Farmer Boys COO and president Joseph Ortiz joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to take us inside a 40-plus-year-old brand that continues to chart its own path, and share what it’s like to run and grow a California-based brand these days. We get into everything from sourcing to menu innovation to how to handle the labor challenge, and much more.

Diana Geseking, General Counsel at Restaurant Technologies, joins QSR Editorial Director Danny Klein to dive into the ever-evolving topic of sustainability and how operators and partners can work together to make a lasting impact, and improve kitchen operations while they’re at it. This episode was sponsored by Restaurant Technologies

Taco John’s chief marketing officer Barry Westrum joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the brand's expansion throughout the Midwest as it continues to surprise with menu innovation (Taco Pizza), a new Drive Thru Olé prototype, and the same commitment to challenging the status quo that’s always been a part of the concept’s DNA.

Eric Lam, CEO of Berry AI, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss one of the most-buzzed about industry topics in recent memory: can you improve the drive-thru with artificial intelligence? But it might just surprise you how that’s possible, and what it means for the evolution of performance and customer experience in fast food's most important channel.

The inspiration for Sip Fresh began, as the company likes to say, on a balmy evening at a local bar. Could a juice chain mirror the mixology trend that had taken over the beverage scene? Sharon Arthofer, CEO and founder, and 27-year franchise industry veteran, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to talk about how the brand’s fresh and interactive experience has set it apart in what’s become a $146 billion industry, and why growth is just now starting to kick into gear.

Last year, restaurant operators shared their key priorities and initiatives in Qu’s fourth-annual State of Digital report. Now, CMO Jen Kern joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the findings of the fifth edition, which went even bigger, highlighting the rise of kiosks, “Loyalty 3.0,” and way more as we break down findings from 179 Brands across 62,000 locations. This is a look into the future of foodservice you won’t want to miss. Here's a link to the full report: https://www.qubeyond.com/2024-5th-annual-state-of-digital-for-qsr-amp-fast-casual-brands/

RSE Ventures founder and “Shark Tank” guest Matt Higgins has created a multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio of leading fine-dining and fast-casual concepts, including iconic eateries like NYC’s Magnolia Bakery, David Chang’s Momofuku, Milk Bar, &pizza, and Bluestone Lane. He joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss all of that, plus sharing his philosophy on leadership and achieving your potential, as well as stories from his NFL days, and a whole lot more. This might just be the most off-kilter, enlightening, and revealing conversation we’ve ever had on QSR Uncut.

Dustin Portillo joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss a journey unlike any other we’ve had here on QSR Uncut. From becoming the third-youngest person in Ringling's 147-year history to being promoted to “Boss Clown” to portraying Ronald McDonald at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to leading community relations at one of the top McDonald’s franchises in America, Portillo has traveled one of the most unique roads in the industry. And he’s now sharing with the world why it’s more than OK to be an IDIOT (we’ll explain).

Few restaurant brands, if any, have stayed at the forefront of innovation like Wow Bao, a concept that began as a small Chicago storefront and has now spread to more than 700 “dark kitchens” across the country. Also, Wow Bao recently rolled into thousands of CPG outlets and is plotting a future in web3 that could change the game as we know it. CEO Geoff Alexander joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss it all, what’s next, and how you lead from the cutting edge during one of the most vivid paradigm shifts on record.

Penn Station East Coast Subs chief operating officer Craig Dunaway joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein for a wide-ranging chat on the challenger brand's history and why it's poised for growth. How do you guard a brand's differentiators as you franchise? Where is the sandwich sector headed next? We get into that and a whole lot more.