Digital Hospitality

By Shawn P. Walchef

What's Digital Hospitality about?

Digital Hospitality is an interview podcast series that explores the ways successful people have harnessed the power of the Internet and social media. The show is hosted by Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn P. Walchef.

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Digital Hospitality episodes:

04.15.2024
Empowering Restaurants Through AI Integration with Matt Wampler of ClearCOGS
Matt Wampler's journey to becoming the co-founder and CEO of ClearCOGS stemmed from a personal pain point in his restaurant career. Recognizing the lack of resources for obtaining essential answers, he envisioned ClearCOGS as a solution to translate overlooked data...
04.09.2024
Creating an Inclusive Pizza Experience with Ernie Carrillo of Joe & Ernie’s Pizzeria
An Inclusive Dining Experience Ernie Carrillo, the founder of Joe & Ernie's Pizzeria, is crafting an inclusive dining experience that caters to everyone's tastes and dietary needs. From vegan options to gluten-free delights, Carrillo's commitment to quality and diversity sets his...
04.02.2024
The Ultimate Hospitality Mindset with Solomon Choi of Jabba Brands
Solomon Choi, the CEO of Jabba Brands, believes in the power of giving more to ask for more. Reflecting on his early career, Choi made a bold decision for his family business early in his career, which ultimately paid off. By...
03.18.2024
Revolutionizing Restaurant Operations with Christine Schindler of Pathspot
Christine Schindler, the Co-Founder and CEO of Pathspot, is spearheading a transformative movement in the restaurant industry by digitizing back-of-house operations. Pathspot's mission is clear: to enhance efficiency and safety in restaurant environments by consolidating various operational and safety procedures into...
03.11.2024
How to Turn Your Business into Media Company: Coaching Call with David Meltzer
Aligning Behavior and Goals In the pursuit of success, according to author, speaker, and entrepreneur David Meltzer, the crucial element lies in aligning one's behavior with the goals one aspires to achieve. He highlights the key factors to bridge this gap—wisdom,...
03.05.2024
Loyalty is Hospitality with Zach Goldstein of Thanx
Finding time for thought leadership can be a challenge. However, for Zach Goldstein, the CEO of Thanx, the responsibility to share knowledge and uplift the industry is paramount. Goldstein acknowledges the industry's lag in becoming data-driven and sees thought leadership,...
02.27.2024
Wil Brawley of Schedulefly Fostered Trust Through Storytelling
The birth of Schedulefly was rooted in the chaos of manually creating restaurant schedules using Post-It Notes. Wil Brawley and his partners recognized the inefficiencies in this process and envisioned a streamlined solution aimed to eliminate the constant need for...
02.20.2024
Optimizing Tech Stacks with Chris Fletcher of Tech on Toast
As the restaurant industry becomes increasingly immersed in the world of technology, Chris Fletcher, founder of Tech on Toast, is addressing the gaps between restaurant operators and tech suppliers. Tech on Toast: Bridging the Gap Between Operations and Technology Chris Fletcher, founder...
02.12.2024
The Robotics Revolution in Hospitality with Sudheer Sajja of Pringle Robotics
Sudheer Sajja, the Founder of Pringle Robotics, recognized a pressing need for innovative solutions to address the worker shortage issue. Listening to feedback and observing the challenges faced by waitstaff, Sajja identified a gap in service that inspired the creation...
02.06.2024
“No BS PR”: Redefining PR with Authenticity with Gigi Peterkin of Amplify PR
In the world of Public Relations, Gigi Peterkin, founder of Amplify PR, is a trailblazer reshaping the narrative. Fueled by a desire for authenticity, she founded the firm to counter the prevalent practice of crafting stories for those with deep...
01.29.2024
Closing Hospitality Gaps with Jennifer Ryan of Croux
Jennifer Ryan, the founder of Croux, identified a crucial gap in the hospitality industry during her experience launching a restaurant right before the onset of COVID-19. The challenge of finding flexible staffing solutions became a persistent pain point, leading Ryan...
01.23.2024
Marqii’s Huge Partnership Announcement with Avi Goren
