Rising Tides Live!

Cali BBQ Media
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Rising Tides Live is a weekly show from Cali BBQ Media where leaders from across the restaurant, hospitality and technology space share the stage to discuss the greatest successes, failures and lessons.

  1. 18h ago

    Rising Tides Live: Business Partnerships To Friendships

    Laura Wilber led this Rising Tides Live conversation about “Business Partnerships to Friendships” and how trust turns professional connections into lasting relationships. Restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders shared stories about supporting one another, staying curious, and giving without expecting something in return. From former Jersey Mike’s COO Mike Manzo’s story about investing $200 million in franchisee remodels to Troy Hooper’s reminder to show up even when it’s inconvenient, the group explored what it means to have someone’s back. Lasting relationships start with taking care of people, following through, and helping each other succeed. Trust turns business relationships into friendships. Showing up, following through, and having someone’s back builds connections that last beyond a transaction.Take care of the people who depend on you. Mike Manzo shared how supporting franchisees and putting others first helped Jersey Mike’s grow.Give without expecting anything in return. Offer help, share your knowledge, and make time for your community, even when your schedule is full.Episode Links Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  2. Oct 1

    Rising Tides Live - Scrappy vs Spielberg

    Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live conversation about “Scrappy vs Spielberg” and why waiting for perfection can hold businesses back. Restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared stories about creating content, launching catering programs, and learning as they go. From Elizabeth Doss’s advice to document instead of curate to Iano Dovi’s confession that a camera angle delayed a podcast for six months, the group explored the cost of overthinking. The message was clear: Use what you have, share your story, and improve through practice. Your next opportunity could start with something you almost didn’t post. Document instead of curate. Share real moments from your business without waiting for perfect lighting, polished edits, or a scripted performance.Waiting has a cost. Delaying a post, podcast, or catering launch can mean lost relevance, missed connections, and revenue left on the table.Improve by doing. Start with the tools you have, learn from the response, and make each attempt better through speed and consistency.Episode Links Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  3. Sep 25

    Rising Tides Live: Pricing Strategy & Menu Engineering

    Scott Kleckner led this Rising Tides Live conversation on pricing strategy and menu engineering. With restaurant traffic falling and customers feeling the cost of dining out, he challenged operators to look beyond the usual annual price increase. Shawn Walchef and Iano Dovi shared how meal bundles can make ordering easier and give guests more value, while the group discussed menu costs, popular dishes and the experience customers expect for the price. The takeaway: Before raising prices, know which items sell, what they cost to serve and why guests keep coming back. Don’t raise prices on autopilot. Scott urged operators to check traffic, costs and customer behavior before adding the usual 5% or 10% to a menu.Build bundles around value and margin. Shawn and Iano shared meal packages that make ordering easier for guests. Scott stressed that a successful bundle doesn’t require giving away profitable items.Know what each menu item contributes. Look at its cost, margin and popularity, then give your strongest items the right placement on the menu.Episode Links Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/Scott Kleckner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkleckner/

  4. Sep 25

    Rising Tides Live - What's Your Fall Shoulder Season Playbook

    Robert Firpo-Cappiello led this Rising Tides Live conversation about a fall shoulder season that looks different for every restaurant. Operators shared how weather, local events and changing travel patterns affect traffic, along with ways to respond without relying on discounts. Scott Kleckner described speeding up his marketing and website plans during a slowdown, while Iano Dovi explained how a four-course offering helps The Attic bring in more revenue per guest. The group also discussed hotel partnerships, holiday programming and using customer data to plan ahead. The takeaway: Know where your guests come from and give them a reason to visit during the slower weeks. A slow season depends on your market. Travel demand, weather and local events can change when customers show up, so operators need to look at their own traffic and sales before making a fall plan.Give guests more value without discounting. Iano Dovi’s $55 four-course offering gives customers a reason to visit while raising the average spend per person during slower weeks.Plan for the demand around you. Hotel guests, conventions, cruise ships and seasonal events can bring in customers. Operators can use those calendars and local relationships to decide when and how to market.Episode Links Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/Robert Firpo-Cappiello: https://robfirpcapp.com/

  5. Sep 18

    Rising Tides Live - What's Actually Killing Restaurants?

