Grounded

Steve Moody
  • 4.9 (38)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Join us as we engage with top tier producers in the foodservice industry to hear their perspective from all links throughout the supply chain. Here, we discuss brand development, company culture, global supply chain strategy, culinary innovation and leadership from folks who founded, operate or manage multi-unit restaurant chains. Each show is tailored around the guest to dig deep into their unique journey and how it shapes their current procurement strategy in order to aggregate the best insights toward the future of foodservice.

  1. Leading with Balance: Career Growth, Travel, and Fitness in Hospitality - Grounded #46

    DEC 16

    Leading with Balance: Career Growth, Travel, and Fitness in Hospitality - Grounded #46

    In this episode of Grounded, host Lauren Mitchell brings together an inspiring panel of women leaders in hospitality to explore a question many professionals wrestle with: How do you continue to grow in your career while protecting your physical and mental well-being—especially with a demanding travel schedule? Joining the conversation are four dynamic leaders, each carving her own path in the industry: Julie Zucker, Partner & CMO, Branded HospitalityShelly Garner, Assistant Vice President of Area Field Sales, EcolabLiz Seelye, Founder, Starry Eyed StrategyKelly Grogan, Founder, CRUMBSFrom boardrooms and conferences to hotel gyms and walking meetings, these women share candid insights on leadership, fitness, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and building routines that actually stick. 🔑 5 Key Takeaways Fitness is not about perfection—it’s about consistency.Whether it’s Peloton rides, CrossFit, Pilates, or walking meetings, each guest emphasizes showing up in whatever way you can.Scheduling movement makes it non-negotiable.Putting workouts on the calendar—just like meetings—dramatically increases follow-through, especially when traveling.Strength training builds confidence beyond the gym.Lifting weights teaches patience, resilience, and how to “do hard better,” skills that translate directly into leadership.Community and accountability matter.From Apple Watch challenges to workout buddies on the road, having people who cheer you on makes all the difference.Balance fuels better leadership and creativity.Movement, hydration, and nutrition don’t just support health—they improve decision-making, energy, creativity, and how you show up for your team. 🔗 Connect with the Guests Julie Zucker – Partner & CMO, Branded HospitalityLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-zucker-41895b2/Website: https://brandedhospitality.comShelly Garner – Assistant Vice President of Area Field Sales, EcolabLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellygarner/Website: https://www.ecolab.comLiz Seelye– Founder, Starry Eyed StrategyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-seelye/Website: https://starryeyedstrategy.comKelly Grogan– Founder, CrumbsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellygrogan/Website: https://crumbs.co 🎧 Ways to Tune In Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

    58 min
  2. Supply Chain Expert Exchange Recap: Freight, Fresh, and the Power of Peer Networks- Grounded #45

    DEC 10

    Supply Chain Expert Exchange Recap: Freight, Fresh, and the Power of Peer Networks- Grounded #45

