Restaurant Influencers

Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen founders Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan were intentional in creating a mission-driven space. The Hilltop team (including entrepreneur/entertainer Issa Rae) consistently exceeds guest expectations with welcoming community spaces and family-like hospitality.

Listen now to learn about creating a place for the community, why to use new restaurant technology, and how coffee is a ritual.

Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Troy Guard, the Founder of TAG Restaurant Group, encountered a number of challenges during his transitioning from top chef to business owner but has learned, endured, and expanded TAG Restaurant Group into an industry powerhouse.

Listen now to learn about transforming from chef to owner, asking for what you want, and the power of storytelling.

Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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For restaurateur Lien Ta, events are not just a way to make more money. Hosting unique gatherings (like the Food Trivia Night) at her establishments is a creative outlet, a catalyst for joy, and yet another way that her All Day Baby restaurant cultivates its loyal fanbase.

Listen now to learn about hosting successful events at your business, empowering women in the food and beverage industry, and social media storytelling.

Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Restaurants can think OUTSIDE the box by putting their products INSIDE a box. Tiago Carneiro and his Novo Brazil Brewing Co. have tapped into new revenue streams by bringing their food and drink brands to customers — whether that’s at a grocery store, local sporting events, or in a traditional restaurant setting.

Listen to learn about expanding your business model, selling packaged goods, and having big ambitions.

Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Justin Nedelman went from real estate to restaurants. It’s not a traditional path, but the CEO of Pressed prides himself on moving upward even in the face of mountains. As a health and fitness enthusiast, Justin is also helping Pressed branch out into new categories to increase revenue and reach. 

Listen to learn about the business of plant-based foods, discovering new ways to reach consumers, and replacing CRM with GRM.

Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Jack Gibbons, CEO of FB Society, is a restaurant industry leader who puts his creative mind to work helping to build and grow experiential dining concepts into huge brands. Based out of Texas, Jack challenges conventional wisdom by boldly declaring, "Profit is not a four-letter word."

Listen now to learn about the relationship between profit and expansion, scaling multi-million dollar restaurants, and embracing confrontation.

Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Isabel Coss is an acclaimed postres chef with big ambitions who helps run Washington, DC’s Lutèce. As a young restaurant worker starting out in Mexico City, Isabel Coss learned that the secret ingredient to success was creativity and communication. Now Isabel Coss is one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2023.

Listen to learn about finding acclaim for her food, how to tell better stories on social media, and the path to pastry.

Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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The co-founder of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux brings forward-thinking ideas and Southern hospitality to his endeavors — whether that’s the popular sports concept or the fast-growing QSR Smalls Sliders. Now he wants to bring little cheeseburgers to a bigger stage.

Listen to learn about a new type of franchise, the intersection of sports and hospitality, and creating Smalls Sliders with Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees.

Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Quality leadership is like a bag of golf clubs, says Hooters of America CEO Sal Melilli. Just like a golfer needs many clubs to have a successful round, a leader also has lots of tools at their disposal. Sal is leading the Hooters brand in new directions while focusing on what makes it special.

Listen to learn about moving from sink to C-suite, diversifying income streams, and celebrating the iconic Hooters Girls.

Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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Duke Alexander Moore, CEO founder of Duke Tax, is a tax pro and social media content creator who has built a huge following online teaching his millions of followers about taxes while entertaining at the same time. Chances are, you HATE taxes. That’s why he LOVES them.

Watch to learn about making progress over perfection, creating viral videos on social media, and helping others become creators. 

Sponsor: Toast: All-In-1 Restaurant System — https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

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