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
How Sonic Reached the Digital Age, and Way More
Sonic Drive-In’s former CEO Cliff Hudson and CIO Craig Miller join QSR Uncut to take listeners behind the scenes of their innovation and how the iconic brand…
- QSR Uncut
Seed Oils vs. Tallow: Separating Fact from Fiction, and Real Applications
Ron Cardwell, Director of Commodity Strategy for Restaurant Technologies, joins QSR Uncut to discuss one of the industry’s hot-button topics: Should you…
- QSR Uncut
Getting Executive QSR Hires Right, and More on Labor, with Dan Rymer
Dan Rymer, Executive Vice President of North America, leading the consumer practice at the global executive search firm, Redgrave, specializes in QSR and the…
- QSR Uncut
Fanning the Flames of a Legacy Brand, with la Madeleine CEO John Dillon
la Madeleine Bakery & Café CEO John Dillon joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss the ongoing evolution of a category pioneer. The industry vet joined la…
- QSR Uncut
Meet a Bold Fast Casual on the Rise
Shannon Hogan recently opened a concept, TEA+POKE, with his wife Carmen, that combines two growing categories with a menu and approach that has drawn crowds…
- QSR Uncut
Why is Beverage Innovation So Hot in QSR? with Botrista’s Jason Valentine
Jason Valentine, CSO at Botrista, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to break down what’s perhaps the hottest battleground in quick service right now…
- QSR Uncut
Into Shake Shack’s Culinary Lab, with Nancy Combs
Nancy Combs, VP of Culinary & Calendar Innovation at Shake Shack, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to break down the iconic burger chain’s recent menu…
- QSR Uncut
Restaurant Customers are on the Sidelines: What Now?
Sherri Kimes, Emeritus Professor at Hotel School at Cornell, makes her return to QSR Uncut after our most-listened to episode ever on dynamic pricing. We talk…
- QSR Uncut
The Rise and Potential of 3Natives, with CEO Anthony Bambino
Anthony Bambino founded 3Natives in 2013 in Tequesta, Florida. It’s since growth to 46 locations across Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, New York, and Arizona, with…
- QSR Uncut
Growth is Brewing at Drive-Thru Coffee Chain Lola Beans
Lola Beans founder Donny Bradley joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein as we break down the story and potential of the Tennessee-based emerging brand. How…
- QSR Uncut
Inside White Castle’s Quest for Loyalty
White Castle VP Jamie Richardson and Marigold Head of Loyalty CoE Roger Williams join QSR editorial director Danny Klein for a wide-ranging chat about how one…
- QSR Uncut
A Full-Circle Perspective on Franchising, with Tim Koch
Tim Koch, COO of Franchise FastLane, began his restaurant career in supply chain at Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. owner CKE Restaurants. Now, he’s leading a top…
- QSR Uncut
The Blueprint for Brand Evolution, with Jamba CBO Nathan Louer
Nathan Louer, chief brand officer of GoTo Foods’ concept Jamba, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the iconic chain’s groundbreaking new…
- QSR Uncut
Growing a Regional Icon, with Burgerville Chief Development Officer May Han
Former Dutch Bros executive May Han joined Pacific Northwest icon Burgerville as Chief Development Officer in September. She came onboard as Burgerville…
- QSR Uncut
Reinventing Your Brand Identity, with Rusty Taco President Dan Smith
This past summer, Dan Smith took the helm at Rusty Taco with more than two decades of executive experience. He's now leading a fast casual celebrating its 15th…
- QSR Uncut
Lessons on Leadership, Life, and Growth, with Costa Vida President Wade Allen
Costa Vida president Wade Allen, promoted to the role last June, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss his career journey, the brand’s potential…
- QSR Uncut
Keeping Eggs On The Menu: What to Know and the Facts That Matter
Nate Hedtke, VP of innovation & customer engagement at the American Egg Board, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to explain the state of avian influenza…
- QSR Uncut
From Survival to Sustained Growth, with Ziggi’s Coffee CEO Brandon Knudsen
Brandon Knudsen, CEO and cofounder of Ziggi’s Coffee, convinced his wife to drop out of college to give this idea a shot. From working multiple jobs to raising…
- QSR Uncut
Becoming the CEO of a Multi-Million-Dollar Family Business
Somia Farid Silber in October stepped into the top spot at Edible. At just 31 years old, she’s now leading the parent company of Edible Arrangements, a…
- QSR Uncut
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: The Drive-Thru Coffee Chain Edition
In this episode of QSR’s CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter series, we step into the burgeoning world of drive-thru beverages. Few segments, if any, are as hot as…
- QSR Uncut
The State of Digital in Fast Food and Fast Casual: Revisited (Again)
Last year, in what’s become an annual tradition, restaurant operators shared their key priorities and initiatives in Qu’s fifth-annual State of Digital report…
- QSR Uncut
The Legend of Layne’s Chicken Fingers, with CEO Garrett Reed
Founded in 1994 in College Station, the original Layne’s Chicken Fingers became a Texas A&M cult-favorite known for its small-town charm, friendly service…
- QSR Uncut
Drone Delivery: Myth or Magic Bullet for Restaurants?
