Restaurant People: Where we (to-)go from here

In our sixth and final episode, Atul visits with five leaders among our Kitchen United team, each with a unique perspective on the restaurant industry from their own place in it: Zach Adams, GM of our Austin kitchen center; Larrah Pawlak, VP of Operations; Kwame Brathwaite, SVP of Real Estate; Jessi Moss, Chief Technology Officer; and Joy Lai, Chief Operating Officer. Together they dive into operating ghost kitchens during an unprecedented (and somewhat unexpected) time of explosive off-premise sales growth, and what they see coming for restaurants in the future.

Produced by Kitchen United and Level Ground

Production credits: Elizabeth Villa, Samantha Curley, Dustin Mares, Mitch Collins

Sound design & editing: Elizabeth Windom

Theme music: "Rowdy" by Shane Becker

This podcast is brought to you by Kitchen United – the restaurant success company. We’re giving restaurants a new way to succeed in the new food economy, and supporting them every step of the way. We’ll tackle what’s next together. Join the community and learn more at kitchenunited.com.

In our fifth episode, Atul is joined by Geoff Goodman, CEO of LA-based Fresh Brothers, and Eric Greenwald, President of Scottsdale-based Grimaldi's Pizzeria, for a discussion on the ups and downs of the pizza market in 2020.

Produced by Kitchen United and Level Ground

Production credits: Elizabeth Villa, Samantha Curley, Dustin Mares, Mitch Collins

Sound design & editing: Elizabeth Windom

Theme music: "Rowdy" by Shane Becker

This podcast is brought to you by Kitchen United – the restaurant success company. We’re giving restaurants a new way to succeed in the new food economy, and supporting them every step of the way. We’ll tackle what’s next together. Join the community and learn more at kitchenunited.com.

In our fourth episode, Atul is joined by Beth De La Cruz, President of Jollibee North America, to discuss how the much-loved international brand has adapted to operating in 2020, creating memorable and satisfying to-go experiences and taking the opportunity to overcome the limits of off-premise hospitality.

Produced by Kitchen United and Level Ground

Production credits: Elizabeth Villa, Samantha Curley, Dustin Mares, Mitch Collins

Sound design & editing: Elizabeth Windom

Theme music: "Rowdy" by Shane Becker

This podcast is brought to you by Kitchen United – the restaurant success company. We’re giving restaurants a new way to succeed in the new food economy, and supporting them every step of the way. We’ll tackle what’s next together. Join the community and learn more at kitchenunited.com.

The independent restaurant community has had it particularly rough during the pandemic, to say the least. In our third episode of Restaurant People, Atul is joined by two independent restaurateurs from two different cities: Jeff Chang, owner/operator of Island Loco in Scottsdale, AZ, and Joel Fried, owner/operator of Eldorado Cafe in Austin, TX. They dive into the predicament of food trucks, having to adapt to constant regulation and culture changes, and finding strength and support in their local restaurant communities.

Produced by Kitchen United and Level Ground

Production credits: Elizabeth Villa, Samantha Curley, Dustin Mares, Mitch Collins

Sound design & editing: Elizabeth Windom

Theme music: "Rowdy" by Shane Becker

This podcast is brought to you by Kitchen United – the restaurant success company. We’re giving restaurants a new way to succeed in the new food economy, and supporting them every step of the way. We’ll tackle what’s next together. Join the community and learn more at kitchenunited.com.

In our second episode, Zaid Ayoub of Sajj Mediterranean and Aaron Noveshen of Starbird Chicken and The Culinary Edge (both on Fast Casual's 2020 Movers & Shakers list) join Atul for a conversation on the fast casual side of the industry, how they've adapted from catering and to delivery, and what lessons and innovations are sticking with them for the long haul.

Produced by Kitchen United and Level Ground

Production credits: Elizabeth Villa, Samantha Curley, Dustin Mares, Mitch Collins

Sound design & editing: Elizabeth Windom

Theme music: "Rowdy" by Shane Becker

This podcast is brought to you by Kitchen United – the restaurant success company. We’re giving restaurants a new way to succeed in the new food economy, and supporting them every step of the way. We’ll tackle what’s next together. Join the community and learn more at kitchenunited.com.

Carl Howard, CEO of Fazoli's, joins Atul for a conversation on what Fazoli's has learned from operating during quarantine, what's next for the brand, and where the industry goes from here.

Produced by Kitchen United and Level Ground

Production credits: Elizabeth Villa, Samantha Curley, Dustin Mares, Mitch Collins

Sound design & editing: Elizabeth Windom

Theme music: "Rowdy" by Shane Becker

This podcast is brought to you by Kitchen United – the restaurant success company. We’re giving restaurants a new way to succeed in the new food economy, and supporting them every step of the way. We’ll tackle what’s next together. Join the community and learn more at kitchenunited.com/restaurants.