Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates

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  Growing Little Greek Without Repeating the Past with Nick Vojnovic 06.10.2026 17Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Nick Vojnovic, president and majority partner of Little Greek Fresh Grill, joins Zack Oates to talk about what decades of restaurant growth have taught him about franchising, guest experience, and building for the long haul. After helping grow Beef 'O' Brady's from roughly 30 to 260 locations, Nick is taking a different approach with Little Greek, prioritizing owner-operators, lower investments, and franchisee success over growth for growth's sake. Zack and Nick discuss: Less...
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  From 20 Dinners a Day to a Texas Institution with Skeeter Miller of County Line 28.09.2026 20Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Skeeter Miller, founder and president of County Line Barbecue, joins Zack Oates to share how a Texas barbecue restaurant has continued evolving after more than five decades in business. From going from just 10 to 20 dinners a day to hundreds after a Texas Monthly write-up, to building a multimillion-dollar private events business, Skeeter shares the stories and ideas that have kept County Line relevant for 51 years. Zack and Skeeter discuss: How County Line became a Texas bar...
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  Why Blaze Pizza Believes Personalization Is the Future of Hospitality with John Owen 14.09.2026 17Min.

  Send us Fan Mail John Owen, CEO of Blaze Pizza, joins Zack Oates to discuss how restaurants can create memorable guest experiences through personalization, consistency, and strong execution. With more than three decades of leadership experience across brands like McDonald's, Subway, and Scooter's Coffee, John shares why understanding the difference between customization and personalization is critical for today's restaurants. Zack and John discuss: Why personalization matters more than ever i...
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  Jim Mazany of P.F. Chang's on Building Memories, Not Just Meals 08.09.2026 20Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Jim Mazany, CEO of P.F. Chang's, joins Zack Oates to discuss how one of America's most iconic restaurant brands continues to evolve while staying true to its hospitality roots. From creating memorable dining experiences to balancing value with premium quality, Jim shares why every guest interaction is an opportunity to build lasting loyalty. Zack and Jim discuss: Creating memorable experiences that guests return for years later Balancing value with an elevated dining exp...
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  How Toastique Turned Healthy Eating Into a Daily Habit with Brianna Keefe 31.08.2026 17Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Brianna Keefe, founder of Toastique, joins Zack Oates to discuss how she built a health-focused restaurant concept from one Washington, D.C. location into a rapidly growing franchise brand. Brianna shares why Toastique prioritizes owner-operators, how the brand creates value without compromising ingredient quality, and why the personal touch remains essential as the company scales. Zack and Brianna discuss: Why Toastique chose an owner-operator franchise model How person...
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  Why Great Harvest Still Bakes Bread the Hard Way with John Dikos 17.08.2026 24Min.