Can drones solve some of the age-old issues with delivery? Naturally, there isn’t one answer and it’s a wide world of possibilities to explore. Tim Ridgely, VP…
- QSR Uncut
How to Crush Grand Openings, with Brian Lowe
Brian Lowe, CEO of BML, works with the some of the biggest brands in quick service and fast casual but also smaller brands. A common dominator across all…
- QSR Uncut
The Future of Drive-Thru Coffee, with Darren Spicer
Clutch Coffee cofounder and CEO Darren Spicer joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to chart the journey of one of the drive-thru coffee segment’s hottest…
- QSR Uncut
The Tech Company Guaranteeing ROI for Restaurants
Self-ordering and automation solutions company GRUBBRR recently announced a “Guarantee” initiative that puts its money where its tech is. During any month…
- QSR Uncut
Inside the Growth of Bobby Flay's Fast Casual Burger Brand
CMO Anne Pritz and VP of Operations Patric Knapp join QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay set out to break the fast…
- QSR Uncut
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: Scott Taylor and Troy Hooper
In our second episode of CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, Pepper Lunch executive Troy Hooper and Cherry Bounce’s Scott Taylor quiz each other on scaling…
- QSR Uncut
The Magic of Biscuitville, with Charles Miller
Charles Miller, RVP at Biscuitville, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to explore the story and culture of the category icon. How does the brand…
- QSR Uncut
The Entrepreneurial Journey of Biscuit Belly, with Chad Coulter
Chad Coulter, founder and CEO of Biscuit Belly, a growing fast casual franchise out of Kentucky, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how he…
- QSR Uncut
How to Master Your First Job, from a former Chick-fil-A Vet
Jacob Karnes, founder of Waves Business Coaching and the author of Master Your First Job, spent more than a decade with Chick-fil-A—both in-restaurant and at…
- QSR Uncut
Are Mass Closures Coming? And What's Ahead for Restaurants in 2025
Jim Balis, partner, Strategic Operations Group at CapitalSpring, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the state of restaurants as 2025 gets…
- QSR Uncut
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: Wow Bao's Geoff Alexander and Big Chicken's Josh Halpern
In the inaugural episode of QSR’s new series, CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, Wow Bao’s Geoff Alexander and Big Chicken’s Josh Halpern quiz each other on what…
- QSR Uncut
Creating a “SH*T YEAH!” Culture and Brand, with Chris Smith
Zunzi’s + Zunzibar CEO Chris Smith joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the journey behind the fast-casual restaurant and beach bar concept…
- QSR Uncut
Building the Next Big Pizza Franchise, with Carl Comeaux
Carl Comeaux, the CEO of Crust Pizza Co., joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the growth and journey of the rising franchise as it prepares for…
- QSR Uncut
The Meteoric Rise of Taylor Chip, with CEO Doug Taylor
Doug Taylor, founder and CEO of Taylor Chip, a dessert experience company based in Pennsylvania, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how a…
- QSR Uncut
Why Chick-fil-A Launched a ‘Play App,’ and How Mobile Will Change the CX Game
Megan Hastings, head of customer insight strategy at Quantum Metric, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss Chick-fil-A’s recent decision to get…
- QSR Uncut
Little Caesars and the Journey of Growth
Bryan Ketelhut, National Director of Non-Traditional and Development Services at Little Caesars, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how the…
- QSR Uncut
The Inside Scoop on Noodles & Company’s Menu Revolution
Noodles & Company is entering a new phase of its strategic menu transformation in collaboration with The Culinary Edge. Scott Davis, Noodles & Company's chief…
- QSR Uncut
The Rise of Co-Branding and Digital Engagement, with Mason Wiederhorn
Mason Wiederhorn, the Chief Brand Officer of multi-concept operator FAT Brands, joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to discuss a first of its kind…
- QSR Uncut
Lessons in Leadership and Restaurant Success, with Dr. Emily Williams Knight
Dr. Emily Williams Knight, the CEO of Texas Restaurant Association, joins QSR editorial Danny Klein and WiRL associate editor Satyne Doner for a special…
- QSR Uncut
