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Welcome to Casual Conversations, where the camaraderie is as hearty as the appetizers at our favorite local haunt. Three friends, who never planned on being regulars, find themselves perched at the bar of a cozy casual dining spot, their casual meet-ups turning into impromptu roundtables. From the depths of existential dread to the highs of last night's game, and the guilty pleasures of fast food debates, nothing is off the table. With each episode of Casual Conversations, you're invited to ...
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The Fast Casual Insider podcast is a 10 episode podcast series from the National Restaurant Association. We’ll be talking to leading fast-casual CEOs, founders and visionaries to share their stories, best practices, trend observations, and looming challenges. Our guests come from emerging concepts as well as established brands and they come with a point of view. Hosted by Jerry White, these leaders will discuss topics like fast casual’s digital transformation, real estate issues, business gr ...
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Pull up a stool and join Crassy and Jassy at the bar for some fast casual conversations! The Sound of Winter by Bush, https://lickd.lnk.to/MzezruID License ID: 1ERd3dqomaw Heavy Is The Ocean by Bush, https://lickd.lnk.to/RF1ML6ID License ID: MWVyP6LXG94由The Branimals Production Company LLC
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On this special edition of Fast Casual Insider, Jerry heads to the floor of the 100th annual National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago to talk with Geoff Alexander and Paul Damico. Geoff is the president of Wow Bao, a Chicago chain specializing in steamed bao. Paul is the CEO of Naf Naf Grill, another Chicago-based chain specializing in Middl…
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This week on Fast Casual Insider, Jerry sits down with Carl Segal, CEO of Roti Modern Mediterranean Grill. Carl has spent his entire working life in the restaurant industry and is a veteran of several restaurants with meteoric growth. He shares with us the challenge of getting customers to try new, unfamiliar flavors, the importance of transparency…
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This week on Fast Casual Insider we’re diving into the real estate side of the restaurant industry. Helen Jane Hearn sits in for host Jerry White to speak with Nick Vojnovic, president of Little Greek Fresh Grill. Nick has been in the business of expanding restaurant franchises for more than 20 years. He talks about trends with landlords, how to fi…
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On today’s episode of Fast Casual Insider, Jerry sits down with Carin Stutz, the former EVP of Red Robin. Carin has more than 40 years’ experience in the restaurant industry. She’s held leadership roles for major brands such as Applebee’s, Wendy’s, and McAlister’s Deli. She’s seen a lot of change in her tenure and talks to Jerry about how the lesso…
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Host Jerry White talks with Don Fox about how changing consumer habits affect the fast-casual industry and how to use new technology to keep up and keep growing. Our guest Don Fox is Chief Executive Officer of Firehouse of America, LLC, in which he leads the strategic growth of Firehouse Subs, one of America’s leading fast casual restaurant brands.…
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Joining Jerry on the podcast today is Meg Rose, an executive with Firehouse Subs, based out of Florida. Meg has been with Firehouse Subs for more than a decade and has had a front row seat to its explosive growth. Jerry and Meg discuss the evolution of the fast casual industry and how the current marketplace demands innovation including changes in …
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This week, Jerry sits down with Paul Damico, CEO of the Chicago, IL based Naf Naf Grill. A long time restaurant industry veteran, Paul was tapped to lead Naf Naf Grill in 2017 with the goal of scaling the brand nationally. Prior to Naf Naf Grill, Paul was President of FOCUS Brands and President of Moe’s Southwest Grill. Paul walks Jerry through wha…
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Joining Jerry White on the Fast Casual Insider podcast this week is Kathleen Richardson. Kathleen is the founder of urban Farmhouse market & cafe, a fast-casual concept featuring a simple menu of fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Prior to founding urban Farmhouse, Kathleen held senior leadership roles at a wide variety of food servic…
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Helen Jane Hearn, Sr. Director of Content for the National Restaurant Association steps in for Host Jerry White in this episode of the Fast Casual Insider. In a conversation recorded at the 2019 National Restaurant Association Show, Helen sits down with Larry Reinstein, founder of the LJR Hospitality Group to discuss Larry’s experience growing up i…
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In this episode of the Fast Casual Insider podcast, host Jerry White is joined by Blazing Onion Burger Company CEO and co-founder David Jones. David talks with Jerry about labor relations, the hybrid fast casual concept, and delivery innovation. [01:59] - David's journey to co-founder of the Blazing Onion Restaurant Group [03:09] - Combining a full…
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In the first episode of the Fast Casual Insider podcast, host Jerry White sits down with Wow Bao President and Managing Partner of Lettuce Entertain You Geoff Alexander. Geoff shares his insights into how he thinks about technology and innovation for Wow Bao, the role 3rd party delivery services are playing and how he’s managed to stay at Lettuce E…
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Whether you’re a restaurateur looking to grow your business, an experienced operator evaluating your next steps, or just a restaurant industry enthusiast, join me, Jerry White, on the Fast Casual Insider podcast, a brand new conversation platform from the National Restaurant Association. We’ll be talking to leading fast-casual CEOs, founders and vi…
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