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

Hosted by Ovation

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Episodes

444

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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 deliver hospitality that hits home. Whether you're a restaurant owner, operator, marketer, or tech partner, this podcast will leave you with practical insights and plenty of reasons to celebrate and Give an Ovation.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 6, 202617 min

Growing Little Greek Without Repeating the Past with Nick Vojnovic

Send us Fan Mail Nick Vojnovic, president and majority partner of Little Greek Fresh Grill, joins Zack Oates to talk about what decades of restaurant growth have taught him about franchising, guest experience, and building for the long haul. After helping grow Beef 'O' Brady's from roughly 30 to 260 locations, Nick is taking a different approach with Little Greek, prioritizing owner-operators, lower investments, and franchisee success over growth for growth's sake. Zack and Nick discuss: Lessons from growing a restaurant brand too quickly Why Little Greek prioritizes owner-operators and lower debt How delivery has changed restaurant footprints Protecting food quality and accuracy off-premise Adapting menus to changing consumer habits The growing opportunity in catering Thanks, Nick! Links: https://www.instagram.com/littlegreekfreshgrill/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-vojnovic/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/little-greek-fresh-grill/ https://littlegreekfreshgrill.com

September 28, 202620 min

From 20 Dinners a Day to a Texas Institution with Skeeter Miller of County Line

Send us Fan Mail Skeeter Miller, founder and president of County Line Barbecue, joins Zack Oates to share how a Texas barbecue restaurant has continued evolving after more than five decades in business. From going from just 10 to 20 dinners a day to hundreds after a Texas Monthly write-up, to building a multimillion-dollar private events business, Skeeter shares the stories and ideas that have kept County Line relevant for 51 years. Zack and Skeeter discuss: How County Line became a Texas barbecue institution Why successful restaurants have to be willing to change Turning employee ideas into new revenue opportunities Growing private events from $100,000 to nearly $4 million Creating memorable experiences beyond the food Why great service still makes the biggest difference Thanks, Skeeter! Links: https://www.instagram.com/countylinebbqsa/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/skeeter-miller-61716926/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/county-line-incorporated/ https://countyline.com/

September 14, 202617 min

Why Blaze Pizza Believes Personalization Is the Future of Hospitality with John Owen

Send us Fan Mail John Owen, CEO of Blaze Pizza, joins Zack Oates to discuss how restaurants can create memorable guest experiences through personalization, consistency, and strong execution. With more than three decades of leadership experience across brands like McDonald's, Subway, and Scooter's Coffee, John shares why understanding the difference between customization and personalization is critical for today's restaurants. Zack and John discuss: Why personalization matters more than ever in hospitality The difference between customizing a product and personalizing an experience How brands should approach innovation and market disruption Why customer feedback must guide restaurant decisions Building consistency across hundreds of locations What restaurants can learn from Chick-fil-A's guest experience strategy Thanks, John! Links: https://www.instagram.com/blazepizza/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-o-73422325/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/blazepizza/ https://www.blazepizza.com/

September 8, 202620 min

Jim Mazany of P.F. Chang's on Building Memories, Not Just Meals

Send us Fan Mail Jim Mazany, CEO of P.F. Chang's, joins Zack Oates to discuss how one of America's most iconic restaurant brands continues to evolve while staying true to its hospitality roots. From creating memorable dining experiences to balancing value with premium quality, Jim shares why every guest interaction is an opportunity to build lasting loyalty. Zack and Jim discuss: Creating memorable experiences that guests return for years later Balancing value with an elevated dining experience Why consistency builds long-term guest loyalty Using menu innovation to keep the brand relevant How small hospitality moments create lasting emotional connections The importance of staying authentic while evolving with guest expectations Thanks, Jim! Links: https://www.instagram.com/pfchangs/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmazany/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/pfchangs/ https://www.pfchangs.com/

August 31, 202617 min

How Toastique Turned Healthy Eating Into a Daily Habit with Brianna Keefe

Send us Fan Mail Brianna Keefe, founder of Toastique, joins Zack Oates to discuss how she built a health-focused restaurant concept from one Washington, D.C. location into a rapidly growing franchise brand. Brianna shares why Toastique prioritizes owner-operators, how the brand creates value without compromising ingredient quality, and why the personal touch remains essential as the company scales. Zack and Brianna discuss: Why Toastique chose an owner-operator franchise model How personal interactions create repeat guests Building consistency across a growing restaurant brand Why healthy food doesn't have to sacrifice experience Protecting ingredient quality despite cost pressures Why short-term savings can hurt a brand long-term Thanks, Brianna! Links: https://www.instagram.com/toastique/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-keefe-4a735087/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/toastique/ https://toastique.com/

