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

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Paul McEnany is a content strategist, product wizard, Host of the Tastemakers podcast, and Co-CEO of Plein Air Agency - a creative company for restaurant brands. Paul brought a breath of fresh/plein air to Give an Ovation!

On this episode, Paul and Zack discuss: 

• The biggest mistake restaurants make in advertising
• The importance of understanding what role ad spend plays within the larger business strategy
• The benefits of working with industry-specific agencies
• What it's like being a Co-CEO
• More

Thanks, Paul!

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Lloyd Oshiro is the VP of Marketing Innovation at The Food Connector. The Food Connector helps companies to develop and execute marketing plans. With heightened innovation and the ability to see the bigger picture, Lloyd brings his expertise to this weeks podcast episode!

On this edition, Lloyd and Zack discuss: 

• Restaurant industry pipeline
• Food service distribution
• Tips for sales and management
• More

Thanks, Lloyd!

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Aaron Roberts is the President and Executive Producer at Rising Tides Creative, an all in one creative resource which is used by some of the most forward-thinking restaurants in the industry such as Cali BBQ. Rising Tides Creative is known for bringing restaurants and other brands to life online, and brought those same creative juices to this episode of Give an Ovation!

On this edition, Aaron and Zack discuss: 

• Why most restaurants are hesitant to create on social media
• Mistakes restaurants make with their media
• The importance of being yourself online
• Why Aaron's clients don't do 2nd takes
• Effective social media takes time
• More

Thanks, Aaron!

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Tim McLaughlin is a restaurateur and restaurant tech extraordinaire. Having owned two restaurants, Tim understand the grit, innovation, and drive that it takes to run a business in the restaurant industry.  Now, as the CEO of GoTab, Tim applies this experience to making payment processes easier and other operations run more smoothly.

On this episode, Tim and Zack discuss: 

• Empowering guests
• Optimizing the payment process
• Taking advantage of tech
• Takings risks and opportunities others wouldn't
• More

Thanks, Tim!

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What's the record for person involved in the most organizations at one time? It might just be our guest today, Ellis Winstanley with 11 active positions currently listed on his LinkedIn, some of which include Board Member of the Texas Restaurant Association, President of El Arroyo in Austin, and President of Axial Shift, an operations platform for restaurants. Whichever position you choose, Ellis brings valuable experience to this edition of Give an Ovation!

On this episode, Ellis and Zack discuss: 

• Eliminating anything besides hospitality for employees
• How Ellis runs his businesses from Costa Rica
• How El Arroyo grew through clever signs
• The importance of family first in a team culture
• More

Thanks, Ellis!

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Joe Monastero is the COO of Texas Restaurant Association. TRA aims to serve as an indispensable resource for the hospitality and foodservice industry. TRA membership enables your company to build customer loyalty, rewarding careers and financial success. Joe  understands what it means to grow a business. Through TRA he is dedicated to helping any and all restaurants and restaurateurs grow their brand.

On this episode, Joe and Zack discuss: 

• Overcoming obstacles (i.e global pandemic)
• Creating a familial environment within your brand
• Finding room for growth
• More

Thanks, Joe!

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Jason Berkowitz is the Founder of ARROW UP, a highly-designed training tool for reducing liability, insurance premiums, and building a stronger culture in restaurants. He has extensive restaurant experience, having been involved in over 40 restaurant openings and was most recently the COO of Tocaya Organica. 

On this episode, Jason and Zack discuss: 

• How to retain staff for free
• How to establish systems for staff success
• The number one human desire
• More

Thanks, Jason! 

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Juan Orrego, Co-Founder and CEO of Cuboh, knows what it takes to provide an optimal third party experience. Cuboh consolidates all your online ordering tablets in one device. Juan's middle man perspective has raised him an expert in efficiency, visibility, and post ordering experience.

On this episode, Juan and host Zack Oates discuss: 

• Ghost Kitchens
• Third party delivery
• Customer journey
• What it takes to keep customers returning
• More

Thanks Juan!

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Clay Dover is a true restaurant marketing vet with over 30 years in the industry (even though he barely looks 30 years old)! Clay is the CEO and President of Velvet Taco, a concept known for its gourmet tacos and strong brand. He has former experience as a Marketing Manager for Chili's, the VP of Marketing for Apex Restaurant Group, the CMO of Raising Cane's, and more. 

Tune in to this episode to learn: 

• What goes into making a memorable guest experience
• The importance of tuning into customers and staff
• Contingency plans
• Much more

Thanks, Clay!

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Bryan Solar, GM of Restaurants at Square, is a pro at using tech to help restaurant owners, staff, and customers to bridge gaps. Square builds common business tools in unconventional ways so more people can start, run, and grow their businesses. Tune in to learn how you can optimize tech within your business!

On this episode, Bryan and host Zack Oates discuss: 

• Leveraging tech
• Consistency in quality and service
• Making consumers and staff feel valued
• More

Thanks Bryan!