Happy Mouth

By Philip Camino & Nyesha ArringtonArts Food

Happy Mouth episodes

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021: Using Fungus as a Meat and Dairy Alternative
If you don’t eat meat or are just craving a breakfast patty then you’re in luck! What if we told you your breakfast patty could be made from fungus? With plant-based food on the rise, Nature’s Fynd is a Chicago-based food/tech start-up exploring using fungus as a meat alternative.
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur Philip Camino discuss the specifics of Nature’s Fynd and their products, who is investing, and the health and sustainability benefits of their meat alternative, Fy.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss Nature’s Fynd and their fungus meat alternative:
Investors include Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Al Gore.

Plant-based food sales have increased by 43% in the past 2 years and in 2020, plant-based food sales surpassed $7 billion, which is up by 27% from 2019.

Fungi based proteins are high in protein, fiber, amino acids and also are low in saturated fat.

Founder Mark Kozubal discovered a microbe called Fusarium strain flavolapis and fermented it to create the protein ingredient Fy.

Founded in 2012, Nature’s Fynd recently raised $158 million and plans to have their patties and dairy free cream cheese in stores this year.

As a representative of the Food Sustainability Movement, one of their missions is promoting sustainability and reducing our global carbon footprint.

Fy has 50% more protein than tofu and only 10% of the fat ground beef has.

Taste tests have been met with very positive reviews.
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
CNBC Tech to Table - Bezos, Gates back fake meat and dairy made from fungus as next big alt-protein
Nature’s Fynd
Plant Based Foods Association - Retail Sales Data
Sprouts Farmers Market - Survey by Sprouts Looks into New Year Eating Habits, Reveals Young Americans are Likely to Shift Away from Meat
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
20 min
July 14, 2021July 14, 2021: Chain Restaurants Are Getting Bought Up
Not one, not two, but SIX restaurant chains are being sold right now. With a lot of market activity occurring around chain restaurants, what better time to take a look at how this will affect the industry than now?
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington delve into the recent buying of these chains and what factors likely led to these purchases. They also discuss the impacts this may bring about for the industry.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss the recent buying of chain restaurants:
Since SweetGreen and Krispy Kreme deals, 6 more deals have been announced.

June 24th: Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken is being sold to Artemis Lane Partners.

June 25th: BBQ Holdings plans to purchase Village Inn and Bakers Square for $13.5 million.

Fat Brands plans to acquire Global Franchise Group for $442.5 million.

June 30th: Panera will sell Au Bon Pain to the Ampex Brands Family of Companies.

July 1st: The largest franchisee of Jack in the Box will buy Taco Cabana for $85 million.

July 2nd: Logan’s RoadHouse will buy J. Alexander’s and sister concepts for $220 million.

Causes: Operator fatigue, increased sales, long-time deals, and low interest rates.
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Restaurant Business - Everybody is Buying Chains Right Now
Restaurant Business - Logan’s Roadhouse Parent Agrees to Buy J. Alexander’s for $220M
Restaurant Business - Jack In The Box’s Largest Franchisee Agrees to Buy Taco Cabana for $85M
Restaurant Business - Panera Bread Sella Au Bon Pan to a Yum Brands Franchisee
Restaurant Business - Johnny Rockets Owner Is Buying Global Franchise Group for $442.5M
Restaurant Business - Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken to be Sold to Artemis Lane Partners
Restaurant Business - Famous Dave’s Parent is Buying Village Inn and Bakers Square

We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
23 min
July 13, 2021July 13, 2021: Anthony Bourdain Tribute
Anthony Bourdain was one of the few true rockstars of the hospitality industry. He reached acclaim not just for his time as the executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles but for his no-holds-barred style of writing and his Emmy award-winning television shows.
On this very special episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur Philip Camino look back on Bourdain’s life, his accomplishments, and what he meant to the hospitality industry. Nyesha also speaks about her personal experiences with Bourdain and what he was like behind the scenes.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss Anthony Bourdain:
Anthony Bourdain first got started in the hospitality industry after graduating from The Culinary Institute of America in 1978

Bourdain first reached fame after his article “Don’t eat before you read this” was published in the New Yorker, covering what it was really like as a chef in a restaurant

