Prosper Brief

In this deeply moving episode of The Prosper Brief, host Jeremiah Wynn welcomes two restaurant legends: Scott Moore, founder of Maple Street Biscuit Company and Calico Cactus, and Ray Johnson, an industry veteran known for building people-first brands. Together, they unpack the soul of a restaurant—not the systems, but the stories. From Maple Street's humble beginnings as a comfort food haven to the birth of Calico Cactus, Scott and Ray show how leading with love, clarity, and trust can transform an entire organization. Whether you're a CEO or a line cook, this episode will challenge how you define success, connection, and the very purpose of your business.

In this dynamic episode of The Prosper Brief, host Jeremiah Wynn sits down with three inspiring leaders—Dan Simons, co-founder of Farmers Restaurant Group; Ekundayo Platt, front-of-house manager at Farmers; and Dustin Portillo, a high-energy hospitality keynote speaker with a colorful past in the circus.

Together, they unpack what it truly takes to ignite team engagement, build a culture of ownership, and foster excellence at every level of an organization. From daily gratitude rituals to empowering frontline workers with decision-making, this episode blends humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom. These leaders don't just talk about culture—they live it. Whether you're managing one location or leading a national brand, this episode will leave you rethinking how you inspire, listen, and lead.

🔥 Ready to accelerate your career? Join us October 22–24, 2025, in Dallas, TX for Accelerate — the premier leadership event for emerging foodservice and hospitality professionals. With over 1,000 years of combined experience from our hosts, you'll gain insider knowledge, build powerful connections, and walk away inspired to lead. Register now at prosperaccelerate.com and take the next bold step in your leadership journey!

In this special "Turn the Tables" edition of The Prosper Brief, rising supply chain voice Larry Monger Jr. takes the lead in an eye-opening conversation with industry legend John Inwright, former President and CEO of Wendy's Quality Supply Chain Cooperative (QSCC).

Together, they dive deep into the hard-won lessons behind building resilient, people-first supply chains—from navigating COVID's chaos to pulling off a 30-month blackberry sourcing project across continents. John shares candid insights from his decades of leadership, reminding us that failure isn't fatal—it's foundational. If you're building anything—from a distribution plan to a career—this episode delivers the perspective, wisdom, and humility needed to lead through disruption.

🔥 Ready to accelerate your career? Join us October 22–24, 2025, in Dallas, TX for Accelerate — the premier leadership event for emerging foodservice and hospitality professionals. With over 1,000 years of combined experience from our hosts, you'll gain insider knowledge, build powerful connections, and walk away inspired to lead. Register now at prosperaccelerate.com and take the next bold step in your leadership journey!

In this inspiring episode, Andrew Robinson, CHRO of CKE Restaurants, discusses his career trajectory from starting as an hourly employee to leading HR for a major restaurant franchisor. Andrew shares his passion for people-first leadership and talks about the importance of creating growth opportunities for team members. He also highlights the critical role of mentorship in career growth, the challenges and rewards of overseeing multi-generational workforces, and the unique demands of the restaurant industry. Andrew's insights offer valuable lessons on resilience, hard work, and the power of mentorship.

In this episode of Prosper Brief, Ryan Bowlds from Restaurant Technologies discusses how the company is revolutionizing the restaurant industry through innovative automation solutions. From oil management to hood and flue cleaning, Ryan highlights how Restaurant Technologies is not only enhancing efficiency but also making kitchens safer and more sustainable. He shares insights into the company's commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and their involvement in fostering leadership through the Prosper Accelerator Program. Ryan also explores the future of automation in the restaurant space and its potential to transform the industry further. Discover how Restaurant Technologies can streamline your kitchen operations while prioritizing safety and sustainability. Visit their website, https://www.rti-inc.com/, to learn more about their innovative automation solutions.

In this data-driven episode of Prosper Brief, Pat Riley, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Data Delivers, provides insights into how customer data transforms the restaurant industry. Pat discusses his journey from the print industry to leading a company that helps restaurants harness data to understand customer behavior, drive engagement, and improve business performance. He highlights the importance of staying top-of-mind for customers and shares success stories of how data-driven marketing programs yield measurable results. This episode is a compelling look at how data can fuel growth and innovation in hospitality. Want to unlock the power of data for your restaurant? Explore how Data Delivers can help you understand your customers, improve engagement, and drive revenue. Visit their website at https://datadelivers.com for more information on their transformative Guest Connect program.

This episode of Prosper Brief features Kris Douglas, the VP of Technology for Smalls Sliders, as he discusses his fascinating career journey from healthcare to major brands like Coca-Cola and Inspire, and ultimately to Smalls Sliders. He delves into the transformational opportunities in the restaurant technology space, emphasizing the importance of innovation, culture, and customer experience. Key themes include the role of technology during COVID-19, creating adaptable solutions for multigenerational customers, and fostering a culture of collaboration and growth.

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In this episode, Charles Watson shares his leadership insights from over a decade with Tropical Smoothie, growing the brand from 250 locations to over 1,500. Charles discusses the challenges and rewards of franchise leadership, focusing on community involvement and the Prosper Forum's mission to create inclusive opportunities in the restaurant industry. He highlights his personal leadership philosophy, centered around the acronym "TRUST," which guides his approach to transparency, responsibility, service, and more. Additionally, Charles shares his commitment to social responsibility through Tropical Smoothie's partnership with No Kid Hungry and the CEO Pledge, which aims to combat childhood hunger across the U.S.

In this heartfelt episode of Prosper Brief, Michael Beacham, an esteemed leader at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), reflects on his inspiring journey in the hospitality industry. Starting unexpectedly in housekeeping at Marriott, Michael learned the value of empathy, teamwork, and resilience. He shares his experiences of building strong teams, navigating personal challenges, and fostering a culture of care and balance. Michael also opens up about the profound lessons learned during his daughter's health journey and how it reshaped his leadership perspective, emphasizing the importance of supporting and valuing people in the workplace.