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

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Solomon Choi is the founder and CEO of 16 Handles.  16 Handles is New York City's first self serve frozen yogurt shop.  With over 20 year experience in the restaurant industry, Solomon's restaurant concept became the segment leader in NYC and grew to over 40 locations internationally. Tune in to hear how he rose to the entrepreneurial top and took a bite out of the big apple!

On this episode, Solomon and Host Zack Oates discuss: 

• Building a global brand
• Marketing application
• Staying ahead of the curve
• Putting the customer on a pedastal
• More

Thanks Solomon!

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Alex is a restaurant industry innovator, in-demand speaker, and passionate advocate for restaurant operators and workers. A fourth-generation restaurateur, the restaurant business has been in Alex’s blood for over 85 years. Alex currently leads Nextbite, a digital platform designed to develop restaurant delivery. Tune in for his expertise in restaurant tech!

On this episode, Alex and Host Zack Oates discuss: 

• Restaurant delivery tech
• Restaurant infrastructure
• Hospitality
• Brand launches
• More

Thanks Alex!

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 Monte has over 40 years in the industry working every position from dishwasher all the way to Director of Operations. As a restaurant coach and hospitality coach Monte shares his wealth of knowledge in food, beverage, hospitality, service, sales, and cost controls that he has gained through 40 years of success and mistakes.

On this episode, Monte and Host Zack Oates discuss: 

• Mindset coaching
• Personal Engagement
• Moving beyond just numbers
• More

Thanks Monte!

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Will Pacio is the cofounder and CEO of Expo, a data science platform that has contributed greatly to transforming the hospitality industry.  Expo focuses on helping large multi-unit operations better leverage all of their data in one integrated solution. With over 20 years in the restaurant industry- with responsibilities ranging from line cook to head of IT- Will has seen it all! The development of the hospitality industry is in good hands!

On this episode, Will and Host Zack Oates discuss: 

• Data science platforms
• Operational data
• Delivery mechanisms
• More

Thanks Will!

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Stephen M.R. Covey is a highly-sought after international speaker, who has taught trust and leadership in 56 countries to business, government, military, education, healthcare, and NGO entities. We are fortunate to have him as a guest on our Give An Ovation podcast! Tune in to hear from a distinguished author, public speaker, entrepreneur, and expert in business leadership!

On this episode, Stephen and Host Zack Oates discuss: 

• Trust & Inspire
• Building your business from the inside out
• Leading vs managing
• Progressive leadership
• More

Thanks Stephen!

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Atul Sood is the chief business officer at Kitchen United. Kitchen United offers restaurants a top-tier food production facility that combines insights with ideas on how to profitably expand into the food delivery business. Given his experience, Atul has proven his skill at business intelligence and offering minimal risk and capital outlay. 

On this episode, Atul and Host Zack Oates discuss: 

• His pioneering of the ghost kitchen
• Multi concept dining
• Automation
• The development of delivery
• More

Thanks Atul!

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Sam Caucci is the CEO and founder of 1Huddle, a training platform that aims to improve staff performance and better prepare employees for the workforce. Sam Caucci's innovation engages employees with quick paced games that are customizable to the company's brand and can be played in under five minutes. 

On this episode, Sam and Host Zack Oates discuss: 

• The importance of catering employee training to be company specific
• Diversified training
• Automation
• Encouraging your team to subscribe to core beliefs and standards
• Understanding the behavior of the workforce
• More

Thanks Sam!

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Mike Mirkil is the head of marketing at Personica. Previously operating under the name Fishbowl, Personica is a digitalized platform that offers a better way to connect with and engage guests. With over 30 years of experience in the marketing industry, Mike had plenty to offer this episode of Give an Ovation. Tune in to hear his expertise on personalization, customer loyalty, and understanding market needs!

On this episode, Mike and host Zack Oates discuss: 

• Redefining customer value
• Meeting guest expectations
• Segmentation
• More

Thanks, Mike! 

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Niko Papademetriou is the Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Qu Beyond POS. Qu's goal is to go beyond the limited legacy systems with modern tech solutions that will improve your profits and confidently lead you into the new digital era. Given his experience in the financial sector and his entrepreneurial mindset, Niko has  fueled restaurant growth by infusing speed, agility, and innovation into restaurant operations. Tune in to Niko and Zack's witty banter and engaging content!

On this episode, Niko and host Zack Oates discuss: 

• Customer engagement
• The importance of being nimble
• Creating value and building relationships
• Dependability and consistency
• More

Thanks, Niko! 

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Kristen Barnett is the founder and CEO of Hungry House, a ghost kitchen that is shedding light on the culinary leaders of our tomorrow. Yet Kristen's innovation is one of many skills she is bringing to the table. Having earned her bachelors degree from Cornell University, we are fortunate to have met with one of the brightest minds helping to  develop the restaurant industry today. 

On this episode, Kristen and host Zack Oates discuss: 

• Ghost kitchens
• Marketing channels
• The digitalization of hospitality
• Storytelling through media
• More

Thanks, Kristen!