Nashville Restaurant Radio

New Light Hospitality
  • 4.4 (36)
  • Food
  • Updated Biweekly

This is a podcast made for and about the people of the Nashville Restaurant community. Our goal is to gain others perspectives and learn from their experiences. Listen for interviews with Chefs, Restauranteurs, authors, industry leaders, and much more! This is not a podcast where we talk about food, we talk about food people.

  1. 6d ago

    Merlina Rodas- @fohology

    In this episode, Merlina Rodas shares her philosophy and framework for delivering exceptional service. She breaks down the process into clear, actionable steps, emphasizing mindset, preparation, execution, and follow-up. The conversation blends personal experience, industry insights, and practical tools to help you understand how to create service that resonates with clients and builds lasting relationships

    Merlina Rodas- @fohology

  2. Aug 22

    Freddie O' Connell- Mayor of Nashville

    Mayor Freddie O’Connell: Property Taxes, Nashville’s Growth & the Future of Independent Restaurants Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell returns to Nashville Restaurant Radio for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about the challenges facing Nashville and the independent businesses that help define the city. We begin with Freddie the person rather than Freddie the politician. He talks about what he inherited when he became mayor following an unusually turbulent period in Nashville leadership, what surprised him during his first months in office, how much of the job involves responding to unexpected crises, and why he still wants a job where somebody is almost always unhappy with you. Then we get into the issues restaurant owners have been talking about. Brandon asks Mayor O’Connell directly about Nashville’s property tax burden, rising property assessments, triple-net leases, the continued pressure on longtime Nashville businesses, and Carey Bringle’s 2020 warning that increasing costs could eventually push some of Nashville’s iconic independent restaurants out of the city. The Mayor explains how Tennessee’s property appraisal and tax-rate system works, why the tax rate can technically decline while individual property owners still see dramatically higher bills, and why Nashville’s rapid growth makes the issue especially complicated. They also discuss: The growing cost of operating an independent restaurant in NashvilleWhy some local restaurants are thriving while others are strugglingProperty tax appeals and the limitations of the Mayor’s office in that processPotential relief for legacy businesses and triple-net leaseholdersIncentive programs already available to Nashville small businessesThe changing economics of Lower BroadwayNashville’s relationship with state governmentTraffic, bike lanes and the Choose How You Move initiativeWhether Nashville can grow without losing the independent businesses that created its identityOne of the most important moments comes near the end of the conversation when Mayor O’Connell commits to continuing the conversation with the Nashville Area Restaurant Alliance and its members. His message to Nashville’s independent restaurant community: the city doesn’t simply want to speak to restaurant owners — it wants to listen. Mayor O’Connell will continue that conversation in person at the Nashville Area Restaurant Alliance Independent Restaurant Show on September 1 at Fat Bottom Brewery. This is a conversation about growth, taxes and government — but ultimately it is about a much bigger question: As Nashville continues to grow, how do we make sure the people and businesses that made Nashville special can still afford to be here?

    Freddie O' Connell- Mayor of Nashville

  3. Aug 14

    Jessica Hazard-Owner- NY PIE

    Jessica Hazard, owner of NY Pie, joins us on Nashville Restaurant Radio to talk about the opening of her newest location in Capitol View and what she’s learned through the process of growing her business. Jessica is also a NARA member, and we talk about how that relationship has helped NY Pie identify opportunities to improve profitability, make stronger vendor connections, and build relationships with other people throughout Nashville’s restaurant community. We also get into Jessica’s roots in New Jersey, the inspiration behind NY Pie, and the realities of opening another restaurant location—the challenges, the excitement, and everything that comes with expansion. As always, the conversation goes beyond just one restaurant. We talk about the Nashville restaurant industry, ownership, relationships, growth, and plenty of the random restaurant stuff we love talking about. If you’re a restaurant owner, operator, or just someone who loves the business, this is a great conversation with one of Nashville’s independent restaurant owners.

    Jessica Hazard-Owner- NY PIE

  4. Aug 4

    Pepsi, Gordon Food Service, and a Full Preview of the Independent Restaurant Show

    Pepsi, Gordon Food Service, and a Full Preview of the Independent Restaurant Show On this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, Brandon and Vince share some major updates from the Nashville Area Restaurant Alliance and preview everything coming to the Independent Restaurant Show on September 1. They begin with the announcement that Pepsi has joined the event as its new presenting sponsor. Brandon and Vince discuss what the partnership means for the show, NARA, and the independent restaurant community throughout Middle Tennessee. They also highlight Gordon Food Service and explain why GFS has been such an outstanding partner to Nashville Restaurant Radio. From its commitment to independent operators to the support its team continues to provide, Gordon Food Service has played an important role in helping NRR deliver real value to the restaurant community. Brandon and Vince then break down nearly every vendor participating in the Independent Restaurant Show, discussing the products, services, expertise, and opportunities each company will bring to the event. Whether restaurant owners are looking for new suppliers, ways to reduce costs, operational support, technology, insurance, staffing solutions, marketing resources, or stronger vendor relationships, this episode provides a detailed look at who they will meet and why those conversations matter. They also preview the food, drinks, networking, live entertainment, giveaways, and other experiences planned for the show—along with a major surprise guest taking the stage at 4:45 p.m. The Independent Restaurant Show takes place Tuesday, September 1, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at The Reserve at Fat Bottom Brewing in Nashville. The event is free for independent restaurant owners and operators.

