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PODCAST

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast is your backstage pass to the minds of hospitality leaders, innovators, and operators who are redefining what it means to serve. Hosted by Zack Oates, founder of Ovation, each episode dives into real-world tactics and inspiring stories from restaurant pros who know how to create five-star guest experiences—both in-store and off-premise.From fast casual to fine dining, catering to curbside, learn how to drive loyalty, empower your staff, and

business marketing

All Episodes

17:01

How Staffing and Efficiency Drive Restaurant...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/06/27

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of Give an Ovation, we turn the mic around to interview Joe Guszkowski, a Senior Editor at Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains. He also hosts RB Daily, a restaurant news podcast.Joe shares his unique insights on the current state of the restaurant industry, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by operators today. We dive into the importance of staffing, how efficiency can be a game-changer, and practical tactic...

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16:24

Healthy Eats, Happy Guests: Darden Coors on Salad...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/06/24

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of Give an Ovation, host Zack Oates sits down with Darden Coors, the CEO of Salad Collective. With over a decade of experience, Darden has been a driving force behind better-for-you fast-casual brands like Mad Greens, Snappy Salads, and Tokyo Joe's. As a fifth-generation Coors and a former lawyer, Darden shares her unique insights on building a successful restaurant brand, the importance of guest experience, and how to balance cautious legal strategies w...

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26:08

Honoring Solomon Choi: Lessons from the 16 Handles...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/06/18

Send us a Text Message.Note: This episode was recorded before the recent passing of Solomon Choi. He was a dear friend to Zack and the Ovation team, and though we are saddened and shocked by his passing, we were grateful to share this conversation with him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.In this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack Oates sits down with the remarkable Solomon Choi, founder of 16 Handles and CEO of Jabba Brands. Solomon shares his journey of building and scaling 16 H...

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16:33

Building a Winning Team with Andrew Smith of Savory Fund

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/06/17

Send us a Text Message.In this special episode of Give an Ovation, host Zack Oates chats with Andrew Smith, Managing Director and Co-Founder of the Savory Fund. Andrew shares invaluable insights into building a successful team, the importance of decisive action, and the current state of the restaurant industry. Tune in to learn how Andrew and his team have navigated turbulent times and emerged stronger than ever. From personal anecdotes to professional strategies, this episode is packed with ...

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12:53

From Core Menu to LTOs: How Slim Chickens Keeps...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/06/13

Send us a Text Message.Today, we're thrilled to welcome Tom Gordon, CEO of Slim Chickens. With nearly 22 years at the helm, Tom has been instrumental in transforming Slim Chickens into a beloved brand known for its innovative LTOs and consistently delicious offerings. We discuss how Tom balances staying true to the core menu while continuously introducing exciting new options. He shares his philosophy on creating a frictionless guest experience, from the moment customers drive onto the lot to...

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14:02

From Shark Tank to Sweet Success: Jeremy Carlson’s...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/06/11

Send us a Text Message.In this Crispy episode of "Give an Ovation," Zack Oates sits down with Jeremy Carlson, founder and CEO of Crispy Cones, to talk about the rollercoaster journey from starting a business to appearing on Shark Tank and beyond. Jeremy shares the highs and lows of building his brand, the importance of guest experience, and the innovative strategies that have helped Crispy Cones thrive. Tune in to hear firsthand insights from an entrepreneur who went from the tank to the bank...

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19:12

From PepsiCo to Blaze Pizza: Jim Mizes on Restaurant...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/06/06

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of "Give an Ovation," Zack Oates welcomes Jim Mizes, a restaurant industry legend with an impressive track record, including roles as VP of PepsiCo, President of brands like Einstein Bros and Blaze Pizza, and various advisory roles. Jim shares his insights on scaling restaurant brands, the importance of aligning founders and financial partners, and the timeless principles of guest experience. Learn how to eliminate operational boulders and focus on what ...

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23:10

Next Level Loyalty with Olga Lopategui

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/06/03

Send us a Text Message.In this 300th episode of "Give an Ovation," host Zack Oates welcomes back Olga Lopategui, a seasoned restaurant marketing consultant and the Founder of Restaurant Loyalty Specialists. Olga shares her expertise in setting up and optimizing loyalty programs for restaurant chains, offering insights into the importance of process optimization and the role of technology in enhancing guest experiences. Tune in to learn about the best practices for maintaining customer loyalty...

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15:52

Pioneering Poke: How Seth Cohen Built Sweetfin

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/05/30

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of "Give an Ovation," host Zack Oates sits down with Seth Cohen, President and Co-founder of Sweetfin. Seth shares the inspiring journey of Sweetfin's inception, its innovative approach to fast-casual dining, and the emphasis on guest experience that has driven their success. From mastering the art of poke in a market that had never heard of it to building a robust digital ordering and loyalty platform, Seth has some pretty sweet takes.Thanks, Seth!

