PODCAST · business
ON THE DELO: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories
by David "The DELO" DeLorenzo
Step inside ON THE DELO Podcast: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories. Hosted by David “DeLo” DeLorenzo—entrepreneur, insurance expert, and connector of people—this show dives deep into conversations with chefs, restaurateurs, brewers, and creators shaping the industry. Beyond business, DeLo explores health, mindset and community, exploring what it really takes to thrive in hospitality and in life.This podcast is here to help you get connected, stay protected, and keep growing.Subscribe now and join a community where hospitality, health, and hustle come together.
Episodes
-
From Bartender to Bar Owner with Whitney Wingfield | EP229
Step into Episode 229 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Whitney Wingfield, owner of Brick & Barley, for an honest look at what it takes to build a neighborhood bar people treat like home. A fourth-generation Arizona native who started in the bar industry at 19, Whitney shares the path from…
more -
How to Scale a Restaurant Group Without Losing the Brand with POV Foods | EP228
What does it take to grow a multi-brand hospitality company without losing what made each restaurant special in the first place? In Episode 228 of On The Delo, Delo sits down with Jimmy Herrera and Bill Toole, owners of POV Foods, the group behind Red, White & Brew, Swizzle Inn, Rusty Spur…
more -
a Taste of AZ: Telling Arizona’s Food & Beverage Stories with Eric Walters | EP227
What makes a restaurant, brewery, winery, or coffee shop worth seeking out? In Episode 227 of On The Delo, Delo sits down with Eric Walters, co-founder of a Taste of AZ, to talk about the stories behind Arizona food and beverage, and the people who put their heart into creating it. Eric shares…
more -
What It Really Costs to Open a Restaurant with Justin McCallister | EP226
Most people who help design and equip restaurants never spent a night on the line themselves. In Episode 226 of On The Delo, Delo sits down with longtime friend Justin McCallister, Owner of Arizona Restaurant Consulting (AZRC), to talk about a career that started in a culinary school kitchen and...
-
Exceptional Vibes: Events, Community & Marketing with Johann Warnholtz | EP225
What does it take to create an event people remember? In EP225 of On The Delo, Delo sits down with Johann Warnholtz, Chief Vibes Officer of Exceptional Vibe, for a real conversation about building community, creating meaningful experiences, and betting on yourself in Greater Phoenix. Johann…
more -
15 Years of PV Burger: Building a Cult Following with Grit, Quality & By Staying Independent | EP224
What started with a Craigslist ad and a love of food turned into one of Arizona’s most recognizable independent burger spots. In Episode 224 of On The Delo, Delo sits down with Bret Shapiro, Chef/Owner of Paradise Valley Burger Company, to talk about 15+ years of PV Burger, the realities of...
-
Hospitality AV & Lighting Secrets + the Sunday Ticket Shakeup | EP223
Step into Episode 223 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with longtime friend Chase Goodman, Systems Integrator at Cactus Sight and Sound, for a candid conversation about audio, video, lighting, and a change that’s about to hit sports bars hard. From car stereos and houseboats to designing high-end...
-
The Revenue Stream Most Hospitality Businesses Are Missing with Samia Kohler | EP222
Private events may be the most overlooked revenue stream in hospitality. In Episode 222 of On The Delo, Delo sits down with Samia Kohler, Founder of Event Sphere Solutions and creator of SPHERE, to explore how restaurants, bars, hotels, wineries, breweries, and event venues can unlock significant...
-
He Quit Drinking—and Ran 256 Miles Across Arizona | Kiefer's Journey | EP221
Step into Episode 221 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Keifer Gilbert - a tattooed small-town Arizona kid turned elite craft bartender turned sober ultra runner - for one of the most honest, raw, and inspiring conversations the show has delivered. From getting fired from Applebee's reeking…
more -
How Laymoon Café Became Arizona's Most Talked-About Middle Eastern Café | EP220
Step into Episode 220 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Akram Abdallah and Mohamed — the entrepreneurial force behind Laymoon Café, Tempe's buzzing Palestinian-Syrian café bringing Middle Eastern hospitality, culture, and flavor to the heart of the ASU community. From a chance road-trip...
