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Table Talks Podcast

by Hook + Ladder Digital

Table Talks is a podcast for marketing leaders in the restaurant industry.Each episode features CMOs, VPs of Marketing, and growth executives from multi-location brands sharing how they scale revenue, align corporate and local marketing, and build systems that actually work.We go beyond tactics to explore leadership, structure, and the decisions that drive sustainable growth.If you’re leading marketing for a growing restaurant brand — this is your table.

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Episodes

  1. Episode 66, Dessie Brown, Director of Marketing at Feng Cha

    True leadership is about providing support, stepping back, and giving your employees the platform to present their own wins to executives. Dessie Brown shares his playbook on team empowerment.

  2. Episode 65, Evan Pardue, Senior Director, Marketing & Brand at Condado Tacos

    Most marketing leaders try to build brands from behind a desk—crafting slogans in isolation and hoping operations can deliver. But real differentiation isn't built in a boardroom. It's forged on the front lines by the team members engaging with guests every single day. In this episode, Evan…

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  3. Episode 64, David "Rev" Ciancio, Chief Marketing Officer at Salad House & Handcraft Burgers and Brew

    Most restaurant marketers spend millions trying to convert one-time visitors into second-time diners, completely ignoring the macro-habits of human behavior. In this episode of the podcast, fractional CMO and industry veteran David "Rev" Ciancio breaks down why chasing first-time drop-offs is...

  4. Episode 63, Conner Gossel, Director of Marketing, Broken Yolk Cafe

    How does a 47-year-old San Diego breakfast institution scale into Boise, Dallas, Houston, and Lafayette, Indiana without losing the coastal, community-first identity that built it? This episode breaks down inheriting a brand with zero digital marketing history, the "progress over perfection"...

  5. Episode 62, Jessica Serrano, Chief Marketing Officer, Bagel Brands

    Moving from 30 locations to 1,000 means giving up control over detail. Discover the guardrails and trust models required to empower a team to move fast without executive sign-off on every asset.

  6. Episode 61, Darren Keeler, Vice President of Marketing, Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar

    This episode is part of our series on high-stakes marketing leadership. Follow the show to catch every unconventional strategy from the front lines of brand growth.

  7. Episode 60, Adam Williamson, Director of Marketing, Pizza73

    How do you take the keys to an established regional brand and upgrade the engine without crashing? Adam Williamson, Director of Marketing at Pizza 73, joins Caleb Clark to reveal the high-stakes playbook for moving beyond transactional marketing into true cultural relevance.

  8. Episode 59, Tom Lockwood, Director of Marketing, Hopdoddy Burger Bar

    Tom Lockwood, Marketing Director at Hopdoddy Burger Bar, shares insights into innovative marketing strategies, including gamification, customer experience, and team leadership. Discover how a passion for quality and hospitality drives success in a competitive industry.

  9. Episode 58, Christina Lang, VP of Marketing (Global), Mozilla

    Are you trapped in execution instead of leading? Christina Lang (VP of Global Marketing) reveals how to escape "The Doer’s Trap" to become the strategic architect your organization actually needs. In this episode, we break down the Unconventional Playbook for navigating the most complex role in…

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  10. Episode 57, Jenifer Kern, Chief Marketing Officer, Qu

    In an era where foot traffic is down and macroeconomic pressures are mounting, restaurant brands can no longer rely on "better ingredients" alone to win. Jennifer Kern, CMO at Qu, joins Caleb Clark to pull back the curtain on why the modern CMO must bridge the gap between marketing, operations…

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  11. Episode 56, Jessica Pellow, Vice President of Marketing & Ecommerce, EDO Japan

    Jessica Pellow breaks down the strategic shift required to enter new markets, the criticality of an ego-free leadership team, and the personal philosophy that forced her to step into the high-stakes world of P&L management to accelerate her career.

  12. THE 10X MARKETING LEADER’S GUIDE TO STRATEGY CLARITY | Fender

    CMOS AND EXECUTIVES: PAY ATTENTION. 🚨 Evan Jones, Global CMO of a world-famous brand, is revealing the secret to transformation: STOP treating marketing as a "just a marketing thing". Transformation requires 100% buy-in. Are you willing to give up 10, 15, or 20% of your perfect idea to get the...

  13. FORGET CUSTOMERS—BUILD FRIENDS: THE UNCONVENTIONAL BRAND PLAYBOOK | Mid-Day Squares

    Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, reveals the playbook behind scaling a CPG brand from a family kitchen to 10,000 stores across North America. The secret isn't massive ad spend; it's being "unapologetically authentic" and turning consumers into "sneezers" (powerful...

