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PODCAST

Fast Casual Nation

Join the longest-running and most influential podcast in the fast-casual restaurant industry. Hosted by Paul Barron, the founder of fastcasual.com, the Top 100, and the Fast Casual Executive Summit. Joining him as Co-Host is Cherryh Cansler, Sr. Editor of Fastcasual.com. This team has reunited after over a decade to deliver unparalleled insights into the trends and future direction of the fast-casual sector.Each week, they will share their deep knowledge gained from over two decades as a leading

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

35:44

Global Expansion and Market Resilience

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/05/21

Join Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler as they explore fast casual's global expansion with brands like Teriyaki Madness and Mason's Famous Lobster making international debuts. Discover how beverage innovation—from craft mocktails to full bars—is reshaping the segment while fast casual continues to outperform both QSR and casual dining in same-store sales. The hosts analyze Chili's strategic positioning against QSR, discuss the $20+ hourly wages transforming restaurant labor markets, and preview

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57:10

Roam Artisan Burgers: High End Fast Casual

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/05/15

In this engaging Fast Casual Nation episode, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Josh Spiegelman of Roam Artisan Burgers about transforming the better burger segment. Discover how this six-location Bay Area concept balances premium sourcing (100% grass-fed beef, free-range turkey) with accessible pricing while innovating through Web3 loyalty, thoughtful store design, and sustainability initiatives. Spiegelman reveals how Roam attracts Gen Z through transparency, creates memorable

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36:52

Growing A Brand With Tech

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/05/07

In this eye-opening episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Mark Lohmann, CEO of the rapidly growing chicken concept Birdcall. Discover how this 15-unit brand is disrupting the competitive chicken sandwich space with its award-winning food, proprietary "Poncho" technology system, and strategic growth approach. Lohmann shares valuable insights on balancing big-brand experience with startup agility, achieving $2.5M AUVs while maintaining hospitality

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53:40

Newk's Eatery CEO Frank Paci on Catering Growth and...

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/04/30

Newk's Eatery CEO Frank Paci joins Fast Casual Nation to discuss how the 98-location chain is adapting to major industry shifts. With off-premise sales now representing 55% of their business (including 11% from catering), Newk's is building smaller restaurants, implementing digital ordering solutions, and revamping their catering program. Paci shares insights on their expansion strategy targeting Oklahoma and the Carolinas, their focus on menu innovations like customizable pick-three options, and

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48:29

From Passion to Franchise: How LOL Burger Bar Is...

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/04/23

Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Cassidy Jones, founder of Atlanta's LOL Burger Bar, who reveals how she's disrupting the better burger segment with creative menu items like acronym-named burgers and over-the-top "freak shakes." With two locations already operating and plans for a food truck, Jones shares her ambitious franchising strategy, social media marketing approach including celebrity collaborations, and advice for entrepreneurs while demonstrating how her

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47:28

What Fast Casual Brands Need To Win

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/04/09

In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Hady Kfoury, CEO of fast-growing Middle Eastern concept NAYA. Kfoury shares how his Lebanese-inspired brand has grown to 31 locations with plans for 200 by 2030. The conversation covers NAYA's Chipotle-inspired assembly line model, strategic positioning in the Northeast, digital ordering evolution, and innovative approaches to attract Gen Z consumers while balancing ethnic authenticity with mainstream

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44:00

Buena Papa: Building A Restaurant Brand From Scratch

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/04/02

Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Buena Papa founders James and Joanna Windon about their innovative loaded fries concept. The Colombian-inspired brand serves premium hand-cut fries topped with global flavors like their signature Mexicano. From humble beginnings in a Raleigh food hall to a $400,000 Shark Tank deal with Robert Herjavec, Buena Papa has overcome challenges like teaching customers fries can be a full meal. Their Chipotle-style service model, distinctive

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47:28

How to Grow an Emerging Brand

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/03/26

Discover TikiTaco, the innovative Kansas City fast casual brand making waves in the restaurant industry. CEO Eric Knott shares how this emerging restaurant concept blends technology, creative Mexican-inspired cuisine, and strategic growth, attracting 600 new customers through third-party delivery in just one month. With locations ranging from walkup windows to full-service spaces, TikiTaco represents the future of fast casual dining - offering scratch-made food, unique menu items like Thai fried

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48:24

Greek Fast Casual Connection to GenZ!

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/03/19

In this insightful episode of Fast Casual Nation, host Paul Barron speaks with Charles Bililies, Founder and CEO of Souvla, about pioneering the "fast fine" category that blends counter service with full-service restaurant quality. Bililies shares how Souvla has maintained its core menu for 11 years while serving over a million meals annually across six locations, appealing to Gen Z through omnichannel flexibility and consistent quality. The discussion explores Souvla's deliberate growth strategy,

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36:34

Penn Station East Coast Subs Exec Shares Franchise...

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/03/13

In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview Jane McPherson, SVP of Marketing at Penn Station East Coast Subs. McPherson discusses the brand's impressive growth to 320 locations across 14 states, their strategic approach to technology adoption, and commitment to quality through their signature cheesesteaks and fresh-cut fries. She shares insights on their purposeful geographic expansion, selective tech implementation including new digital wallets, controlled

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49:45

From Startup Struggles to Sandwich Success: The...