He then expanded the article into the best-selling book “Kitchen Confidential,” relaying wild stories of drugs, sex, and the real life of the restaurant world

Bourdain also launched several shows, including “A Cook’s Tour” and “No Reservations”

During one episode of “No Reservations,” Bourdain and his crew were trapped in a Beirut hotel while the Israel-Lebanon conflict broke out, which was nominated for an Emmy award

Bourdain was able to highlight cultures and cuisines often ignored by the mainstream during his show “Parts Unknown”, celebrating areas like Libya, Armenia, and Ethiopia

In one episode, President Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain had a beer together at a local restaurant in Vietnam

The documentary “Roadrunner” takes a look at Bourdain’s life and career
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Amazon - Kitchen Confidential Updated Edition
CNN - Cnn’s Anthony Bourdain dead at 61
Explore Parts Unknown - Website
Travel Channel - Anthony Bourdain
Roadrunner - Movie
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
16 min
July 12, 2021July 12, 2021: SBA Shutting Down The RRF
Oh, how we hardly knew ye Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
After serving just 105,000 restaurant operators over less than a single month, the RRF is officially being shut down by the SBA. Despite having a total of $26.8 billion in funding, the RRF flew through its allotted amount of money quickly. With lawsuits alleging discrimination and the rescinding of thousands of grants, some are viewing the RRF as a complete failure.
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington take a look back at the RRF and its pending shutdown. Nyesha and Philip also discuss if the RRF was a failure and what should have been done differently.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss the RRF ending:
The RRF opened for applications on May 3, 2021, receiving more than 186,000 applicants in the first two days

The RRF had been funded with $28.6 billion, with $5 billion earmarked for small businesses -- Which ran out in just 21 days

Women, veterans, and those who are socially and economically disadvantaged received priority

That priority treatment spurred several lawsuits against the Small Business Association (SBA), including one that was successful

The SBA has rescinded almost 3,000 awards from those prioritized individuals

A bill was introduced in the Senate to refill the fund with a proposed $60 billion, though it’s struggling to find bipartisan support

The SBA has announced they’ll disable the RRF portal on July 14, meaning they’ll no longer accept applications

The SBA awarded money to 105,000 restaurant operators before funds ran out, though 265,000 applications didn’t receive any money
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Restaurant Business - SBA pulls the plug on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Restaurant Business - SBA stops Restaurant Revitalization Fund payments after courts rule they’re discriminatory
Independent Restaurant Coalition - Contact Congress
Deeper Dive podcast - Is there any hope for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund?
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
16 min
July 08, 2021July 8, 2021: Snackpass Raises $70 Million
Move over Uber Eats and GrubHub, there’s a new challenger emerging.
Snackpass is making serious waves after recently raising $70 million from investors, joining the likes of Uber Eats, GrubHub, and DoorDash. With a focus on pickup orders instead of delivery, Snackpass is aiming for college towns where users are wary of high delivery fees. They hope to use the investment to expand into several new and large markets, offering serious competition for the food delivery app giants.
Restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington discuss Snackpass’ recent Series B funding, their expansion plans, and how cities imposing fee caps could change the landscape for food delivery apps.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss Snackpass:
Snackpass started in 2017 and by 2019 had gained $21 million in funding

In June, Snackpass raised another $70 million through Series B funding

The most recent investment raises the valuation of the company to more than $400 million

Snackpass focuses on pickup orders rather than delivery and is targeting college towns where cash-strapped users want to avoid high delivery fees found on competing apps like GrubHub and UberEats

Unlike food delivery apps that have fees as high as 30%, Snackpass commissions begin at just 7% for restaurants

Snackpass is using this investment to expand their teams as well as move into new markets in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Austin, Texas.

