Unlocking new ways for restaurants to interact and delight customers. Join us for conversations with restaurant operators, business leaders, and the people behind successful food service operations.
Tune in to our most recent conversation about voice AI in restaurants
In the inaugural episode of The Modern Operator, we sit down with Arvin Jain, the software-engineer-turned-restaurateur who is the current custodian of Ben Frank's, a beloved fast-food icon with over 40 years of history in Redwood City. Arvin shares his unique journey from the tech world to the restaurant industry and the challenges he faced in modernizing a legacy brand. Discover the surprising Hollywood history behind Ben Frank's, including its connection to music legends like Frank Zappa, and hear how Arvin navigated the COVID-19 pandemic with overwhelming community support. This episode is a deep dive into the passion required to preserve a piece of local history while competing with national chains and innovating with technology to create a restaurant built to last.
Featuring:
From personal trainer to CEO of a 33-unit pizza chain, Carl Comeaux shares his incredible entrepreneurial journey and his strategy for finding and empowering the right franchisees to fuel the growth of Crust Pizza Co.
Restaurant group CEO Alistair Levine shares his playbook for turning around a restaurant business, building a strong culture, and leveraging technology to enhance, not replace, genuine hospitality.
Brix Holdings CEO Sherif Mityas shares his playbook for acquiring, managing, and growing a diverse portfolio of eight restaurant brands, including the iconic Friendly's.
With a rich history at Claim Jumper and a fresh vision for Rusty Taco, CEO Daniel Smith shares his journey and his strategy for re-energizing a beloved taco brand.
Paul Trinh tells the story of how he's helping restaurants bypass expensive liquor licenses by creating innovative, high-quality wine-based cocktails that are changing the beverage game for small operators.
Sweetfin co-founder Seth Cohen tells the story of how he took a little-known Hawaiian dish called poke and turned it into a Southern California fast-casual sensation by focusing on a premium product, a strong brand, and a commitment to community.
Marketing expert Christi Christian explains why great marketing is more than just advertising and shares her secrets for making a restaurant brand truly stand out, from fresh-baked cookies to genuine hospitality.
Asian Box CEO Chuck Eperson discusses his journey from restaurant manager to CEO, the brand's resilience through the pandemic, and their strategic plans for growth through franchising and unique locations.
Insights into food brand selection and investment strategy with Andy Jacobi
From Five Guys franchisee to CEO of his own fast-growing brand, Chris Smith shares the story of Zunzi's and Zunzibar and his mission to fix the things that suck about the restaurant industry.
Jim Balis discusses the challenges and strategies of scaling restaurant businesses and transitioning from founder to CEO
From Baskin-Robbins employee to multi-brand franchisee, Mandy Ristic shares her secrets to rapid growth, successful acquisitions, and building a thriving restaurant empire through people-first leadership.
From building catering empires for top restaurant brands to launching her own innovative "eatertainment" concept, Monica Challingsworth shares her journey and the story behind Dink and Dine Pickle Park.
Daniella Senior tells the story of how she built Colada Shop, a vibrant all-day Cuban cafe, and shares her secrets for creating a space with a unique identity that keeps guests coming back from morning to night.
Peter Wiley of Hot Head Burritos shares the story of how they grew from a single burrito shop into a multi-state franchise by leveraging smart marketing, a strong operational playbook, and key technology investments.
FeaturedAndy Pforzheimer, co-founder of Barcelona Wine Bar and Bartaco, shares the wild stories and valuable lessons from his early days working his way up through the kitchens of legendary restaurants.
FeaturedMijo Alanis, founder of Beyond Juicery + Eatery, tells his story of starting from the bottom of the restaurant industry and building a successful health-food franchise from a single smoothie shop.
Kashish Juneja, founder of Aura, shares her journey of building a health-conscious boba brand, overcoming personal and business challenges, and finding her authentic voice as an entrepreneur.
FeaturedAaron Solomon tells the story of how he quit his job in finance to build Ambl, a revolutionary app designed to simplify restaurant bookings for both diners and venues.
Bryant Williams, founder of Hardcore Peanut Butter, shares his story of creating a healthier and more innovative peanut butter, and the lessons he learned building his brand from the ground up.
FeaturedBrittany, co-founder of Plant Futures, discusses the rise of plant-based foods, her mission to educate through her non-profit, and the future of the alternative protein industry.
FeaturedArvin Jain shares his journey of preserving Ben Frank's, a 40-year-old iconic drive-thru, by blending its rich history with modern technology and a passion for good food.
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