    Supply Chain Expert Exchange Recap: Freight, Fresh, and the Power of Peer Networks In this special recap episode of Grounded, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with a powerhouse panel of supply chain leaders to unpack the biggest insights from this year’s Supply Chain Expert Exchange. Joining Lauren are: Jen Silveira, Vice President of Supply Chain, CAVA Owen Brady, Executive Vice President, BEP Fresh (Buyers Edge Platform) Adam Hing, Director of Supply Chain, Noodles & Company Sara Burnett, Senior Director of Supply Chain, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Michelle Elwonger, Vice President of Supply Chain, Metro Diner Together, they break down the sessions, roundtables, and hallway conversations that sparked action back at their organizations—from navigating new EPR regulations to rethinking freight and leveraging AI, fresh produce insights, and peer networks. 🔑 5 Key Takeaways EPR and ESG are now urgent, not optional.Jen shares how Chloe Kappen’s session on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging turned a “someday” sustainability topic into an immediate compliance and financial priority—prompting KAVA to launch a cross-functional working group with legal. Freight should be managed like a portfolio, not a commodity.Owen highlights Dr. Kaplis’ freight session, emphasizing that freight doesn’t behave like a traditional “buy more, pay less” commodity. The real value comes from optimizing lanes, reducing friction, and focusing on the 20% of lanes that drive 80% of cost—illustrated by his memorable “taxi vs. bus” analogy. Roundtables turn conferences into working think tanks.Michelle walks through how the Expert Exchange curates ~20 roundtable topics—like AI, tariffs, LTO planning, risk management, and fresh supply chain—based on attendee surveys and real-time trends. Operators swap practical tactics (like Crumbl’s weekly LTO discipline) and walk away with playbooks they can actually use. Fresh supply chains demand visibility—and courage.Adam and Lauren dive into the “fresh thinking” table, where leaders explored blind spots in produce and protein: weather disruptions, country-of-origin transitions, receiving practices, and back-of-house handling. The message: don’t be afraid of fresh—lean on your partners, your data, and your network to manage the volatility. Trends, tariffs, and AI: we’re aligned on challenges, mixed on comfort levels.Sara recaps the interactive “hot topics” session with live polling on AI usage, tariff mitigation, LTO management, and 2026 priorities. Cost management ranks high across the room, while comfort with AI is more cautious. The tech-enabled anonymity revealed honest, unfiltered perspectives operators can take back to their teams. 💬 Quote of the Episode “It’s more like a think tank than a conference, which is what makes it stand out.”— Michelle Elwonger, Vice President of Supply Chain, Metro Diner 🔗 Connect with Today’s Guests Find and connect with our panelists on LinkedIn and learn more about their brands: Jen Silveira – Vice President of Supply Chain, CAVA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-silveira-180a237/ Company: CAVA – https://cava.com/ Owen Brady – Executive Vice President, BEP Fresh (Buyers Edge Platform) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-brady-b897a75/ Company: Buyers Edge Platform / BEP Fresh – https://buyersedgeplatform.com/ Adam Hing – Director of Supply Chain, Noodles & Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhing/ Company: Noodles & Company – https://www.noodles.com/ Sara Burnett – Senior Director of Supply Chain, Tropical Smoothie Cafe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-burnett-b9b271127/ Company: Tropical Smoothie Cafe – https://www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com/ Michelle Elwonger – Vice President of Supply Chain, Metro Diner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-elwonger-55622224/Company: Metro Diner – https://metrodiner.com/ 🎧 Ways to Tune In Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

    42 min
  3. Data-Driven Leadership with Checkers & Rally’s Ken Bianchi - Grounded Podcast - Episode #44

    NOV 18

    Data-Driven Leadership with Checkers & Rally’s Ken Bianchi - Grounded Podcast - Episode #44

    Explore how modern supply chain leadership goes beyond procurement in this episode with Ken Bianchi, Senior Director of Purchasing at Checkers & Rally’s Drive-In Restaurants. With more than 25 years of experience across leading brands, Ken brings deep insight into operational resilience, supplier partnerships, and data-driven transformation. From replacing spreadsheets with real-time dashboards to navigating global disruptions, Ken shares what it takes to lead a responsive, future-ready supply chain in the fast-paced foodservice industry. Takeaways: How replacing spreadsheets with dashboards improves inventory visibility and risk management.Why strong supplier relationships create more flexibility and trust during negotiations.What it takes to choose between local and national suppliers based on capability, safety, and cost.How shelf life management in produce directly impacts quality, freshness, and waste.How predictive analytics and AI are shaping the next generation of supply chain decision-making. Quote of the Show: “I don't think data makes the decisions. It helps you make better decisions so you better know how to get to the data you want and have the critical thinking ability to know what that data is really telling you.” - Ken Bianchi Connect with Ken: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenbianchi/  Company website: https://www.checkersandrallys.com/  Ways to Tune In: Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460  iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

    39 min
  4. Sustainability in Action with Snooze A.M. Eatery’s Cindy Keys - Grounded Podcast - Episode #43

    NOV 11

    Sustainability in Action with Snooze A.M. Eatery’s Cindy Keys - Grounded Podcast - Episode #43