-
The Security Mistakes That Can Destroy a Bar | EP219
In Episode 219 of On The Delo, Delo sits down with Manny and Rick from Nightlife Security Consultants to expose the security failures, operational mistakes, and liability risks that cost bars, restaurants, and nightclubs hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. From a $248,000 lawsuit over an...
-
The Power of Simply Asking & Why Persistence Beats Perfection | Lessons from Laura's Gourmet EP 218
Step into Episode 217 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Laura, founder of Laura's Gourmet — a woman-owned, Arizona-based granola brand that went from a "happy accident" recipe to 22 years on the shelves of AJ's Fine Foods, Whole Foods, and United Airlines Hawaii flights. From culinary school...
-
Free Money for Restaurants? The inKind Model Explained | EP216
Step into Episode 217 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Corey and TJ from inKind to break down one of the most innovative financing and marketing models in the restaurant industry today. Built by operators for operators, inKind gives restaurants upfront capital at zero interest — and a...
-
The CFO Who Says No: Restaurant Finance with Roland Wood III | EP216
Step into Episode 216 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Roland Wood III — a Phoenix-born, west-side-raised finance veteran who went from staff accountant to CFO across some of Arizona's most recognized restaurant concepts, including Grimaldi's and Square One. Roland pulls back the curtain on...
-
The Hidden Draft Beer Mistakes Costing Bars Thousands with Craft Culture Draft Solutions | EP 215
Step into Episode 215 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Scott and Josh, co-founders of Craft Culture Draft Solutions, to pull back the curtain on one of the most overlooked profit leaks in the bar and restaurant business — your draft beer system. From foamy pours and dirty lines to bad CO2...
-
Why Autopilot Culture Kills Business & Building a Systems Mindset with Jeremiah | EP 214
Step into Episode 214 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Jeremiah, Air Force veteran, mortgage broker, and multi-unit franchisee of Jeremiah's Italian Ice, for a candid conversation about building multiple businesses, staying grounded through discipline, and why family-focused frozen treats…
more -
Started From the Bottom to 13 Locations: Building ATL Wings with Cianna & Mike | EP 213
Step into Episode 213 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Cianna and Mike, the husband-and-wife team behind ATL (All the LUV) Wings, to unpack how a commercial cleaning company pivoted into a growing Arizona wing brand built on “all the love.” From losing contracts when the economy crashed to...
-
The Biggest Company Nobody’s Heard Of: Strictly From Scratch with Rudy & Thomas | EP212
Step into Episode 212 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Rudy and his son Thomas, the father–son team behind Strictly From Scratch, a 31‑year bakery that quietly supplies breads and pastries to hospitals, hotels, airlines, and big‑box retailers across the country. From New York City nightclubs...
-
Betting on Yourself After 25 Years - Ted Golden & AZ LocAle Brewing | EP211
Step into Episode 211 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Ted Golden — Arizona craft beer veteran, former Four Peaks sales director, and founder of AZ Locale Brewing — for a wide-open conversation about what it really takes to leave a 25-year career and bet on yourself. From skateboarding in...
-
Inside Arizona’s Beverage Industry: From Beer Trucks to Billion-Dollar Distribution | EP 210
Step into Episode 210 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Mark Miller, a five-decade veteran of Arizona's beverage and food industry, whose career took him from delivering beer on a Hensley truck in 1978 to serving as VP of Sales for the state's largest Anheuser-Busch wholesaler, leading the...
-
From Small-Town Busboy to James Beard Finalist: Chef Kyle & Chula Seafood | EP209
Step into Episode 209 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Chef Kyle, the James Beard Award finalist and Executive Chef behind Chula Seafood — one of Arizona's most celebrated seafood concepts. From bussing tables at a small-town steakhouse in Payson to earning the culinary industry's highest...
