🎧 ListenThe Simmer
Noah Glass, CEO, Olo (Round 2)
Olo's pivot to a private ordering network and 'second-party' model signals a shift in how chains will manage off-premise channels and partner ecosystems.
The industry's podcasts and video shows — the latest episodes, with a one-line take on what each covers and who should tune in. 589 episodes.
Olo's pivot to a private ordering network and 'second-party' model signals a shift in how chains will manage off-premise channels and partner ecosystems.
Multi-headline roundup: Shake Shack launches first loyalty program and AI tools targeting 1,500 units; McDonald's escalates value wars; labor market tightens.
Delegation and systems design for owner-operators — applies broadly, but lacks detail on implementation frameworks for multi-location accountability.
Personal-philosophy episode unrelated to restaurant operations or business strategy.
Vendor-focused episode on cooking oil commodities and sourcing — relevant mainly to operators managing food costs at scale.
Onigilly's systems-driven scaling from street cart to franchise network offers case study on commissary operations, site selection tools (Placer.ai), and franchisee selection discipline for growth-sta
Episode covers cost control, labor optimization, and margin recovery via systems — relevant for multi-location operators struggling with profit despite traffic.
Post-bankruptcy Red Lobster still struggling and Sysco-Restaurant Depot deal complications highlight M&A execution risk — relevant for operators assessing supply chain stability.
Drone delivery economics still underwater for most restaurants; informational but not yet actionable for operator ROI decisions.
Case study on scaling a healthy-food concept through brand clarity and marketing strategy — shows how positioning survives downturns in a crowded vertical.
Sysco-Restaurant Depot acquisition deep-dive with expert analysis of FTC approval odds and supply-chain consolidation impact on operators — critical M&A for multi-location chains.
The Restaurant Technology Network held a town hall session exploring how operators and technology providers can collaborate on restaurant technology strategy and implementation.
Generic social-media philosophy episode with no restaurant-specific data, case studies, or actionable frameworks for multi-location brand marketing.
Randy Hines, CEO and partner at The Kolache Shoppe, will participate in a live Q&A on the Restaurant Unstoppable Network on May 4th, 2026.
Kiosks are growing triple-digit transaction volume; Oracle's agentic AI is targeting labor scheduling and inventory to eliminate manual software interaction for enterprises.
Trade-show promotional recap covering AI, tech, and trends — useful as event reminder but no substantive news content.
Coaching episode on prime cost tracking — fundamental financial literacy content, but no novel insight or operator benchmark for multi-location chains.
CEO interview on turnaround execution — part 1 covers leadership lessons from P&G and Yum that drove 19 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth.
QSR loyalty and menu innovation hold up against commodity inflation—Lion's Choice case shows customer retention beats margin pressure when value and consistency align.
Deep-dive on performance measurement in influencer marketing for restaurants — addresses how to turn organic/creator content into predictable, ROI-tracked growth.
Bilt's new hospitality concierge targets restaurants and points-economy integration—watch for how this loyalty+fintech play gains traction with multi-location brands.
Generic independent-restaurant marketing advice; not relevant to multi-location brand strategy.
Podcast roundup of live product updates (Pizza Tracker granularity, premium burger margin play, ramen exploration) and promotional tactics across major chains — useful snapshot of what's working this
RTN membership pitch highlighting standards labs and frameworks; useful for tech procurement leaders but primarily promotional in nature.
Beef supply-chain disruption and shifting union organizing landscape — operators should monitor both immediate sourcing pressure and longer-term labor-cost risk.
Menu-as-sales-tool philosophy lacks specifics; no data on pricing, mix management, or operational leverage for multi-location menus.
Danny Meyer reflected on leadership and hospitality principles from his book Setting the Table during a talk with Bobby Stuckey in Denver, reinforcing ideas relevant to restaurant operators and coache
Personal-development episode on personality types unrelated to restaurant business or operations.
Christian Wiens, founder and CEO of Loman AI, will participate in a live Q&A session hosted by the Restaurant Unstoppable Network on May 4th, 2026.
Nothing Bundt Cakes' $2B KKR sale signals PE appetite for profitable, scaled cake concepts — episode covers deal mechanics and multi-unit franchisee distress at larger chains.
Chef Anthony Mangieri discusses using restaurants as a platform to bridge hospitality and grocery retail, highlighting the challenge of introducing unfamiliar cuisines to new markets.
Podcast aimed at independent restaurants; no relevance to multi-location chain marketing.
A Gen X restaurant operator traces four decades of evolving technology adoption from manual dishwashing to AI-driven systems, signaling how generational experience shapes operators' approach to modern
Episode explores digital marketing, AI discovery, and loyalty storytelling strategies — moderately useful for brand operators refining omnichannel approach.
Retention-over-acquisition principle is sound but episode offers no data, benchmarks, or tactical loyalty-program frameworks actionable for chains.
Restaurant law firm partners discuss franchising, IP, and corporate transactions — panel for operators considering franchise expansion.
Technomic analysis of gas-price inflation impact on consumer traffic and segment-level vulnerability — macro pressure affecting multi-unit economics and traffic patterns.
Keke's scaling playbook—throughput optimization, labor efficiency in daypart-driven model, and leveraging corporate franchisee networks—offers lessons for growth within larger chains.
The Restaurant Technology Network (RTN) addresses fragmentation in restaurant tech stacks, where disconnected systems prevent data sharing and slow innovation adoption.
CEO interview on operational optimization through frontline management — lessons on kitchen workflow, labor strategy, and rolling back pandemic-era off-premises over-investment.
Single independent fine-dining startup profile—no signal for multi-location chain operators.
Burger King's real-time employee coaching AI signals how chains are using AI to solve labor and operational consistency at scale.
Interview with pizza-brand leader on emotional/experiential positioning as counter to delivery-first race-to-bottom — relevant for chains rethinking dine-in strategy.
Independent-restaurant community marketing advice; not applicable to multi-location operator strategy.
Labor cost redesign philosophy applicable to multi-unit chains — reframing labor as a process problem rather than a cost-cutting target.
Generic business-coaching episode with no restaurant-specific context or operator takeaway.
CDO from Raising Cane's now leading Layne's expansion strategy — direct insight into how fast-growth QSR approaches site selection and franchise scaling.
Podcast recap: Burger King borrows Domino's self-criticism playbook, Darden posts 4.2% comps despite headwinds, and Fat Brands CEO exit during Chapter 11 — signals on recovery tactics and portfolio st
Kitchen capacity and digital order orchestration reduce pickup delays and crowding—directly impacts delivery economics and customer satisfaction at high-volume locations.
Episode covers fake news/reputation risk, Darden earnings, and Fat Brands' leadership transition — reputation and M&A signal but light on operator takeaways.