Choppin’ It Up by Bloomberg Intelligence

Hosted by Bloomberg

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Episodes

102

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

“Choppin’ It Up” by Bloomberg Intelligence features conversations with analysts, executives and entrepreneurs that are shaping the future of the restaurant industry. Topics include human capital, ghost kitchens, menu pricing, the FAST Act and everything in between. The podcast is hosted by Senior Restaurant and Foodservice Analyst Michael Halen.

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60 recent

June 15, 202632 min

Quality, Portions Feed Handel’s Ice Cream Sales

If you do something well with consistency and discipline in the food business, guests will come back, according to Handel’s Ice Cream CEO Jennifer Schuler. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Schuler and Chief Marketing Officer Hillary Frei sit down with Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst, Michael Halen, to discuss the chain’s strong top-line growth. They also comment on product sourcing, innovation and training, as well as their three corporate values: craftsmanship, generosity and community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 1, 202631 min

Piada Italian Street Food’s Sales Outperform

Our comparable sales over the last six years are a reflection of the brand, menu and execution of the concept by our team, Piada Italian Street Food’s founder and CEO Chris Doody tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Doody sits down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the chain’s sales-growth outperformance versus fast casual peers. He also comments on the health of the fast-casual industry and the company’s disciplined approach to new restaurant development.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 11, 202631 min

Matternet CEO Raptopoulos on Drone Delivery

The return on investment for drone delivery is attractive today and is going to get way more attractive over the next few years as the industry scales, Matternet founder and CEO Andreas Raptopoulos says on this episode of Bloomberg Intelligence’s Choppin’ It Up podcast. Raptopoulos joins BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to explore the cost and environmental benefits of autonomous drone networks. Raptopoulos also discusses an investment by SoftBank Robotics in Matternet and the US regulatory climate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 4, 202638 min

SignalFlare’s Lukianoff on Gas, Fast Casual, AI

Fast-casual chains are most exposed to the gas-price spike as their menu prices have crept up to rival full-service, SignalFlare.ai’s founder and CEO Michael Lukianoff tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Lukianoff sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to chat about the impact that higher gasoline prices and inflation will have on the restaurant industry. He also discusses menu management, population growth and, of course, AI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 15, 202638 min

Craftable’s Cantu on Boosting Restaurant Profits

“We have taught restaurant employees to focus on prime costs, but there are so many other ways to lose money,” Craftable’s CEO David Cantu tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, he sits down with BI’s Senior Restaurant and Foodservice Analyst Michael Halen to discuss why it’s so important to build financial acumen at the manager level. He also comments on food waste and why the back office is the next big thing in restaurant tech.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 2, 202636 min

Smashburger’s Co-Founder, CEO on Improved Sales

If you aren’t playing the value game, you’re turning a blind eye to a big trend in the marketplace that isn’t going away soon, Smashburger’s co-founder Tom Ryan tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Ryan and CEO Jim Sullivan sit down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how Smashburger’s $4.99 menu has contributed to its same-store sales turnaround. They discuss efforts to improve branding, operations and innovation and comment on the new marketing campaign slated for April 7.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 23, 202626 min

BJ’s CEO on Simplification, Store Development

At a high level, there are two questions I ask our teams to consider: Is what we’re doing making things better or easier for our team members, or better or easier for our guests? BJ’s Restaurants’ Chief Executive Officer Lyle Tick tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Tick sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the company’s simplification efforts. They also explore BJ’s culture and new restaurant development as well as alcohol consumption trends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 9, 202630 min

Dog Haus Aims to Disrupt the Franchised Model

Dog Haus’ new franchisee deals “mutually align incentives” between the brand and its operators, CEO Michael Montagano tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, Montagano sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how the company signed development agreements for 1,500 stores by offering partners a 20% equity stake, board representation and senior management roles. He also highlights the chain’s focus on quality proteins, strong unit economics and how its deal with Jake Paul boosted brand awareness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February 17, 202640 min

858 Partners' George on SaaS, AI and Robotics

All-in-one software solutions didn’t work before and aren’t going to work this time, Juan George, co-founder of 858 Partners, tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin’ It Up podcast, George sits down with BI’s senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss why modular, open systems that allow operators to innovate are the best option. He also gives advice on negotiating software-as-a-service (SaaS) contracts and comments on investments in AI, robotics, point-of-sale systems, customer data platforms and solutions to help control back-of-house spending.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February 2, 202620 min

SupplyCaddy CEO Stein on Packaging Strategy

Custom packaging is a brand impression at scale and quality equates to retention for restaurant chains, SupplyCaddy co-founder and CEO Zachary Stein says on this episode of Bloomberg Intelligence’s Choppin’ It Up podcast. Stein sits down with BI senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss how marketing, operations, price and predictability factor into purchasing decisions for foodservice packaging. He also comments on innovation, sustainability and the hidden labor costs restaurants face when managing a fragmented supplier base.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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