The Hospitality Hangout | Restaurant Industry Trends & Hospitality Leaders

Michael Schatzberg & Jimmy Frischling - Hospitality Insiders | Expert Strategies & Trends.', Hosts: Michael Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling | Branded Hospitality Media, Hospitality Insiders | Michael Schatzberg & Jimmy Frischling | Branded Hospitality

The Hospitality Hangout is where the restaurant industry gets real. Hosted by Schatzy, the Restaurant Guy, and Jimmy, the Finance Guy, this funny, unfiltered hospitality podcast dives into restaurant trends, food service innovation, hospitality technology, and the investment strategies shaping the future of the industry. With decades of hands-on experience operating restaurants and structuring capital markets deals, these two bring real-world insight from the kitchen to the boardroom. They connect the biggest operators, boldest founders, and sharpest investors in hospitality for conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. Each week you’ll hear from C-suite restaurant executives, franchise leaders, emerging brand founders, hospitality tech innovators, and private equity investors who are building the next era of food and hospitality. Expect insider stories, sharp opinions, real numbers, and plenty of laughs. No fluff. No corporate spin. Just honest conversations about what is actually happening in restaurants and food service. If you care about scaling restaurants, raising capital, building brands, or staying ahead of hospitality trends, this is your show. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let’s talk shop. Welcome to The Hospitality Hangout.

  1. Chaos in the Dining Room: Aris Yeager on Viral Food Comedy & Hospitality Creator Culture

    4D AGO

    Chaos in the Dining Room: Aris Yeager on Viral Food Comedy & Hospitality Creator Culture

    In this episode of The Hospitality Hangout, we welcome Aris Yeager, better known as the European Kid, to discuss his viral food comedy journey and insights into the hospitality industry. Aris shares how a college joke transformed into a viral persona captivating millions across social media, blending humor with commentary on American dining etiquette and culture. Dive into the hospitality business side of creator culture as Aris explains launching Storytime, a platform forging partnerships between restaurants and creators. This episode offers insider insights on restaurant growth strategies, tipping culture, influencer marketing, and emerging hospitality trends. We also explore differences between European and American food culture, viral restaurant skits, and the evolving role of creators in hospitality leadership and brand collaboration. Whether you're a restaurant operator or hospitality executive, this conversation is packed with valuable perspectives on the intersection of social media and the restaurant industry. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion that combines humor with savvy hospitality insider insights, perfect for anyone interested in the restaurant industry podcast and hospitality media landscape. Episode Credits: Sponsored by: DirecTVProduced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: GrodMediawww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    44 min
  2. The Rise of Mike’s Hot Honey: Founder Mike Kurtz on Authentic Growth & Collaboration in the Hospitality Business

    FEB 24

    The Rise of Mike’s Hot Honey: Founder Mike Kurtz on Authentic Growth & Collaboration in the Hospitality Business

    Mike Kurtz, Founder of Mike’s Hot Honey, shares invaluable hospitality insider insights on building a successful hospitality business from the ground up. Discover how strategic restaurant partnerships and collaborations fueled the rapid growth of Mike’s Hot Honey, making it one of the fastest-growing food brands nationwide. Mike dives deep into hospitality trends shaping brand expansion from restaurant menus to grocery store shelves through effective CPG strategies. Listeners will learn key restaurant growth strategies and what it takes to stay authentic amid intensifying competition. Mike also discusses menu innovation, flavor experimentation, and how hospitality executives and restaurant operators can create lasting brand trust while scaling their businesses without losing their unique identity. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge from a hospitality industry leader that offers practical advice for anyone involved in the restaurant industry podcast landscape, hospitality media, or looking to elevate their hospitality leadership skills. Episode Credits: Sponsored by: DirecTVProduced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: GrodMediawww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    51 min
  3. Third Place Thinking: John Dillon CEO of La Madeleine on Reviving Legacy Brands and Redefining Café Culture in Hospitality

    JAN 20

    Third Place Thinking: John Dillon CEO of La Madeleine on Reviving Legacy Brands and Redefining Café Culture in Hospitality

    John Dillon, CEO of La Madeleine, joins Hospitality Hangout to share his expert strategies on reviving a 42-year-old legacy brand by blending tradition with modern hospitality trends. Drawing on his journey through major restaurant chains like Blockbuster, Pizza Hut, and Denny's, John reveals how clarity, simplification, and execution drive sustainable growth in the restaurant industry. In this insightful episode, John discusses the power of third place thinking — creating welcoming spaces that encourage guests to linger — and how La Madeleine balances grab-and-go convenience with a hospitable atmosphere. He dives into how leveraging technology, social media trends, and thoughtful design innovation enhances guest experiences without losing the brand's unique charm. Tune in to hear insider insights on hospitality innovation, emerging food service trends, and bold ideas shaping today’s café culture, all from one of the industry’s leading CEOs. Whether you're a foodie, restaurateur, or hospitality professional, this episode offers valuable perspectives on evolving legacy brands in a competitive market. Episode Credits: Sponsored by: DirecTVProduced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: GrodMediawww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min
5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The Hospitality Hangout is where the restaurant industry gets real. Hosted by Schatzy, the Restaurant Guy, and Jimmy, the Finance Guy, this funny, unfiltered hospitality podcast dives into restaurant trends, food service innovation, hospitality technology, and the investment strategies shaping the future of the industry. With decades of hands-on experience operating restaurants and structuring capital markets deals, these two bring real-world insight from the kitchen to the boardroom. They connect the biggest operators, boldest founders, and sharpest investors in hospitality for conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. Each week you’ll hear from C-suite restaurant executives, franchise leaders, emerging brand founders, hospitality tech innovators, and private equity investors who are building the next era of food and hospitality. Expect insider stories, sharp opinions, real numbers, and plenty of laughs. No fluff. No corporate spin. Just honest conversations about what is actually happening in restaurants and food service. If you care about scaling restaurants, raising capital, building brands, or staying ahead of hospitality trends, this is your show. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let’s talk shop. Welcome to The Hospitality Hangout.

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