Titans of Foodservice

Nick Portillo
  • 4.8 (11)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Titans of Foodservice

Nick Portillo shares with you the things he has learned on his own journey of building a successful business in the food service industry.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Florida: Urban Development Meets South Florida Restaurant Empire with The Restaurant People CEO, Tim Petrillo

    This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Tim Petrillo, co-founder and CEO of The Restaurant People and Urban Street Development. Tim shares his remarkable journey in the food service industry and how he has significantly impacted South Florida's dining scene. With over 70 restaurants under his belt, Tim discusses the unique challenges and strategies involved in running a successful restaurant business, emphasizing the importance of hospitality over mere knowledge. He reflects on his early experiences, from starting as a busboy to working with renowned chefs, and how those formative years shaped his approach to restaurant operations and management.  TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro (02:30) Introduction to Tim Petrillo (12:20) Building a Restaurant Empire: Lessons Learned (22:42) Transitioning Areas and Mixed-Use Projects (28:06) Navigating the Challenges of the Restaurant Business RESOURCES Portillo Sales CONTACT  Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com

    31 min

  2. DEC 11

    Arizona: How Delivering an "I Love it Here" Experience Can Quintuple Revenue with The Melt CEO, Ralph Bower

    This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Ralph Bauer, CEO of The Melt. Ralph shares his remarkable journey in the food service industry, highlighting how he quintupled the average revenue per unit from $700,000 to an astounding $3.5 million. With over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at Popeyes and Domino's, Ralph emphasizes the importance of listening to team members and customers to drive success in the restaurant business. He discusses the transformative power of creating an "I love it here" experience for guests, which fosters loyalty and enhances sales. Ralph's insights into operational excellence and team alignment reveal the key factors behind his impressive achievements in a highly competitive industry. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction  (00:26) Ralph Bauer's Journey in Food Service (12:14) The Power of Listening in Leadership (18:25) Navigating Challenges: The Impact of COVID-19 on Business (29:05) Fostering Loyalty (35:08) Delivering the 'I Love It Here' Experience RESOURCES Portillo Sales CONTACT  Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com

    40 min

  3. DEC 4

    Texas: Supporting Texas’ 50K Restaurants with Texas Restaurant Association President & CEO, Dr. Emily Williams Knight

    This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Dr. Emily Williams Knight, the President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association. Emily is a powerhouse advocate for the Texas food service industry, representing over 60,000 restaurants and 1.3 million employees. She shares her journey from a military upbringing to her prominent role in advocating for restaurant owners, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability. Dr. Knight discusses the unique challenges faced by the industry, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how her leadership has helped navigate these turbulent times.  TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro (03:18) Introduction to Dr. Emily Williams Knight (09:38) The Impact of a Military Upbringing (15:02) The Journey to Dallas: A Career Transformation (23:34) Understanding the Landscape of Restaurant Advocacy (30:33) Navigating the Restaurant Industry's Future (34:00) Reflections on the Restaurant Industry RESOURCES Portillo Sales CONTACT  Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com

    36 min

  4. NOV 27

    Georgia: Bill Lewis, CEO of Frosty Acres Brands on the Power of Data-Driven Growth in Foodservice

    This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Bill Lewis, the President and CEO of Frosty Acres Brands. They explore the critical role of independent food distributors and how Frosty Acres is leveraging data-driven insights to identify new growth opportunities in the industry. Bill shares his journey from Ohio to Georgia and his extensive experience in food distribution, highlighting the adaptability and customer intimacy that independent distributors offer compared to national broadliners. Nick and Bill also discuss the importance of technology and data analytics in enhancing relationships and driving profitability for suppliers and members alike.  TIMESTAMPS (00:15) Introduction to the Titans of Food Service (02:25) Welcoming Bill Lewis to the Podcast (07:20) The Evolution of a Cooperative (22:05) Leveraging Data for Competitive Advantage (24:47) The Role of AI in Business Growth (32:09) A Journey Towards More RESOURCES Portillo Sales CONTACT  Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com