Taking a Legacy Sandwich Chain to National Growth, with Healey Mendicino
Healey Mendicino, the president of Port of Subs, began as a franchisee and opened the chain’s 100th restaurant. Now, she’s serving as president and plotting a…
- QSR Uncut
The Enduring Legacy of Golden Krust, with VP of Marketing Steven Clarke
VP of Marketing Steven Clarke Joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the 35th anniversary of Golden Krust, a brand that remains to this day a…
- QSR Uncut
The Making and Evolution of a Multi-Brand Empire, with Brix Holdings CEO Sherif Mityas
Brix Holdings CEO Sherif Mityas, the leader of a group that includes Red Mango, Smoothie Factory + Kitchen, Souper Salad, Orange Leaf, Humble Donut Co., Pizza…
- QSR Uncut
The Rise of the Dumplings, with Brooklyn Dumpling Shop CEO Jeff Galletly
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s Jeff Galletly—the brand’s first CEO in its history—joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to take a look inside the hybrid-automat…
- QSR Uncut
The State of Virtual Dining, with Robbie Earl
Linked Eats president and Virtual Dining Concepts cofounder Robbie Earl joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley for a deep dive into a category and topic…
- QSR Uncut
Bad Ass Coffee Brews Up Growth, with CEO Scott Snyder
Competing in the QSR coffee game is always a wild journey. Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii CEO Scott Snyder joins QSR magazine editorial director Danny Klein to…
- QSR Uncut
The CEO Transforming Healthy Fast-Casual Dining
WOWorks’ CEO Kelly Roddy joins QSR editorial director to discuss the inspiration, development, and evolution of one of the category’s fastest-growing…
- QSR Uncut
The Açaí Brand Driving 28 Percent Sales Growth in Three Years
Bruno Cardinali, global head of marketing at açaí brand OAKBERRY, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the fast casual’s rise, which closed out…
- QSR Uncut
How to Recruit, Retain, and Win the Labor Battle, with Alissa Partee
Alissa Partee, the Chief People Officer at Restaurant Technologies, which was recently recognized with three national workplace awards, joins QSR editorial…
- QSR Uncut
From Intern to President of a Sandwich Icon, with Lance Vaught
Starting as an intern in 2003, Lance Vaught has held every position within the operations and training departments at Penn Station East Coast Subs, culminating…
- QSR Uncut
How Jack in the Box Stays Connected, with CMO Ryan Ostrom
Ryan Ostrom, the marketing chief at the legendary fast-food brand, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how restaurants can reach and engage…
- QSR Uncut
Evolving with Your Audience, with Robeks’ VP of Marketing Mitch Baker
What lessons can restaurants learn from Blockbuster’s fall? How are on-trend ingredients like Ashwagandha resonating? What kind of partnerships make the…
- QSR Uncut
Getting Real on Restaurant Tech, with Matt Wampler
Matt Wampler, the CEO and cofounder of ClearCOGS, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the state of digital solutions, how an operator became a…
- QSR Uncut
Jon Taffer is Back! And We Have a Lot to Discuss
Value. Regulations. An upcoming presidential election season. The restaurant sector is being pressured on all sides by challenges. Jon Taffer, star of “Bar…
- QSR Uncut
What Went Wrong with Starbucks?
One of the biggest CEO moves in recent restaurant memory (maybe ever) brought Chipotle executive Brian Niccol over to Starbucks in mid-August. It was an…
- QSR Uncut
The State of Restaurant M&A and Investing, with Mike Esposito
Mike Esposito, co-managing partner and cofounder of Franchise Equity Partners, joins QSR Uncut to chat about the challenges and opportunities of the restaurant…
- QSR Uncut
What Your Restaurant Employees Actually Want, with Jordan Boesch
The CEO of 7shifts joins QSR Uncut to talk through hiring trends and what the company uncovered from a new study: “What Restaurant Employees Want: 2024…
- QSR Uncut
Portillo’s, from Pop Culture Icon to Public Growth, with CMO Nick Scarpino
One of the industry’s true cult-classic chains has begun to expand beyond its Chicagoland roots, filing a successful IPO and heading to new markets like Texas…
- QSR Uncut
Why Pepper Lunch Could be the Next Big Thing, with Paul Tran
Paul Tran, director of franchise sales at Hot Palette America, has had quite the journey, from opening his own concept to becoming a franchisee to now leading…