Digital Hospitality

Shawn P. Walchef
  • 4.7 (102)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Digital Hospitality is an interview podcast series that explores the ways successful people have harnessed the power of the Internet and social media. The show is hosted by Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn P. Walchef.

  1. 11H AGO

    What It Really Takes to Grow a Restaurant Brand

    Khara Mangiduyos, co-founder of Kalei's Kitchenette, shares how humble beginnings at farmers markets grew into a thriving Hawaiian comfort food brand built on authenticity, resilience, and community. From launching with her husband as a two-person team to opening a brick-and-mortar after years of persistence, she explains why real connection matters more than polished marketing. This episode explores storytelling as a growth tool, building loyalty through shared values, and how hospitality can reach far beyond the counter. Authenticity Builds Community – Khara Mangiduyos believes people support businesses that feel real. By sharing life as a mom, owner, and neighbor, not just polished food photos, she creates trust that turns followers into loyal guests. In a crowded market, genuine connection can be more powerful than perfect branding. Resilience Fuels Growth – Kalei’s Kitchenette grew from farmers markets to a brick-and-mortar location through years of hard work, uncertainty, and constant problem solving. The journey was not quick or easy. Khara’s story is a reminder that meaningful growth usually comes from staying committed long after the excitement fades. Hospitality Extends Beyond the Counter – For Khara, serving guests does not stop at taking orders. It includes supporting schools, giving back locally, replying to messages, and being present in the neighborhood she serves. The strongest brands do not just operate in a community. They actively help build one. Episode Links Khara Mangiduyos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khara-mangiduyos/ Kalie’s Kitchenette: https://www.kaleiskitchenette.com/ Kalie’s Kitchenette:  IG: https://www.instagram.com/kaleiskitchenette/ Kalie’s Kitchenette YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kaleiskitchenette Kalie’s Kitchenette Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaleiskitchenette Where to find Cali BBQ Media Visit our WebsiteFollow Restaurant Technology SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedInLearn About our Media Services

    29 min

  2. APR 15

    The Tech Strategy Fueling Vicious Biscuit’s Next Stage of Growth

    Amanda Kahalehoe, COO of Vicious Biscuit, shares how an emerging restaurant brand is scaling through systems, not chaos. From building the operational backbone behind growth to choosing technology that actually removes friction, Kahalehoe explains why modern operators need more than great food to expand. This episode explores franchise growth, smart tech stacks, vendor partnerships, and how the right systems create better hospitality. Technology Should Remove Friction First – Amanda Kahalehoe does not chase tools for the sake of innovation. Every system must solve a real problem, save time, improve profitability, or make life easier for operators. The best restaurant tech is not flashy. It quietly removes burdens so teams can focus on guests. Emerging Brands Need a Strong Operating Backbone – Growth is not just about opening more locations. Vicious Biscuit scaled by building systems early, from onboarding to support workflows to franchisee infrastructure. Operators who invest in the backend before expansion create a stronger path for sustainable growth. The Best Vendors Build With Operators – Amanda believes restaurant technology improves when operators speak up. Frontline teams and smaller brands often see friction points first because they use the tools every day. The strongest tech partners listen, adapt, and build alongside the people doing the work. Episode Links Amanda Kahalehoe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-kahalehoe-6683a987/ Vicious Biscuit: https://viciousbiscuit.com/ Vicious Biscuit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viciousbiscuit/ Vicious Biscuit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viciousbiscuit Vicious Biscuit: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vicious-biscuit/ Vicious Biscuit: X (Twitter): https://x.com/viciousbiscuit Where to find Cali BBQ Media Visit our WebsiteFollow Restaurant Technology SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedInLearn About our Media Services

