PODCAST · technology

The Enterprise CTO Podcast

by Jim Balis, Shawn Walchef

Real conversations about technology, leadership, and scaling modern restaurant brandsShawn Walchef, CEO of Cali BBQ Media, and Jim Balis, Head of Strategic Operations at CapitalSpring, host The Enterprise CTO Podcast, a long-form interview show exploring how technology decisions shape the future of hospitality. Through candid conversations with CTOs, operators, investors, and industry leaders, the show breaks down the real challenges behind growth at scale, from selecting the right tech stack and navigating AI to aligning teams, improving operations, and building smarter businesses. Each episode turns complex enterprise conversations into practical insight restaurant leaders can apply to their own companies.

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Why Restaurant CEOs Need to Think Like CTOs. Interview w/ Troy Hooper, CEO of Pepper Lunch

What happens when restaurant leadership, technology, and growth strategy all collide in one conversation? Troy Hooper, CEO of Pepper Lunch joins Jim Balis and Shawn Walchef for the debut episode of the Enterprise CTO Podcast. They discuss what today’s restaurant leaders need to understand about tech stacks, AI, vendor selection, and scaling systems across hundreds of locations. The conversation covers franchisee adoption, global expansion, and how strong operators use technology to create a real competitive edge. What You’ll Learn: • Why CEOs can no longer afford to ignore technology decisions • How enterprise brands evaluate software vendors before signing contracts • Why adoption matters more than buying the newest tool • How franchise systems balance innovation with operator ROI • Where AI is already creating real value inside restaurants Episode Links • Troy Hooper LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtroyhooper/ • Pepper Lunch Restaurants: https://www.pepperlunchrestaurants.com/ • Jim Balis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-balis-5879a34/ • Shawn Walchef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ Checkmate’s Digital Menu Boards help restaurants increase average check size by surfacing the right add-ons and offers at the right moment. In a recent 30-day test with a national QSR brand, average check size increased by nearly $1 per order, about a 6% lift, with no extra labor and no slower lines. Learn more at https://www.itsacheckmate.com/blog/how-restaurants-can-finally-treat-digital-menu-boards-like-a-performance-channel

Apr 29, 2026

33m
1

Enterprise CTO Podcast Trailer

Enterprise CTO Podcast Trailer

Apr 22, 2026

0m

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

HOSTED BY

Jim Balis, Shawn Walchef

Produced by Cali BBQ Media

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Enterprise CTO Podcast have?

The Enterprise CTO Podcast currently has 2 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

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How often does The Enterprise CTO Podcast release new episodes?

The Enterprise CTO Podcast has 2 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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You can listen to The Enterprise CTO 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 The Enterprise CTO Podcast?

The Enterprise CTO Podcast is created and hosted by Jim Balis, Shawn Walchef.

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