Shows / QSR Uncut
QSR Uncut
QSR Uncut is a podcast from the editors of QSR magazine—the leading publication for foodservice owners and operators—that discusses the current state and future of the fast-food restaurant industry. Made for restaurant executives, entrepreneurs, consumers, and leaders, each episode candidly shares expert advice from some of the industry's most insightful leaders.
Episodes
- QSR Uncut
Talking Leadership, History, and Building a Growth Brand, with Dave's Hot Chicken CEO Jim Bitticks
Dave's Hot Chicken is one of the fastest-growing restaurant franchises in sector history. CEO Jim Bitticks joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss the brand's…
- QSR Uncut
The Enduring Story of Wienerschnitzel, and What’s Still to Come, with CEO J.R. Galardi
Wienerschnitzel is one of the QSR industry’s true icons, with roots dating to 1961, when John Galardi opened a single location in Southern California. The…
- QSR Uncut
Winning in the Digital Restaurant Economy, with DoorDash’s Jeff Frost
DoorDash leader Jeff Frost joins QSR Uncut this week to talk through an increasingly complex digital ecosystem and where operators should begin. How can you…
- QSR Uncut
Smalls Sliders Plans a Big Leap, with Founder Brandon Landry
Brandon Landry joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss what’s ahead for Smalls Sliders, a brand that leapt onto the scene and appears ready to hit its growth…
- QSR Uncut
Tiki Bagel Joins the Bagel Surge, with Founder PJ Powell
All of sudden, bagels are one of the hottest categories in QSR. Let’s meet Tiki Bagel, a St. Pete-based brand that endured early craziness (what else is new in…
- QSR Uncut
Why Mike's Red Tacos Could Be the Next Big Thing, with CDO Patrick Cunningham
Few restaurant brands have generated as much buzz in recent months as Mike's Red Tacos, a San Diego-founded concept that has hundreds of units lined up through…
- QSR Uncut
Solving Restaurant Tech Fatigue: Turning Friction Into Flow
Tim Busa and Brian Herr of Crunchtime join QSR Uncut this week as we tackle some of the industry’s most-pressing technology topics, from fragmented bloat to…
- QSR Uncut
Restaurant Development Trends, from Two Ex-Raising Cane’s Operators
College roommates Eric Ongaro and Matt Salts joined forces at RCO Limited, the first Raising Cane’s franchise partner. Together, they helped grow the company…
- QSR Uncut
Talking GLP-1s, Wellness, and Crisp & Green’s Next Growth Chapter, with Steele Smiley
Cofounder and executive chairman Steele Smiley returns to QSR Uncut to share his thoughts on why wellness and fitness remain major whitespace opportunities…
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The ROI of Restaurant Conferences: There Has to Be a Better Way, with Michael Sien
Industry vet Michael Sien joins QSR Uncut this week to talk about a recent leap—starting faSHOW, a specialist consultancy dedicated to helping organizers…
- QSR Uncut
Huey Magoo’s and the Rise of a Chicken Powerhouse, with CEO Andy Howard
At just about 90 locations open across 12 states and 230 signed for development in the coming years, the fast casual tenders focused brand is hitting the…
- QSR Uncut
Can AI Make You a Better Leader? with Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator Jon Harmeling
Chick-fil-A owner-operator Jon Harmeling, a former West Point instructor in systems engineering, joins QSR Uncut to chat about his journey with the category…
- QSR Uncut
The Rise of AI and Location Intelligence in QSR, with Gladys Kong
Gladys Kong, CEO of Azira, joins QSR Uncut this week to break down some rising technologies and how restaurant brands can better understand their customers…
- QSR Uncut
Cinnabon Makes a Big Beverage Move, with Chief Brand Officer Urvi Patel
One of the country’s most-iconic treat chains recently rolled out Seattle’s Best Coffee as it looks to compete more aggressively for high-frequency beverage…
- QSR Uncut
QSR Tech and Drive-Thru Expectations: What Do Customers Really Want?
