Tastemakers Podcast

This is a conversation with the CEO of HiBar Hospitality Group, Jeff Chandler. HiBar is the newly formed entity that runs Hopdoddy Burger Bar and Grub Kitchen & Bar, both experiential combinations of premium burgers and a bar setting. Enjoy!

This is a conversation with Jayson Tipp, the Chief Marketing Officer of Pokeworks. Jayson has had an incredibly interesting career including Strategy, Analytics, and Technology leadership roles at Starbucks, Potbelly, Redbox, Papa Murphy’s, Pincho, and Bridg. Pokeworks is a high-growth fast-casual Poke restaurant that launched in 2015 and already has more than 60 locations today. Enjoy!

This is a conversation with Alex Canter, a fourth-generation restaurateur originally from Canter’s Deli. After multiple successful restaurant tech ventures, he started Nextbite to help restaurants fill unused capacity with virtual dining concepts. Those include Packed Bowls by Wiz Khalifa and George Lopez Tacos. In 2020, they closed their 120 million dollar series c round of funding. This year, he was a member of Nation’s Restaurant News Top 50 Power List. Enjoy!

This is a conversation with Tiffany McClain. She is the head of marketing for Mimi’s Cafe, which is now Mimi’s Bistro & Bakery. Previously, she held senior leadership roles with Fridays, Texas de Brazil, Which Wich, and Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar. Enjoy!

This is a conversation with Jason Morgan. He is the CEO of bellagreen and Original Chopshop and a board member for Newk’s Eatery. He joined the restaurant industry in 2008 when he became the CFO of Zoe’s Kitchen when the brand had only 20 units, then helped lead it all the way to IPO. This episode was recorded at the Restaurant Leadership Conference last April. Enjoy!

This is a conversation with Joe Koss, the President & CEO of Culver’s. Joe started at Culver’s as Controller in 1997 before getting elevated to CFO just 3 years later. In 2017, he took the helm as CEO. Culver’s is one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the US, now with nearly 700 locations and $1.5B in sales. This episode was recorded at the Restaurant Leadership Conference last April. Enjoy!

This is a conversation with the great Jim Parrish. Over his career, Jim has been the COO of Hooters, Friendly’s Ice Cream, and Church’s Chicken. This episode was recorded at the Restaurant Leadership Conference last April. Enjoy!

This is a conversation with Jack Gibbons, the President and COO of Front Burner Restaurants. They are the minds behind brands like Twin Peaks, Velvet Taco, Whiskey Cake, Ida Claire, Mexican Sugar, the Ranch, Sixty Vines, Legacy Food Hall and more. This episode was recorded at the Restaurant Leadership Conference last April. Enjoy!

This is a conversation with Christine Barone, the CEO of True Food Kitchen. Christine started her career in investment banking before making her way into the food business. She spent nearly 6 years with Starbucks with roles including VP, Global Strategy, VP, Food, VP, Handcrafted Coffee, and SVP of food, evenings and licensed stores. True Food Kitchen has nearly 30 locations across the US, with another 9 opening by next spring. This episode was recorded at the Restaurant Leadership Conference. Enjoy!

This is a conversation Frances Allen, the CEO of Boston Market. Frances is an industry luminary with roles including Brand President at Jack in the Box, EVP & Chief Brand Officer of Denny’s, CMO at Dunkin, Head of Marketing at Sony Ericsson, and VP of Marketing at Pepsi. This episode was recorded at the Restaurant Leadership Conference. Enjoy!