Rising Tides Live: Pricing Strategy & Menu Engineering
Scott Kleckner led this Rising Tides Live conversation on pricing strategy and menu engineering. With restaurant traffic falling and customers feeling the cost of dining out, he challenged operators to look beyond the usual annual price increase. Shawn Walchef and Iano Dovi shared how meal bundles can make ordering easier and give guests more value, […]
Grow Slow, Stay Local—How Ggiata Is Building the Modern Neighborhood Deli
What does it take to grow a restaurant brand without losing the neighborhood hospitality that made it special? Jack Biebel of Ggiata Delicatessen joins Shawn Walchef at the CREATE conference after Ggiata received the Emerging Brand Award. Bible explains how three childhood friends from New Jersey built a modern Los Angeles deli despite having no […]
Roulette and Tom Brady—The Unlikely Story Behind F3 Technologies
Dan Diaz helped fund a technology company with an autographed Tom Brady jersey and a lucky run at the roulette table. Diaz began collecting sports memorabilia in 2016. His collection included pieces signed by Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Randy Moss and Brady. When he needed money to launch F3 Technologies, Diaz sold a framed Michigan […]
Know Your Numbers—How Don Connor Uses Financial Discipline to Build Better Restaurants
What does it take to turn a love for hospitality into a profitable restaurant business? Don Connor of Whiskey ‘N Rye Smokehouse joins Shawn Walchef at the CREATE conference to explain why restaurant operators must understand the numbers behind their business. Connor shares how his experience in corporate strategy and finance shaped his approach to […]
Rising Tides Live – What Is Actually Killing Restaurants?
Iano Dovi led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on one question: What is actually killing restaurants? Restaurant operators, entrepreneurs and hospitality leaders discussed rising costs, unrealistic rents, declining traffic, complacency and the challenge of staying visible online. From Shawn Walchef’s call for better financial visibility to Elizabeth Doss’ reminder that even a great restaurant […]
Rising Tides Live – Why You Should Do LinkedIn Collaborations
Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live conversation about LinkedIn’s new collaboration feature and how business leaders can use the platform to build stronger communities. Restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders discussed declining reach, AI-generated content, and the value of mixing personal stories with educational posts. From Richard’s warning about “AI slop” to Ward Olgreen’s […]
Post for Strangers—How Shootz Uses Content, Influencers and AI to Grow
What does it take for an emerging restaurant brand to reach new customers and prepare for its next stage of growth? Harold Walters of Shootz joins Shawn Walchef at the CREATE conference to explain how the Hawaiian-Asian fusion brand approaches content, advertising and restaurant technology. Walters shares why restaurants should create every social media post […]
Seth Cohen Explains Sweetfin’s Growth Strategy
How can restaurant founders step away from daily operations without losing control of the business? Seth Cohen, co-founder and president of Sweetfin, joins Shawn Walchef at CREATE to share how the 15-location poké brand uses detailed systems, strong general managers and weekly financial reviews to maintain accountability. Cohen explains why Sweetfin treats each restaurant like […]
More Than a Chain—Why Franchises Are Local Businesses
Matt Haller, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association, explains how franchising helps restaurant brands grow while creating opportunities for first-time business owners. Recorded at CREATE for Emerging Restaurants in Rancho Palos Verdes, Haller discusses the promise brands make when accepting franchise fees and royalties, why franchisors and franchisees must grow together and the […]
Rising Tides Live – Successful People Ask For Help
Laura Wilber filled in for Shawn Walchef to lead this Rising Tides Live conversation on why successful people ask for help. Restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared how mentors, trusted teams, and professional networks helped them grow. From Katie Socks asking an executive to become her mentor to Chef Lindsay giving her team more […]