Savor.fm

In this eye-opening interview, Garden Catering CEO Frank Carpenteri reveals how his multi-unit restaurant operation transformed their catering strategy from "saying yes to everything" to a focused Monday-to-Friday business lunch model that's driving significant profit margins. Carpenteri shares practical insights on kitchen operations, technology integration, community partnerships, and the coming AI revolution in restaurant catering while emphasizing the importance of focusing on core strengths and consistent client follow-up to create what he calls "a virtuous cycle" where "more catering leads to more retail." #RestaurantCatering #B2BFoodService #RestaurantProfits

In a recent Restaurant Masterminds podcast, hosts Paul Barron and Rudy Miick interviewed Darren Spicer of Clutch Coffee Bar about effectively connecting with Gen Z consumers. Spicer, with prior experience at Dutch Bros, shared that hiring Gen Z staff is crucial for attracting Gen Z customers, as authenticity resonates with this demographic. Clutch's success stems from its vibrant color palette matching "Gen Z palette 2025," purpose-driven approach of "serving positive energy," immersive atmosphere with music, dedicated app-based rewards system, and menu diversification beyond coffee. Spicer predicts industry consolidation in the next five years with Dutch Bros and Seven Brew dominating, while Clutch focuses on densifying its Carolina presence before expanding elsewhere. #GenZMarketing #CoffeeInnovation #BrandAuthenticity

In this episode of Fast Casual Nation podcast episode, Paul B. and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Samuel Stanovich 🐔 of Big Chicken to reveal how they're revolutionizing #franchise development with AI-powered conversational applications that evaluate candidates based on values rather than just financials. He shares exciting plans for AI implementation in equipment maintenance troubleshooting, customer-facing kiosks featuring Shaquille O'Neal's personality, and potential voice integration in drive-thrus. Stanovich emphasizes the importance of training AI models to reflect brand values while predicting that these technologies will help level the playing field for emerging brands in social media marketing. Watch now in for some key new strategies! Or catch the audio version on Fast Casual - https://lnkd.in/e8Sif6rB #RestaurantTech #AIFranchising #FastCasualInnovation

Fast Casual expert Cherryh Cansler joins Restaurant Masterminds to reveal how Gen Z is revolutionizing the restaurant industry in 2025. From the rise of GLP-1 medications affecting menu development to the death of traditional loyalty programs, this episode dives deep into the forces reshaping fast casual dining. Discover why technology integration is becoming make-or-break for brands, how TikTok is driving food trends, and why the next generation of consumers demands total transparency from restaurants. Plus, learn about the emerging trend of experiential rewards replacing traditional discounts and why your brand's tech stack might be holding you back. #FastCasual2025 #RestaurantIndustry #FoodTrends

In this insightful episode of "The Catering Cage," host Erle Dardick interviews Mary Shillue-Goldberg, Director of Catering at Clover Food Lab, who shares her journey from making early morning box lunches to leading catering for Boston's beloved vegetarian restaurant chain. Mary reveals practical strategies for building successful catering operations, including prioritizing operational excellence before aggressive sales, training "catering captains," creating compelling in-store displays, and leveraging community resources like Caterlink. With competition intensifying from unexpected quarters like grocery stores and convenience chains, Mary's approach of relationship-building, storytelling, and extending brand experience beyond restaurant walls offers valuable insights for operators looking to grow their off-premise business without compromising quality. #RestaurantCatering #OffPremiseSales #FoodServiceInnovation

In this eye-opening interview, restaurant marketing innovator Shawn P. Walchef reveals why traditional advertising is dead and how restaurants must adapt in 2025. The founder of Cali BBQ Media shares his groundbreaking "Be the Show, Not the Commercial" philosophy, explaining how any restaurant can build a powerful digital presence through authentic storytelling. From live streaming kitchen preparations to building genuine community connections, Walchef provides actionable insights on transforming your restaurant into a media powerhouse, regardless of your location or technical expertise. #RestaurantMarketing #FoodContent #DigitalStorytelling

Join restaurant marketing experts as they dive deep into the power of short-form content for modern restaurant brands. From understanding the ideal video length of 20 seconds or less to crafting authentic content that maintains brand standards, discover how successful restaurants are drawing inspiration from unexpected sources to create engaging social media content. Learn why focusing solely on vanity metrics might be hurting your marketing efforts, and get practical tips for creating purposeful content that drives real business results. Whether you're just starting with social media or looking to enhance your existing strategy, this discussion offers valuable insights into building meaningful connections with Millennial and Gen Z audiences through strategic short-form content. Guest: Wayne Mullins #RestaurantMarketing #ShortFormContent #HospitalityBranding

Meet Brandon Knudsen, the visionary behind Ziggi's Coffee's remarkable journey from a college dream to a 100+ location powerhouse. In this exclusive interview, Brandon reveals how Ziggi's has mastered the art of serving both traditional coffee enthusiasts and Gen Z customers, with a unique menu spanning craft coffee, energy drinks, and the trending dirty soda category. Discover their innovative approach to drive-thru operations, their strategic use of technology for consistency, and how they're disrupting the beverage industry while maintaining the personal touch that coffee lovers crave. #CoffeeIndustry #FranchiseSuccess #BeverageInnovation

Discover how restaurant operator Nick Panos transformed his family's pizza business into a thriving catering operation through innovative technology and operational excellence. Learn his proven strategies for maximizing profit margins, building effective teams, and leveraging unused capacity to scale your catering business. From custom tech solutions to timely delivery systems, Panos shares practical insights on how restaurants can build sustainable catering revenue streams while maintaining quality and customer satisfaction. #RestaurantCatering #FoodServiceTech #RestaurantBusiness

Some big changes here at Savor for 2025 - as we assess the industry needs, our ideas around building companies and great content have merged into a new effort at Savor Capital & Advisory. In the competitive landscape of the food and hospitality industry, early-stage restaurants and technology companies often struggle to gain traction and scale their operations. This new venture takes the expertise of Paul B. and his team to help the next generation of the fast-casual and restaurant sector - Learn More! https://lnkd.in/eCc2Gnmq