Restaurant Influencers

Hosted by Entrepreneur Media

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Episodes

249

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Are you SICK and TIRED of scrolling through your social media feeds and not seeing your business anywhere? On the new Restaurant Influencers podcast, top leaders in the restaurant and hospitality industries share their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling and showing up where your customers are spending time online. The weekly digital series is hosted by Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn P. Walchef and presented by Entrepreneur Media, Yelp, and the Restaurant Point of Sale company Toast.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 20, 202623 min

Why Operating 650 Auto Body Shops Doesn’t Stop This CEO From Hosting His Own Podcast

Matt Ebert grew Crash Champions from one collision repair shop to 650 locations. Through his podcast, PodCrash, he builds trust with customers and connects with potential employees while sharing lessons on leadership, entrepreneurship and careers in the trades. Watch now to learn how Matt Ebert uses podcasting to build trust, why profitability must come before expansion and how trusting his team helped him grow Crash Champions to 650 locations. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 13, 202641 min

They Sold BBQ to Their Rugby Friends. Then Quit Their Jobs to Go All In.

Matt Kears and Josh Alcock left their trades to build Black Cactus Barbecue in East London. They combine Texas barbecue techniques with global flavors, creating food they want to eat while introducing customers to barbecue beyond brisket. Watch now to learn how Matt Kears and Josh Alcock turned a barbecue side project into Black Cactus and built a menu combining Texas techniques with global flavors. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 6, 202628 min

He Runs 66 Pizza Restaurants. His Biggest Challenge Is Making Sure Customers Know What to Expect at Every One

Ed Bogan and his brother own Pizza King, a 70-year-old chain with 66 locations. Bogan wants customers to know what to expect at every restaurant, while staying open to new ideas that can help the business. Watch now to learn how Ed Bogan approaches consistency across 66 Pizza King restaurants and decides which new ideas are worth bringing back to his teams. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 22, 202639 min

Once An Unfinished Roof, Years Later, His Restaurant Sits Above the Center of Dublin

Alan Clancy, the Hospitality Entrepreneur behind DÍON, has developed and operated bars, restaurants and late-night venues in Ireland. His approach combines ambitious design with close attention to the customer journey, from transforming a rooftop above Dublin’s former Central Bank building to reconsidering the weight of the front door. Watch now to learn how Clancy transformed a rooftop above Dublin’s former Central Bank building, why he asked other hospitality leaders for guidance and how small details shape the customer experience. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 15, 202647 min

This CEO Says Quarterly Thinking Is “Insane.” His Company Is Building a Hotel Designed to Stand for 100 Years

Alistair Darby, CEO of Sir Richard Sutton Limited, has over 25 years leading public and private companies through growth and change. His approach to hospitality looks beyond the next quarter, with investments built to last for generations and a willingness to take difficult assignments. Watch now to learn why Darby rejects quarterly thinking, why leaders should take the difficult assignment and how long-term investments build stronger hospitality businesses. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 8, 202626 min

She Helped Instagram Take On TikTok and was as CTO of Tinder — Now this Founder is Betting on AI’s Next Big Opportunity

Maria Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Palona AI, shares how her experience at Tinder, Meta and Google shaped her approach to artificial intelligence. Zhang is applying what she learned building technology at scale to help restaurants use AI to improve operations and hospitality. Watch now to learn why Maria Zhang left Big Tech, why she chose restaurants and how AI can help operators save time and capture opportunities. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 1, 202635 min

Easier Ways to Make Money Exist. So Why 100 Years in Restaurants?

Jon Spiteri, veteran London restaurateur, shares how more than 100 years of family hospitality shaped his approach at The Latimer. For Spiteri, taking care of people and telling your story are at the heart of hospitality. Watch now to learn why taking care of people matters, how storytelling builds relationships and what 100 years of family hospitality can teach us. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 25, 202619 min

Restaurants Use 5,000-Pound Cars to Deliver 5-Pound Bags of Food. These Founders Asked Why — Then Built a Different Solution

Melissa Fahs, Vice President of Enterprise Partnerships at Coco Robotics, shares how autonomous delivery is changing the way restaurants get food to their customers. With Coco already completing thousands of deliveries, Fahs believes robot delivery can lower costs, protect food quality and fit seamlessly into restaurant operations. Watch now to learn how autonomous delivery can lower costs, protect food quality and fit seamlessly into restaurant operations. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 18, 202656 min

They've Baked More Than 1.5 Million Bagels. Going ‘Full Bagel' Helped This Franchise Bring in Serious Dough.

Jeff Perera, co-founder of Jeff's Bagel Run, shares how a layoff and a homemade bagel turned into one of the restaurant industry's fastest-growing brands. He explains why building in public, sharing the journey and never sacrificing quality have fueled the company's growth. Watch now to learn how storytelling, consistency and transparency helped turn a homemade bagel into one of the restaurant industry's fastest-growing brands. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 11, 202624 min

He Made One SEO Adjustment. Two Weeks Later, His Restaurant Had $10,000 in Catering Orders

Kevin Walker, operator of El Famous Burrito and Extract Juicery, shares how technology is helping him grow his businesses, reach new customers and stay competitive. He explains why working closely with partners like Popmenu has become an important part of building for the future. Watch now to learn how restaurant technology can drive growth, improve online visibility and help operators build stronger connections with their customers. Restaurant Influencers is sponsored by: • Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://entm.ag/ToastRI • PepsiCo Foodservice: https://entm.ag/RIPepsico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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