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PODCAST

QSR Uncut

QSR Uncut is a podcast from the editors of QSR magazine—the leading publication for foodservice owners and operators—that discusses the current state and future of the fast-food restaurant industry. Made for restaurant executives, entrepreneurs, consumers, and leaders, each episode candidly shares expert advice from some of the industry"s most insightful leaders.

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All Episodes

40:22

The Marketing Genius Behind Dave’s Hot Chicken, with...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/04/09

There may not be a faster-growing restaurant chain in the country than Dave’s Hot Chicken over the past few years. In fact, it’s one of the quickest-scaling franchises we’ve ever recorded. Now, it’s looking to take major buzz and turn it into something lasting, in the U.S. and overseas. CMO Brandon Rhoten joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss how Dave’s is capturing and nurturing fandom and evolving a story for the ages toward its next act.

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38:11

The Remarkable Story of Konala, with Founder Trace...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/04/02

Health-focused fast casual Konala is pioneering a high protein drive-thru model with a brand that wants to open access to a new way of eating. And it all began when Trace and his family cured what was supposed to be terminal epilepsy through food and diet. It’s a wild tale that sparked a growth-ready concept with designs to make it big.

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34:39

The Future of Plant-Based Burger Chains, with Chris...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/03/25

The plant-based restaurant segment has ridden a roller coaster in recent years. From the apex of hype to some brands shutting down to others adopting a hybrid approach, what’s the market today truly look like? PLNT Burger CEO Chris Treloar joins QSR Uncut this week to talk about the future and how the concept has managed to steadily and strategically grow through ebbs and flows in guest demand and competitive action. Launched with the culinary expertise and Top Chef energy of Spike Mend...

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30:41

The Unbridled Growth Story of CookUnity, with Morley...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/03/19

Morley Ivers, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships, joins QSR Uncut to discuss the rise of America’s first chef-to-you meal delivery platform. CookUnity delivered more than 43 millions meals in 2025 (80 percent year-over-year growth), served north of 200,000 eaters, and surpassed $750 million in annual recurring revenue, its strongest year yet. We discuss that journey, what's still to come after a $250 million growth infusion, and how CookUnity has struck a chord by redefining an online mode...

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28:18

The Future of QSR Design, with Queenie Lo

QSR Uncut ·

2026/03/13

Queenie Lo, president, Spatial Design at global agency FutureBrand, joins QSR Uncut this week to talk about the next generation of store models and the growing importance of physical experiences as prices continue to rise. For over 15 years, Queenie has worked to design immersive and commercially successful experiences for brands, including McDonald’s for the past decade. The company also works with a number of global names, including HMSHost, SSP, Selfridge’s, Bloomingdale’s, and IKEA. We ge...

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33:41

Sweetfin at 10 Years: Expanding Beyond Poke, with...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/03/05

Seth Cohen, cofounder of Sweetfin and one of QSR Uncut’s original guests, returns to chat about the fast casual’s evolution as it celebrates 10 years. But this is far more than just a party. The brand kicked off 2026 with a bold new culinary chapter developed in collaboration with two-Michelin-starred chef Daniel Patterson. Known for redefining California cuisine through pioneering restaurants including Coi, Alta, and Locol, Patterson is bringing world-class technique to Sweetfin’s fresh, app...

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39:15

How FiiZ Drinks is Building a Soda Empire, with Scott...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/02/26

FiiZ Drinks president Scott Ball joins the podcast to break down life operating in arguably QSR’s craziest market there is today—beverages. From dirty sodas to energy drinks to more, FiiZ has expanded to more than 70 locations since its 2014 founding. And the goal now is to open 500-plus units over the next 10 years in the U.S., with another 100 being launched in Canada. In just 2024, the brand served more than 200 million ounces of soda. We get into the growth ahead, what the brand is lookin...

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25:14

Paris Baguette and the Road to 1,000 Restaurants,...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/02/19

Paris Baguette Chief Development Officer Nick Scaccio joins QSR Uncut this week to unpack the global brand's mission to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café in markets nationwide. Targeting 1,000 stores in North America by 2030, the chain is refining site selection, asset strategy, and continuing to establish itself in a category that's seen its share of competitors rise over the years.

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38:24

[BONUS] CEO to CEO: A&W Restaurants' Betsy Schmandt...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/02/17

In this episode of CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, we hand the mics over to A&W Restaurants’ CEO Betsy Schmandt and Kilwins’ CEO Brian Britton. They discuss life overseeing two of the country’s most-iconic foodservice brands, what it’s taking to win over customers with experience and service, and how restaurant leaders can inspire growth and performance from the top down. As always, CEO to CEO provides a candid dive into life directing a quick-service chain. There’s no editor. No filter. ...

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37:09

Beverage Trends, Menu Moves, and the Research...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/02/12

Tomás Gilbert, Director, Strategic Market Insights at Curion, joins QSR Uncut to break down his adventures as a qualitative researcher in the restaurant space. We get into what’s driving traffic, what food trends are landing on menus, why beverages are hot, why menu optimization is becoming widespread, and much more. There’s a reason in-market research is a growing methodology in QSR. This episode was brought to you by our partners at Curion.