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15:02

Juicing Up Operations: Natalie Green’s Strategies for...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/05/28

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of "Give an Ovation," Zack Oates sits down with Natalie Green, the dynamic COO of Nekter Juice Bar. With over 200 locations, Natalie shares insights from her 12-year journey at Nekter, focusing on the importance of supply chain management, consistency in guest experience, and leveraging technology to enhance customer loyalty. Discover how Natalie's strategic approach to operations and her dedication to a transparent and guest-centric philosophy have prop...

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22:08

Fan-first Fun: The Savannah Bananas' Playbook with...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/05/23

Send us a Text Message.Today we're joined by Emily Cole, the visionary owner of the viral sensation, the Savannah Bananas. Emily shares her journey of transforming the traditional baseball experience into a lively, fun-filled event that captivates fans of all ages. From introducing all-you-can-eat tickets to choreographed player entrances, Emily discusses the innovative strategies that set the Savannah Bananas apart in the sports world. Restaurant owners will gain valuable insights into ...

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16:37

Back to Basics with Susie Sarich of SusieCakes

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/05/21

Send us a Text Message.Susie Sarich created SusieCakes for two reasons: 1) to make it easier for women to work in hospitality, and 2) to bring back classic desserts recipes to the culinary wild west she was witnessing in San Francisco. With her Grandmas' timeless recipes and a focus on each guest, SusieCakes has grown to 26 locations and is poised to continue rising. Thanks, Susie! Sponsored by Ovation - Actionable Guest Feedback. Visit ovationup.com.

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16:14

Brewing Up Customer Loyalty with Nick Newbill of 7...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/05/17

Send us a Text Message.Join Nick Newbill, Marketing Director of 7 Brew Coffee, as he shares his journey from shift lead to marketing leader. At 7 Brew Coffee, great guest experiences are as important as the perfect brew. He highlights the brand's core values: kindness, authenticity, and community engagement, which have built a loyal customer base.Nick also discusses the company's ethos, innovative loyalty programs, and franchisee onboarding process. Thanks, Nick!

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20:14

Selling A Feeling with Scott Lawton

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/05/13

Send us a Text Message.At the beginning, Scott Lawton didn't know what food he was going to sell at his restaurant concept - but he knew how he wanted it to feel. The rest figured itself out.On this episode, we explore the art of creating an exceptional guest experience with Scott Lawton, CEO of bartaco and Uncle Julio's Restaurant Group. Scott shares how bartaco cultivates a unique atmosphere, blending concepts from lifestyle retail with dining to offer guests a memorable escape. He discusse...

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24:34

Dave's Playbook for a Hot Brand with Jim Bitticks

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/05/09

Send us a Text Message.Joining us today is Jim Bitticks, President and COO of Dave's Hot Chicken! Have you ever wondered how Dave's became the phenomenon that it is? On this episode, we explore the brand's formula for success, starting with their rise from a humble pop-up to a thriving franchise. Jim shares how a single review ignited their growth, highlighting the importance of a standout product. He discusses strategic celebrity endorsements, like Drake's, which boosted the brand's vis...

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18:08

Leading with Authenticity with Ricky Richardson of...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/05/06

Send us a Text Message.Today we talk with Ricky Richardson, a seasoned pro from TGI Fridays who is now leading Eggs Up Grill. Ricky shares practical insights on authentic leadership and managing high-energy environments while fostering emotional connections with teams and guests. He emphasizes the importance of passion and effective communication in the guest experience.We also discuss integrating systems like Toast and kitchen displays to meet evolving customer expectations, alongside trends...

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16:19

The Golden (Chick) Rule with Brian Loescher

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/04/29

Send us a Text Message.Join us as we chat with Brian Loescher, President of Golden Chick Franchising, about the secrets behind a stellar restaurant experience. Drawing from his background at Rally's Hamburgers and Arby's, Brian shares practical insights for standing out in customer service and technology. Learn about the importance of order accuracy, responsive service, and affordable tech solutions. Tune in for real-world advice on fostering a culture of genuine apologies and staff reco...

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18:21

Continuous Innovation with Craig Dunaway of Penn...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/04/22

Send us a Text Message.Today's guest is Craig Dunaway, COO of Penn Station East Coast Subs, who shares insights from his 25 years in the restaurant industry. Learn how to spot lasting trends, adopt new technologies wisely, and use a 'fast follow' approach to stay ahead without breaking the bank.We'll dive into how third-party delivery services are changing the way customers interact with restaurants and why building personal connections is crucial. Discover how brands like Chipotle keep custo...

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19:01

Mastering Marketing in the QSR Industry with Sergio...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/04/15

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21:40

Shake Shack's Recipe for Tech-Enhanced Customer...

Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience... ·

2024/04/08

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406 results

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