Ikeda Feingold decided there was an opportunity to bottle up the mixed drink her grandmother used to make and sell it. That’s how she started 1970. She’s very much still in start up stage, and she shares what she is doing to grow her brand.

Check out the new Top Restaurateurs website, https://toprestaurateurs.com, and sign up for the show extras. You'll get access to extra content like transcripts of past episodes, audio that didn't make it into the show, and more.

You can stay update to date with the show online on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Sponsor: Linecaster.co

Steve Gelerman is a food industry veteran. He’s launched and sold a food manufacturing company and several food product brands. Now he’s focused on Banana Wave. He joined the show to talk about his company, his rules for evaluating products, push vs pull brands, and what investors look at when growing a company.

Check out the new Top Restaurateurs website, https://toprestaurateurs.com, and sign up for the show extras. You'll get access to extra content like transcripts of past episodes, audio that didn't make it into the show, and more.

You can stay update to date with the show online on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

In this episode, Andy Hooper breaks down how &Pizza is tackling  delivery marketplaces and how the company has built a culture so strong their employees get ampersand tattoos. 

Check out the new Top Restaurateurs website, https://toprestaurateurs.com, and sign up for the show extras. You'll get access to extra content like transcripts of past episodes, audio that didn't make it into the show, and more.

You can stay update to date with the show online on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Andrew Rigie is the Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance where he works with NYC restaurant owners to create favorable conditions for restaurants to thrive in the five boroughs. We spoke about delivery services, ghost kitchens, and other challenges on which the restaurant industry is working.

Check out the new Top Restaurateurs website, https://toprestaurateurs.com, and sign up for the show extras. You'll get access to extra content like transcripts of past episodes, audio that didn't make it into the show, and more.

You can stay update to date with the show online on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Fariq Merchant tasted King Coconut water while attending a wedding in Sri Lanka. He immediately knew he needed to leave his Wall Street job and start a beverage business selling the stuff. Listen to us chat about how he helped create a supply chain to support his new company and how he is building world-wide distribution with a small team.

Check out the new Top Restaurateurs website, https://toprestaurateurs.com, and sign up for the show extras. You'll get access to extra content like transcripts of past episodes, audio that didn't make it into the show, and more.

You can stay update to date with the show online on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Nate Tomforde set out to create a beer festival environment without the beer festival. That's when he came up with Pour Taproom, the first 100% self-serve beer and wine taproom. We talk about what it's like creating a new business on top of a new concept and why he is not franchising.

Check out the new Top Restaurateurs website, https://toprestaurateurs.com, and sign up for the show extras. You'll get access to extra content like transcripts of past episodes, audio that didn't make it into the show, and more.

You can stay update to date with the show online on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

On this episode, we talk to Burney Jennings, CEO of Biscuitville, about taking over the family business, running a breakfast only restaurant, and emotional intelligence.

Check out the new Top Restaurateurs website, https://toprestaurateurs.com, and sign up for the show extras. You'll get access to extra content like transcripts of past episodes, audio that didn't make it into the show, and more.

You can stay update to date with the show online on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

On this episode, James Walker talks about what it’s like taking on the role of leading the restaurant division of one of America’s oldest and most iconic food brands, and how he approached his first year on the job.

Check out the new Top Restaurateurs website, https://toprestaurateurs.com, and sign up for the show extras. You'll get access to extra content like transcripts of past episodes, audio that didn't make it into the show, and more.

You can stay update to date with the show online on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

On this episode, Jeff Fenster shares his thoughts on health food in the restaurant space, his brand pillars and changing consumer behavior.

Check out the new Top Restaurateurs website, https://toprestaurateurs.com, and sign up for the show extras. You'll get access to extra content like transcripts of past episodes, audio that didn't make it into the show, and more.

You can stay update to date with the show online on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

On this episode we have Todd Hogan. He's spent a lifetime in the restaurant industry opening locations, experiencing loss, regrouping, and now thriving. He talks about what he chose to focus on and how key relationships helped him along the way.

Check out the new Top Restaurateurs website, https://toprestaurateurs.com, and sign up for the show extras. You'll get access to extra content like transcripts of past episodes, audio that didn't make it into the show, and more.

You can stay update to date with the show online on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.