Get to know Marqii CEO Avi Goren In the restaurant industry, Marqii CEO Avi Goren is a visionary leader, shaping the landscape of digital hospitality through strategic partnerships and groundbreaking solutions. With a unique perspective derived from both his consumer experience...
01.16.2024
Shawn Walchef Talks Quality Content Creation at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
Shawn Walchef, the owner of Cali BBQ Media, delivered a compelling speech at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo 2023, emphasizing the transformative power of the internet and social media. Walchef shared his philosophy of presenting his authentic self across...
01.05.2024
Prioritizing Community Outreach with Avery Ward of Little Italy Ristorante
Avery Ward, the CEO of Little Italy, stands at the forefront of innovation, leveraging cutting-edge solutions to enhance hospitality in the restaurant industry. Recognizing a critical pain point for his customers, Ward partnered with Shipday to address challenges related to...
12.30.2023
Enhancing the Customer Experience with Kshitiz Sanghi of Voosh
In the dynamic landscape of technology and entrepreneurship, Kshitiz Sanghi emerges as a visionary co-founder, playing a pivotal role in the success story of Voosh. With a passion for innovation and a wealth of experience, Sanghi has navigated the challenging...
12.27.2023
Building Authentic Connections with Restaurant Owners Uncorked Podcast
Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media approach content creation and networking is a testament to the power of authenticity and vulnerability in the digital age.His willingness to “look stupid” by consistently posting on social media allowed him to connect with...
12.26.2023
Every Business Needs a Show with Rob Napoli of Omniboost
Rob Napoli, Head of Global Commercial and Business Brand at Omniboost, has a unique journey that spans from Iowa to Italy and eventually leading him to New York. With a career steeped in Entrepreneurship, both as a business owner and...
12.18.2023
Video Content Made Easy with Nick Capozzi of SpliceVideo
Get to know Nick Capozzi of SpliceVideo Nick Capozzi, co-founder of SpliceVideo, is a visionary in the realm of digital content creation and marketing. In a recent discussion with Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media, Capozzi shed light on the underutilization...
12.11.2023
The Power of Asking for Help with Jen Hidinger-Kendrick of Giving Kitchen
In the bustling world of the food service industry, Jen Hidinger-Kendrick embarked on a journey that transcended mere entrepreneurship. As the Founder of The Giving Kitchen, she aimed to be of service to those in need. However, it wasn't until...
12.03.2023
Embracing the Onboarding Process with Aaron Palacios of Swadley’s BBQ
Aaron Palacios is the Senior Director of People Services at Swadley's BBQ. While in his role, he has orchestrated a transformative shift by integrating Restaurant365 across key business functions. This move not only streamlined accounting and marketing but also introduced...
11.27.2023
How Subscriptions and Robotics Enhance Hospitality with Andrew Simmons of Mamma Ramona’s Pizzeria
In the midst of the tumultuous impact of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry, Andrew Simmons, the CEO of Mamma Ramona's Pizzeria, and forward-thinking leader, leveraged technology to navigate the challenges. Recognizing the need for adaptability, Simmons witnessed a surge in...
11.17.2023
Persevering Through Company Pivots with Jamie Hoffman of SanTan Brewing
Jamie Hoffman, the seasoned managing partner at SanTan Brewing Company has contributed significantly to the company’s growth and success throughout his impressive 16-year tenure with the brewery. Recognizing the challenges of self-distribution for breweries, Hoffman emphasizes the importance of leveraging distributors....
11.15.2023
Shawn Walchef talks The Answer to the Internet with Local Marketing Lab
Local Marketing Lab host and VP of Marketing at Evocalize, Justin Ulrich, sat down with Cali BBQ Media co-founder, Shawn Walchef to discuss the importance of creating content. For Walchef, everyone is a creator in this current landscape. “Every single person...
11.11.2023
Solving Problems in Restaurant Delivery with Moin Islam of Shipday
Moin Islam, the Co-founder and CEO of Shipday, identified a critical problem in the world of online business—delivery logistics. Recognizing the challenges associated with fulfilling orders, especially in real-time scenarios such as food delivery, he and his business partner founded...