-
From Nanny to Queen Bee of a Snack Brand - The Best Bar Story | EP208
How do you build a clean-label snack brand from scratch? In Episode 208 of On The Delo, Shannon shares how she turned a home kitchen idea into The Best Bar — a handcrafted snack brand now sold across Arizona, from AJ’s Fine Foods to the Grand Canyon and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. What started…
more -
Partnership, Pivots & Building a Clean-Label Beverage Brand : Iconic Cocktails at 10 Years | EP 207
Step into Episode 207 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Matt and Brian of Iconic Cocktails to talk about building an Arizona mixer brand over the last decade, from farmers markets and small-batch production to wholesale growth, hospitality partnerships, and a 10-year anniversary worth...
-
Restaurant Finance, Culture, and Growth with Rick Miller of RLM Hospitality | EP206
Step into Episode 206 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Rick Miller of RLM Hospitality to talk about what really happens when a lifelong restaurant operator shifts from running the floor to helping restaurant groups understand their numbers. From growing up in Scottsdale and building his…
more -
Hospitality, Culture, and Immersive Cocktail Experiences with Barter & Shake | EP205
Step into Episode 205 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Mat Snapp and Cortnie of Barter & Shake, the team behind some of Arizona’s most immersive cocktail concepts, to unpack what it really takes to build hospitality spaces people want to come back to. From Mat’s years helping open dozens of...
-
From Rock Bands to Restaurant Empires: Teddy Myers on Building Pretty Decent Concepts | EP204
Step into Episode 204 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Teddy, a fifth-generation Arizona native and co-founder of Pretty Decent Concepts, for a wide-ranging conversation about music, grit, marriage, and building one of Phoenix's most creative restaurant groups from the ground up. From…
more -
The Original “Delo”: Father & Son Talk Legacy, Sales, and 50 Years in Business | EP203
What happens when the host becomes the guest? Ina very special Episode 203 of On The Delo, Eric Walters of A Taste of AZ flips the mic to interview Delo and his father Ed DeLorenzo—the original "Delo"—in a rare, unfiltered father-son conversation about legacy, fitness, sales, and what it really...
-
Lobbying for Your Restaurant: Inside the ARA with Dan Bogert | EP202
Step into Episode 202 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Dan Bogert, 10-year Government Affairs veteran at the Arizona Restaurant Association, to pull back the curtain on the policy battles, legislative wins, and behind-the-scenes advocacy that protect Arizona's restaurant industry every…
more -
Pickleball, Entertainment & Hospitality Done Right — The Dink & Dine Playbook | EP 201
Step into Episode 201 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Riley, Director of Pickleball, and Casey, General Manager of Dink & Dine — a brand-new pickleball-anchored eatertainment facility that's rewriting what a night out looks like in the Valley. Four months in and sitting at a 4.9-star rating...
-
A Live Grenade Was Thrown Into His Bar…30 Years Running Arizona Dive Bars & Advocating for Them | EP200
Step into Episode 200 of ‘On The Delo’ as Delo celebrates a major milestone by sitting down with fellow "Delo" Dave Delos, a 30-year bar industry veteran, owner of six neighborhood dive bars, and president of the Arizona Licensed Beverage Association (ALBA). From growing up in Poughkeepsie, New...
-
Building a Hospitality Empire on Family Recipes with Michael Merendino | EP199
In Episode 199, Delo sits down with Michael Merendino, the founder of Crust Simply Italian and a fixture in the Arizona hospitality scene. Born and raised in New York, Michael shares his incredible journey from waiting tables at Mastro’s Ocean Club—where he made $1,000 a night during the golden…
more -
From Healthcare to a Food Truck: Chef Patty's Journey with Nigerian Cuisine and Lasgidi Cafe | EP198
Meet Chef Patty, a food entrepreneur who turned homesickness for Nigerian food into a thriving food truck empire. In Episode 198 of On the Delo, Delo sits down with Chef Patty to explore how she traded healthcare administration for authentic West African cuisine, built Lasgidi Cafe from the…
more -
The Shift Nobody Talks About: Chef Beau MacMillan on Legacy, Sacrifice, & Starting Over | EP197
Step into Episode 197 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with chef Beau MacMillan for an unflinching conversation about what happens when 30 years of grinding finally collide with reality. Beau has lived the highlights—celebrity chef status, Iron Chef wins, cooking for Steven Tyler, Jerry...
