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Shawn Walchef is Building Community & Storytelling in the Restaurant Industry
Filmed at the site of the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, IL., Gregg Majewski sits down with Shawn Walchef—the podcast king of the restaurant industry, owner of Cali BBQ in San Diego, and founder of Cali BBQ Media. Shawn shares his journey from struggling barbecue joint to industry influencer, highlighting how building in public, embracing social media, and staying curious can transform a brand. This episode dives deep into why storytelling matters, the importance of community, and how even big names like Shaquille O’Neal rely on authentic relationships to grow…
The skinny
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