Episodes

  • Gen Z Corner: Kids Weigh In on the Best Brands

    Gen Z Corner: Kids Weigh In on the Best Brands
    May 1 2025
    In this eye-opening Gen Z Corner segment of Restaurant Masterminds, host Paul Barron sits down with 8-year-old Colette and 9-year-old Graham to uncover what truly attracts the youngest consumers to restaurant brands. Colette reveals why texture, temperature, and customization at Chick-fil-A, Shake Shack, and Chipotle win her loyalty, while Graham offers groundbreaking insights on how gaming integration and themed environments could revolutionize restaurant experiences for young guests. These unfiltered perspectives provide restaurant operators with invaluable strategies for menu development and concept innovation that will resonate with tomorrow's customers.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    GenZDining #RestaurantInnovation #GamingHospitality
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
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    1 min
  • Balancing Price vs. Value: Insights from Dickey's Barbecue

    Balancing Price vs. Value: Insights from Dickey's Barbecue
    Apr 24 2025
    In this insightful episode of Restaurant Masterminds, host Paul Barron and co-hosts Robin Blanchette and Rudy Miick welcome Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue, to discuss the critical balance between price and value in today's challenging restaurant economy. Dickey shares how her 866-location barbecue chain is navigating shifting consumer behavior by expanding value options while maintaining profitability without significant price increases. The conversation explores data-driven decision making, menu engineering strategies, loyalty program innovations, and the importance of creating meaningful guest experiences that justify pricing—essential insights for restaurant operators facing similar challenges in 2025.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    RestaurantStrategy #MenuEngineering #ValueEquation
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
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    35 mins
  • Loyalty Programs Connecting With Gen-Z

    Loyalty Programs Connecting With Gen-Z
    Apr 17 2025
    In this thought-provoking episode of Restaurant Masterminds, host Paul Barron and fractional CMO Stacy Kane challenge traditional loyalty programs, revealing why Gen Z's $12 trillion spending power demands a fresh approach. The duo dissects Starbucks' controversial rewards devaluation, explores gamification alternatives, and introduces blockchain solutions like Blackbird that could eliminate costly third-party intermediaries. Their bold prediction? The entire loyalty tech stack may disappear within five years, making this essential viewing for restaurant operators seeking to build genuine customer connections that transcend points systems.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    #RestaurantLoyalty #FoodServiceInnovation #CustomerRetention

    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
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    49 mins
  • Culture Do's and Don'ts: 3 Steps to Building A Great Company Culture

    Culture Do's and Don'ts: 3 Steps to Building A Great Company Culture
    Apr 3 2025
    In this episode of the Restaurant Masterminds podcast, host Paul Baron and culture expert Rudy Miick explore how to build a "badass brand" through strong company culture. They discuss the difference between "win-lose" versus inspirational leadership approaches, highlighting that while aggressive culture models can work, their sustainability is questionable. The conversation examines how explicit cultural values drive brand performance, especially in uncertain economic times, with only 23% of employees globally being actively engaged in the workplace. Using Coinbase as an example, they emphasize the importance of clearly defining and aligning culture with brand values, maintaining consistency in practices, and creating supportive processes that attract like-minded employees.

    #CompanyCulture #BrandBuilding #EmployeeEngagement

    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Show more Show less
    48 mins
  • Mastering Social Media for Restaurants (PT 2) Content Marketing for Your Restaurant

    Mastering Social Media for Restaurants (PT 2) Content Marketing for Your Restaurant
    Mar 27 2025
    Paul Barron and Paul Molinari discuss the transformative power of content marketing for restaurants. They explore key strategies to enhance both local and national branding, including:
    Local Marketing: Building community ties through partnerships with local influencers and highlighting locally sourced products.
    • Visual Content: Leveraging high-quality images and videos to showcase brand identity and engage customers.
    • Social Media Strategies: Utilizing platforms like Instagram and TikTok for consistent brand storytelling.
    • National Branding: Integrating local efforts with broader campaigns to expand reach while maintaining local relevance.
    • Measuring Success: Analyzing metrics to refine marketing strategies.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    #RestaurantInnovation #FoodServiceTrends #RestaurantBranding
    --------------------------------
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Mastering Social Media for Restaurants (PT 1)

    Mastering Social Media for Restaurants (PT 1)
    Mar 20 2025
    In this episode of Restaurant Masterminds, host Paul Barron and co-hosts Paul Molinari and Anna Tauzin explore effective social media strategies for restaurant brands. Anna Tauzin, CMO of MAC Corporation, shares insights from managing nine diverse brands across Texas, covering platform selection, content creation, measurement tactics, and tech tools. The discussion includes practical tips on Instagram vs. TikTok usage, visual content development, engaging community events, and how independent operators can compete without enterprise-level resources.

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    RestaurantMarketing #SocialMediaStrategy #FoodServiceSuccess
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • How Clutch Coffee Bar Is Capturing the Gen Z Market Through Authentic Energy

    How Clutch Coffee Bar Is Capturing the Gen Z Market Through Authentic Energy
    Feb 27 2025
    In a recent Restaurant Masterminds podcast, hosts Paul Barron and Rudy Miick interviewed Darren Spicer of Clutch Coffee Bar about effectively connecting with Gen Z consumers. Spicer, with prior experience at Dutch Bros, shared that hiring Gen Z staff is crucial for attracting Gen Z customers, as authenticity resonates with this demographic. Clutch's success stems from its vibrant color palette matching "Gen Z palette 2025," purpose-driven approach of "serving positive energy," immersive atmosphere with music, dedicated app-based rewards system, and menu diversification beyond coffee. Spicer predicts industry consolidation in the next five years with Dutch Bros and Seven Brew dominating, while Clutch focuses on densifying its Carolina presence before expanding elsewhere.

    #GenZMarketing #CoffeeInnovation #BrandAuthenticity

    ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~
    #1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more
    With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.

    Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. ➡ Visit www.savor.fm

    Follow on X: Savor_fm
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Cherryh Cansler Discusses Fast Casual Trends for 2025

    Cherryh Cansler Discusses Fast Casual Trends for 2025
    Feb 20 2025
    Fast Casual expert Cherryh Cansler joins Restaurant Masterminds to reveal how Gen Z is revolutionizing the restaurant industry in 2025. From the rise of GLP-1 medications affecting menu development to the death of traditional loyalty programs, this episode dives deep into the forces reshaping fast casual dining. Discover why technology integration is becoming make-or-break for brands, how TikTok is driving food trends, and why the next generation of consumers demands total transparency from restaurants. Plus, learn about the emerging trend of experiential rewards replacing traditional discounts and why your brand's tech stack might be holding you back.

    FastCasual2025 #RestaurantIndustry #FoodTrends
    Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. ➡ Visit www.savor.fm

    Follow on X: Savor_fm
    Show more Show less
    57 mins
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