Check-In with Bryan

What separates a great hotel restaurant from one that quietly loses money?

In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, Bryan sits down with hospitality veteran Guy Reinbold—former VP of Food & Beverage and Corporate Executive Chef at Marriott International—to break down what actually drives success in hotel F&B.

With over 40 years of experience, Guy shares real-world insights from the front lines of hotel operations, covering everything from concept development and menu strategy to guest expectations and profitability. From fixing underperforming restaurants to navigating brand standards vs. owner ROI, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways for hotel owners, operators, and hospitality professionals.

They dive into:

• Why most hotel restaurant concepts fail before they even open
• The balance between brand standards and owner profitability
• How guest expectations should shape your F&B strategy
• The real impact of pricing, room service, and retail on revenue
• Why simplicity and execution matter more than over-designed menus
• Lessons from decades inside one of the world’s largest hotel brands

Whether you’re building a new concept or trying to fix an existing one, this episode is a masterclass in keeping hospitality both profitable and authentic.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly insights from leaders shaping the hospitality industry.

#Hospitality #HotelManagement #FoodAndBeverage #HotelBusiness #Leadership

What does it actually feel like to take a trip where everything is planned for you?

This week on Check-In with Bryan, we’re coming to you aboard the Scarlet Lady with Lara Eurdolian, Belle Baskt, and Melissa & Skye Neumann to break down their full Caribbean experience—this time planned entirely by Destinations by Reliance.

From the moment they left home to the moment they stepped back off the ship, every detail of this trip was handled—from flights and transportation to onboard reservations, excursions in Key West and Bimini, and everything in between.

The result? A completely different way to travel.

Instead of stressing over logistics, the group was able to fully immerse themselves in the experience—leaning into spontaneity, enjoying curated recommendations, and having a dedicated concierge available 24/7 to handle anything that came up along the way.

In this episode, they share their honest, unfiltered experience of what it’s like to:

• Travel without planning every detail yourself
• Experience a Virgin Voyages cruise through a fully curated itinerary
• Balance spontaneity with structure
• Enjoy high-level service without the usual travel headaches

They also dive into the moments that made the trip unforgettable—from Scarlet Night and late-night karaoke to exploring Key West, discovering Bimini, and experiencing the energy that makes Virgin Voyages stand out.

And perhaps most importantly, they reflect on what changed when they were able to truly be present—thanks to having every moving piece handled for them. 

#VirginVoyages #LuxuryTravel #TravelPlanning #DestinationsByReliance #CheckInWithBryan

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What it’s like to have your entire trip planned for you
• How Destinations by Reliance creates a seamless travel experience
• Why concierge-level service changes how you travel
• The real difference between DIY travel and curated itineraries
• Highlights from Virgin Voyages, Key West, and Bimini

About the Show:

Check-In with Bryan is hosted by Bryan Fish, CEO of Reliance Hospitality, featuring conversations with leaders, creators, and operators shaping the future of hospitality, travel, and business.

Credits:

This show is a production of RH Media Productions.
Executive Producer: Tyler Alexander

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Reliance Hospitality Global Limited Co., its affiliates, or subsidiaries.

All content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be interpreted as professional legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions regarding your business.

#VirginVoyages #LuxuryTravel #TravelPlanning #DestinationsByReliance #CheckInWithBryan

Hospitality brands have more guest data than ever before — but most still are not using it to create truly personalized experiences.

In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, Bryan sits down with Billy FisCher of Very Good Ventures at the Digital Transformation Summit in Arlington, Texas, to talk about where AI is actually headed in hospitality, why so many brands are stuck with stale digital experiences, and what operators should be doing right now to prepare for the next wave of innovation.

Billy breaks down the disconnect between massive data warehouses and the actual guest experience, explaining why many hotel, travel, and restaurant brands have built powerful systems without creating meaningful personalization. The conversation also dives into the rise of generative AI, how customer expectations are changing, where brands should start experimenting, and why the smartest operators should focus on solving one friction point at a time instead of chasing hype.

They also explore:

• Why hotel and travel digital experiences have started to feel stale
• How AI could become the bridge between data and real-time personalization
• What hospitality brands are getting wrong about implementation
• Why operators should test AI through focused guest journey touchpoints
• The difference between AI hype and actual practical use cases
• Whether AI will replace hospitality jobs — or simply reshape them
• Why apprenticeship and early-career development may be one of the biggest long-term concerns

If you’re in hospitality, hotels, travel, restaurants, or digital product strategy, this conversation offers a grounded look at where AI is creating real opportunity — and where the industry still has work to do.

Billy also shares insight into the work being done at Very Good Ventures and how brands can begin thinking more strategically about generative UI, digital transformation, and customer experience design.

Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping hospitality, travel, and business.

#Hospitality #AI #DigitalTransformation #Hotels #GuestExperience

ADA compliance is becoming one of the fastest-growing legal risks in the hospitality industry — and most hotel owners don’t even realize how exposed they are.

In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, Bryan sits down with attorney Lindsay Leavitt to break down what’s really happening behind the surge in ADA-related lawsuits across hotels in the U.S.

From service animal policies to accessibility requirements, website compliance, and franchise responsibility — this conversation dives into the real-world legal challenges hotel owners, operators, and developers are facing today.

Lindsay shares insights from defending hundreds of ADA cases, including:

• The most common ADA violations hotels get sued for
• Why many lawsuits come from “serial plaintiffs”
• The difference between service animals and emotional support animals
• How ADA applies to hotel websites and online booking
• Why franchisees are still fully liable (even with major brands)
• The costly mistake of waiting too long to involve an attorney
• How to fix “low-hanging fruit” issues before they become lawsuits

If you’re involved in hotel ownership, operations, development, or asset management, this episode is essential listening.

👉 Make sure to subscribe for more conversations with the top minds in hospitality.

#Hospitality #HotelManagement #ADACompliance #HotelOwnership #HospitalityIndustry

SEASON 5: Episode 1 -

Insurance is one of the biggest cost pressures facing hotel owners right now — and most operators still do not fully understand why. In this episode, Bryan Fish sits down with Dan Garzella to break down what is really driving rising hotel insurance premiums, what ownership groups are getting wrong, and how better risk management can create better outcomes.

Dan Garzella, Founder and CEO of The Garzella Group, shares how he went from arriving in Arizona with $500 and no plan to building a major portfolio of insurance-related companies with billions in insured value across the United States.

In this episode, we cover:
•Why commercial property and hotel insurance premiums have surged in recent years
•How inflation, reinsurance, and market conditions impact hospitality insurance costs
•Common mistakes hotel owners make when filing claims or structuring coverage
•Why risk management, loss prevention, and operational discipline matter more than ever
•How the right broker relationship can directly affect your insurance strategy and long-term cost

Dan also explains why hospitality remains a uniquely challenging asset class for insurers, what hotel owners should communicate before renewal, and how to avoid working against yourself when shopping the market.

If you are a hotel owner, operator, developer, or hospitality executive trying to better understand insurance, commercial property risk, underwriting, and renewal strategy, this conversation is packed with practical insight.

#Hospitality
#HotelInsurance
#HotelDevelopment
#CommercialRealEstate
#CheckInWithBryan

As we close out the year, this special episode of Check-In with Bryan is a moment to pause, reflect, and say thank you.

This episode is a curated recap of some of the most impactful moments, insights, and ideas shared on the podcast throughout 2025 — a year filled with thoughtful conversations around leadership, growth, brand, culture, and the evolving business of hospitality.

First and foremost, we want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has listened, shared episodes, reached out, and stayed with us throughout the year. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or discovered the show somewhere along the way, your support is what allows these conversations to continue.

Throughout this recap, you’ll hear highlights from conversations with industry leaders including Scott Clary, Sarah Dandashy, Scott Eddy, Jenn Parks, Tom Busch, Ryan Rivett, and Ryan Bodine — each offering unique perspectives on what it takes to build meaningful, resilient, and forward-thinking hospitality brands.

Whether you’re heading into the new year looking for inspiration, clarity, validation, or simply a reminder of why this industry is so special, this episode is designed to carry you into 2026 with intention and momentum.

We’re incredibly excited to continue bringing you thoughtful conversations, real-world insights, and diverse voices from across hospitality in the year ahead. Thank you for being part of this journey — and here’s to what’s next.

#HospitalityLeadership
#HotelIndustry
#HospitalityPodcast
#HospitalityProfessionals
#HotelDevelopment

This week on Checkout Fridays, Bryan and Tyler keep it unfiltered.

From a 47-minute drive-thru nightmare at a fast-casual restaurant to firsthand stories of bad management, burnout, and leadership failures, this episode turns into an honest, sometimes hilarious, and very real conversation about what happens when people at the top stop supporting their teams.

Along the way, they dive into:

• Why poor leadership destroys employee morale
• Real hospitality war stories from restaurants and hotels
• End-of-year exhaustion and holiday stress
• Why empathy still matters in service businesses
• And how not to run a restaurant (or any operation)

It’s a laid-back Friday conversation with real lessons for operators, managers, and anyone who’s ever worked in hospitality — especially heading into the holidays.

