Restaurant Influencers | Page 2

Building a Business

This Chef Built a Meatball Empire, Lost Millions and Came Back Stronger with a Pizza Revolution

Daniel Holzman discusses the importance of authenticity, better workplace culture and not letting ego get in the way of financial success.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

This Chef Uses Memes to Call Out the Restaurant Industry — and He’s Turning Online Influence into Real-World Change

Chef Eli Sussman discusses what drives him to keep opening restaurants, an unexpected collaboration and his rise to meme royalty.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

Your Guests All Want the Same Thing, Says This Hotel Food and Beverage Consultant — Here’s What

Auden Hospitality founder Scot Turner discusses prioritizing authenticity and curated experiences in hotels, improving food and beverage programs and leaning into digital storytelling.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

To Make the Perfect Cocktail, You Need Collaboration. It’s the Same When You Own a Restaurant.

Alba Huerta discusses the art of mixology and leading a James Beard Award-winning cocktail program.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

His ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’-Themed Pop-Up Restaurants Bring the Classic Video Game to Life — and Feature the Beloved Character’s Favorite Food

Entrepreneur Kevin Seo partnered with SEGA to bring Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe to fans.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

This NYC Man Is Revitalizing the Famous Bar From ‘Goodfellas’ As It Approaches Its 200th Anniversary

Loycent Gordon, CEO of the historic Neir's Tavern in Queens, discusses entering the restaurant business, telling the story of your business and taking a leap of faith.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

Embracing Fear Fueled this Michelin-Rated Chef’s Comeback

Josh Kopel, host of the 'FULL COMP' podcast, talks about making hospitality media, the benefits of scarcity and elevating the restaurant industry.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

How These Entrepreneurs Turned a Seasonal Venue Into a Nightlife Powerhouse

Michael Schwartz and Bobby Rutter of Forward Hospitality Group discuss transforming the entertainment scene in the Midwest and using reinvention as a business model.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Thought Leaders

The Army Was Tough, But Restaurants Made Her Cry — Lessons From the Drive-Thru From a Former KFC Exec

Former KFC Chief Operating Officer Monica Rothgery discusses the experiences that shaped her leadership book, "Lessons from the Drive-Thru."

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

When Shaquille O’Neal Wanted to Start a Restaurant, This Is Who He Approached

Perry Rogers, founder of management firm PRP and JRS Hospitality, had what it took to build his big client's Big Chicken restaurant concept.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

He Discovered His Favorite Sandwich Shop in College. Now He Runs It – and Has 155 Locations.

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop CEO Ashley Morris discusses buying his favorite sandwich shop and maintaining high quality while scaling and operating a fast-casual franchise.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

This Chef Went From Dreaming of Michelin Stars to Building an Audience as a YouTube Star

Chef Sohla El-Waylly never set out to be a food content creator, but a series of events led her to her current career.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

Her Restaurant Business Is Worth $100 Million — Here’s Her Unconventional Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Pinky Cole, founder of Slutty Vegan, talks about going from TV producer to restaurant owner, leaning into failure and the value of good PR.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Tech

After Co-Founding a Successful Restaurant Group, He Turned to Tech to Simplify the Checkout Experience

Victor Lugger's Big Mamma restaurant group took off – and now he's working on a new project.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

He Was Once Head Writer of ‘The Simpsons.’ Now, He’s the Gordon Ramsay of Fast Food — Here’s How This TV Exec Found an Unlikely Career as an Influencer.

Bill Oakley wrote and produced 'The Simpsons' for years. Now, he's the center of a burgeoning community of food-obsessed fans.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

This Chef’s Unfiltered Approach to Food Found Success Online. Now, Her Grocery Store Brings Her Brand to Life: ‘I Don’t Want to Live on the Internet.’

Alison Roman discusses her growing list of digital projects — and her Upstate New York grocery store, First Bloom.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

How This Michelin-Starred Chef Overcame Loss and Hardships to Achieve Stardom

Chef, author and philanthropist Vikas Khanna discusses turning failure into triumph, creating a literary masterpiece and hosting "MasterChef India."

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

How This Beverage Industry CEO Used His Passion for Hip-Hop to Build Partnerships With Jay-Z, Rick Ross and More

Sovereign Brand's Brett Berish discusses embracing authenticity, learning from "failures" and partnering with music icons.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

This Food Network Mainstay Feeds His Passion for Fast-Paced Restaurant Life in Just 3 Days a Month

Celebrity chef Marc Murphy discusses being on the Food Network, operating a pop-up restaurant and the gratification of being a business owner.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

These Husband-and-Wife Co-Founders Started a Food Brand to Share Chinese Culture — Then a Smart Rebrand Took Their Company to the Next Level

Jennifer Liao of MìLà on starting a food business, amplifying modern Chinese food and using storytelling to grow a brand.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

How This CEO Breathed Life Into a 75-Year-Old California Ice Cream Brand Without Losing Its Nostalgic Identity

McConnell's Fine Ice Creams CEO Michael Palmer talks about revitalizing the brand for a new era and rethinking social media strategies.

By Shawn P. Walchef