  Send us Fan Mail John Dikos, CEO of Great Harvest Bread Company, joins Zack Oates to discuss what it takes to modernize a beloved restaurant brand without losing the traditions that made it successful. From preserving Great Harvest's commitment to fresh-milled wheat and scratch baking to using guest data more effectively, John shares how authenticity and hospitality continue to differentiate the brand nearly 50 years after its founding. Zack and John discuss: Why Great Harvest refuses to comp...
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  How This Restaurant CEO Tracks 150 Stores Without Setting Foot in Them 20.07.2026 15Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Chris Ives, CEO and President of Bubbakoo's Burritos, joins Zack Oates to discuss why genuine hospitality remains one of the most powerful competitive advantages in restaurants. Drawing on experience across finance, operations, and executive leadership, Chris explains how strong culture, engaged teams, and thoughtful guest interactions ultimately drive profitability for franchisees. Zack and Chris discuss: Why culture matters more than metrics alone The connection betwee...
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  The Secret Behind Viral Restaurant Content with Sullivan Finlay 13.07.2026 19Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Sullivan Finlay joins Zack Oates to explore why authenticity, consistency, and relatable storytelling matter more than ever in today's social media landscape. After leaving a career in accounting and enterprise software, Sullivan built a full-time career creating comedy that resonates with millions by capturing the realities of corporate life. Along the way, he's learned valuable lessons that apply far beyond comedy—including how restaurant brands can create content that peop...
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  Sharon Arthofer of SIP Fresh Juice on Turning Samples Into Loyal Guests 06.07.2026 15Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Sharon Arthofer, Founder and CEO of SIP Fresh Juice, joins Zack Oates to discuss building a beverage brand around fresh fruit, hospitality, and guest engagement. Sharon shares the story behind SIP Fresh Juice, how the concept was inspired by craft mixology, and why sampling and human interaction remain central to the guest experience. Zack and Sharon discuss: How SIP Fresh Juice was inspired by cocktail culture Creating a healthy indulgence beverage category The rol...
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  Features vs Products: What Restaurant Leaders Keep Getting Wrong with Atul Sood of Curry Up Now 29.06.2026 17Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Atul Sood, Chief Business Officer at Curry Up Now, joins Zack Oates to discuss the evolving relationship between restaurant operators and technology providers. Drawing from leadership roles at McDonald's, Kitchen United, and across the food tech ecosystem, Atul shares why relationships still matter, how operators should evaluate technology partners, and why the future belongs to companies that solve real problems rather than simply adding features. Zack and Atul discuss: Why ...
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  The Brand That Made Messy Tacos Go Viral with Lance Salsman 22.06.2026 21Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Lance Salsman, SVP of Operations at Mike’s Red Tacos, joins Zack Oates to talk about scaling an experiential restaurant brand while staying obsessed with guest feedback. From his early days working at Pizza Hut as a teenager to leading operations at some of the biggest taco and pizza brands in the country, Lance shares what it takes to build systems that support both team members and guests. Zack and Lance discuss: How Mike’s Red Tacos built a cult-like following Why gue...
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  The Slow Build That Turned Dog Haus Into a National Brand with Michael Montagano 15.06.2026 26Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Michael Montagano, CEO of Dog Haus, joins Zack Oates to talk about thoughtful restaurant growth, franchise alignment, and why strong hospitality starts with building the right foundation. Drawing from his family’s restaurant background and years in finance and operations leadership, Michael shares how Dog Haus is scaling while staying true to its culture and guest experience. Zack and Michael discuss: Why restaurant brands should grow slower and smarter The importance of...
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  Why Guest Reviews and Profitability Go Hand in Hand with Adam Sanders at Killer Burger 08.06.2026 16Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Adam Sanders, CFO of Killer Burger, joins Zack Oates to talk about the connection between guest experience and profitability. Coming from a finance and technology background, Adam shares how data, operational discipline, and hospitality all work together to drive long-term restaurant success. He also explains why the little things, from greeting guests to checking order accuracy, matter more than ever in today’s restaurant environment. Zack and Adam discuss: Why guest experie...
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  The Secret Behind a 4.9 Rating with Derrick Hayes of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks 29.05.2026 16Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Derrick Hayes, founder and CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, joins Zack Oates to share the story behind one of the fastest growing brands in the country. What started as a way to honor his father has turned into a culture-driven company built on community, consistency, and care. Derrick breaks down how customer service became his biggest growth driver, why culture matters more than perfection, and how he keeps teams motivated as the brand scales. Zack and Derrick discuss: &nbsp...
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  Why the Floor Matters More Than the Ceiling with Anthony Valletta of bartaco 26.05.2026 18Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Anthony Valletta, CEO and President of bartaco, joins Zack Oates to break down what guest experience really looks like today. From managing expectations shaped online to delivering consistent in-store experiences, Anthony shares why the “floor” matters more than the “ceiling” and how brands can close that gap. He also dives into leadership, saying no, and why training for recovery matters more than perfect service. Zack and Anthony discuss: Why guest expectations are ha...
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  Building an 80-Year Brand That Still Feels Personal with Jennifer Schuler of Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream 19.05.2026 19Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Jennifer Schuler, CEO of Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and former CEO of Wetzel’s Pretzels, joins Zack Oates to talk about what really drives guest experience today. She shares why people are craving in-person connection more than ever, how small “micro moments” shape loyalty, and where restaurants go wrong with technology. From building an 80-year brand to scaling with intention, Jennifer explains how product quality, human connection, and disciplined operations work together ...
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  Turning a Simple Bagel Into a Premium Experience with Tom Selementi of Spread Bagelry 14.05.2026 16Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Tom Selementi of Spread Bagelry joins Zack Oates to break down what actually drives guest loyalty in a crowded category. From premium positioning to operational discipline, Tom explains why winning in breakfast and lunch comes down to speed, consistency, and experience. Zack and Tom discuss: Why you don’t need to reinvent the product to win How speed directly impacts guest satisfaction The importance of owning one core menu item What most restaurants get ...
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  Why Bold Brands Win Big with Pinky Cole of Slutty Vegan 11.05.2026 19Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Pinky Cole, founder of Slutty Vegan, joins Zack Oates to share how bold branding, authenticity, and resilience built one of the most talked about restaurant concepts in the country. From creating a name that sparks conversation to navigating failure, debt, and rebuilding, Pinky breaks down what it really takes to grow a brand people connect with. Zack and Pinky discuss: Building a brand that stands out through controversy and creativity Why authenticity matte...
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  The Real ROI Is Your General Manager with Melissa Doolin-Koehne of Elevate Four 08.05.2026 20Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Zack Oates sits down with Melissa Doolin-Koehne of Elevate Four to talk about what actually moves the needle in today’s restaurant environment. With decades of experience across operations, data, and leadership, Melissa brings a grounded perspective on what still works. Zack and Melissa discuss: Why clarity around your value proposition matters more than ever The role of culture in driving guest experience Why investing in general managers delivers the highest...
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  How to Compete in a Crowded Pizza Market with David Cole of i Fratelli Pizza 06.05.2026 18Min.

  Send us Fan Mail Zack Oates sits down with David Cole of i Fratelli Pizza to talk about building a restaurant brand that lasts. With nearly four decades in the business, David shares what it takes to grow from a small family operation to a multi-location brand while staying consistent. Zack and David discuss: Why relationships are the foundation of any successful business How complaint recovery builds stronger customer loyalty The shift from phone orders to digital and third-p...