🎧 Subscribe for weekly hospitality insights

💬 Drop a comment with your own service-industry horror story

📆 New episodes every Tuesday + Friday

#Hospitality

#Leadership

#Management

#RestaurantLife

#CheckoutFridays

Hotel development isn’t just about picking a brand. It’s about relationships, market truth, and knowing when to say no.

In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, Bryan Fish sits down with Tom Busch, a seasoned hotel development executive with decades of experience across major hospitality brands. Tom shares an unfiltered look at how hotel deals really get done—from franchise selection and site viability to owner expectations, lender confidence, and navigating economic cycles.

This conversation goes deep into the realities behind hotel development decisions and why long-term success depends on honesty, experience, and trust.

In this episode, we cover:

• How relationships drive hotel development more than brand names
• Why not every project should move forward—and who needs to say it
• The role brands play in financing, risk reduction, and performance
• Market cycles, overbuilding vs. “under-demolishing,” and timing projects right
• Why owners, guests, and brands often want different things
• The real cost of bad assumptions in hotel design, location, and positioning

If you’re a hotel owner, developer, operator, or investor—or considering entering hospitality—this episode offers a grounded, real-world perspective you won’t hear in a pitch deck.

Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of hospitality, travel, and real estate.

#HospitalityLeadership #HotelDevelopment #HospitalityIndustry #HotelInvestment #CheckInWithBryan

It’s a laid-back Check-Out Friday as Bryan and Tyler unwind, reflect, and let the conversation go wherever it wants.

In this episode, the guys dive into holiday traditions, Christmas movies, music debates (Mariah, Cher, Kelly Clarkson, and more), chaotic holiday crowds, and the very real energy shift that comes with the end of the year. From Broadway studios and recording spaces to Times Square madness and an unexpectedly wholesome McDonald’s experience, this one is full of candid moments and off-the-cuff laughs.

Check-Out Fridays are our casual companion episodes to the main Check-In with Bryan interviews. No formal agenda, just industry friends decompressing, sharing stories, and talking life, travel, hospitality, and whatever else comes up.

If you enjoy behind-the-scenes conversations, real talk, and unfiltered industry perspective, make sure to subscribe and tune in every week.

🎧 New full-length Check-In with Bryan interviews drop Tuesdays

🍻 Check-Out Fridays drop at the end of the week

#Hospitality #CheckOutFridays #PodcastLife #HolidaySeason #TravelIndustry

What happens when you walk away from a mapped-out life and bet everything on curiosity, connection, and a one-way ticket to Bangkok? In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, host Bryan Fish sits down with global travel personality Scott Eddy — a former stockbroker turned digital pioneer — whose career has reshaped how the world experiences travel through storytelling.

From launching one of the first digital agencies in Southeast Asia to becoming a go-to partner for tourism boards, luxury brands, cruise lines, and hotels, Scott has built a life across continents rooted in one core belief: relationships, not algorithms, are what truly open doors.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How Scott went from a future in law enforcement to 10 years in finance — and then walked away to build a new life in Thailand
• The origin story of one of Asia’s first digital agencies and how it unlocked campaigns with hotels, casinos, airlines, and destinations around the world
• Why Southeast Asia (and especially Thailand) is, in Scott’s view, the greatest hospitality classroom on earth
• How social media evolved from vanity metrics to authentic, raw storytelling — and why “shaky iPhone videos” often outperform polished productions
• Why LinkedIn is the most underrated platform in hospitality right now (and how Scott is closing real client deals there)
• The difference between “influencers” chasing attention and true creators who bring credibility, experience, and genuine passion
• How hoteliers can work with creators without losing their brand voice — and why your employees should be the heroes of your content
• Why authenticity is the new currency and how brands can move beyond “4th night free” promos to real, human storytelling
• How AI can actually make hospitality more human by removing friction and freeing teams to focus on genuine guest connection

About Our Guest – Scott Eddy

Scott Eddy is a globally recognized travel storyteller, creator, and consultant who has lived across Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Spain, Portugal, London, and beyond. He’s hosted the first travel series on Lifetime, led campaigns for major airlines, F1, hotels, tourism boards, and luxury brands, and today spends his life living full-time in hotels and on cruise ships — using social media as a global megaphone for human connection and hospitality done right.

Follow Scott: @MrScottEddy on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and more.

Connect with Check-In with Bryan

If this conversation inspired you to rethink how you tell your brand’s story, subscribe to the channel so you never miss a new episode of Check-In with Bryan.

We dive into candid conversations with the leaders, creators, and disruptors shaping the future of hospitality, travel, and guest experience.

#Hospitality #TravelIndustry #HotelMarketing #DigitalStorytelling

#InfluencerMarketing #CheckInWithBryan #ScottEddy #HotelLeadership