Currently, Snackpass has over 500,000 users in 13 college towns with users ordering an average of 4.5 times per month
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Restaurant Dive - Social e-commerce platform Snackpass raises $70M
Tech Crunch - Snackpass gobbles up $70M at a $400M+ valuation as its social food ordering platform crosses 500k users
Eater - Will permanent fee caps actually rein in delivery apps
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
20 min
July 07, 2021July 7, 2021: Chipotle’s Avocado Shortage
Would you like to add guac to that? If so, your Chipotle burritos and bowls could cost a little more thanks to an avocado shortage.
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur Philip Camino talk about the avocado shortage, what’s causing it, and how that’s having a massive impact on the fast-casual restaurant’s menu and stock prices.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss the avocado shortage:
According to Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung, the company has “diversified” its avocado sourcing to counteract any seasonal shortages

Chipotle’s tip avocado suppliers come from Mexico, Peru, and California

Mexico is the top supplier but regularly ships fewer avocados during the hot summer months, typically offset by an increase in production in Peru

California steadily supplies about 12% of the overall avocado supply

Avocados make up between 5%-10% of Chipotle’s ingredient costs, which can have massive impacts on the company’s margins and stock prices

The Hass Avocado Board is projecting a 5.8% decline in third-quarter avocado sales compared to the same time last year, which will make it more costly for Chipotle to make its guacamole

Avocado prices have been up-and-down in 2021, seeing a 26% decrease in prices in the first quarter due to an influx of shipments from Mexico

By the second quarter, avocado prices jumped up 4% and have increased another 6% already in June

Chipotle has been facing the worker shortage head-on, looking to attract 20,000 new employees, increasing wages to $15-per-hour by the end of June and introducing referral bonuses of up to $750 per hire

The company has already raised menu prices by about 4% to offset increased wages but could need to raise prices again due to the avocado shortage

Rising avocado prices have already impacted Chipotle’s stock earnings, knocking it down 10-12 cents per share in the third quarter already

However, shares of Chipotle (CMG) are up 5% this year so far, creating a market value of $42 billion for the company
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
CNBC - Falling avocado shipments could hurt Chipotle’s margins, analyst says
CNBC - Chipotle hikes prices to cover the cost of raising wages
Market Watch - Chipotle could take a hit from higher avocado prices
CNBC - Chipotle to hike wages, debut referral bonuses in attempt to hire 20,000 workers
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
29 min
July 06, 2021 July 6, 2021: Talking About The Restaurant Worker Shortage With Brad Metzger
One of the hottest topics within the hospitality industry is the worker shortage. The coronavirus pandemic saw many restaurants shut their doors for at least a little while, leaving many workers out of a job. With restaurants opening back up, workers aren’t quite as eager to return, leaving most restaurants understaffed.
On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington sit down with Brad Metzger. Brad’s the owner of BMRS, a recruitment and placement agency specifically for the hospitality industry.
Nyesha and Philip talk with Brad about the worker shortage currently plaguing the hospitality industry. Brad provides his unique insight about important topics like just how bad the current shortage really is and whether the industry is close to returning back to normal.
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
BRMS - Website
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
26 min
July 05, 2021July 5, 2021: Department Of Labor Proposes Changes To The Tip Credit
The U.S. Department of Labor recently proposed changes to the 80/20 rule, altering what type and amount of work qualifies for the tip credit. While the hospitality industry is beginning to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, there’s also a worker shortage thanks in part to low wages and a reduction in tipping.
Restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington break down the DOL’s proposed changes to the tip credit and the impact they’ll likely have on both restaurant owners and employees. From the need to improve the employee experience to how changes in pay could impact menu prices, Nyesha and Philip provide valuable insight to get to the most important parts of the new guidelines.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss the tip credit:
In the United States, employers can pay employees as low as $2.13 per hour as long as a majority of that employee’s work is tipped work

In 43 states, employers can claim a credit against the tips employees earn to make up the difference in hourly rate to $7.25 to meet the federal minimum wage

The 80/20 rule has come under some scrutiny in recent years as the Department of Labor rescinded it in 2018 due to many employers claiming it despite not meeting the regulations

By the end of 2020, the DOL released the Final Tip Rule but delayed it for adjustments

Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the 2020 tip rule favored the employer’s use of the top credit, allowing them to claim it even when employees were performing non-tipped work

Under the DOL’s guidelines, servers can’t perform non-tipping work as more than 20% of their duties

The newly proposed tip rule puts limits on the type and amount of non-tipped work an employee can do for the employer to claim the tip credit

