In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper welcomes Kathleen Wood—industry veteran, consultant, and founder of Kathleen Wood Partners—for a dynamic conversation about hospitality, founder-led businesses, and the future of leadership in the restaurant space. Kathleen shares her journey from dishwasher to CEO, discusses the philosophy behind transforming transactions into human connections, and offers practical insights on building scalable, founder-led companies. 

The two dive deep into the evolution of hospitality, the importance of blending digital and physical experiences ("phygital"), and why the next wave of growth in restaurants will be driven by leadership development, not just technology. Kathleen also highlights recurring challenges she helps brands solve—like operational absorption and leadership gaps—and why staying curious across industries is essential for innovation.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• Kathleen's early career and inspiration for entering the restaurant industry

• Founder-led growth and the Power of One framework

• Applying cross-industry best practices to hospitality

• The shift toward "phygital" guest experiences

• Addressing the leadership deficit in restaurant operations

Connect with Kathleen Wood:

Email: [email protected] 

Website: kwoodpartners.com 

Facebook: Facebook.com/KathleenWoodPartners 

Instagram: Instagram.com/Kwpfounders 

LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/KathleenWoodPartners

 

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.