-
PR, Relationships, and Building in Arizona with Melissa DiGianfilippo | EP 196
Step into Episode 196 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Arizona PR powerhouse Melissa DiGianfilippo, founder of Proof Publicity, for an honest conversation about building credibility, navigating crisis communication, and what it really takes to grow a business on your own terms. From firing...
-
Ocean to Table: Chris Nelson on Sobriety, Seasonality, and Sourcing the Best Seafood in the Desert | EP195
Step into Episode 195 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Chris Nelson, founder of Nelson's Meat + Fish, for an intimate conversation about the ocean, sobriety, and what it really takes to build a specialty food market that refuses to cut corners. From growing up on the Connecticut coast and...
-
The Restaurant Broker Blueprint: Zach & Ruly's 40+ Years of Specialized Success | EP194
Step into Episode 194 of On The Delo as David DeLorenzo sits down with Zach and Ruly Couch of The Restaurant Brokers—a father-son powerhouse who've dominated Arizona's restaurant market for over four decades. From Ruly's bold decision to go restaurant-exclusive in 1990 to Zach joining the family...
-
DELO’s Solo Podcast: Healing Hospitality, Pivot on Wellness, Burnout, and Better Business | EP 193
Step into Episode 193 of On the Delo as DELO pivots into a solo cast after a scheduled guest cancels 15 minutes before recording—because in the restaurant business, chaos is part of the job and the show still goes on. DELO uses the moment to spotlight a mission that matters: building a healthier...
-
End-of-Year Shoot the Sh*t w/ Jeremy Scott: Scaling, AI, & Hospitality Truths | EP 192
Step into Episode 192 of On the Delo, where David DeLorenzo reunites with top guest and business partner Jeremy Scott for a raw, end-of-year wrap-up that's equal parts fun banter and sharp business intel. From debating the best Diet Cokes to dissecting why multi-location scaling often backfires,...
-
Top Restaurant Claims of 2025 + AI & Industry Trends for 2026 - Year End Wrap Up | EP 191
Step into Episode 191 of On the Delo as David DeLorenzo jumps on the mic solo to close out the year with real talk on hospitality risk, restaurant trends, and how technology is reshaping the business. From foreign objects in food to seven-figure kitchen fires, Delo pulls back the curtain on what...
-
The Psychology of Bartending & Boundaries | EP 190
Step into Episode 190 of On the Delo as David DeLorenzo sits down with longtime friend and Arizona hospitality pro Tiffany for a candid conversation about life behind the bar, responsible service, mental health, and launching a new industry-driven concept in downtown Mesa. From nearly two decades...
-
Designing a Life You Love with Dala of House of Form | EP 189
Get ready for Episode 189 of On the Delo as David DeLorenzo reconnects with designer and founder Dala for a real, behind-the-scenes conversation on motherhood, leadership, and building a boutique hospitality design firm that actually supports life outside of work. From early episodes recorded in…
more -
Superfood Soda: Building Hunu with Deyton and Breaben | EP188
Step into Episode 188 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Hunu founders Deyton and Breaben to break down how two former college wide receivers turned their love of soda into a superfood sports drink built for athletes and students. From juicing in a tiny kitchen and running late-night…
more -
Garage to Greenwood Brewing: Megan’s Journey Building Arizona’s First Woman-Owned Brewery | EP187
Join David DeLorenzo for Episode 187 of ‘On the Delo’ as he sits down with Megan Sparks of Greenwood Brewing Company, a woman-owned craft brewery making waves in downtown Phoenix. In a raw and inspiring conversation, Megan shares her unconventional path from industrial engineer to craft beer...