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40:41

Inside the Rise of Fuku, and a Sandwich That Couldn’t...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/02/05

Fuku CEO Claudia Lezcano has held jobs from chief marketing officer of the Miami Dolphins, Marlins, executive roles at Burger King, Church’s Chicken, and more. But she knew she walked into something special when the opportunity to lead Fuku—the East Village brand that began as an off-menu item by chefs at David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar—arrived. Now, Fuku and its famed “Original Sando” are gearing up for growth and looking to bring an elevated product and service model to new and loyal cust...

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34:47

Taco Cabana Gears Up for National Growth, with John...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/01/29

John Ramsay, industry vet and director of franchise sales and development for the brand, joins QSR Uncut to discuss Taco Cabana’s recent success and how it’s positioning to take its legacy concept to fresh markets and beyond. The Texas institution has big plans, revamped ownership, and goals to break through in a category that’s stuffed with competitors. The episode was brought to you by our partners at Vitamix.

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35:31

Jollibee is Ready for its U.S. Growth Push, with...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/01/22

Peter Wright, Jollibee's vice president of franchise development, joins QSR Uncut to discuss the global chicken giant's plans to ramp up domestic development through franchising. Voted the No. 1 Fried Chicken in America, Wright, a former Starbucks and Panera exec, breaks down how Jollibee expects to carve out share in a red-hot category and expand in the months to come.

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38:57

Getting Real on Restaurant Real Estate, with Joe Blanton

QSR Uncut ·

2026/01/15

Joe Blanton, founder & CEO of Stone Restaurant Real Estate, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein for a trip around the market. We look at how site selection is trending, what kind of properties operators are finding to build in today, and much more during one of the more-dynamic cost periods on record. No matter what's happening in this industry, it always starts with location.

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43:29

Inside the Growth Journey of Brasa Peruvian Kitchen,...

QSR Uncut ·

2026/01/08

From culture setting to finding big-time industry supporters, like former Subway president Doug Fry, Brasa Peruvian Kitchen wants to redefine the fast casual model (it just recently opened in NYC for the first time). We explore the brand’s rise, its big plans for 2026, and how the concept is going to chart growth by staying true to a mission that stands out in a crowded field.

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24:29

Staying Relevant and Fueling Growth, with Rita’s CDO...

QSR Uncut ·

2025/12/26

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Chief Development Officer Lawrence Brown joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss how the 40-year-old Philly-based frozen treat brand is blending its nostalgic roots with a forward-looking growth strategy to stay ahead. We’ll get into the fast casual’s asset strategy, where it’s looking to develop, and how it’s finding the right partners to fuel development for a nearly 600-unit chain with 35-plus stores projected for this year.

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43:29

Will Starbucks’ Redesign Strategy Work?

QSR Uncut ·

2025/12/19

Starbucks’ strategy pivot to “turn coffee houses into living rooms” and get back to its “third place” was one of the biggest topics of 2025 and promises to grab headlines in 2026. The decision offers abundant lessons for QSRs, as Pete Champion, managing partner at brand experience agency I-AM, shares with QSR editorial director Danny Klein on this episode of QSR Uncut. Pete brings over 20 years’ experience in brand environments, having worked with industry giants including Starbucks, Costa Co...

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66:22

[BONUS] CEO to CEO: Original ChopShop's Jason Morgan...

QSR Uncut ·

2025/12/15

In this episode of CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, Original ChopShop leader Jason Morgan and Taziki's Mediterranean Café's Dan Simpson quiz one another on life leading rising fast casuals. What still defines the category? How do you truly build a brand with culture and customer-first ideals? The two industry leaders explore those topics and unpack life atop emerging restaurant chains. As always, the conversation is an unfiltered, deep look at restaurant management, operating practices, and wh...

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41:14

Becoming an Unmissable Brand, with Habit Burger &...

QSR Uncut ·

2025/12/11

As Chief Marketing Officer of Yum! Brands’ Habit Burger & Grill since February 2023, Jack Hinchliffe leads all aspects of brand communications, retail calendar, customer insights, digital marketing, and F&B for the fast casual. On this episode of QSR Uncut, he joins editorial director Danny Klein to discuss Habit’s ongoing transformation into a more meaningful and memorable brand, and how it’s earned top rankings from customers and transformed that affinity into some outside-the-box c...

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41:45

Kona Ice and the Making of One of America's Top...

QSR Uncut ·

2025/12/04

Founded in 2007 by Tony Lamb, Kona Ice launched its first Kona Entertainment Vehicle in Florence, Kentucky. Today, the brand has grown to more than 1,900 trucks and nearly 3,000 points of sale, serving 49 states. The brand has also given back more than $200 million to local communities. Lamb joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein on this episode of QSR Uncut to share the journey, how the company is evolving toward new concepts and more trucks, and why it continues to rack up awards for its ...

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359 results

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