and Cofounder of PathSpot, discusses the complexity of food safety in today’s omnichannel restaurant environment and how she created a tech solution for real-time monitoring to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.By Food on Demand News dot com