    Pepsi, Gordon Food Service, and a Full Preview of the Independent Restaurant Show

  5. Jul 19

    Sarah Beth Shulte- @thetipjarnash

    Sarah Beth Shulte started the tip Jar nash on IG after moving to Nashville and wanting to create way for pwople like her to learn their city. It has now turned into a full time job as a content creator. Listen in as we get to know her, and all the details about what she does, and why restaurants would hire her. She was awesome, and we loved this conversation. go give her a follow!

    Sarah Beth Shulte- @thetipjarnash

  6. Jul 5

    Margo McCormack

    After 25 years as chef and owner of Margot Café in East Nashville, Margo recently closed that chapter with a celebration worthy of the legacy she built. Today, she joins us in studio to talk about what comes next, what it feels like to say goodbye to something that meant so much to so many, and the stories that made Margot one of Nashville’s most beloved restaurants. We also had a couple of special guests stop by to share what Margo has meant to them, to East Nashville, and to the Nashville restaurant community as a whole. Margo was the second interview we ever recorded on Nashville Restaurant Radio, so this one felt full-circle in a way that is hard to describe. She is a legend, a pioneer, and one of the people who helped define what independent restaurants in this city can be. This episode is special. Take a listen.

    Margo McCormack

  7. Jun 14

    Eric Schell and Drew Strohm- One Tap

    Every restaurant operator knows the feeling: something breaks, a vendor doesn't show up, an invoice looks wrong, and suddenly you're spending hours managing maintenance instead of managing your business. In this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, we sit down with Eric Schell and Drew Strohm from OneTap to discuss how they're working to simplify one of the most frustrating parts of restaurant operations. Eric and Drew share the story behind OneTap, how the platform was built, and why they believe the maintenance industry is overdue for innovation. We dive into the challenges restaurant owners face when coordinating repairs, managing service providers, controlling costs, and maintaining accountability across multiple locations. The conversation goes beyond technology and into entrepreneurship, scaling a business, and what it takes to build solutions that genuinely solve problems for operators. Whether you oversee one location or a multi-unit brand, this episode offers valuable insight into how smarter systems and better processes can free up time, reduce headaches, and allow hospitality professionals to focus on what matters most: serving guests. If you've ever been frustrated by maintenance issues, vendor communication, or the endless chase to get things fixed, this episode is for you.

    Eric Schell and Drew Strohm- One Tap

  8. Jun 14

    LIVE at Tennessee Flavors

    Live from Tennessee Flavors: Supporting the Future of Hospitality In this special live episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, we broadcast from Tennessee Flavors, the annual fundraiser benefiting Nashville State Community College's Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts. The event brings together some of the best chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality leaders in Tennessee, all united behind a common goal: investing in the next generation of culinary talent. Joining the show is Nick Guidry, former owner of Pelican & Pig and now Director of Culinary for A. Marshall Hospitality. Nick shares insights from his transition from independent restaurateur to leading culinary operations for one of Tennessee's most respected restaurant groups, while discussing the importance of mentorship and developing future industry leaders. We also sit down with Marcio and Cynthia Flores, the husband-and-wife team behind Limo Peruvian Eatery. The Flores family shares their entrepreneurial journey, the growth of their restaurants, and their passion for bringing authentic Peruvian cuisine to Middle Tennessee while building a business rooted in family and community. Rounding out the episode is Ric Ewing, restaurateur and candidate for Tennessee State Representative. Ric discusses his background in hospitality, why he believes business owners need a stronger voice in government, and how his experience as a Board member at Nashville State has given him perspective From culinary education and entrepreneurship to leadership and community impact, this episode captures the spirit of Tennessee Flavors and the people working to strengthen the future of hospitality across our state.

    LIVE at Tennessee Flavors
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4.4
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

This is a podcast made for and about the people of the Nashville Restaurant community. Our goal is to gain others perspectives and learn from their experiences. Listen for interviews with Chefs, Restauranteurs, authors, industry leaders, and much more! This is not a podcast where we talk about food, we talk about food people.

Information

  • Creator
    New Light Hospitality
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    437
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © New Light Hospitality
  • Show Website
    Nashville Restaurant Radio

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