    12 min

  3. APR 13

    Swob Is Helping Restaurants Hire Faster by Bringing Simplicity to Recruiting

    Stephanie Florio and Alexander Florio share how Swob is helping restaurants hire faster through simpler systems, smarter automation, and a better candidate experience. From responding within 24 hours to building stronger careers pages and reducing no-shows with AI, they explain how operators can compete for talent in a changing labor market. This episode explores digital hospitality and why hiring starts long before day one. Speed Wins the Best Candidates – Restaurants often lose applicants not because of pay or brand recognition, but because they move too slowly. In a competitive labor market, responding within 24 hours can be the difference between making a hire and restarting the search. Fast follow-up is no longer optional. It is part of modern operations. AI Should Remove Busywork, Not People – Swob’s approach to AI is centered on handling repetitive hiring tasks like screening candidates, scheduling interviews, and sending reminders. The goal is not to replace managers. It is to free them up to train staff, lead teams, and stay focused on the guest experience where they create the most value. Your Careers Page Is a Recruiting Tool – Many restaurants invest in guest marketing while overlooking how hard it is for potential employees to apply. Long forms, broken workflows, and poor mobile experiences quietly cost operators talent. A simple, branded careers page can turn interest into applications and applications into hires. Episode Links Stephanie Florio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-florio-51397765/ Alexander Florio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderflorio/ Swob: https://www.swobapp.com/ Swob Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swobapp/ Swob Tik Tok: https://www.instagram.com/swobapp/ Swob LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swob-inc/?originalSubdomain=ca Where to find Cali BBQ Media Visit our WebsiteFollow Restaurant Technology SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedInLearn About our Media Services

    16 min

  4. APR 8

    He Lost Everything Then Built a Michelin Recognized Restaurant

    Shawn Walchef sits down with Cesar Vallin, co-owner of Cloak and Petal, to talk about rebuilding after failure and leading with authenticity. Vallin shares the lessons learned from bankruptcy, the mindset shift that shaped his restaurant, and why storytelling and vulnerability matter in hospitality. The conversation explores resilience, daily practices for staying present, and why long-term consistency matters more than short-term success. Authenticity Builds Real Connection – Vallin does not separate business from personal life. By sharing moments like his wedding and his struggles openly, he creates a deeper connection with guests and his team. Cloak and Petal is not just a restaurant, it is a reflection of his journey, and that honesty builds trust that marketing alone cannot replicate. Resilience Shapes the Operator – Losing a restaurant, filing for bankruptcy, and starting over with nothing forced Vallin to rebuild with intention. Instead of chasing money, he focused on creating an experience. That shift became the foundation for Cloak and Petal and continues to guide how he approaches challenges today. Longevity Is the Real Metric – Vallin is not focused on being number one. His definition of success is staying open, staying profitable, and taking care of his team. In an industry defined by turnover, the ability to remain consistent over time becomes the ultimate advantage. Episode Links Cesar Vallin Wedding: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2LG-oyy1Ty/ Cloak & Petal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloakandpetal?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D Cloak & Petal Online: https://cloakandpetal.com/ Where to find Cali BBQ Media Visit our WebsiteFollow Restaurant Technology SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedInLearn About our Media Services

    27 min

  5. APR 6

    From First Customers to Fifty More: The System Behind Scalable Restaurant Tech Growth

    Matt Lattanzio, President of Supply & Demand Consulting and former revenue leader at 7shifts, breaks down why most restaurant tech companies struggle to scale. From building repeatable go-to-market systems to defining a true target account list, he shares practical insights on sales, marketing, and growth. This episode explores the shift from single-channel inbound to distributed strategies and why consistency, not early traction, is what drives long-term success. Repeatability Is the Real Growth Problem – Matt Lattanzio believes most restaurant tech companies do not have a sales problem. They have a repeatability problem. Early wins create false confidence, but without a system to consistently generate pipeline and close deals, growth stalls. The companies that scale are the ones that turn one success into a repeatable process. Know Exactly Who You Are Selling To – Too many companies operate without a clear target account list. Lattanzio emphasizes that growth starts with focus. When sales and marketing align around a defined group of ideal customers, messaging sharpens, outreach improves, and accountability increases. Clarity on who to sell to drives everything else. One Channel Will Not Save You – The days of relying on a single growth channel are over. Inbound is more fragmented, more expensive, and less predictable than ever. Lattanzio advises companies to build a distributed go-to-market strategy, using multiple channels to create awareness and demand. The brands that win are present everywhere their customers are looking. Episode Links Matt Lattanzio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattlattanzio/ Supply and Demand Consulting: https://www.linkedin.com/company/supply-demand-consulting/about/ Where to find Cali BBQ Media Visit our WebsiteFollow Restaurant Technology SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedInLearn About our Media Services

