In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper speaks with David Youngberg, CEO of Stonefire Grill, about what it truly means to lead with hospitality. With decades of experience in restaurant operations—from his early days at McDonald's to senior leadership at BJ's and now Stonefire—David offers grounded insights on building a people-first culture. He shares how Stonefire is refining its guest experience through technology, team empowerment, and a clear vision for growth. From improving internal communication to acting on customer feedback, David breaks down the strategic choices that make Stonefire's service model both scalable and personal.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• David's leadership journey from BJ's Restaurants to Stonefire Grill

• The people-first philosophy behind Stonefire's operations

• Using stakeholder input to guide strategic initiatives

• Leveraging tech tools like Toast and Ovation to enhance service

• Creating a high-performance culture through servant leadership

Connect with David Youngberg:

www.stonefiregrill.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dyoungberg 

www.instagram.com/tridavetri 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/stonefire-grill-inc

https://www.instagram.com/stonefiregrill/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/stonefiregrill?lang=en

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWywdImCs66xn62mktbA5IA

https://www.facebook.com/stonefiregrill/ 

 

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.