August 17, 202624 min

Why Great Harvest Still Bakes Bread the Hard Way with John Dikos

Send us Fan Mail John Dikos, CEO of Great Harvest Bread Company, joins Zack Oates to discuss what it takes to modernize a beloved restaurant brand without losing the traditions that made it successful. From preserving Great Harvest's commitment to fresh-milled wheat and scratch baking to using guest data more effectively, John shares how authenticity and hospitality continue to differentiate the brand nearly 50 years after its founding. Zack and John discuss: Why Great Harvest refuses to compromise on bread quality How authentic hospitality begins the moment guests walk through the door Using guest data to improve long-term loyalty The value of staying true to a brand's founding principles Why storytelling matters as much as product quality How Great Harvest is preparing for its next chapter of growth Thanks, John! Links: https://www.instagram.com/greatharvest/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-dikos/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/great-harvest-bread-co./ https://www.greatharvest.com/

July 20, 202615 min

How This Restaurant CEO Tracks 150 Stores Without Setting Foot in Them

Send us Fan Mail Chris Ives, CEO and President of Bubbakoo's Burritos, joins Zack Oates to discuss why genuine hospitality remains one of the most powerful competitive advantages in restaurants. Drawing on experience across finance, operations, and executive leadership, Chris explains how strong culture, engaged teams, and thoughtful guest interactions ultimately drive profitability for franchisees. Zack and Chris discuss: Why culture matters more than metrics alone The connection between guest experience and restaurant profitability How genuine hospitality creates loyal guests Why restaurants should get back to the basics Balancing technology with human connection Using guest feedback to improve operations across franchise locations Thanks, Chris! Links: https://www.instagram.com/bubbakoosburritos/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-ives-cfe-66b76940/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/bubbakoos-burritos/

July 13, 202619 min

The Secret Behind Viral Restaurant Content with Sullivan Finlay

Send us Fan Mail Sullivan Finlay joins Zack Oates to explore why authenticity, consistency, and relatable storytelling matter more than ever in today's social media landscape. After leaving a career in accounting and enterprise software, Sullivan built a full-time career creating comedy that resonates with millions by capturing the realities of corporate life. Along the way, he's learned valuable lessons that apply far beyond comedy—including how restaurant brands can create content that people actually want to watch. Zack and Sullivan discuss: Why authentic content consistently outperforms polished marketing How creators develop ideas that resonate with audiences The importance of consistency before something goes viral What restaurant brands can learn from content creators Why collaboration helps expand audiences Simple ways to improve watch time and audience retention Thanks, Sullivan! Links: https://www.instagram.com/sullyfinlay/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@sullyfinlay https://www.youtube.com/@sullyfinlay https://www.linkedin.com/in/sullivanfinlay/ https://sullyfinlay.com/

July 6, 202615 min

Sharon Arthofer of SIP Fresh Juice on Turning Samples Into Loyal Guests

Send us Fan Mail Sharon Arthofer, Founder and CEO of SIP Fresh Juice, joins Zack Oates to discuss building a beverage brand around fresh fruit, hospitality, and guest engagement. Sharon shares the story behind SIP Fresh Juice, how the concept was inspired by craft mixology, and why sampling and human interaction remain central to the guest experience. Zack and Sharon discuss: How SIP Fresh Juice was inspired by cocktail culture Creating a healthy indulgence beverage category The role of sampling in driving trial and loyalty Why guest experience starts with human connection Balancing speed, quality, and hospitality Lessons from building brands in mall environments Thanks, Sharon! Links: https://www.instagram.com/sipfresh/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-arthofer-4a646329/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sip-fresh-franchise/ https://www.sipfreshjuice.com/

June 29, 202617 min

Features vs Products: What Restaurant Leaders Keep Getting Wrong with Atul Sood of Curry Up Now

Send us Fan Mail Atul Sood, Chief Business Officer at Curry Up Now, joins Zack Oates to discuss the evolving relationship between restaurant operators and technology providers. Drawing from leadership roles at McDonald's, Kitchen United, and across the food tech ecosystem, Atul shares why relationships still matter, how operators should evaluate technology partners, and why the future belongs to companies that solve real problems rather than simply adding features. Zack and Atul discuss: Why buyers purchase when they're ready, not when sellers push The difference between a product company and a feature company How restaurants should evaluate technology vendors Balancing best-in-class solutions with platform consolidation Why caring is at the center of great guest experiences How AI is changing the future of restaurant technology Thanks, Atul! Links: https://www.instagram.com/curryupnow/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/atulsood/ linkedin.com/company/curry-up-now https://www.curryupnow.com/