In this bonus episode, listen to Mandi Wooledge, Decision Logic President and COO, talk to John Montgomery, President of Salad Collective, Snappy Salads, and MAD Greens. With 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry and a tenure at companies such as Noodles & Company and Buca di Beppo, John shares his insights into the rise of convenience, labor challenges, the importance of people, and much more.

On this episode of Beyond the Menu, we sit down with Neil Culbertson, Founder and President of Growth Partners to talk about his insights into  the evolution of the industry, including the recent wave of innovation brought on by the pandemic, opportunities for brands to grow through  prioritizing customer experience, and so much more.

Founded by Neil Culbertson, Growth Partners is a unique business development consulting firm focused on partnering  with restaurant companies to grow to the next level of sales and  profits. They offer senior level experience and a proven process to help  identify the areas of greatest growth opportunity, and then develop  actionable, measurable plans to realize its potential. Whether you are  an emerging company or a mature brand that needs fresh ideas to restore  topline sales momentum, Growth Partners can help you grow in today’s highly competitive restaurant industry.

On this episode of Beyond the Menu, we sit down with Nick Maestas, Owner of Muchachos, and Matt Taylor, Owner of Tavern on the Square and The Other Room to talk about navigating through the pandemic, pivoting the standard food truck model, utilizing social outreach and brand, community support, being an employer of choice during the staffing crisis, integrating technology into their strategies, and hero stories from their teammates.

Muchachos is a food truck and restaurant that’s dedicated to tradition. At the heart of Muchachos, is family. It’s what inspired Nick Maestas to dream up the concept of Muchachos. He took the New Mexican flavors he grew up watching his grandparents prepare and mixed it with his own love of smoking bbq. Together, it created a unique new flavor concept.

Tavern on the Square opened July 19th, 2010. They are a neighborhood bar with a large outdoor courtyard surrounded by brick buildings built in the late 1800s in the Historic Haymarket Square. With daily specials that change seasonally and a comfortable, friendly environment, their main focus is their patrons which they consider a close, extended family.

On this episode of Beyond the Menu, we sit down with Erin Palladino, Vice President of Marketing & Ops Services at PepperJax Grill, to talk about pivoting due to COVID-19, the strength in technology partnerships, being an employer of choice during the staffing crisis, and their plans for the future.

PepperJax Grill opened its first location in Omaha, Neb. in 2002 and has been grilling up flavorful meats ever since, bringing guests mouthwatering PepperJax Phillies, Philly Bowls, Salads, Loaded Fries and more!

Learn more: https://pepperjaxgrill.com/

On this episode of Beyond the Menu, we sit down with Garrett Mills, President and CEO of Chandler Hospitality Group, and Matt Thompson, VP of Operations at RibCrib to talk about the impact of COVID-19, shifting restaurant operations, technology partnerships, and their plans for the future.

Chandler Hospitality Group is a multi-concept restaurant group based in the Southwest United States. Founded by Bret Chandler in 1992, CHG features a 55+ location BBQ chain called RibCrib, a growing craft burger kitchen, and is actively developing additional concepts.

Learn more: https://chandlerhospitality.com/

On our very first episode of Beyond the Menu, we sit down with Mike Dixon, CFO, and Garrett Fadden, VP of Retail IT at Focus Brands to talk about the impact of COVID-19, shifting restaurant operations, technology partnerships, and their plans for the future. 

Focus Brands is a leading developer of global, multi-channel foodservice under the iconic brand names of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, McAlister’s Deli® and Schlotzsky’s®. 

Learn more: https://www.focusbrands.com/