  14. 9.8 TIMES OUT OF 10, WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT: A CMO'S CONFIDENCE GAME | VaynerX

    Avery Akinini, CMO of VaynerMedia, reveals the playbook behind the agency's massive scale and evolution. Avery shares the mantra: "9.8 times out of 10, we will figure it out," emphasizing that you must stretch yourself to unlock big opportunities. Learn the "clouds and the dirt" operational...

  15. The Power of 'Permission to Fail' in Marketing Leadership | Growth League Podcast ft. James Kawalecki, VP Marketing at Boston Pizza

    In a market dominated by massive competitors, how does an iconic 60-year-old Canadian brand like Boston Pizza not only survive but achieve its best sales growth in over a decade? James emphazises that programs fail when they can't be operationalized at the restaurant level. He details his...

  16. Why Brands That Pivot Win| Growth League Podcast ft. Peter Wiley, Director of Marketing & IT at Hothead Burritos

    As a multi-unit franchisee himself (operating 11 stores in addition to the 11 corporate stores), Peter enjoys a unique instant feedback loop that informs every decision. Learn how he balances the fiduciary responsibility to the ad fund against the challenge of clarifying "what works" in different...

  17. Marketing Strategy: 30-60-90 Day Plan | Growth League Podcast ft. Head of Marketing, Big Box

    How do you tackle a marketing function that needs fixing and building from the ground up? Carolyn believes that problems are simply opportunities. She was called to her current role because it offered a unique scenario to leverage her extensive leadership history and apply it where things needed…

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  18. Time Is The New Commodity In QSR Marketing | Growth League Podcast ft. VP of Marketing at Kura Sushi

    Get a masterclass in brand building, leadership, and restaurant marketing strategy from Newton Hoang. Watch the break down on how the revolving sushi brand successfully scales in the ultra-competitive U.S. market by over-indexing on a unique customer experience.

  19. Smarter Growth for Multi-Unit Brands | Growth League Podcast ft. Ashley Mitchell at East Coast Wings

    Scaling multi-location restaurant marketing is no easy feat. Ashley Mitchell dives into the real strategies that drive success across national and local levels—balancing brand consistency with personalized customer experiences. From building trust with franchisees to innovating loyalty programs,...

  20. Marketing That Sticks | Growth League Podcast ft. Rene Puerta, Dir. of Marketing at Gregorys Coffee

    Learn how to thrive under constraints, build strong customer loyalty, and integrate hospitality into marketing. Discover the journey from operations to marketing leadership, and how a New York-based coffee brand navigates challenges to deliver an exceptional customer experience.

  21. Acquisition, Retention, Expansion—Mastered | Growth League Podcast ft Kevin Jaskolka, SVP, Checkmate

    From menu management across fragmented systems to driving AI-powered voice solutions in drive-thrus, Kevin reveals how modern marketing intersects with product, ops, and AI to drive business results.

  22. Building Lasting Loyalty | Growth League Podcast ft Liza Marner, Dir. of Marketing at Impact Kitchen

    With her extensive background in sports marketing, Liza shares how she transitioned from the sports world to leading marketing efforts for Impact Kitchen, a brand that not only caters to the wellness needs of its customers but also expands with a strong commitment to quality food. She talks about...

  23. How Doubt Sparked Madelaine’s CMO Journey | Growth League Podcast ft Mezeh Mediterranean Grill's CMO

    Madelaine Brewer shares her unique journey from a business student passionate about food to a marketing leader driving growth across Mezza’s expanding footprint from Manhattan to Charlotte, NC. She dives into the challenges of balancing first-party and third-party sales channels in the fast…

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  24. Facing QSR Marketing Reality | Growth League Podcast ft. Jess Chung, Sr Dir of Marketing, MTY Group

    Jessica opens up about the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and how she’s forging her own unique leadership style focused on servant leadership and empowering her team. She also discusses the challenges of navigating AI adoption in marketing, managing shrinking budgets and…

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  25. Growth-Killing Marketing Mistakes | Growth League Podcast ft. Jennifer Zureikat, Mktg Dir., Minoan

    Jennifer dives deep into balancing leadership at a fast-growing startup with the demands of new motherhood, emphasizing empathy, autonomy, and hands-on marketing leadership. She opens up about scaling a lean marketing team, navigating retail marketing in a tech environment, and the critical...

