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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

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All Episodes

15:33

Tech, Guest Experience, and Growth with Ming-Tai Huh

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

2025/01/27

Send us a textIn this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Ming-Tai Huh, Head of Food and Beverage at Square and a restaurateur with over a decade of experience through Cambridge Street Hospitality Group. Ming brings a unique perspective, blending his deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge restaurant technology to help operators thrive in an ever-evolving market.Zack and Ming discuss:The intersection of hospitality and technology—how to use tech without losing the human touchKey lessons ...

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15:21

From Food Truck To Food Phenom with Andrew Dana

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

2025/01/20

Send us a textIn this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Andrew Dana, founder of Call Your Mother Deli and Timber Pizza Company. Andrew’s journey from the corporate world to building thriving restaurant brands is a testament to passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to creating unforgettable guest experiences.Zack and Andrew discuss:The transition from corporate life to launching a food businessHow authenticity and community drive brand successThe key elements of delivering a memora...

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20:26

The South Block Story with Amir Mostafavi

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

2024/12/18

Send us a textIn this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack welcomes Amir Mostafavi, the Founder and CEO of South Block, a mission-driven smoothie and juice bar brand based in the DC area. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Amir shares his journey of creating a brand that’s not just about great products, but also about fostering connections and building better communities on every block they serve.Here’s what you’ll learn: From Passion to Purpose: How Amir turned his love for ...

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20:24

Innovative Concepts and Flavors with Abney Harper

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

2024/12/10

Send us a textIn this episode of Give an Ovation, we’re joined by Abney Harper, CEO and Founder of Prima Après, a unique fast-casual concept combining fresh pasta and pavlovas with a focus on thoughtful design, quality ingredients, and heartfelt hospitality. Abney shares her journey from fine dining and fashion retail to creating a chef-driven brand that delivers a luxury dining experience in a fast-casual setting.Zack and Abney discuss:Transforming Fine Dining Into Fast-Casual ExcellenceHow ...

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21:42

Empowering Teams, Perfecting Chicken with Jason & Etkin

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

2024/12/02

Send us a textIn this episode of Give an Ovation, we’re joined by Jason Sobocinski and Etkin Tekin, the co-founders of Haven Hot Chicken, who are on a mission to redefine the fast-casual dining space. From their roots as winners of the Perfect Pitch competition to expanding to nine locations, Jason and Etkin share the secrets behind their explosive growth and the passion for exceptional food that drives their brand.Zack, Jason, and Etkin discuss:Why training and empowering teams are the corne...

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19:57

Craft, Culture, and Guest Connection with Rick Malir

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

2024/11/25

Send us a textIn this episode of Give an Ovation, Rick Malir, founder of City Barbeque, shares his journey from selling John Deere tractors to building a nationally recognized barbecue brand. With 25 years in the business and 75 locations, Rick dives into what it takes to deliver top-notch barbecue and create unforgettable guest experiences.Zack and Rick discuss:How a love for barbecue sparked a fast-casual empireThe key role emotional connection plays in guest loyaltyWhy investing in your te...

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15:53

From Family Legacy to Franchise with Austin Titus

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

2024/11/04

Send us a textIn this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Austin Titus, president of Cannoli Kitchen Pizza and a seasoned expert in the franchise industry. Growing up in a family of franchise entrepreneurs, Austin has developed a unique eye for brands that stand out in a crowded marketplace.Zack and Austin discuss:The story behind Cannoli Kitchen and how it differentiates itself in the pizza spaceWhat Austin looks for in franchise brands and the value of a proven categoryHow Cannoli Kitche...

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21:31

Creating a Culture that Rocks with Jim Knight

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

2024/10/28

Send us a textIn this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Jim Knight, a former executive at Hard Rock Cafe who has transformed his experiences into a dynamic career as a speaker and author. Known for his engaging style, Jim blends the charisma of Guy Fieri with the motivational prowess of Tony Robbins.Zack and Jim discuss:The importance of building a rockstar team and cultivating a vibrant cultureHow to create a guest experience that truly resonatesThe significance of accountability and se...

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19:12

Inside the Digital Kitchen Revolution with Markus...

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

2024/10/21

Send us a textMarkus Pineyro is not just a restaurant owner—he’s a visionary reshaping how we think about dining experiences. As the co-founder of OOMI Digital Kitchen, Markus has created a food hall that operates almost entirely through digital interactions, yet still boasts a remarkable 4.9-star rating. On this episode of Give an Ovation, we dive into how Markus has built a successful, customer-focused operation without the traditional face-to-face hospitality we expect from restaurants.In ...

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17:14

From Deli Dreams to Salad Empires with Joey Cioffi

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

2024/10/08

Send us a textJoey Cioffi is the founder and CEO of The Salad House, a fast-growing franchise with a passion for offering customizable, fresh meals for everyone. From his New Jersey roots to building a brand that’s now expanding to 19 locations, Joey has always prioritized hospitality and quality. In this episode, we explore how Joey’s background in the food business has shaped his approach to guest experience.In this episode, Zack and Joey discuss:The origin story behind The Salad House and ...