That non-tipped work has to support the job of a server including tasks like folding napkins and preparing silverware

The DOL says these new guidelines came as an effort to further support tipped workers
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Restaurant Business - DOL proposes change to 80/20 tip credit rules
Restaurant Business - DOL delays discontinuation of 80/20 rule on servers’ pay
Waller - Restaurants must be aware of the 80/20 rule
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
15 min
July 02, 2021July 2, 2021: RRF Update - SBA Rescinding Some RRF Grants
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund was a massive hit, earning nearly 200,000 applicants in the first two days. But nearly two months after sending out the first checks, the SBA has been rescinding some RRF grants without a clear explanation.
Hosts Philip Camino and Nyesha Arrington break down the latest RRF updates and RRF information. They discuss what issues the RRF has had thus far, the beginning funding mistakes that led to these issues, and what it could mean for those restaurants who had awards rescinded.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha give a RRF update:
RRF money ran out quickly, getting applications for $65 billion despite just $28.6 billion being earmarked

In Tennessee and Texas, 3 restaurants sued the SBA for distributing the funds in a discriminatory way

Though some applicants have already received their funds, the SBA has sent over 3,000 letters to rescind its awards, including to women and military-owned restaurants and disadvantaged individuals

Owners whose grants were taken away will see “fully canceled” on their application status

However, those applications will be kept in place and on the date they're filed so that businesses with rescinded grants won’t have to file a new application and will be further up the line if the SBA receives more funds

In the 3rd round of rescinded grants, the SBA sent out a letter that sometimes incorrectly said businesses had applied for the SVOG (Shuttered Venue Program) or defaulted on an SBA loan, making them ineligible for the RRF

Despite all the issues, the SBA has remained mostly silent, creating further frustration
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
National Restaurant News - SBA remains silent on RRF confusion
Restaurant Business - More restaurants have their RRF awards rescinded
Restaurant Dive - SBA rescinds more RRF grants
Happy Mouth podcast - RRF gets 186k applicants in first 2 days
Happy Mouth podcast - Revisiting the Restaurant Revitalization Fund
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
19 min
July 01, 2021July 1, 2021: Wingstop Opens Virtual Brand Thighstop During Chicken Wing Shortage
Nearly everyone loves a good chicken wing. Well, it seems like too many people are enjoying wings, creating a national chicken wing shortage.
To combat the shortage and increasing chicken wing prices, Wingstop has looked at the rest of the chicken. Wingstop partnered with delivery app Doordash to create the virtual brand Thighstop as a ghost kitchen -- serving thigh versions of their famous chicken wings.
Listen as restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington break down the chicken wing shortage, Wingstop’s ingenuity, and what this could mean for the brand and their competitors.
Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss chicken wings:
Demand for chicken wings has been up 7% during the pandemic

Despite increased demand, chicken and labor shortage are creating supply issues

In 2020, Wingstop exceeded $1 billion in digital sales, 60% of the company’s $2 billion in total sales

Wingstop’s digital sales increased 25% from 2019 to 2020 thanks in part to a new delivery system being introduced

CFO Michael Skipworth said Wingstop saw a 25.8% increase in wing prices in one year, even after forming a price-mitigation strategy with their biggest poultry suppliers

Wingstop partnered with the delivery app to open the virtual restaurant Thighstop as a ghost kitchen at 1,400 locations

While Wingstop has created Thighstop, they won’t be putting thighs on their regular menu, choosing to build the brand separately
Links:
Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram
Associated Press - Chicken wing shortage forces restaurants to adapt
Restaurant Dive - Wingstop surpasses $1B in digital sales in 2020
Restaurant Dive - Wingstop debuts virtual brand focused on chicken thighs
Newsweek - Chicken wings shortage sees prices rise in restaurants across U.S.
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:
Full Comp
The Happy Mouth Morning Show
Restaurant Marketing School
The Playbook
13 min

About Happy Mouth

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Hosted by acclaimed restaurateur Philip Camino and star chef Nyesha Arrington, the Happy Mouth podcast is your source for the daily news about the hospitality industry. From bite-sized news stories…

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