    34 min

  5. NOV 20

    Alabama: Tuscaloosa BBQ Meets Tradition with Betsy McAtee, CEO of Dreamland BBQ

    This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Betsy McAtee, CEO of Dreamland Barbecue. Betsy shares the legendary history and cultural significance of barbecue in Alabama. The conversation highlights Dreamland's unique approach to barbecue, which includes cooking over an open pit and using a signature vinegar-based sauce, setting it apart from other regional styles. Betsy and Nick explore the deep connection between food and community, especially on game days when residents celebrate Alabama football with barbecue as a central element.  TIMESTAMPS (00:02)  Introduction to Titans of Food Service (00:29) Highlighting Alabama's Food Scene (00:46) Interview with Betsy McAtee (01:08) The Legendary Story of Dreamland Barbecue (04:49) Barbecue Culture in Alabama (13:37) The Unique Flavors of Alabama Barbecue (18:20) Betsy McAtee's Journey with Dreamland (21:58) Future Plans for Dreamland Barbecue RESOURCES Portillo Sales CONTACT  Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com

    31 min

  6. NOV 13

    Hawaii: Restaurant Trailblazer & CEO, Elisia Flores Shares How She's Leading the Global Expansion of L&L Hawaiian BBQ

    This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Elisia Flores, the CEO of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. Elisia discusses her remarkable journey with her family-owned restaurant chain, which has grown into a global brand with over 200 locations. Elisia shares her unique perspective on managing a large business while maintaining the authentic flavors that define Hawaiian cuisine. Nick and Elisia delve into the challenges and triumphs faced during the pandemic, highlighting how L&L adapted and thrived amidst the chaos. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro to Titans of Food Service (01:37) Hawaii's Unique Food Scene (02:21) Meet Elisia Flores, CEO of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (08:29) The Founding Story of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (20:12) Navigating the Pandemic as a Restaurant Leader (25:53) Future Goals: Expanding to 500 Locations (27:15) Conclusion and Final Thoughts RESOURCES Portillo Sales CONTACT  Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com

    27 min

  7. NOV 6

    Alaska: Alaska’s Breakfast King, Derrick Green on the Waffles & WhatNot Success Story

    This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Derrick Green, former Army veteran, and Alaska’s “breakfast king”. Derrick shares his inspiring journey of transforming personal health challenges into a thriving food business, Waffles and Whatnot. After facing significant health issues within his family, including cancer diagnoses for both his wife and mother, Derek turned to food not just as sustenance but as a means of healing. His company is built on the belief that food should nourish and promote wellness, and he aims to create the largest black-owned franchise in the U.S. Nick and Derrick discuss the unique characteristics of the Alaskan food scene, highlighting its reliance on local ingredients and the bountiful seafood that defines its culinary landscape. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro (00:36) Meet Derrick Green: From Army to Entrepreneur (01:40) Alaska's Unique Culinary Scene (07:39) Derrick’s Journey Through Health Challenges (09:46) The Birth of Waffles and Whatnot (11:51) Creating Health-Conscious Meals (17:56) Building the Largest Black-Owned Franchise (32:56) Community Outreach  RESOURCES Portillo Sales CONTACT  Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com

    33 min

  8. OCT 30

    Oregon: The Power of Foodservice Marketing to Build a Brand with Raving Fans with Joe Prewett, CEO of Oregon Fruit Products

    This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Joe Prewett, CEO of Oregon Fruit Products. Nick and Joe explore the innovative strategies driving success in the food service industry today. With a robust background in marketing, Joe discusses his journey from the Bay Area to leading a renowned fruit brand, highlighting lessons learned from his time at Tillamook. Listen as Nick and Joe discuss the significance of being bold in brand evolution and the necessity of understanding market dynamics to carve out a niche in a competitive landscape.  TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro (02:43) Oregon Spotlight: The Food Scene (03:42) Interview with Joe: Career Journey (08:29) Marketing Strategies and Brand Growth (13:50) The Power of Premium Branding (27:42) Oregon Fruit's Vision and Goals (28:58) Advice for Future Leaders in Food Service RESOURCES Portillo Sales CONTACT  Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.co

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Nick Portillo shares with you the things he has learned on his own journey of building a successful business in the food service industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Portillo
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Nick Portillo
  • Show Website
    Titans of Foodservice

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