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How Rean Mckinley Elevated Gusto’s Operations with Connecteam

Rean Mckinley, The Executive General Manager of Gusto Italian Grill & Bar in Moncton, New Brunswick, is in the midst of a great career in hospitality. Starting at the age of 15 as a dishwasher, Mckinley worked his way up through various roles, gaining international experience with Princess Cruise Lines. His passion for hospitality eventually […]

Rising Tide LinkeIn Live: Landing the Big Fish

Cali BBQ Media had the pleasure of interviewing Shaquille O’Neal for Restaurant Influencers. Founder and show host Shawn Walchef, had Shaq on his vision board as a dream guest for quite some time before it came to fruition.  One thing is for certain, he wasn’t afraid to make a big ask to land the big […]

Using Customer Feedback Effectively with Heather Dratler of Next Level Burger

Heather Dratler, VP of Marketing and Brand Engagement at Next Level Burger (NLB), plays a pivotal role in driving the brand’s growth and mission as America’s first 100% plant-based burger chain. As a passionate advocate for sustainable eating, Dratler highlights the company’s commitment to combating climate change through plant-based alternatives, an ethos ingrained in the […]

How 86 Repairs is Revolutionizing Repairs and Maintenance with Daniel Estrada

Daniel Estrada, co-founder and CEO of 86 Repairs, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey driven by the frustrations restaurant operators face when managing repairs and maintenance (R&M). Alongside his co-founder Joe Gallagher, who worked in the food equipment industry, Estrada recognized a common pain point across the industry: R&M was a chaotic and time-consuming challenge for […]

The Power of Just Starting with Jeremy Julian of The Restaurant Tech Guys

Jeremy Julian, founder of Restaurant Tech Guys Podcast, shared his insights on the Digital Hospitality podcast with Shawn Walchef.  With years of experience helping restaurants embrace technology and improve operations, Julian offered simple but powerful advice for those looking to break into content creation and adapt to an ever-changing digital landscape.  “Just start.” he says. […]

Elevating Guest Experience with Maddie Nixon of Luna Grill and Simon Weaver of unPLUG Dining

The partnership between Luna Grill and unPLUG Dining has become a benchmark in the restaurant industry, illustrating how technology can elevate guest experiences and drive business growth. By leveraging unPLUG’s innovative solutions, Luna Grill successfully transformed its first-party digital experience, driving customer loyalty and operational efficiency. The journey of Luna Grill’s collaboration with unPLUG began […]

Rising Tide LinkedIn Live: Business Travel Hacks You Should Know

As the world begins to settle back into its norm post pandemic, business travel is back in full swing. For the participants in a recent Rising Tide LinkedIn Live Room hosted by Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media, travel, both business and personal, comes with rituals and “aha moments” that they have implemented into their […]

Empower Accounting Firms and Restaurant Owners with Xavier Vega of ChouxBox

Xavier Vega, CEO of ChouxBox and host of the Overseasoned Podcast, is a dynamic figure in the restaurant and tech industries, with a story that’s as gritty as it is inspiring. ChouxBox, pronounced “shoebox,” was born out of Vega’s firsthand experience with the exhausting demands of restaurant management. The idea for ChouxBox emerged from his […]

Rising Tide LinkedIn Live: Why Sampling Works?

Would you give your product away for free?  It is widely believed that give product away is one of the best ways to create intrigue around your business, whether it’s food or otherwise. In a recent Rising Tide LinkedIn Live Room hosted by Shawn Walchef, participants shared stories and opinions about their experience with sampling.  […]

Revolutionizing Hospitality Hiring with Alice Cheng of Culinary Agents

Alice Cheng’s, CEO and Founder of Culinary Agents journey is one of belief, perseverance, and a relentless focus on adding value. Over the past twelve years, Culinary Agents has grown into a trusted platform, boasting nearly 2,000,000 members. As she puts it, she is a true “mailroom story” having worked her way from a mailroom […]