In this episode of Restrocast, Ashish Tulsian sits down with Chris Incorvati, CTO at Jack’s Family Restaurants, to explore one of the most unconventional and inspiring journeys in restaurant technology. From a journalism graduate and restaurant GM to leading tech across 270+ QSR locations, Chris shares how curiosity, hands-on learning, and deep operational empathy shaped his rise.

The conversation spans pivotal roles at Legal Seafoods, Au Bon Pain, and Panera, where Chris helped roll out early POS innovations, in-house delivery platforms, and guest care systems. He also shares the origins of Panera’s “friction team,” built to eliminate recurring pain points and drive operational efficiency.

Now at Jack’s, Chris is focused on drive-thru speed, kiosk pilots, and maturing the brand’s tech stack—while remaining grounded in real-world needs. He talks openly about evaluating AI, learning from failure, and his evolution into a servant leader who believes in empowering teams, not micromanaging them.

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Ashish Tulsian- LinkedIn 

Chris Incorvati- LinkedIn 

In this episode of Restrocast, Ashish Tulsian sits down with Kyle Mark, a restaurant tech leader whose career has spanned Apple, various startups, and enterprise restaurant operations. Kyle shares how his journey started in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, took root at Apple’s flagship store, and evolved into a career transforming how restaurants use technology.

Kyle reflects on transitioning from Apple to the foodservice world through roles at Standard Market, Datum Technologies, and Fresh Kitchen—where he helped lead a rapid digital transformation just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. He discusses how delivery became a lifeline, forcing restaurant tech to shift from cost center to growth engine.

Now leading tech at WOWorks, Kyle talks about fixing POS systems that weren’t set up well and how poor setup—not the tools themselves—is often the real problem. He explains that many failures happen because teams aren’t aligned. Kyle believes restaurant tech should work together smoothly, and that “best-in-class” means choosing tools that actually fit your business—not just the ones with the most features.

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Ashish Tulsian - LinkedIn 

Kyle Mark- LinkedIn 

In this episode of Restrocast, Ashish Tulsian sits down with Joseph Unger, President and COO of GOSH Enterprises, to trace his inspiring journey through the restaurant industry. From starting as a sandwich artist at Subway to leading 100+ corporate restaurants at Taco Bell, Joe shares how his early exposure to entrepreneurship shaped his career. 

He discusses the leadership lessons learned from mentors at Yum Brands and his shift to innovation-driven roles at Reef Technology during the rise of ghost kitchens.

Joe discusses the realities of aligning teams with a shared vision, building quickly in founder-led environments, and the challenges and opportunities of non-traditional restaurant formats. 

Now at GOSH Enterprises, Joe is focused on scaling brands like Lenny’s Grill & Subs and Charlie’s Cheesesteaks while driving tech-led personalization across the guest journey.

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Ashish Tulsian - LinkedIn 

Joseph Unger- LinkedIn 

In this episode of Restrocast, Chad Mackay, CEO of Fire & Vine Hospitality, shares his journey from growing up around restaurants run by his father to stepping away into the corporate world, only to return with renewed vision and a commitment to do things differently.

He talks candidly about the pivotal moments in his leadership journey—surviving the 2008 financial crisis while building a flagship restaurant, learning from failed concepts, and the power of integrity and honoring commitments. Chad also reflects on the importance of a people-centric culture, his evolution into a servant leader, and how empowering others became the key to scaling sustainably.

From using technology to enhance the human experience to building teams that stay longer, this episode is packed with accurate, hard-earned insights for anyone in hospitality—or any people-driven business.

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Ashish Tulsian - LinkedIn 

Chad Mackay- LinkedIn 

In this episode of Restrocast, Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, shares the secrets behind building a thriving restaurant brand for over 35 years. From starting small to scaling smart, Wing reveals how his unique approach to marketing, customer engagement, and business resilience has kept Wahoo’s relevant in an ever-changing industry.

He dives into influencer marketing before social media, his strategy of partnering with athletes and musicians, and how Wahoo’s became a hotspot for action sports communities. Wing also discusses the impact of delivery and ghost kitchens, why dine-in still drives restaurant profits, and the evolving landscape of the post-pandemic restaurant business.