    Iano Dovi led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on one question: What is actually killing restaurants? Restaurant operators, entrepreneurs and hospitality leaders discussed rising costs, unrealistic rents, declining traffic, complacency and the challenge of staying visible online. From Shawn Walchef’s call for better financial visibility to Elizabeth Doss’ reminder that even a great restaurant can be invisible online, the group explored what operators can do to stay relevant and profitable. The message was clear: Restaurants need to understand their numbers, listen to their customers and keep experimenting before small problems become reasons to close. Know Your Numbers Before It Is Too Late – Rising costs, unrealistic rent and shrinking margins can quietly weaken a restaurant. Operators need clear financial visibility so they can identify problems early and make informed decisions.Give Customers a Reason to Return – Great food is not always enough. Restaurants need a signature item, memorable experience or unique value that keeps customers talking about the business and coming back.Listen, Experiment and Keep Evolving – Customer reviews, social media comments and sales data can reveal what is working and what needs to change. Operators should test new ideas, learn quickly and move on when something is not working.Episode Links Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  6. Sep 18

    Rising Tides Live - Why You Should Do LinkedIn Collaborations

    Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live conversation about LinkedIn’s new collaboration feature and how business leaders can use the platform to build stronger communities. Restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders discussed declining reach, AI-generated content, and the value of mixing personal stories with educational posts. From Richard’s warning about “AI slop” to Ward Olgreen’s reminder that heartfelt posts often earn the strongest response, the group explored what makes content worth sharing. The message was clear: LinkedIn is more than a place to find a job. Consistent, authentic content can build relationships and create real business opportunities. LinkedIn Is More Than a Job Board - Business leaders can use the platform to build professional relationships, strengthen communities, share their expertise, and create new opportunities over time.Authenticity Builds Stronger Connections - Personal stories often connect more deeply than polished or overly promotional content. Educational posts may reach fewer people, but they can still make an impact when they reach the right audience.Collaboration Can Expand Your Reach - LinkedIn’s collaboration feature allows creators to share content across multiple audiences. The strongest collaborations bring the right people together around content that is relevant, valuable, and worth sharing.Episode Links Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  7. Sep 11

    Rising Tides Live - Successful People Ask For Help

    Laura Wilber filled in for Shawn Walchef to lead this Rising Tides Live conversation on why successful people ask for help. Restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared how mentors, trusted teams, and professional networks helped them grow. From Katie Socks asking an executive to become her mentor to Chef Lindsay giving her team more responsibility, the group showed that asking for help is a sign of strength. The message was clear: Ask before you reach the breaking point, show gratitude, and act on the advice you receive. Asking for Help Is a Strength – Successful leaders recognize when they need support and have the courage to seek it from mentors, colleagues, and trusted advisors.The Right Team Creates Room to Grow – Giving capable people more responsibility allows leaders to step away from daily operations and focus on the future of the business.Advice Only Matters When You Act – Asking for help is only the beginning. Real progress comes from applying what you learn and doing the work.Episode Links Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

  8. Sep 10

    Rising Tides Live - Planning 2027

    Shawn Walchef led this Rising Tides Live conversation focused on one question: What can you do today to start planning for 2027? Restaurant operators, entrepreneurs, and hospitality leaders shared how they set goals, prepare for seasonal changes, review opportunities, and use AI to make better decisions. From Iano Dovi’s “7-7-7” system for planning seven days, seven weeks, and seven months ahead to Scott Kleckner’s advice to plan your business like it is much bigger than it is, the group showed how a clear plan can help leaders stay focused and know when to say no. The message was clear: Planning does not mean everything will go exactly as expected. It gives you a direction, helps you measure progress, and keeps every new opportunity from becoming a distraction. A Plan Makes It Easier to Say No – Shawn Walchef and Scott Kleckner explained how planning helps business owners judge whether a new opportunity supports their goals or simply drains time, money, and energy.Plan Across Different Time Frames – Iano Dovi uses his “7-7-7” system to prepare for the next seven days, seven weeks, and seven months while giving each level of his restaurant team the right responsibilities.Review Your Progress Every Week – Michael Ungaro emphasized that a business plan should not be filed away and forgotten. Weekly reviews help leaders measure progress, adjust their priorities, and separate meaningful action from staying busy.Episode Links Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

See All (56)

About

Rising Tides Live is a weekly show from Cali BBQ Media where leaders from across the restaurant, hospitality and technology space share the stage to discuss the greatest successes, failures and lessons.

Information

  • Creator
    Cali BBQ Media
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Rising Tides Live!