Restaurant Influencers

By Entrepreneur MediaBusiness Entrepreneurship

Restaurant Influencers episodes

October 21, 2025 A Restaurant Sign So Famous the Texas Governor Got Involved. El Arroyo’s Playbook for Building a Brand
Ellis Winstanley, co-owner of Austin’s El Arroyo and CEO of Axial Shift, turned a quirky restaurant sign into a cultural phenomenon while also building software to solve operators’ biggest headaches.
Listen now to learn about turning a restaurant sign into a media brand, pulling off a statewide April Fool’s prank, and building tech that helps operators stay focused on hospitality.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
41 min
October 14, 2025 He Hid on a Keg During His Pub’s Opening Day. Now He Runs 27 Restaurants in Oklahoma and Arkansas
Elliot Nelson, founder and CEO of McNellie’s Group, expanded a single Tulsa pub into 27 restaurants in Oklahoma and Arkansas. As a restaurateur and developer, he built spaces that anchor neighborhoods and showcase the spirit of Oklahoma hospitality.
Listen now to learn about surviving a St. Patrick’s Day disaster, the challenge of building a neighborhood around a pub, and how Oklahoma hospitality turned into 27 restaurants.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
47 min
October 07, 2025 He Spends $300k a Year to Fry in Beef Tallow. That Made Fry the Coop Into a Hot Chicken Sensation.
Joe Fontana, founder of Fry the Coop, turned a love for Nashville hot chicken into one of Chicago’s fastest-growing restaurant brands. Known for bold risks, storytelling, and a $300,000-a-year commitment to frying in beef tallow.
Listen now to learn about the leap from cubicle to hot chicken, the marketing stunt with a full chicken costume, and the rise of Fry the Coop across Chicago.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
38 min
September 30, 2025 This Former Simpsons Showrunner Ate 200 Foods in 24 Hours. Then Bill Oakley Came Back For More.
Bill Oakley, former Simpsons writer/producer turned “professional food enthusiast,” spotlights the hidden gems of American food. From rabbit in Arkansas to “Secret” hot sauce in Portland, he uses humor and storytelling to connect beloved regional brands with a wider audience.
Listen now to learn about his hunt for regional flavors, the stories behind unexpected finds, and why he keeps shining a spotlight on small producers.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 min
September 23, 2025 He Lost $100 Million — But Now Calls It the Best Investment of His Life
David Meltzer, entrepreneur, mentor, and chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute, teaches that empty seats don’t mean empty impact. Through his stage theory, he shows how content captured anywhere can be amplified everywhere.
Listen now to learn why he calls losing $100 million an investment, how stage theory multiplies impact, and what he’s building in public.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
17 min
September 16, 2025 The Food Truck That Became a Reality Show — and Built a 9-Location Egg Roll Empire
Chris Brown turned food trucks into rolling broadcast studios. Outfitted with 4K cameras, Ring cameras, and livestream setups, his fleet fuels a growing restaurant empire while keeping fans entertained with interactive broadcasts and the Championship Egg Roll Food Truck Tour.
Listen now to learn about building an empire from egg rolls, turning food trucks into studios, and creating experiences fans compare to a theme park.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
38 min
September 09, 2025 200,000 Restaurants, 1 Million Menus: PepsiCo is Fueling Digital Growth of Restaurants
André Moraes, Global Digital Marketing lead at PepsiCo, is helping restaurants grow with digital tools and local marketing support. From menu optimization to community programs, Pepsi has become more than a beverage brand. It is a growth partner for restaurants.
Listen now to learn how Pepsi supports restaurants with free tools, invests in local businesses, and helps strengthen communities.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
27 min
September 02, 2025 Meet the Entrepreneur Turning One of New York’s Most Iconic Slices Into The Next Top Pizza Brand
Lawrence Longo, CEO of Off the Menu and partner in Prince St. Pizza, is leading the charge to grow the iconic SoHo pizza shop into a big brand. From the original NYC location to spots in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Longo is committed to protecting what makes it special.
Listen now to learn about his vision for a great American pizza brand, building a loyal following, and the strategy behind growing a national pizza brand
Sponsored by:
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
17 min
August 26, 2025 He Went from Tech CEO to Dishwasher — Now He’s Behind 320 Restaurants and $750 Million in Assets
Andrew K. Smith, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Savory Fund, left the tech world behind and started his restaurant career in the dish pit of his wife’s bakery. Since then, he and his team have grown over 320 restaurants, generated more than $2.5 billion in sales, and raised over $750 million across three funds.
Listen now to learn how storytelling drives scale, how founders lead, and how family stays part of the journey.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
August 19, 2025 He Posted a Sushi Burger. Got 50 Million Views on Instagram. And Built an Empire.
Paul Ryu, founder of JPMforce and the mind behind hundreds of viral food videos, is the go-to content strategist for Las Vegas restaurants. From sushi burgers to steakhouse reels, his work has transformed how hospitality brands show up online.
Listen now to learn how one off-menu item sparked 50 million views, why he only hires active creators, and what it takes to scale influence without selling out.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 14 min

About Restaurant Influencers

From the publisher's feed

Are you SICK and TIRED of scrolling through your social media feeds and not seeing your business anywhere? On the new Restaurant Influencers podcast, top leaders in the restaurant and hospitality…