Andy Grindstaff, Director, Enterprise Restaurant Product, Global Payments, joins QSR Uncut this week for a wide-ranging discussion as we roll around the tech…
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Welcome to Moe’s! … for Late-Night? With Chief Brand Officer Mike Smith
Moe’s Southwest Grill is in the midst of a new, three-part strategy to drive incremental gains. It includes extended hours to serve unmet demand, a Gen Z menu…
- QSR Uncut
How Your Kitchen Can Solve Margin Pressure, with Kelli Jenkins and Derek Clayton
Kelli Jenkins, senior product manager at Vitamix, and Derek Clayton, the company’s corporate chef, join QSR Uncut for a wide-ranging discussion covering…
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The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Preps for Lift-Off, with President Bob Andersen
Recently named a Top 3 emerging restaurant chain in the U.S. by Datassential, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is fast approaching 100 units and $150…
- QSR Uncut
Lessons on Leadership from One of the Industry’s Most Important B2B Companies
Alissa Partee is stepping into the role of CEO at Restaurant Technologies, a company she joined in 2020 before becoming COO. Partee has worked at leading…
- QSR Uncut
A Conversation on Franchising, Growth, and the State of Restaurants, with Fransmart CEO Dan Rowe
Dan Rowe, CEO and founder of Fransmart, and 35-plus-year-industry vet, joins QSR Uncut this week for a special episode exploring what it takes to grow, the…
- QSR Uncut
The Journey of Beignet Spot, with CEO and Cofounder Fabrice Alce
Can a brand based around beignets scale? We step into the unique concept with its cofounder and CEO, Fabrice Alce, to explore developing a fast casual from the…
- QSR Uncut
Winning the Value Customer, with Cici's President Jeff Hetsel
The legacy pizza buffet has posted a strong year despite the odds, leaning into a fresh approach of value-based branding and promotions. From a record-breaking…
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A New Way for Franchisees to Find Capital, with Zack Fishman and Jimmy Frischling
Back in March, F&B Capital, a new capital markets firm focused on advising and supporting concepts across the franchise ecosystem, emerged into the space. This…
- QSR Uncut
What’s Next for Potbelly After RaceTrac Sale, with Jennifer Durham
Jennifer Durham, SVP of franchising and development at Potbelly, joins QSR Uncut to discuss the sandwich chain’s next act after its blockbuster $566 million…
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Revealing the Growth Potential of Secret Burger Kitchen, with CEO Paul Sandhu
Beginning inside a Holiday Inn hotel kitchen in Tacoma, Washington, Secret Burger Kitchen has taken a fervent following and developed a brand ready to scale…
- QSR Uncut
The State of Restaurant Media, with Brian Lowe
BML Public Relations president and CEO Brian Lowe returns to QSR Uncut after one of our most-listened to episodes to unpack what restaurants need to know about…
- QSR Uncut
The State of Digital in Fast Food and Fast Casual: Revisited (2026 Edition)
Last year, in what’s become an annual tradition here on QSR Uncut, Qu CMO Jen Kern broke down restaurant operators' thoughts on technology for the year ahead…
- QSR Uncut
Staying a Step Above, with Velvet Taco's New CEO Chris Schultz
With more than 30 years of industry experience, including serving as CEO of Voodoo Doughnut and SVP of operations at MOD Pizza, Chris Schultz brought a wealth…
- QSR Uncut
[BONUS] Two Announcements and Invites to Join Other Restaurant Leaders
It's time to reveal our QSR Evolution Conference (with a special discount code for operators) and something new we're working on, an exclusive peer-to-peer…
- QSR Uncut
The Marketing Genius Behind Dave’s Hot Chicken, with CMO Brandon Rhoten
There may not be a faster-growing restaurant chain in the country than Dave’s Hot Chicken over the past few years. In fact, it’s one of the quickest-scaling…
- QSR Uncut
The Remarkable Story of Konala, with Founder Trace Miller
Health-focused fast casual Konala is pioneering a high protein drive-thru model with a brand that wants to open access to a new way of eating. And it all began…
- QSR Uncut
The Future of Plant-Based Burger Chains, with Chris Treloar
The plant-based restaurant segment has ridden a roller coaster in recent years. From the apex of hype to some brands shutting down to others adopting a hybrid…
- QSR Uncut
The Unbridled Growth Story of CookUnity, with Morley Ivers
Morley Ivers, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships, joins QSR Uncut to discuss the rise of America’s first chef-to-you meal delivery platform. CookUnity…
- QSR Uncut
The Future of QSR Design, with Queenie Lo
Queenie Lo, president, Spatial Design at global agency FutureBrand, joins QSR Uncut this week to talk about the next generation of store models and the growing…
- QSR Uncut
Sweetfin at 10 Years: Expanding Beyond Poke, with Cofounder Seth Cohen
Seth Cohen, cofounder of Sweetfin and one of QSR Uncut’s original guests, returns to chat about the fast casual’s evolution as it celebrates 10 years. But this…
- QSR Uncut
How FiiZ Drinks is Building a Soda Empire, with Scott Ball
FiiZ Drinks president Scott Ball joins the podcast to break down life operating in arguably QSR’s craziest market there is today—beverages. From dirty sodas to…
- QSR Uncut
Paris Baguette and the Road to 1,000 Restaurants, with CDO Nick Scaccio
Paris Baguette Chief Development Officer Nick Scaccio joins QSR Uncut this week to unpack the global brand's mission to reestablish the neighborhood bakery…
- QSR Uncut
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: A&W Restaurants' Betsy Schmandt and Kilwins' Brian Britton
In this episode of CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, we hand the mics over to A&W Restaurants’ CEO Betsy Schmandt and Kilwins’ CEO Brian Britton. They discuss…
- QSR Uncut
Beverage Trends, Menu Moves, and the Research Powering Restaurants, with Tomás Gilbert
Tomás Gilbert, Director, Strategic Market Insights at Curion, joins QSR Uncut to break down his adventures as a qualitative researcher in the restaurant space…
- QSR Uncut
Inside the Rise of Fuku, and a Sandwich That Couldn’t Be Kept a Secret
Fuku CEO Claudia Lezcano has held jobs from chief marketing officer of the Miami Dolphins, Marlins, executive roles at Burger King, Church’s Chicken, and more…
- QSR Uncut
Taco Cabana Gears Up for National Growth, with John Ramsay
John Ramsay, industry vet and director of franchise sales and development for the brand, joins QSR Uncut to discuss Taco Cabana’s recent success and how it’s…
- QSR Uncut
Jollibee is Ready for its U.S. Growth Push, with Peter Wright
Peter Wright, Jollibee's vice president of franchise development, joins QSR Uncut to discuss the global chicken giant's plans to ramp up domestic development…
- QSR Uncut
Getting Real on Restaurant Real Estate, with Joe Blanton
Joe Blanton, founder & CEO of Stone Restaurant Real Estate, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein for a trip around the market. We look at how site…
- QSR Uncut
Inside the Growth Journey of Brasa Peruvian Kitchen, with CEO Michel Falcon
From culture setting to finding big-time industry supporters, like former Subway president Doug Fry, Brasa Peruvian Kitchen wants to redefine the fast casual…
- QSR Uncut
Staying Relevant and Fueling Growth, with Rita’s CDO Lawrence Brown
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Chief Development Officer Lawrence Brown joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss how the 40-year-old Philly-based frozen treat…
- QSR Uncut
Will Starbucks’ Redesign Strategy Work?
