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F&B as Destination: Driving Attraction Success ft. Ken Whiting
🎙️ Podcast Title: F&B as Destination: Driving Attraction Success
Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore how food and beverage can become a powerful driver of guest engagement, revenue, and brand identity with Ken Whiting, CEO of Whiting Foods and former Chair of the Board at IAAPA. With over 40 years of experience in the attractions industry and a legacy rooted in family business, Ken has helped shape the way parks and venues think about food—not just as a service, but as an experience.
In this session, Ken Whiting and Sondra dive into:
- Food as a Core Guest Experience: Why food is no longer just fuel—it’s a memory-maker, a tradition, and a reason to return.
- Signature Menu Items & Loyalty: How attractions like Disney use iconic treats like Dole Whip and churros to build emotional connections and repeat visits.
- Innovative Food Strategies for All Sizes: From trampoline parks to destination theme parks, how to tailor your F&B approach to your audience and footprint.
- Food Festivals & Seasonal Promotions: How limited-time offerings and regional specialties can drive attendance, extend stays, and boost revenue.
- Teen Workforce Development: Insights from Ken’s book Waves for Teenage Workforce Success and how to empower young staff through culture and training.
- Industry Evolution & Guest Expectations: How the shift from fast food service to quality dining is reshaping the attraction landscape.
- Operational Excellence in F&B: Tips on managing back-of-house systems, mobile ordering, and creating “wow” moments with every bite.
- Family Business Legacy & Leadership: Ken’s journey from peeling bananas at age 10 to leading one of the most iconic boardwalks in the country.
Tune in for a flavorful and insightful conversation on how food and beverage can elevate your attraction from a visit to a destination.
Connect with Ken Whiting on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenwhiting/
Connect with Sondra Shannon to learn more about Gatemaster’s role in optimizing food and beverage operations and guest engagement: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sondrashannon/
Want to learn more about Live with Sondra or apply to be a guest? Visit: https://gatemaster.com/media/live-with-sondra/
đź’ˇ Your all-access pass to actionable insights from Live with Sondra is right here. Click this link to view recap blogs, catch up on previous live shows, be our guest, and more! https://linktr.ee/livewithsondra
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By Sondra Shannon🎙️ Podcast Title: F&B as Destination: Driving Attraction Success
Welcome to this episode of "Live with Sondra" where we explore how food and beverage can become a powerful driver of guest engagement, revenue, and brand identity with Ken Whiting, CEO of Whiting Foods and former Chair of the Board at IAAPA. With over 40 years of experience in the attractions industry and a legacy rooted in family business, Ken has helped shape the way parks and venues think about food—not just as a service, but as an experience.
In this session, Ken Whiting and Sondra dive into:
- Food as a Core Guest Experience: Why food is no longer just fuel—it’s a memory-maker, a tradition, and a reason to return.
- Signature Menu Items & Loyalty: How attractions like Disney use iconic treats like Dole Whip and churros to build emotional connections and repeat visits.
- Innovative Food Strategies for All Sizes: From trampoline parks to destination theme parks, how to tailor your F&B approach to your audience and footprint.
- Food Festivals & Seasonal Promotions: How limited-time offerings and regional specialties can drive attendance, extend stays, and boost revenue.
- Teen Workforce Development: Insights from Ken’s book Waves for Teenage Workforce Success and how to empower young staff through culture and training.
- Industry Evolution & Guest Expectations: How the shift from fast food service to quality dining is reshaping the attraction landscape.
- Operational Excellence in F&B: Tips on managing back-of-house systems, mobile ordering, and creating “wow” moments with every bite.
- Family Business Legacy & Leadership: Ken’s journey from peeling bananas at age 10 to leading one of the most iconic boardwalks in the country.
Tune in for a flavorful and insightful conversation on how food and beverage can elevate your attraction from a visit to a destination.
Connect with Ken Whiting on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenwhiting/
Connect with Sondra Shannon to learn more about Gatemaster’s role in optimizing food and beverage operations and guest engagement: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sondrashannon/
Want to learn more about Live with Sondra or apply to be a guest? Visit: https://gatemaster.com/media/live-with-sondra/
đź’ˇ Your all-access pass to actionable insights from Live with Sondra is right here. Click this link to view recap blogs, catch up on previous live shows, be our guest, and more! https://linktr.ee/livewithsondra