    30 min

  6. APR 1

    Why This Restaurant Owner Still Runs on Handwritten Tickets

    Shawn Walchef sits down with Enrique Medina, owner of Crest Cafe in San Diego, to talk about consistency, community, and running a restaurant on your own terms. Medina shares what it means to return to a family business, lead through one of the toughest periods in hospitality, and build a culture centered on regulars and relationships. The conversation explores operating without traditional restaurant technology, trusting your team, and why the feeling inside the restaurant will always matter more than the tools behind it. Consistency Builds the Business – Crest Cafe has lasted decades not because it changes constantly, but because it delivers the same experience every single time. From the food to the service to the people in the room, consistency creates trust. That trust turns first-time guests into regulars, and regulars into the foundation of the business. Relationships Drive Survival – Medina does not separate hospitality from human connection. Hiring is centered on building rapport, remembering names, and creating familiarity. That investment paid off when it mattered most, as regulars showed up and supported the restaurant through its toughest moments. Community is not a byproduct. It is the strategy. Not Everything Needs to Change – In an industry obsessed with new tools and systems, Crest Cafe proves that clarity matters more than trends. Handwritten tickets, calculators, and a simplified operation are not limitations. They are intentional choices. Technology can support a restaurant, but it should never replace the rhythm, ownership, and presence that define hospitality. Episode Links Instagram: Crestcafesd Facebook: Crestcafehillcrest  Tik Tok: Crestcafesandiego Where to find Cali BBQ Media Visit our WebsiteFollow Restaurant Technology SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedInLearn About our Media Services

    25 min

  7. MAR 30

    How Checkmate Helps Restaurants Optimize Menus and Increase Check Size

    Brett Spiegel, Vice President of Direct Ordering at Checkmate, breaks down why the menu has become one of the most powerful and overlooked tools in modern restaurants. From managing constant menu changes across multiple channels to turning digital screens into revenue drivers, he explains how leading brands are using data, testing, and technology to increase average order size and improve the guest experience. This episode explores how Checkmate helps operators simplify complexity and scale smarter. Menu Is No Longer Static – What used to be a fixed board is now a dynamic system changing multiple times a day. From pricing to availability to promotions, managing menus across every channel has become one of the most complex operational challenges in restaurants. Treat Menus Like E-Commerce – The most advanced brands are testing menus the same way they test websites. Rotating images, adjusting layouts, and analyzing performance by daypart allows operators to influence behavior and increase average order size. Data Over Instinct Wins – The best operators are no longer guessing what works. By testing everything and letting performance data guide decisions, restaurants can continuously optimize menus to drive both revenue and a better guest experience. Episode Links Brett Spiegel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spieglbret/ Checkmate Online: https://www.itsacheckmate.com/ Checkmate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/itsacheckmate/ Checkmate YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKDPX--cVJ2uPtnS_6sC1hA Checkmate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsacheckmate Checkmate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsacheckmate/ Where to find Cali BBQ Media Visit our WebsiteFollow Restaurant Technology SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedInLearn About our Media Services

    29 min

  8. MAR 25

    350 Employees, 7 Locations, and a YouTube Strategy Changing Restaurant Growth

    Alistair Levine, CEO of Vine Hospitality, shares how a 7-location, 350-employee restaurant group is built on discipline, not trends. From lessons on leases and financial fundamentals to using YouTube as a demand and hiring engine, Levine explains how modern operators can blend old school principles with new school tools. This episode explores digital hospitality, intentional tech stacks, and why telling your story is now a competitive advantage. Old School Discipline Still Wins – Alistair Levine grew up learning that great restaurants are built on fundamentals. A strong lease and a clear understanding of the numbers matter more than trends. Creativity and branding come later. Operators who ignore the financial foundation risk building something that cannot last. Content Builds Trust Before Day One – Vine Hospitality’s investment in YouTube is not about views. It is about alignment. By sharing their philosophy and decision-making publicly, Levine attracts employees who already understand the culture before they are hired. Content becomes a recruiting and onboarding tool, not just marketing. Digital Hospitality Is About Intentional Touchpoints – Technology does not replace hospitality, it extends it. Levine believes every in-person interaction should have a digital equivalent, from table touches to guest feedback. The operators who map and manage every touchpoint, both physical and digital, create stronger, more consistent guest relationships. Episode Links Alistair Levine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-levine-6997b359/ Vine Hospitality: https://vinehospitality.com/ Vine Hospitality Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vine.hospitality/ Vine Hospitality YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Vine.Hospitality Where to find Cali BBQ Media Visit our WebsiteFollow Restaurant Technology SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedInLearn About our Media Services

    30 min
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4.7
out of 5
102 Ratings

About

Digital Hospitality is an interview podcast series that explores the ways successful people have harnessed the power of the Internet and social media. The show is hosted by Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn P. Walchef.

Information

  • Creator
    Shawn P. Walchef
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    595
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Cali BBQ Media
  • Show Website
    Digital Hospitality

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