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/03/05

Daniel and Rosa Figueredo turned their passion into a thriving Cuban sandwich business by embracing hustle, sacrifice, and authentic storytelling. Starting from their childhood home with minimal resources, they built Sanguich into a viral brand without spending a single dollar on influencers. Their strategic approach focuses on quality, community engagement, and measured growth, proving that success comes from dedication, continuous learning, and a unique value proposition in the competitive

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51:10

Big Chicken Changes The Franchise Business

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/02/26

In this insightful Fast Casual Nation podcast episode, Sam Stanovich of Big Chicken reveals how they're revolutionizing franchise development with AI-powered conversational applications that evaluate candidates based on values rather than just financials. He shares exciting plans for AI implementation in equipment maintenance troubleshooting, customer-facing kiosks featuring Shaquille O'Neal's personality, and potential voice integration in drive-thrus. Stanovich emphasizes the importance of

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43:40

Flytrex CEO Yariv Bash Discusses Drone Delivery's...

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/02/19

In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep with Flytrex CEO Yariv Bash to explore how drone delivery is revolutionizing the restaurant industry. With over 130,000 successful deliveries under their belt, Flytrex has become America's largest drone delivery service, bringing hot food to customers' backyards in just 3-4 minutes. The future of food delivery looks promising as Bash reveals how their drones can carry up to 10 pounds, operate at lower costs than traditional delivery services, and maintain

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24:24

Coffee Chain Genius: How Ziggi's Cracked the Code on...

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/02/12

Meet Brandon Knudsen, the visionary behind Ziggi's Coffee's remarkable journey from a college dream to a 100+ location powerhouse. In this exclusive interview, Brandon reveals how Ziggi's has mastered the art of serving both traditional coffee enthusiasts and Gen Z customers, with a unique menu spanning craft coffee, energy drinks, and the trending dirty soda category. Discover their innovative approach to drive-thru operations, their strategic use of technology for consistency, and how they're

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32:40

Going From Good To Great For a Restaurant Brand

Fast Casual Nation ·

2025/02/06

Join Fast Casual Nation's Paul Baron as he sits down with Urbane Cafe founder Tom Holt to explore sustainable growth in the fast casual sector. From strategic expansion in second-tier markets to addressing labor challenges and maintaining community connections, Holt shares invaluable insights from building a successful 34-unit California brand that emphasizes quality, value, and authentic hospitality.FastCasualNation #RestaurantGrowth #HospitalityLeadershipAre you a hospitality or restaurant

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30:06

Big Chicken Creates Big Flavor

Fast Casual Nation ·

2024/09/17

Big Chicken and PepsiCo are collaborating to innovate in the fast-casual restaurant industry, with a strong focus on appealing to Gen Z consumers. Their partnership involves developing new menu items, enhancing digital engagement, and addressing changing preferences such as zero-calorie options and spicier flavors. Both companies are adapting to Gen Z's snacking habits and emphasizing sustainability in their business practices. The shift towards digital marketing, with PepsiCo allocating 70% of its

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33:53

Gen Z & The Better Burger

Fast Casual Nation ·

2024/09/11

Mooyah Burgers and Dillas have successfully engaged Gen Z by understanding their preferences for quality, personalization, and community. Both brands prioritize authenticity, social media, and technology to connect with this demographic. Employee retention is a key focus, achieved through positive work environments and tech-enabled training.GenZ #RestaurantIndustry #marketingstrategy🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in food

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29:20

Next Generation Franchise Fast Casual Brands

Fast Casual Nation ·

2024/09/06

🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in food service! - https://savorfm.substack.com/In this episode of our podcast, we sit down with two industry titans to explore how technology is shaping the future of fast-casual dining: Gregg Majewski, CEO and Founder of Craveworthy Brands, and Heather Leed Neary, President and CEO of Taco John's International, Inc.Rising Fast Casual BrandsGregg Majewski's journey in the restaurant industry is

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20:12

Overview of Wow Bao’s Technology Integrations and...

Fast Casual Nation ·

2024/09/03

🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in food service! - https://savorfm.substack.com/Paul Barron recently hosted an insightful podcast featuring Geoff Alexander of Wow Bao and industry consultant Rudy Miick to discuss a groundbreaking new loyalty technology for restaurants. This innovation is being hailed as the most significant advancement in the industry since the advent of social media and mobile ordering.The Next Frontier in

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34:30

Scaling Surcheros: Luke Christian's Journey from Farm...

Fast Casual Nation ·

2024/04/04

Welcome to Surcheros' StoryWe Dive into Tex-Mex Evolution In this inspiring episode of Fast Casual Nation, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Luke Christian, the visionary founder and CEO of Surcheros. Our conversation unfolded the remarkable journey of Surcheros from its humble beginnings to becoming a cornerstone of the fast-casual Tex-Mex industry.Rooted in Resilience: The Birth of SurcherosLuke Christian's Transformational Journey Luke's path from intending to take over his family's farm to

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