-
From Hobby to Hospitality Authority with Jess of Mouth by Southwest | EP 186
Step into Episode 186 of ‘On the Delo’ as Delo hosts a candid conversation with Jess, the creator and driving voice behind Mouth by Southwest — the Valley’s essential restaurant and hospitality newsletter. Jess shares how a creative side project evolved into one of Arizona’s most trusted industry...
-
How Two Friends Built Arizona Distilling Co. and Sparked a Grain Revolution | EP 185
Step into Episode 185 of ‘On the Delo’ as David DeLorenzo welcomes Jason and Jon, the duo behind Arizona Distilling Company, for an unfiltered conversation about turning a wild idea into a thriving craft spirits empire. These high school friends reunited over a mutual friend's wedding in 2010…
more -
From Line Cook to Co-Owner: How Taco Chelo Was Built | On the Delo EP 184
Step into Episode 184 of ‘On the Delo’ as Delo reconnects with chef-owner Aaron Chamberlin and partner/chef Suny Santana to trace a 13-year mentor-to-partner journey from St. Francis to building Taco Chelo. It’s a straight-talk playbook on persistence, clean food, tight operations, and leading…
more -
Bitcoin for Restaurants: Practical Strategy with Stephen Cole | On the Delo EP 183
In this episode of On the Delo, David DeLorenzo welcomes investor and operator Stephen Cole back for a no-BS, practical conversation on Bitcoin for real businesses—especially restaurants. They hit family buy-in, what “21M cap” actually means, instant vs. final settlement, and how owners can...
-
Aunt Chilada’s Legacy, Scratch Kitchen Roots & AZ’s First Liquor License with Tiffany | Ep. 182
Step into a true Arizona story on ‘On the Delo’ as Delo sits with Tiffany from Aunt Chiladas, the Original—a nine-generation, family-run fixture founded in 1890 and holder of Arizona’s first issued liquor license—to talk legacy, community, and running a real scratch kitchen without cutting…
more -
Building Hospitality That Lasts: Lessons from Charles on Scaling, Community, and Longevity
Step into Episode 181 of On the Delo as David DeLorenzo sits down with Charles Jr. (“Chuck D”) —an East Valley native behind Aftermath, Born & Bred, and the forthcoming Rosewood in downtown Gilbert—to talk craft, community, and why he wants people dressing up for dinner again. From first shifts…
more -
How to Win in Hospitality in 2025: Marketing, Mindset, and Momentum with Melissa Anaya
Step into Episode 180 of On the Delo as David DeLorenzo welcomes back Melissa (Eat Drink AZ / Eat Drink Creative Agency) for a sharp, no-nonsense conversation on what actually moves the needle for restaurants in 2025. From scaling her team from a one-woman show to Arizona’s largest hospitality...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Step inside ON THE DELO Podcast: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories. Hosted by David “DeLo” DeLorenzo—entrepreneur, insurance expert, and connector of people—this show dives deep into conversations with chefs, restaurateurs, brewers, and creators shaping the industry. Beyond business, DeLo explores health, mindset and community, exploring what it really takes to thrive in hospitality and in life.This podcast is here to help you get connected, stay protected, and keep growing.Subscribe now and join a community where hospitality, health, and hustle come together.
HOSTED BY
David "The DELO" DeLorenzo
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does ON THE DELO: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories have?
ON THE DELO: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories currently has 232 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is ON THE DELO: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories about?
Step inside ON THE DELO Podcast: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories. Hosted by David “DeLo” DeLorenzo—entrepreneur, insurance expert, and connector of people—this show dives deep into conversations with chefs, restaurateurs, brewers, and creators shaping the industry. Beyond business, DeLo...
How often does ON THE DELO: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories release new episodes?
ON THE DELO: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories publishes regularly with 232 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to ON THE DELO: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories?
You can listen to ON THE DELO: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts ON THE DELO: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories?
ON THE DELO: Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Stories is created and hosted by David "The DELO" DeLorenzo.
URL copied to clipboard!