The SHIT YEAH! Show

In this episode, we sit down with Olivia Lafayette to talk about her journey in the restaurant industry, from hosting at 15 to working at Texas Roadhouse and now thriving at Zunzibar. Olivia shares her thoughts on tipping culture, teamwork, and customer expectations, plus how she’s combining her SCAD social media studies with real-world hospitality experience.

A real look at the highs and challenges of restaurants, leadership, and creating authentic experiences.

Patton Jaynes joins us from Zunzi’s  to talk about life in the restaurant industry, from Chipotle to Zunzibar, the highs and lows of hospitality, and what makes great service culture. We cover growth at Zunzi’s with new locations in Jupiter, The Villages, and Jacksonville, plus the differences between fast casual and fine dining.

Hospitality, leadership, food, and a shot of sauce, this episode has it all.

Musician-turned-entertainment-director Kellen Powers joins the SHIT YEAH! SHOW to talk about transforming the live music experience inside Zunzibar. From managing over 100 musicians to improving restaurant operations and guest experiences, Kellen shares how better booking systems, communication, and culture can elevate both the hospitality and music industries.

In this episode of the SHIT YEAH! SHOW, Chris Smith chats with Tony Lang, a hospitality pro helping lead Zunzibar’s Florida expansion. From growing a scratch kitchen concept to navigating post-COVID restaurant challenges, Tony shares what it takes to build strong teams, deliver great guest experiences, and grow a restaurant brand with purpose.

They cover everything from staffing stress and franchise growth to the power of onboarding, culture, and innovation in the hospitality space.

In this milestone episode of the SHIT YEAH! SHOW, Chris Smith sits down with Sam Case and Tyler Cooke to celebrate the new podcast studio and unpack how Zunzibar and Zunzi's redefine the restaurant industry through innovation, hospitality culture, and next-level guest experiences.

The team dives into the challenges of launching a podcast while growing a brand, the power of building in-house marketing, and why investing in your restaurant team and service industry support creates long-term success. They explore the role of franchise growth, creative branding, and what it means to be a company that leads with purpose-driven hospitality.

Packed with insights on restaurant marketing, franchise development, guest loyalty, and using content to build community, this episode is a must for restaurant operators, founders, and brand builders alike.

In this episode of the SHIT YEAH! SHOW, Chris Smith, and Sam Case sit down with Mark Spurling, a passionate guest, to dive deep into what’s broken and working in the hospitality industry. Mark shares his journey from healthcare to hospitality, how a rocky experience at Zunzibar sparked a deeper conversation, and why the company’s 2.6% service fee and SHIT YEAH! Promise are changing the game for guest satisfaction and team empowerment.

They explore the importance of customer service, restaurant communication systems, and building emotional guest loyalty in today’s crowded and chaotic restaurant landscape. Whether you’re a restaurant operator, franchise owner, or just obsessed with hospitality innovation, this episode offers real insight into how to create raving fans, not just repeat customers.

Artist and entrepreneur Josh Bilkis joins Chris Smith and Sam Case on the SHIT YEAH! SHOW to share how his time in the restaurant industry fueled the launch of his vibrant art brand, Primal Spirit Gallery. From slinging breakfast on River Street to showcasing his work at Zunzibar, Josh dives into the power of guest connection, storytelling, and finding your spirit animal.

This one’s for restaurant pros, creatives, and anyone chasing a passion.
Real talk, big energy, and a little sauce.

In this episode of the SHIT YEAH! SHOW, Chris Smith and Dalia Simpson sit down with William Laflower, a creative powerhouse known for his bold storytelling and artistic vision. They dive into the power of storytelling, the challenges of staying authentic in a fast-moving world, and the mental game of being a creative. William shares his personal journey, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and why leaning into discomfort is the key to growth. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or just someone looking for inspiration, this episode will leave you saying, SHIT YEAH!

In Episode 16 of the "SHIT YEAH! Show," Chris Smith and Dalia Simpson sit down with Matt Higgins, co-founder of Origin Coffee Bar, to talk about taking risks, building a brand with purpose, and changing the coffee game. Matt shares how he and his wife gave up their dream jobs, sold everything, and started a mobile coffee bar that grew into a thriving business. They dive into what makes an exceptional customer experience, how genuine care—not just great coffee—creates lifelong fans, and the challenges of scaling a brand while staying true to its mission. If you love entrepreneurial stories, hospitality insights, and a fresh take on coffee culture, this episode is a must-listen!

In Episode 15 of the "SHIT YEAH! Show," Chris Smith and Dalia Simpson sit down with Aakash Nair, aka the Guac King to talk about the power of creating memorable guest experiences in the restaurant industry. Aakash shares how he earned his legendary title by selling guac like a pro and driving tons of five-star reviews. They dive into what makes Zunzi's different, the challenges of the industry, and why customer service should always come first. Plus, Aakash talks about his SCAD film school journey, future aspirations, and how hospitality plays into his entrepreneurial mindset. Grab some chips and guac for this one—it’s a fun, insightful episode packed with culture, creativity, and a whole lot of “SHIT YEAH!”