  26. Marketing at the Speed of Change | Growth League Podcast ft. Tamra Johnston, CMO at PepperJax Grill

    Tamra shares how her background in high-performance innovation and customer-focused strategy prepared her for the challenges of leading marketing efforts. In this insightful conversation, she discusses the importance of creating a frictionless customer experience, leveraging data for innovation,...

  27. From Blank Canvas to Masterpiece | Growth League Podcast ft Jenna Law, Sr Director Marketing & Comms

    Jenna opens up about how her experiences, from Disney's magic to the grit of scaling a brand from the ground up, have shaped her approach to marketing. She discusses the importance of relationship-building, storytelling, and the balance of personal growth with professional ambition. Jenna also...

  28. Connecting Dots That Drive Success | Growth League Podcast ft. Rob Ell, Senior Marketing Consultant

    Discover how Rob’s foundational beliefs in human connection, emotional marketing, and customer experience have shaped his approach to scaling businesses. Learn about his insights from his Disney mentorship, the challenges of scaling a brand while staying connected with customers, and why he...

  29. Owning Strengths & Gaps As A Leader | Growth League Podcast ft. Janelle Brenner, Director of Marketing & Communications at Maclab Development Group

    Janelle opens up about the challenges of transitioning from a solo marketer to managing a team, including the art of delegation, nurturing team trust, and learning to lead with empathy and self-awareness. She also offers a candid look at balancing personal tragedy with professional…

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  30. Shiny Objects or Brand Success? | Growth League Podcast ft. Shereen Elsammaa, VP of Mktg at Sambazon

    Shereen takes us through her journey at Sambazon, where she has been a driving force in transitioning the brand from a CPG-focused model to expanding its presence in physical stores and franchises. From managing limited marketing budgets to overseeing an in-house marketing team, Shereen shares…

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  31. Mastering Brand Evolution | Growth League Podcast ft. Elizabeth Brasch, EVP of Marketing at Mellow Mushroom

    Elizabeth discusses the balance between creativity and consistency, the challenges of maintaining a strong brand identity across multiple locations, and her role in steering Mellow Mushroom through significant changes

  32. Grow Marketing with Intention | Growth League Podcast ft. Kelsey Verdier, VP of Marketing at Marqii

    Kelsey shares her unique journey from hospitality to leading marketing efforts in a rapidly growing tech company. We explore the strategies that have helped Marqii build a consistent, powerful brand, from aligning sales and marketing teams to scaling marketing efforts without losing touch with...

  33. The Grind of One-Person Marketing | Growth League Podcast ft. Kim Zicopula, Director of Marketing

    Kim shares valuable insights into managing multiple restaurant brands with a lean marketing team, staying steady under pressure, and successfully balancing both strategy and execution. She explains how she creates impactful marketing campaigns while juggling the unique needs of each restaurant...

  34. Tear Up the Playbook: Leading Marketing Differently | Growth League ft. Sam Bergin, CMO at Center

    Sam dives into her journey from big tech to the startup world and shares invaluable insights on how to create a marketing culture where innovation thrives. Whether you’re a marketing leader, manager, or just starting out, Sam’s advice will inspire you to rethink how you lead and grow teams for...

  35. Leadership, Mentorship, & Marketing Evolution | Growth League Podcast ft. Alicyn Emerick, VP of Marketing at Greenberg Gibbons

    Alicyn Emerick shares her inspiring journey through the marketing world and how she rose to a leadership position in commercial real estate marketing. From overcoming challenges in B2B marketing to leading a team with creativity and mentorship, Alicyn offers valuable insights for marketers at any...

  36. The Power of Listening to Customers | Growth League Podcast ft. Bernadette Farag, CMO at Osmow's

    Bernadette talks about how Osmow's further prioritizes high-impact tasks and how she balances immediate results with long-term goals. She further emphasizes the importance of listening to both customer and team member ideas, while balancing these with the company’s overall strategy.

  37. Overcoming Budget and Attribution Barriers | Growth League Podcast ft. Arden Styles, Chief Commercial Officer at Seed Homes

    Arden shares how to build a business case for marketing budgets by showing both the analytical and emotional value of campaigns. This can be especially helpful for marketing leaders dealing with budget restrictions and proving ROI.

  38. Marketing As The Glue For Growth | Growth League Podcast ft Laura Gifford, Dir. of Marketing

    With over 20 years of marketing experience, Laura shares her journey from advertising and PR to leading marketing in the senior living industry. We dive into her approach to balancing growth, purpose, and community while leading a marketing team of one.