    How does starting on the front lines of a restaurant shape the way you lead at the executive level? On this episode of The Grounded Podcast, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Cindy Keys, Vice President of Procurement at Snooze A.M. Eatery, to talk about leadership, scaling, and building meaningful supplier partnerships. From starting as a hostess to now leading procurement for one of the most vibrant breakfast concepts in the country, Cindy’s career story is as inspiring as it is instructive. She shares how sustainability is woven into Snooze’s DNA, how understanding the full supply chain ecosystem drives smarter decisions, and why adapting to industry trends is key to long-term success. Community-Centric Growth: Like Cindy, nurturing long-term relationships with both employees and suppliers can foster a supportive network conducive to sustained growth.Embrace Sustainability: Incorporate sustainable practices into your business model not only as a responsibility but as a differentiator in the market.Leverage Experience: Utilize operational insights to guide strategic decisions, ensuring that theoretical objectives align with practical reality.Adapt to Trends: Stay ahead by continuously adapting to industry trends and consumer preferences, ensuring that your offerings remain relevant and appealing.Foster a Strong Brand Culture: Create an inviting and vibrant atmosphere that aligns with your core values, keeping both customers and employees engaged. Quote of the Show: “It only takes a moment to make a difference, so how are we impacting our communities? How are we impacting our environment? How are we impacting our snoozers? How are we impacting our guests?” - Cindy Keys Connect with Cindy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-keys-75968539/  Company website: https://www.snoozeeatery.com/  Ways to Tune In: Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460  iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

    53 min
  5. Collective Volume Advantage with Church’s Texas Chicken’s Will Cash - Grounded Podcast - Episode #42

    NOV 4

    Collective Volume Advantage with Church’s Texas Chicken’s Will Cash - Grounded Podcast - Episode #42

    What does it take to run a global supply chain while keeping brand values intact across diverse international markets? On this episode of The Grounded Podcast, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Will Cash, Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain & Quality Assurance at Church’s Texas Chicken. With more than 15 years of experience at iconic brands like Popeye’s and Krispy Kreme, Will brings a wealth of knowledge on navigating international supply chains, ensuring food quality, and leveraging scale for efficiency. From adapting to tariffs and port delays to embracing technology and predictive analytics, Will shares how leaders can foster supplier partnerships, build brand loyalty, and maintain authenticity in an ever-changing food landscape.   Takeaways: Why adaptability is essential in overcoming global supply chain challenges.How leveraging collective volume helps reduce costs and drive efficiency.Why regional supplier capabilities are critical for international operations.How integrating technology and AI enhances visibility and predictive decision-making.The importance of staying true to brand authenticity while innovating for local markets. Quote of the Show: “Simplicity is something that we've really tried to focus on to make sure that we're operating at the highest level, that's part of our DNA.” - Will Cash Connect with Will: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willcash31/  Company website: https://www.churchs.com/  Ways to Tune In: Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460  iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

    40 min
  6. Endurance in Executive Leadership with Stonefire Grill’s David Youngberg - Grounded - Episode #41

    OCT 28

    Endurance in Executive Leadership with Stonefire Grill’s David Youngberg - Grounded - Episode #41

    What does it take to grow from flipping burgers at 15 to leading a successful restaurant brand built on people, purpose, and consistency? On this episode of The Grounded Podcast, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with David Youngberg, CEO of Stonefire Grill, to talk about leadership, growth, and staying grounded in the fundamentals of hospitality. From helping BJ’s Restaurants expand from 20 to 200 locations to now steering Stonefire Grill through its next era of innovation, David shares lessons on building great teams, scaling responsibly, and creating lasting guest loyalty. He also opens up about leading with a fitness mindset, and how personal health can directly impact energy, focus, and leadership effectiveness. Takeaways: Why consistent systems and processes are the backbone of sustainable growth.How investing in people leads to long-term success and brand loyalty.Why local vendor partnerships strengthen operations and community connection.How leveraging technology enhances guest feedback and real-time improvements.The link between personal fitness and effective leadership decision-making. Quote of the Show: “I've really driven into my team that I need challenge partners. I need someone that if they feel I'm going in the wrong direction, someone stands up and says let’s talk this through.” - David Youngberg Connect with David: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dyoungberg/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tridavetri/?hl=en  Company website: https://www.stonefiregrill.com/ The Rich Roll Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ethan-suplee-on-shedding-300-pounds-ditching-drugs/id582272991?i=1000714160129  Ways to Tune In: Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460  iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