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19:55

Empowering Franchisees and Employees with Doug Willmarth

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

2024/10/04

Send us a textYou could argue that there's no one more passionate about balancing people and technology in fast-casual dining than today's guest, Doug Willmarth. Doug is the President of MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes and has held leadership roles at major brands like Mongolian Concepts and Pizza Hut. We were thrilled to tap into his extensive knowledge in this episode!In this episode, Zack and Doug discuss:Why hospitality is still the most important aspect of guest experience, even in a ...

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15:48

Personalization in Hospitality Revealed with Sherif...

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

2024/10/03

Send us a textYou could argue that there’s no one more passionate about building successful restaurant brands than today's guest, Sherif Mityas. Sherif is the CEO of BRIX Holdings, overseeing iconic brands like Friendly’s, Clean Juice, and Red Mango. We were excited to tap into his wealth of insights on this episode!In this episode, Zack and Sherif discuss:What BRIX Holdings looks for when acquiring new restaurant brandsHow to tailor guest experiences based on the occasion (dine-in, takeout, ...

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17:22

Simplifying Restaurant Tech with Neal Parisawan

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

2024/10/02

Send us a textYou could argue that there's no one more knowledgeable about the intersection of technology and hospitality in the restaurant industry than today's guest, Neal Parisawan. Neal is the owner of Nara Thai and a former consultant, bringing a unique perspective to how tech can enhance guest experiences rather than complicate operations. We were thrilled to hear his insights on this episode!In this episode, Zack and Neal discuss:Why restaurants struggle with adopting and maintaining t...

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17:52

Humility, Speed, and Personalization with Blaze Pizza...

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

2024/10/01

Send us a textYou could argue that there's no one more experienced in leading fast-casual restaurants than today's guest, Beto Guajardo. Beto is the President & CEO of Blaze Pizza and has held leadership roles at Starbucks, Levi Strauss, and Schlotzsky’s. We were excited to tap into his extensive insights on this episode!In this episode, Zack and Beto discuss:Why humility is key to delivering exceptional hospitality from the top downHow Blaze Pizza is innovating with guest customization, ...

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19:45

An Unreasonably Good Episode with Will Guidara

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

2024/09/30

Send us a textYou could argue that there's no one on the planet who has thought about hospitality more than today's guest, Will Guidara. Will is a restaurant icon, former leader of Eleven Madison Park, and NYT Bestselling Author of "Unreasonable Hospitality" (mandatory reading at Ovation). We were lucky to tap into his insights on this episode!In this episode, Zack and Will discuss: How the principles of hospitality transcend the restaurant industry and can make any professional or perso...

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21:05

Mastering Iconic Restaurant Experiences: Chef Glenn...

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

2024/09/18

Send us a textEver wondered what it takes to run iconic restaurants in some of the most bustling locations in the world? Join us as we sit down with Chef Glenn Rolnick, the mastermind behind the culinary operations of Carmine's and Virgil's. With over two decades of experience, Chef Glenn shares the captivating journey of Carmine's—from its humble beginnings on the Upper West Side in 1990 to becoming a culinary staple in Times Square, Atlantic City, and the Bahamas. Discover the magic of Carm...

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20:11

Mastering Restaurant Grand Openings and Tech...

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

2024/09/12

Send us a textWant to unlock the secrets behind a seamless restaurant grand opening? Richard Green, VP of Operations at Gusto Fresh Bowls and Wraps, joins us to share his invaluable insights from his extensive experience, including his tenure at Chick-fil-A. Discover why he compares grand openings to major sporting events and how adaptability and thorough preparation are your best allies. Richard recounts the high-stakes opening of a New York location, revealing how bringing in skilled leader...

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22:39

How to Win the Restaurant Game: Insights from Peter...

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

2024/09/11

Send us a textIn the world of hospitality, few voices are as respected and influential as Peter Romeo's. With nearly 40 years of experience covering the restaurant industry, Peter has seen the rise and fall of countless concepts and the evolution of guest expectations. In this episode of "Give an Ovation," host Zack Oates dives deep with Peter to explore the key traits of successful restaurateurs, the importance of truly listening to guests and employees, and the ever-changing landscape of th...

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25:01

Easy, Breezy Guest Experiences with Melissa Cummings...

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

2024/09/10

Send us a textIn today’s episode of Give an Ovation, we have the pleasure of chatting with Melissa Cummings, VP of Digital Marketing at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including a significant role at Domino's managing one of the largest loyalty programs, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion that goes beyond the job—it's her obsession. She shares how Tropical Smoothie Cafe strives to offer guests a "five-minute vacation" throug...

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21:39

Boosting Guest Experience and Sales: Strategies from...

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

2024/09/09

Send us a textIn today’s competitive restaurant landscape, having the right tools can make or break your guest experience. On this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack Oates talks to Kelly Esten, CMO of Toast, about the journey behind one of the industry’s leading POS systems and how it helps restaurateurs succeed by focusing on what truly matters: the guest experience. From automating marketing to building rugged hardware designed for the demanding restaurant environment, Kelly shares the strate...

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406 results

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