  39. Making Marketing Matter in Law Firms | Growth League Podcast ft. Julia Thomas

    Julia reveals how she transformed a lean marketing team into an entire organization of marketers, her strategy for aligning marketing with business development, and why tackling the elephant in the room is her leadership superpower.

  40. Why Culture Beats Talent in Marketing Leadership | Growth League Podcast ft. Mac Christian

    Let's discuss the power of scrappy, high-impact marketing teams. Mac shares how he transformed a bloated marketing budget into a lean, high-performing in-house team, built a culture of fearless execution, and aligned marketing and sales to drive real business impact.

  41. Marketing Leadership 101: Building Teams & Brands | Growth League Podcast ft. Dan Smith

    Dan shares his unconventional path into marketing, how he built a brand team from scratch, and why empathy and storytelling are critical in today's fast-moving marketing landscape.

  42. Balancing Strategic Planning With Agility | Growth League Podcast ft. Paige Greenhough, Hatch

    Paige Greenhough shares her journey from sales to government to global marketing leadership. She dives into the challenges of working with technical subject matter experts, the art of distilling complex projects into digestible narratives, and how to balance strategic planning with agility.

  43. Breaking Down B2B Marketing Myths | Growth League Podcast ft. Tanya Hage Coburn

    Tanya shares her experiences leading marketing efforts in a traditional industry, her strategies for balancing innovation with lean resources, and how she's leveraging AI strategically while maintaining human creativity.

  44. Bold Moves in Med-Tech Marketing | Growth League Podcast ft. Courtney Turich

    Courtney opens up about the challenges of leading a lean marketing team, the power of entrepreneurial thinking in startups, and how marketing can drive revenue in highly regulated industries.

  45. Lessons in Leadership & Team Building | Growth League Podcast ft. Blair Felter, CyrusOne

    Blair shares her incredible journey into marketing leadership, detailing how her diverse experience across all facets of marketing shaped her empathetic approach to leading high-performing teams.

  46. Breaking Marketing Rules | Growth League Podcast ft. Tina Serrao, Creative Director at Beavertails

    Tina opens up about Beavertails' journey, from grassroots marketing to its international expansion, while maintaining its unique and authentic charm.

  47. Marketing Fitness at Every Stage | Growth League Podcast ft. Jared LaMantia, CMO at FitLab

    Jared LaMantia shares how FitLab revolutionizes fitness with a unique multi-brand approach. From relays and studios to cutting-edge home equipment, FitLab meets customers where they are and helps them achieve their goals.

  48. Unconventional Career Paths in Marketing | Growth League Podcast ft. Kate Brown, CMO at Insurely

    Caleb and Kate explore the intersection of marketing and personal growth, reflecting on Kate’s first experience at a buzzing industry event, The Gathering. Expect a candid conversation about the evolution of marketing strategies and insights into how events can shape a marketer’s perspective.

  49. What it Takes to Lead Marketing | Growth League Podcast ft. Jessie Reyes, Marketing Director, Cadmium

    Jessie shares her insights into the ever-changing world of marketing leadership, how her background in business and sales shaped her career, and what it takes to build and execute successful marketing strategies.

  50. Franchise Marketing Playbook | Growth League Podcast ft. Michael Ackley, at Ascent Hospitality Management

    Discover why Michael believes franchising is still a powerful vehicle for entrepreneurship and personal legacy. Michael also offers insights into team dynamics, the role of leadership, and how marketing and franchise sales intertwine. Whether you're curious about marketing strategies, leadership,...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Table Talks is a podcast for marketing leaders in the restaurant industry.Each episode features CMOs, VPs of Marketing, and growth executives from multi-location brands sharing how they scale revenue, align corporate and local marketing, and build systems that actually work.We go beyond tactics to explore leadership, structure, and the decisions that drive sustainable growth.If you’re leading marketing for a growing restaurant brand — this is your table.

HOSTED BY

Hook + Ladder Digital

Produced by Table Talks Podcast

CATEGORIES

business

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Table Talks Podcast have?

Table Talks Podcast currently has 162 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Table Talks Podcast about?

Table Talks is a podcast for marketing leaders in the restaurant industry.Each episode features CMOs, VPs of Marketing, and growth executives from multi-location brands sharing how they scale revenue, align corporate and local marketing, and build systems that actually work.We go beyond tactics to...

How often does Table Talks Podcast release new episodes?

Table Talks Podcast publishes regularly with 162 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Table Talks Podcast?

You can listen to Table Talks Podcast 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 Table Talks Podcast?

Table Talks Podcast is created and hosted by Hook + Ladder Digital.
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