    49 min
  7. Empowering Restaurant Voices with Lori Cominsky of Pancheros - Grounded Podcast - Episode #40

    OCT 21

    Empowering Restaurant Voices with Lori Cominsky of Pancheros - Grounded Podcast - Episode #40

    What does it take to successfully grow a brand while keeping operations simple, consistent, and people-focused? On this episode of The Grounded Podcast, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Lori Cominsky, Vice President of Operations and Training at Pancheros Mexican Grill, to explore leadership, training, and scalable growth in the fast-paced hospitality industry. Lori shares how staying closely connected to frontline employees, embracing simplicity in operations, and investing in mentorship have helped Pancheros maintain its commitment to quality while strategically expanding its footprint. From supply chain partnerships to innovative training approaches, Lori offers actionable insights for leaders who want to build thriving teams and resilient organizations.  Takeaways: Why staying close to frontline employees leads to better processes and team alignment.How evolving training strategies to match generational learning styles improves retention and performance.Why operational simplicity is key to delivering consistent quality and scaling successfully.The value of mentorship, networking, and partnerships in driving personal and organizational growth.How strategic supply chain collaboration mitigates risks and supports sustainable expansion. Quote of the Show: “ Part of building the bridge between operations and training is understanding that the people in the restaurants sometimes know best, so it's important to listen.” - Lori Cominsky Connect with Lori: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loricominsky/  Company website: https://pancheros.com/Gleam Network: GLEAM Network - Mentorship and Leadership DevelopmentProsper Forum: 2024 Prosper Accelerators - Prosper Forum  Ways to Tune In: Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460  iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

    36 min
  8. Serving Dodgers Baseball Stadium: Michael Chalmers on Stadium Dining Hospitality - Grounded Ep. #39

    OCT 14

    Serving Dodgers Baseball Stadium: Michael Chalmers on Stadium Dining Hospitality - Grounded Ep. #39

    Explore how blending culinary insight with supply chain strategy can create more resilient, guest-centric food operations. Michael Chalmers, Director of Supply Chain Strategy at Levy Restaurants, shares his unique career path from the U.S. Marine Corps to the kitchen and into supply chain leadership. In this episode, Michael breaks down the power of cross-functional collaboration, how data and forecasting reduce waste, and why direct supplier relationships matter more than ever. Whether you’re managing foodservice logistics or crafting premium guest experiences, Michael offers grounded lessons in leadership, innovation, and adaptability. Takeaways: Why direct communication between chefs and supply chain leaders solves sourcing and production issues faster.What detailed, game-specific forecasting can do to minimize waste and improve operations.How shifting demographics and guest preferences should shape your stadium menu strategy.Why strong supplier relationships help maintain continuity during industry-wide shortages.How patience, listening, and continuous learning shape long-term success in hospitality and logistics.Quote of the Show: “I see excitement and I see adjustment and pivoting take place within the culinary world at a grassroots level where young chefs aren't as encumbered with the status quo or, this is what we've done, this is how we've done it forever.” - Michael ChalmersConnect with Michael: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-chalmers/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i_cook_4_you/  Michael’s Blog: https://summitsupplychainsolutions.com/blog/  Company website: https://www.levyrestaurants.com/ Ways to Tune In: Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460  iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267  Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

    33 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Join us as we engage with top tier producers in the foodservice industry to hear their perspective from all links throughout the supply chain. Here, we discuss brand development, company culture, global supply chain strategy, culinary innovation and leadership from folks who founded, operate or manage multi-unit restaurant chains. Each show is tailored around the guest to dig deep into their unique journey and how it shapes their current procurement strategy in order to aggregate the best insights toward the future of foodservice.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Moody
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Steve Moody
  • Show Website
    Grounded