Looking for inspiration to take your marketing efforts to the next level? Don't miss this episode of the Pineapple Perspective podcast, where Troy Hooper and Justin Ulrich share their experiences and insights on the importance of giving, local marketing, and leveraging data to drive growth.

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper interviews Justin Ulrich, the marketing lead at Evocalize. They discuss the concept of hospitality and the importance of treating others with respect and kindness. Justin emphasizes the value of giving without expecting anything in return and how it can enrich both the giver and the receiver. They also delve into the trends in local digital marketing, highlighting the significance of hyperlocal and hyper-contextual targeting. Justin shares insights on leveraging data to segment audiences and tailor marketing messages to specific demographics. 

Highlighted topics are:

- Discussion on the concept of hospitality and the importance of giving and treating others with respect and kindness

- Trends in local digital marketing, focusing on hyperlocal and hyper-contextual targeting

- Leveraging data to segment audiences and personalize marketing messages

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Evocalize at:

Website

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

X

YouTube

TikTok

And their podcast: Local Marketing Lab

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

Are you struggling to find quality candidates in the current labor market? Curious about the latest trends in the hiring process? Discover how Landed, a unique SaaS platform, is revolutionizing the hiring process for restaurant brands.

In this episode of the Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper interviews Rouhaan Shahpurwala, CEO of Landed, a SaaS product and service partner business. They discuss the importance of hospitality in all aspects of business and how Landed integrates it into their operations. 

Here are a few topics discussed in the episode:

- The importance of hospitality in every business and how it extends to employees, customers, and stakeholders.

- Rouhaan's belief in hospitality, influenced by his upbringing and early work experiences.

- The challenges faced by brands in hiring and retaining quality hourly workers, with a focus on ghosting and finding candidates who show up for interviews.

- The importance of employee happiness and culture in attracting and retaining talent, including the use of employee referrals.

- The role of technology, such as Landed's generative AI, in streamlining the hiring process and creating a personalized candidate experience.

Landed is a unique hiring platform that combines high-touch, personalized engagement with social media and AI technology to help restaurant brands find and hire hourly talent. By leveraging the power of social media, Landed reaches millennial and Gen Z candidates who may not be actively searching on traditional job boards. Through AI-powered conversations, Landed engages with candidates, vets them based on brand-specific criteria, and books them for interviews, ultimately improving retention rates and streamlining the hiring process for restaurant brands.

Connect with Rouhaan on LinkedIn.

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

Curious to hear the insights and experiences of the head of development at Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken and how integrating hospitality into your mindset and operational framework can elevate your business and brand?

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy interviews Sam Stanovich, the head of development at Big Chicken, a concept founded by Shaquille O'Neal. They discuss various topics related to the hospitality industry and the growth of the Big Chicken brand. 

Sam shares more on these topics:

- His personal journey from a Greek household upbringing to working in Marriott and becoming a franchisee.

- His definition of hospitality being the privilege to serve others and care about the community.

- Highlights on the significance of having a personal board of directors for guidance and support in his career.

- He discusses the growth plans for Big Chicken, including expanding domestically and internationally.

- The brand benefits from the reputation and network of its founder, Shaquille O'Neal.

You can connect with Sam on LinkedIn and Instagram.

To learn more about Big Chicken, connect with them on LinkedIn, check out their website, and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok.

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

Looking for inspiration to transform your family-owned business into a thriving brand? 

Don't miss this episode of The Pineapple Perspective featuring CEO Michael Ungaro of San Pedro Fish Company. From humble beginnings to becoming a top ten Instagram restaurant, CEO Michael Ungaro takes us on a journey of resilience, innovation, and the power of storytelling. Discover the secrets behind his success, how he’s created a culture of hospitality that has captivated customers and led to incredible growth and learn how you can apply these strategies to your own business. 

Get ready to be motivated and discover the keys to building a successful multi-generational business.

Listen in as Troy and Michael highlight these topics:

- The challenges and successes of running a multi-generational family-owned restaurant.

- The importance of hospitality, community, and adaptability in restaurant business operations.

- Treating employees and customers like family is a core value of San Pedro Fish Company.

- The challenges of transitioning to the fourth generation and ensuring the business's continued success.

- The evolution of their service model from fast-casual to an experiential dining experience.