With humor and real-world insights, Wing shares why experience-driven dining is the future, how he balances family and business, and the importance of building relationships with vendors, employees, and customers. He also talks about his California Love Drop initiative, which is giving back to the community while strengthening brand loyalty.

Find us online: 

Ashish Tulsian - LinkedIn 

Wing Lam- LinkedIn 

In this episode of Restrocast, Ashish Tulsian sits down with James Walker, a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience in the restaurant industry. Known for thriving in chaotic environments, James shares his journey from managing restaurants to leading transformative initiatives in hospitality. 

He recounts memorable stories, like working with Chris Elliott at Cinnabon, and highlights the importance of honesty and decisive leadership in challenging situations.

James delves into his decision to pursue an MBA at Duke, discussing how it enhanced his understanding of finance and data-driven decision-making. The conversation explores the role of private equity in shaping restaurant brands, with James offering a nuanced perspective on balancing profitability with preserving a brand’s identity. 

He emphasizes the value of collaboration, franchisee support, and maintaining respect in high-pressure environments.

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Ashish Tulsian - LinkedIn 

James Walker- LinkedIn 

In this episode of Restrocast, Samer S. Hamadeh, the visionary entrepreneur behind unique hospitality concepts like Akiba Dori and Stereo Arcade. 

From organizing a music festival at the age of 15 to designing industry-defining dining and nightlife experiences, Samer shares his journey of relentless creativity and risk-taking.

Discover how Samer transitioned from nightlife to the dining scene, building Akiba Dori, a Japanese-inspired street food concept with a modern twist. He delves into the challenges of expanding into Saudi Arabia and the importance of understanding local markets. 

Samer also opens up about his love for the “zero-to-one” phase of entrepreneurship, his aversion to traditional operations, and how video games inspire his creativity.

Find us online: 

Ashish Tulsian - LinkedIn 

Samer S. Hamadeh- LinkedIn 

In this episode of Restrocast, Ashish Tulsian sits down with John Peyton, CEO of Dine Brands Global, to discuss his remarkable journey through consulting, hospitality, and franchising. 

John shares how mentorship at Starwood Hotels shaped his understanding of leadership and operational excellence, highlighting pivotal moments like implementing Six Sigma and navigating the leap from operations to brand leadership.

John delves into the challenges of becoming a first-time CEO at Dine Brands Global, managing iconic restaurants like Applebee’s and IHOP, and balancing strategy with execution. He offers invaluable advice on adapting to change, fostering collaboration, and staying grounded in a fast-evolving business landscape.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of John Peyton’s leadership journey and the insights that have driven his transformative impact across industries.

Find us online: 

Ashish Tulsian - LinkedIn 

John Peyton- LinkedIn 

In this episode of Restrocast, Eric Slaymaker, the driving force behind Wingers Alehouse, shares his journey from the world of advertising to building a successful restaurant brand. With early roots in marketing for his father’s franchises, Eric developed a unique perspective on branding, which later inspired him to create Wingers. 

Eric dives into Wingers’ evolution, explaining how he adapted the concept into the popular Alehouse model to meet changing market demands. His conversation covers the balancing act between franchisee autonomy and brand consistency, Wingers’ feedback systems, and the importance of training in ensuring quality. 

Eric also reflects on leadership, sharing his commitment to sustainable growth and the continual effort to improve communication with his team. 

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Ashish Tulsian - LinkedIn 

Eric Slaymaker- LinkedIn 

In this episode of Restrocast, Phil Friedman, shares his remarkable journey over four decades. From his beginnings as a dishwasher to managing food distribution in Vietnam and scaling major brands like Panda Express and McAlister's Deli, Phil offers invaluable insights into leadership, innovation, and resilience. 

He discusses the challenges of navigating economic downturns, including the 2009 recession and the recent pandemic, and how adaptability has been key to his success.

Phil emphasizes the importance of building strong support systems for franchisees and staying ahead with technology. His candid advice for aspiring restaurateurs focuses on mastering the fundamentals and being ready to learn in an ever-evolving industry. With his passion for the restaurant business, Phil inspires listeners to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. 

Tune in to discover how one man's journey reflects the broader dynamics of the restaurant landscape and the lessons that can drive success in a competitive market.

Find us online: 

Ashish Tulsian - LinkedIn 

Phil Friedman- LinkedIn