11.08.2023
Shawn Walchef Talks Mastering Digital Marketing with The Meez Podcast
When it comes to storytelling, very few have the passion for it like Cali BBQ Media co-owner, Shawn Walchef. The Digital Hospitality Host stopped by The Meez Podcast to discuss the power of doing digital marketing correctly. During this interview,...
11.03.2023
Digitizing Training in Restaurants with Daniil Klubov of Spoon.tech
Daniil Klubov is the founder and CEO of spoon.tech. He and his partner Rares Bacila embarked on a digital-first restaurant space journey with a profound realization – technology alone is not enough. spoon.tech was born from the idea that the primary task of...
11.02.2023
Shawn Walchef Talks Smartphone Storytelling on The Top Business Leaders Show
The Spot On Series Show put on by Rise25 invites guests to speak candidly about their experience with business. Cali BBQ Media founder Shawn Walchef was a guest on the show recently where he spoke about his journey with digital...
10.27.2023
Scaling Multiple Concepts with James Hurt and Nicholas Imbo
James Hurt, the Director of Business Analytics, and Nicholas Imbo, an Accountant and Business Intelligence Analyst, play integral roles at Lessings Hospitality Group. For Hurt, the financial advantages of catering, especially in the wedding market, stand out in comparison to...
10.20.2023
Technology and Digital Hospitality with Chuck Lipp and Chris Abrams
In their respective roles at Dewey's Pizza, Chuck Lipp, the President, and Chris Abrams, the Director of Technology, are driving initiatives to simplify technology and enhance digital hospitality for an improved customer experience. Abrams, with a background in technology spanning...
10.18.2023
Simplifying Accounting in Restaurants with Chris Gruhlke
Chris Gruhlke is the Controller at Cedartown Foods. With stores that include Bojangles and Jersey Mike’s locations, it is important that the financials are fully intact. That is where Gruhlke and his implementation of Restaurant365 comes into play. The ability...
10.13.2023
Building Franchises Around Food and People with Bob Lozano
10.06.2023
How High Quality Increases Quantity with Massimo Mallozzi
As the VP of IT at Paris Baguette, Massimo Mallozzi champions the brand's unwavering commitment to quality amid rapid growth. Recognizing that intense attention to product quality is a key driver of the brand's success. Mallozzi highlights the challenge of maintaining these...
10.04.2023
Automating Lease Management with Tom Lonergan of Leasecake
Tom Lonergan is the Director of Business Development at Leasecake. During the Restaurant Transformation Festival put on by Restaurant365 in Austin, TX, he discussed how Leasecake is using technology to change the landscape of restaurant real estate. “We want to do...
10.02.2023
Leveraging Viral Moments with Priyam Saraswat of Voosh.ai
Priyam Saraswat (@priyamsaraswat) has managed to stand out as a trailblazer in the ever-evolving landscape of digital content creation. As the founder of Voosh.ai, a virtual Restaurant Marketplace Intelligence platform that increases efficiency, enhances customer experience, and boosts third party...
09.27.2023
The Power of One Restaurant Location with Eric and Melissa Rickman
Eric and Melissa Rickman are the CEO and Operators of Wholly Stromboli (@wholly_stromboli) in Fort Lupton, CO. Now 14 years in, Wholly Stromboli was the manifestation of a lifelong dream for Melissa. “Melissa Rickman: It was something I wanted to do...
09.22.2023
Operating a Stress Free Restaurant with Stephanie Bernstein
Stephanie Bernstein is the Partner Marketing Lead at 86 Repairs, a company dedicated to making restaurant operators lives by helping with one of the more frustrating parts of the business; unexpected repairs. In essence, 86 Repairs steps in to handle...
09.15.2023
Building a Family Legacy with Mario Padrino Sr. and Mario Padrino Jr.
Mario Padrino Sr. inherited Padrino Cuban Restaurants at the young age of 24, after being handed the keys by his father while he was still living. During his journey he grappled with the relentless chaos of restaurant management. However, through...
09.07.2023
Strategic Partnership & Effective Integration with Steve Song, Sean Brennan, and Paul Bedeski
