QSR Uncut

Hosted by QSR magazine

Business Management Arts FoodInterviews guests

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Episodes

388

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 5, 2026Episode 25653 min

The Story of Outback Steakhouse and the Bloomin' Onion, with Cofounder Tim Gannon

Outback cofounder Tim Gannon arrived in Tampa with $37 in his pocket and a book of recipes. How did that leap of faith turn into one of the world's most-famous restaurant chains? Gannon joins QSR Uncut this week for a special episode that shares the real story behind the iconic steakhouse brand, how he created perhaps (not much debate) the most-famous appetizer of all time, and what it took to bring a dream from the edge of failure into something legendary. This is a run through history and a tale of entrepreneurship you won't want to miss. And if you're interested in reading more, Gannon's new book, "Bloomin Adventures," is available here: https://outbacktim.com/book/ Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your network. Get empowered. Learn from the best. You can find out more and sign up here .

October 29, 2026Episode 25552 min

Talking Leadership, History, and Building a Growth Brand, with Dave's Hot Chicken CEO Jim Bitticks

Dave's Hot Chicken is one of the fastest-growing restaurant franchises in sector history. CEO Jim Bitticks joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss the brand's rise, as well as his own personal journey of leadership, how he's developing a culture designed to scale, and what it takes to keep building with intention as Dave's soars across the country. Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your network. Get empowered. Learn from the best. You can find out more and sign up here .

October 22, 2026Episode 25438 min

The Enduring Story of Wienerschnitzel, and What’s Still to Come, with CEO J.R. Galardi

Wienerschnitzel is one of the QSR industry’s true icons, with roots dating to 1961, when John Galardi opened a single location in Southern California. The world’s largest hot dog chain is now led by John’s son, J.R., who took over the reins in 2022 from his mother, Cindy Galardi Culpepper. Since, J.R. has been on a mission to preserve and enhance what makes the classic chain unique, while also thinking ahead—exploring topics from AI to store innovation to more. We dive into the past, present, and future of Wienerschnitzel as it prepares for growth. Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your network. Get empowered. Learn from the best. You can find out more and sign up here .

October 15, 2026Episode 25345 min

Winning in the Digital Restaurant Economy, with DoorDash’s Jeff Frost

DoorDash leader Jeff Frost joins QSR Uncut this week to talk through an increasingly complex digital ecosystem and where operators should begin. How can you manage growth? What channels are top of mind? How do you take control? We chat through customer acquisition and retention, direct ordering, loyalty, marketing, operational fit, connected technology, and much more, on this wide-ranging discussion into one of the fastest-evolving arenas there is. This episode was brought to you by our partners at DoorDash. Learn more here.

October 8, 2026Episode 25238 min

Smalls Sliders Plans a Big Leap, with Founder Brandon Landry

Brandon Landry joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss what’s ahead for Smalls Sliders, a brand that leapt onto the scene and appears ready to hit its growth stride. We discuss what’s next, what’s driving consumer interest these days, and also take a dive into some thoughts around leadership and what's needed to build an organization with lasting power. Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your network. Get empowered. Learn from the best. You can find out more and sign up here .

October 1, 2026Episode 25135 min

Tiki Bagel Joins the Bagel Surge, with Founder PJ Powell

All of sudden, bagels are one of the hottest categories in QSR. Let’s meet Tiki Bagel, a St. Pete-based brand that endured early craziness (what else is new in foodservice?) to emerge stronger on the other side. Now, it’s targeting growth via franchising and taking its unique and bold labor model forward into a future rife with potential. Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your network. Get empowered. Learn from the best. You can find out more and sign up here .

September 24, 2026Episode 25035 min

Why Mike's Red Tacos Could Be the Next Big Thing, with CDO Patrick Cunningham

Few restaurant brands have generated as much buzz in recent months as Mike's Red Tacos, a San Diego-founded concept that has hundreds of units lined up through franchising agreements. CDO Patrick Cunningham joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss the early push and what it's been like stepping into a role with so much whitespace ahead. Can Mike's Red Tacos define a category? We're about to find out. Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your network. Get empowered. Learn from the best. You can find out more and sign up here .

September 17, 2026Episode 24954 min

Solving Restaurant Tech Fatigue: Turning Friction Into Flow

Tim Busa and Brian Herr of Crunchtime join QSR Uncut this week as we tackle some of the industry’s most-pressing technology topics, from fragmented bloat to why surface-level API integrations haven’t solved the problem yet. We’ll introduce a new vision of a true "Connected Kitchen" and begin to lay out a roadmap for the future of operations in a more-connected restaurant world. This episode was brought to you by our partners at Crunchtime .

September 3, 2026Episode 24854 min

Restaurant Development Trends, from Two Ex-Raising Cane’s Operators

College roommates Eric Ongaro and Matt Salts joined forces at RCO Limited, the first Raising Cane’s franchise partner. Together, they helped grow the company to nearly 50 Ohio locations and $200 million in annual sales before Raising Cane’s bought back the enterprise in late 2021. While scaling RCO, however, the two kept running into development challenges, leading to the creation of an inside operation that ultimately became OLIO Development Group. Today, OLIO works with brands like Cane’s, Panda Express, 7 Brew, CAVA, Shake Shack, and more. Ongaro and Salts joined QSR Uncut to discuss their journey and what the state of development looks like for restaurants today. Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your network. Get empowered. Learn from the best. You can find out more and sign up here .

August 27, 2026Episode 24736 min

Talking GLP-1s, Wellness, and Crisp & Green’s Next Growth Chapter, with Steele Smiley

Cofounder and executive chairman Steele Smiley returns to QSR Uncut to share his thoughts on why wellness and fitness remain major whitespace opportunities within the restaurant industry. We discuss how Crisp & Green is tapping in from an authentic angle, and what some brands are getting right and wrong about how America really wants to eat. Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your network. Get empowered. Learn from the best. You can find out more and sign up here .