Starbucks’ strategy pivot to “turn coffee houses into living rooms” and get back to its “third place” was one of the biggest topics of 2025 and promises to…
- QSR Uncut
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: Original ChopShop's Jason Morgan and Taziki's Dan Simpson
In this episode of CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, Original ChopShop leader Jason Morgan and Taziki's Mediterranean Café's Dan Simpson quiz one another on life…
- QSR Uncut
Becoming an Unmissable Brand, with Habit Burger & Grill CMO Jack Hinchliffe
As Chief Marketing Officer of Yum! Brands’ Habit Burger & Grill since February 2023, Jack Hinchliffe leads all aspects of brand communications, retail…
- QSR Uncut
Kona Ice and the Making of One of America's Top Restaurant Franchises
Founded in 2007 by Tony Lamb, Kona Ice launched its first Kona Entertainment Vehicle in Florence, Kentucky. Today, the brand has grown to more than 1,900…
- QSR Uncut
Why Nostalgia is Not a Strategy, and How to Future-Proof Your QSR Brand, with Mike Perry
Mike Perry, founder and chief creative officer at hospitality, food and beverage brand agency Tavern, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how…
- QSR Uncut
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: Cheba Hut's Marc Torres and Toppers Pizza's Adam Oldenburg
In the next episode of QSR magazine's CEO to CEO series, where we have two leading executives turn the mic on each other, Cheba Hut's Marc Torres and Toppers…
- QSR Uncut
Why Chicken and Beverages are Surging, and Other QSR Trends to Watch, with Datassential’s Huy Do
Huy Do, Research & Insights Manager at Datassential, joins QSR Uncut this week to break down the hottest trends in the industry, from beverages to chicken to…
- QSR Uncut
Building a Powerhouse Restaurant Platform, with Alex Macedo
Alex Macedo, former president of Burger King and Tim Hortons, is now leading Authentic Restaurant Brands, a restaurant platform he co-founded that directs…
- QSR Uncut
AI, Tech Stacks, and the Future of QSR Operations, with Abhinav Kapur
Bikky’s Abhinav Kapur joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss the state of tech, his journey creating a platform now being used in more than 4,000 locations, from…
- QSR Uncut
Another Coffee Chain Hits the Growth Trail, with Beans & Brews CEO Doug Willmarth
Beans & Brews Coffeehouse CEO Doug Willmarth joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss the story and potential of an 80-plus unit brand that’s been home to…
- QSR Uncut
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: Happy Joe's Tom Sacco and BRIX Holdings' Sherif Mityas
Our latest episode of the QSR CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter series features two industry mavens in Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream’s Tom Sacco and BRIX…
- QSR Uncut
Unlocking Innovation and Concept Creation, with Aaron Noveshen and Michael Parlapiano
Michael Parlapiano, managing director of The Culinary Edge, and its founder and industry vet, Aaron Noveshen, join QSR Uncut this week to break down a host of…
- QSR Uncut
Into the World of QSR Consumer Insights, with Will Krieger and Erin Dougherty
Will Krieger and Erin Dougherty, of strategic insights firm The Directions Group, join QSR Uncut this week to break down what’s happening industry-wide and how…
- QSR Uncut
The Making of a Fast Casual Pioneer, with INDAY Founder Basu Ratnam
Meet INDAY, a New York City-based high-growth brand that brings modern Indian flavors and a “food karma” philosophy to everyday dining. It’s out not only to…
- QSR Uncut
Rewriting the Fast-Food Flavor Rulebook, with Taco John’s Brad Bergaus
Brad Bergaus, corporate chef and director of menu innovation at Taco John’s, joins QSR Uncut to dive into how the classic chain is delivering more than just…