When it comes to integration, Steve Song, Chief Financial Officer at Luke’s Lobster (@lukeslobster) has it figured out. Partnering with Qu POS (@qu_pos) and Restaurant365, Song and company have gladly handed over IT tasks to their counterparts. “When I found these...
09.06.2023
DH Bonus: Addressing Pain Points in Hospitality with Nicole Menden & Kristin Metzger
Nicole Menden, CEO of WVC RubixCloud, and Kristin Metzger, practice growth leader of the restaurant industry for William Vaughn Company, have partnered with the likes of Restaurant365 to ease some of the stress that comes along with operating in the...
09.01.2023
Bruce Nelson of NOVA Restaurant Group on The Magic of Restaurant Ownership
Interview with CFO of NOVA Restaurant Group Bruce Nelson about the inspiration behind his book, the reality of owning a successful restaurant, and implementing Restaurant365 technology as a solution. After years in the industry, Bruce Nelson, CFO of NOVA Restaurant Group...
08.26.2023
The Importance of Integration with Mike Lubitz & Julia Gokcekian of Wolfgang Puck Worldwide
Wolfgang Puck (@wolfgangpuck) is a well known chef and restaurant owner. Not many people know about the business behind the scenes. Mike Lubitz, CFO at Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining and Worldwide, and Julia Gokcekian, Controller at Wolfgang Puck, are two...
08.23.2023
Expanding by Outsourcing with Wayne Lipschitz of R&R FMG
Wayne Lipschitz is the CEO of Restaurant & Retail Financial Management Group (@rrfmg), or R&R FMG, where their goal is to grow your business. Whether your business needs help with daily financials, or a temporary Chief of Finance, R&R FMG...
08.18.2023
Organic Growth in Business with Caroline Scannell of Paperchase Accountancy
Caroline Scannell (@scannellous) is the Director of Brand Development at Paperchase Accountacy. One of her responsibilities at the brand is to keep Paperchase’s name as pristine as it has been in this new digital age. According to Scannell, Paperchase’s most significant...
08.11.2023
Generation Z Philanthropy with GiftAMeal Founder Andrew Glantz
GiftAMeal (@giftameal) founder Andrew Glantz set forth to bridge the gap between Gen Zers and millennials that wished to give back, and restaurants, who Glantz views as community pillars. Taking cues from companies like, Tom’s Shoes and Warby Parker, GiftAMeal...
07.06.2023
Increasing Revenue Through Digital Hospitality with Austen Asadorian of SEVENROOMS
Austen Asadorian (@aasodorian) is not just the Senior Vice President of Sales at SEVENROOMS (@sevenrooms), he is a true believer in the brand. Joining the company after several years in the food industry, Asadorian has first hand experience of what...
06.15.2023
Increasing AI Usage in Restaurants with Brendan Sweeney and Tony Roy of Popmenu
Brendan Sweeny and Tony Roy are the cofounders of digital hospitality titan, Popmenu. Popmenu has a plethora of tools and an extremely knowledgeable team that comes together for one main goal, to help businesses grow through the efficient use of...
06.08.2023
Adding Leadership and Growing Your Business with Paul Walker
Paul Walker (@villageinn) is the President of Walker Group Restaurants. Since taking over the family business, it has grown rapidly. Though they weren’t fully prepared, Walker and company heeded the advice of his grandfather to “figure it out”. Now with expansion...
06.01.2023
Enhancing Your Restaurant Atmosphere with Ben Sennet and Tammy Evrard of Atmosphere
Every year, restaurant and hospitality leaders gathered at the National Restaurant Association, or NRA show. This year, host Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) met with VP of Enterprise Platform Sales, Ben Sennet, and VP Sales & Brand Partnerships, Central Region, Tammy Evrard,...
05.25.2023
Creating New Technology Habits with Tim McLaughlin
Tim McLaughlin is a technology savant. His company, GoTab (@gotab.inc), pushes technology, such as QR codes, to the forefront of the hospitality industry by putting the guest at the center of the POS experience. “I would say get a demo if...
05.16.2023
Cali BBQ Talks National Restaurant Show 2023 with Kyle Inserra
The National Association of Restaurant Show taking place from May 20 - 23 has been coined the “Super Bowl of the Industry” by some. Ahead of this year’s show, host Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) of Calibbq.media spoke with restaurant growth expert...

