Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates

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Yigal Adato, Founder of Unlock The Leader, brings his expertise in leadership training and personal development to this weeks episode of Give An Ovation. This is a crucial conversation on how to improve internal operations through individual progression. Tune in to hear Yigal's perspective on how personal growth contributes to the health of your business. 

On this episode, you'll learn from Yigal about:

• Gain perspective for areas of growth
• Goal orientation
• Impact of positive thinking on your team
• Providing a fulfilling guest experience

Thanks, Yigal!

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Arguably the biggest factor to bring about a positive guest experience is the state of your employees. Bobby Amoah, CEO of River Health  ensures a system where you can do just that by providing quality primary care and mental health services for your employees. While taking a step outside of the restaurant industry, this episode has everything to do with the health of your workforce.

On this episode, you'll learn from Bobby about:

• Boosting employee retention
• Effect on employee mentality on guest experience
• How employees can help improve your bottom line
• More!

Thanks, Kobby!

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Have you ever wondered how to better leverage your technology? Or what integrating your technology can mean for your guests? Pete Gibson, former CIO of Friendly's and Johnny Rockets, has a solid record of successfully leveraging tech, improving operations, and developing high-performing teams globally. As a Chief Information Officer, Pete has extensive experience in improving revenue and technology organizations. 

On this episode, you'll learn from Pete about:

• Using tech to optimize pricing strategies and revenue management
• Integrating services
• Cost saving strategies
• More!

Thanks, Pete!

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Steve Raggiani is a Co-Founder of 8it, the simplest way to find food. 8it provides curated food recommendations and popups in New York City. Steve's main goal? Simplify the the food search and filter out bad reviews. Steve brings his innovative eye for greatness to this weeks episode of Give An Ovation.

On this episode, Steve and host, Zack discuss:

• The end of the review era
• Ensuring innovation and creativity
• Marketing your brand
• Aftereffect of Covid on the restaurant industry
• More!

Thanks, Steve!

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On this episode of Give An Ovation, we are one click away from restauranteurs and focusing on industry specific consulting. Bassem Nowyhed is a Multi-Unit Owner and Founder of Invig Consulting. Invig Consulting has reimagined the way brands, convenience stores, and restaurants connect and do business. Bassem is a leading innovator in business development and building distribution channels for quality consumer products. 

On this episode, Bassem and host, Zack discuss:

• Optimizing your niche
• Maximizing operations through simplicity
• Emphasizing connection and authenticity
• More!

Thanks, Bassem!

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Michael Brown has over 30 years experience in the restaurant industry and is a master in guest experience.  Having owned Chick-Fil-A locations for about 14 years then working alongside Flying Biscuit and Bojangles, Michael knows his fried chicken. With his most recent role as Sr. director of guest experience at Zaxby's, Michael brings his expertise in internal and external guest experience executions to this weeks episode of Give An Ovation!

On the episode, Michael and host, Zack discuss:

• Optimizing guest data
• Defining true loyalty
• The correlation of guest experience and revenue
• Answering to the guest
• More

Thanks, Michael!

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Micha Magid is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Mighty Quinn's BBQ, a traditional barbecue dining experience that opened in 2012 our of Manhattan's East Village. Mighty Quinn’s is one of the first authentic barbecue experiences in a fast casual setting. Micha's emphasis is providing amazing food, great atmosphere, and quick service at convenient locations.   

On this episode, Micha and host, Zack discuss:

• Franchising
• Measuring convenience and consistency
• Traditional BBQ in a fast paced environment 
• Leveraging your strengths
• More!

Thanks, Micha!

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Matt Plapp is the Founder and CEO of America’s Best Restaurant and Restaurant Marketing That Works. Matt began his digital marketing journey back in 2008 helping restaurant owners increase their profits by attracting the attention of their customers every week. Matt brings his passion for helping people build successful businesses to this week's episode of Give An Ovation.

On this episode, Matt and host, Zack discuss:

• Marketing mishaps
• Customer data
• Automation
• In-person connection
• More!

Thanks, Matt!

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Nicole Tanner is the current Owner and Founder of Swig,  a booming beverage brand launched in 2010 in St. George, Utah. Nicole brainstormed the idea for a drive-by drink shop which has now grown to 45 locations from Utah and Arizona to Texas and Oklahoma! While Swig offers personalized sodas and sweet treats, Nicole ensures a culture of connection and friendship with customers who frequent the drive thru that will last a life time.

On this episode, Nicole and host Zack discuss: 

• Optimizing what your brand is good at
• Innovating within your brand
• The personalized drive thru experience
• Human Connection
• More!

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Damian Otero is the CEO of Real Tacos, authentic Mexican street food based out of Atlanta. The chefs at Real Tacos strive to recreate the characteristics of tacos from various regions of Mexico using the freshest cuts of meat and cooking with ingredients sourced only from there. As CEO, Damian focuses largely on improving operations with an emphasis on hospitality and tech.

On this episode, Damian and host, Zack discuss:

• Mainstreaming tech
• The basics of opening your own establishment 
• Striving for continuous improvement
• More!

Thanks, Damian!