- The significance of creating a sense of connection and value for employees and customers.

- The impact of social media and storytelling in promoting their brand.

- Future plans for expansion and innovation.

You can learn more about San Pedro Fish Company on their website. 

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

Curious about the challenges and rewards of leaving a corporate career for the restaurant industry and becoming a multi-unit franchisee? 

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper interviews Lauren Fernandez, CEO of Full Course, a company that invests in and supports early-stage food and restaurant brands. Here are the key points discussed in the interview:

- Lauren shares her deep connection to the hospitality industry.

- She discusses how her upbringing and cultural background have shaped her to make a positive impact.

- Lauren’s journey from lawyer to multi-unit franchisee and starting Full Course.

- Challenges faced by the industry, like lack of available debt and scarcity of affordable real estate.

- Creative solutions to challenges including private credit and crowdsourcing.

You can learn more about Lauren Fernandez on LinkedIn. 

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

Episode author:

Troy Hooper, Lauren Fernandez

Curious about the challenges of franchising and the communication expectations across multiple generations, from baby boomers to Gen Z, that  create a unified and hospitable environment?

In this conversation, Troy discusses with Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken, the need for businesses to adapt to the evolving hospitality expectations of different generations, such as Gen Z's desire for collaboration and customization. 

Other topics covered in this episode include:

- Hospitality is crucial in the restaurant industry and applies to all levels of business.

- Franchising presents both challenges and opportunities.

- Finding franchisees who align with company values is important.

- Effective communication and collaboration are key in the franchising relationship.

- Listening to stakeholders is vital for long-term sustainability.

You can learn more about Josh Halpern on LinkedIn and follow him on  Instagram and Big Chicken on their website. 

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

How can packaging enhance the customer experience and drive growth in the fast-casual industry? 

In today’s episode, Troy meets with Zachary Stein, the Co Founder and CEO of SupplyCaddy, a leading global manufacturer of custom packaging and disposables for the food service industry with clients such as Burger King Popeyes, Dave's Hot Chicken, Huey Magoo's, Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Levain Bakery and more.

Zach and Troy cover topics like:

• The importance of the customer experience in at home dining

• The need for customized packaging solutions that cater to the specific needs of each brand and their food offerings

• The role of technology in forecasting and managing supply chain logistics for packaging materials

• The impact of off-premise dining on the packaging requirements for QSR and fast casual brands

• The significance of sustainability and regenerative practices in packaging design and materials

You can learn more about Zachary Stein and SupplyCaddy on his website. 

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

How can data and statistics help your business elevate hospitality?

Lucas Judice, founder of Freatz, a comprehensive Customer Experience Monitoring Tool for restaurants, discusses how businesses should prioritize hospitality by providing a wow factor to customers.

In this episode, Troy and Lucas cover topics like:

• Hospitality is essential in every business, including restaurants.

• Using data to understand customers’ needs is vital for success.

• Freatz helps restaurants gather data from customers and provides actionable recommendations.

• Implementing Freatz’s recommendations can increase revenue and improve customer satisfaction.

You can learn more about Lucas Judice and Freatz on his website, or connect with him on LinkedIn. 

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions. 

Episode author:

Troy Hooper, Lucas Judice 

How can the principles of hospitality elevate your business and brand?

Anthony Zaller, a hospitality lawyer, discusses the importance of hospitality in business and shares insights on how to provide value to clients and customers.

In this episode, Troy and Anthony cover topics like:

• Providing value is the key to success in any industry

• The importance of empathy in understanding client/customer needs

• How to approach law with a hospitality mindset

• Staying updated on legal changes to protect your business interests 

You can learn more about Anthony Zaller on his website, his blog or connect with him on LinkedIn. 

For more information on Prosper Forum visit the website and LinkedIn.

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

Can the right company culture be the key to limitless brand growth? 

Paul Tran, Director of Franchising for Pepper Lunch Restaurants and franchising fanatic answers this question and more in this episode of The Pineapple Perspective. 

In this episode, Troy and Paul cover topics like:

• Paul’s unique definition of hospitality

• How a single act of hospitality can transform a business’s reputation

• The importance of customer delight and quality in franchise success

• And finally, why investing in people has the highest ROI

You can learn more about Paul Tran on his website or connect with him on X and LinkedIn. 

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.