What's Digital Hospitality about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Digital Hospitality episodes:

Empowering Restaurants Through AI Integration with Matt Wampler of ClearCOGS

Creating an Inclusive Pizza Experience with Ernie Carrillo of Joe & Ernie’s Pizzeria

The Ultimate Hospitality Mindset with Solomon Choi of Jabba Brands

Revolutionizing Restaurant Operations with Christine Schindler of Pathspot

How to Turn Your Business into Media Company: Coaching Call with David Meltzer

Loyalty is Hospitality with Zach Goldstein of Thanx

Wil Brawley of Schedulefly Fostered Trust Through Storytelling

Optimizing Tech Stacks with Chris Fletcher of Tech on Toast

The Robotics Revolution in Hospitality with Sudheer Sajja of Pringle Robotics

“No BS PR”: Redefining PR with Authenticity with Gigi Peterkin of Amplify PR

Closing Hospitality Gaps with Jennifer Ryan of Croux

Marqii’s Huge Partnership Announcement with Avi Goren

Shawn Walchef Talks Quality Content Creation at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo

Prioritizing Community Outreach with Avery Ward of Little Italy Ristorante

Enhancing the Customer Experience with Kshitiz Sanghi of Voosh

Building Authentic Connections with Restaurant Owners Uncorked Podcast

Every Business Needs a Show with Rob Napoli of Omniboost

Video Content Made Easy with Nick Capozzi of SpliceVideo

The Power of Asking for Help with Jen Hidinger-Kendrick of Giving Kitchen

Embracing the Onboarding Process with Aaron Palacios of Swadley’s BBQ

How Subscriptions and Robotics Enhance Hospitality with Andrew Simmons of Mamma Ramona’s Pizzeria

Persevering Through Company Pivots with Jamie Hoffman of SanTan Brewing

Shawn Walchef talks The Answer to the Internet with Local Marketing Lab

Solving Problems in Restaurant Delivery with Moin Islam of Shipday

Shawn Walchef Talks Mastering Digital Marketing with The Meez Podcast

Digitizing Training in Restaurants with Daniil Klubov of Spoon.tech

Shawn Walchef Talks Smartphone Storytelling on The Top Business Leaders Show

Scaling Multiple Concepts with James Hurt and Nicholas Imbo

Technology and Digital Hospitality with Chuck Lipp and Chris Abrams

Simplifying Accounting in Restaurants with Chris Gruhlke

Building Franchises Around Food and People with Bob Lozano

How High Quality Increases Quantity with Massimo Mallozzi

Automating Lease Management with Tom Lonergan of Leasecake

Leveraging Viral Moments with Priyam Saraswat of Voosh.ai

The Power of One Restaurant Location with Eric and Melissa Rickman

Operating a Stress Free Restaurant with Stephanie Bernstein

Building a Family Legacy with Mario Padrino Sr. and Mario Padrino Jr.

Strategic Partnership & Effective Integration with Steve Song, Sean Brennan, and Paul Bedeski

DH Bonus: Addressing Pain Points in Hospitality with Nicole Menden & Kristin Metzger

Bruce Nelson of NOVA Restaurant Group on The Magic of Restaurant Ownership

The Importance of Integration with Mike Lubitz & Julia Gokcekian of Wolfgang Puck Worldwide

Expanding by Outsourcing with Wayne Lipschitz of R&R FMG

Organic Growth in Business with Caroline Scannell of Paperchase Accountancy

Generation Z Philanthropy with GiftAMeal Founder Andrew Glantz

Increasing Revenue Through Digital Hospitality with Austen Asadorian of SEVENROOMS

Increasing AI Usage in Restaurants with Brendan Sweeney and Tony Roy of Popmenu

Adding Leadership and Growing Your Business with Paul Walker

Enhancing Your Restaurant Atmosphere with Ben Sennet and Tammy Evrard of Atmosphere

Creating New Technology Habits with Tim McLaughlin

Cali BBQ Talks National Restaurant Show 2023 with Kyle Inserra