James Petrakis, co-founder of The Ravenous Pig and a James Beard Award semifinalist, helped shape Orlando’s modern food scene by building restaurants rooted in craft, community, and endurance. As a chef, operator, and mentor, he’s built a career defined less by hype and more by staying power.

Watch now to learn how survival shaped his growth, how one airport deal changed everything, and why community and craft still come first.

Sponsored by:

• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Michael Palmer, CEO of McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, oversees the evolution of a historic California brand. As a brand builder and operator, he’s focused on alignment, patience, and protecting what made the product special. 

Watch now to learn about taking over a legacy ice cream brand, building partnerships rooted in shared values, and growing nationally without sacrificing quality.

Sponsored by: 
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Brooks Schaden, co-CEO and co-founder of Tom’s Watch Bar, is building a new kind of sports bar designed around how fans actually watch games today. Through thoughtful design, operations, and partnerships, he’s turning live sports into a scalable hospitality experience.

Watch now to learn how a sports bar built around fandom grew fast, formed strategic partnerships, and turned games into shared moments.

Sponsored by:

• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Xavier Woods, an NFL safety and Smoothie King franchise owner, is building a second career rooted in ownership. As a professional athlete turned entrepreneur, he’s investing in systems designed for durability beyond football.

Watch now to learn how an NFL veteran is applying discipline from the field to franchise ownership, long-term investing, and building businesses beyond football.

(This episode was recorded on October 17th 2025)

Sponsored by: 
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Will Newman, founder of Edley’s Bar-B-Que, turned years of regional BBQ exposure into a growing restaurant brand. As a former law student and restaurant operator, he focuses on thoughtful growth while honoring the legacy behind the name

Watch now to learn how a law student recognized an opening, named a restaurant with purpose, and navigated the realities of growing a BBQ brand.

Sponsored by: 
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Katie Lee, founder of Katie’s Pizza & Pasta, built her career in restaurant kitchens before turning a pandemic pivot into a national frozen pizza brand. Her handmade pizzas are now sold in every Target store nationwide as part of a $20 million retail deal.

Watch now to learn about a $20 million Target deal, and the discipline required to scale without losing the craft.

Sponsored by: 

• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Matt Ensero and Justin Egan, founders of Wing It On and members of the Craveworthy Brands portfolio, built the concept from a single store into an award-winning wing brand with nine National Buffalo Wing Festival trophies.

Watch now to learn how Wing It On grew from a homegrown idea, earned national recognition, and found the right partner to scale.

Sponsored by:

• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Marcus Viscidi, Vice President of Sales for Informa, oversees industry gatherings like Create and the National Restaurant Association Show. By bringing the right operators and partners together, he helps restaurant brands connect, learn, and grow.

Listen now to learn how emerging brands grow outside their four walls, why connection beats convenience, and how the right event can change a business.

Sponsored by: 
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Steph So, Chief Growth Officer at Shake Shack, blends technology, creativity, and hospitality to shape how guests experience one of America’s most beloved fast casual brands. Through digital innovation and menu development, she has become a key leader driving Shake Shack’s modern growth.

Listen now to learn how Steph So blends hospitality with technology, why curiosity drives her decisions, and how Shake Shack keeps innovating without losing its soul.

Sponsored by: 
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Super Bowl Champion Ndamukong Suh has partnered with Craveworthy Brands founder Gregg Majewski to invest in people through hospitality. Together, they combine Suh’s leadership mindset with Majewski’s restaurant expertise to create opportunity across emerging concepts and growing franchise teams. 

Listen now to learn about Suh’s belief in opportunity, his partnership with Craveworthy, and how he is shifting his impact from the field to the hospitality world.

Sponsored by: 
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices