PODCAST · arts
The Pineapple Perspective
by Troy Hooper
What would you say if we told you that every business is in the hospitality business? Join Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palette America, as he explores what hospitality means in every business with industry leaders. Troy and his guests will tackle how they came to deploy hospitality in their businesses, how it impacts their results, and how they came to understand, adopt, and deploy this mindset and framework. Leveraging Troy's experience, insight, and straight talk - listeners will walk away with a plan of action that's right for them.If you feel you have deployed a unique hospitality tactic to your business, reach out to be a guest. For more information on Troy Hooper and Pepper Lunch, visit:https://www.krpusa.com/ and https://www.pepperlunchrestaurants.com/
Episodes
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081: Franchise Expansion Lessons from a Global Fast Casual Brand with Troy Hooper
In this week's episode, Troy Hooper appears as a guest on The Local Marketing Lab to discuss brand growth, franchise expansion, and modern marketing strategies through the lens of hospitality. Hooper shares how staying visible through podcasts, social platforms, and industry conversations allows...
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080: Hospitality That's Felt: Carin Stutz on Culture, Leadership and Retention in Restaurant Operations
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Carin Stutz, a longtime restaurant executive whose leadership spans quick service, casual dining, fast casual, and global operations. Stutz defines hospitality as genuine connection, something felt immediately through...
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079: Why Restaurant Franchisors Need a Franchise Specialist Attorney with Leslie Curran of Plave Koch PLC
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with franchise attorney Leslie Curran of Plave Koch PLC (Falls Church, Virginia) for a practical conversation on how strong legal guidance supports long-term brand health especially in restaurant franchising. Curran explains...
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078: Breakfast Is Booming: Affordability, Speed, and Full-Service Experience with Ricky Richardson
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper talks with Ricky Richardson, CEO of Eggs Up Grill, about what hospitality looks like in practice and what it takes to scale a franchise brand without losing the culture that made it successful. Richardson shares lessons from a 35+…
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077: Scaling Pepper Lunch: Global Growth, Consistency, and Consumer Insight with Troy Hooper on Grounded
077: Scaling Pepper Lunch: Global Growth, Consistency, and Consumer Insight with Troy Hooper on Grounded In this week's episode, Troy is a guest on Grounded. He shares an inside look at the rapid growth and operational strategy behind Pepper Lunch as the brand expands across North America and...
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076: Building Global Restaurant Brands with Authenticity and Scale with Troy Hooper on Zaller Talk
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper joins as the guest on Zaller Talk to share an in-depth look at his career path, the evolution of his consulting practice, and his executive role leading global expansion for Pepper Lunch. He discusses how his early exposure to hospitality,...
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075: How Dave's Hot Chicken Builds Culture, Consistency, and Growth with CEO, Jim Bitticks
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Jim Bitticks, President and COO of Dave's Hot Chicken, for a deep conversation on leadership, hospitality, team building, and the operational foundations behind some of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the...
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074: Troy Hooper with Charlie Eblen of Single Tree Wood Fire BBQ on Single Tree Nation
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper appears as a guest on the Single Tree Nation podcast, hosted by Charlie Eblen of Single Tree Wood Fire Barbecue. Troy shares his journey from bussing tables at Bennigan's to becoming CEO of Kiwi Restaurant Partners and the North American…
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073: Killer Burger's Fast Casual Edge with CEO Adam Sanders
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper interviews Adam Sanders, CEO of Killer Burger, to explore how a finance executive transitioned into leading a fast-casual burger brand through strategic franchising and customer experience innovation. Adam shares his path from valuation...
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072: Hospitality, Innovation, and Staying Customer-Driven with Beyond Juicery + Eatery's Mijo Alanis
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Mijo Alanis, founder and franchisor of Beyond Juicery + Eatery. Mijo shares his journey from dishwasher to successful brand builder, offering candid insight into the realities of starting, scaling, and franchising a...
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071: Inside Stonefire Grill's Hospitality Strategy with David Youngberg
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper speaks with David Youngberg, CEO of Stonefire Grill, about what it truly means to lead with hospitality. With decades of experience in restaurant operations—from his early days at McDonald's to senior leadership at BJ's and now...
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070: Building a Scalable Brand That Stays True to Its Roots with Mo'Betta's CEO Rob Ertmann
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy sits down with Rob Ertmann, CEO of Mo'Betta's Hawaiian-style restaurant chain. With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Rob shares the brand's growth journey from 22 to 68 stores in four years, its partnership with Savory Fund, and its...
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069: How ZenZap is Simplifying Team Communication in Hospitality with Guy Weiss
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with Guy Weiss, tech entrepreneur and founder of ZenZap, to discuss how workplace communication is evolving—especially in the hospitality industry. Guy shares his journey from cybersecurity to launching a purpose-built messaging...
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REPLAY From Service Innovation to Loyalty Programs: Jim Balis on the Future of Restaurant Hospitality
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper interviews Jim Balis, partner of Strategic Operations Group at Capitol Spring. They delve into how hospitality can be delivered effectively in the fast-casual and QSR space. Jim shares thoughts and insights on the future of loyalty…
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067: Growing Midweek Revenue Through Corporate Dining with Laura Wilber
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper speaks with Laura Wilber, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Dinova, about the business dining landscape and how restaurants can tap into the lucrative market of corporate dining. Laura shares her journey from custom boot fitting and...
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066: Turning Guest Feedback into Revenue with Davi Dubinski of Momos
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with tech industry veteran Davi Dubinski, co-founder at Momos. They unpack the critical role of customer data and engagement tools in today's hospitality landscape. Davi shares his journey from international relations and ad tech...
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065: Adapting with Heart and the Building of Crazy Pita with Mehdi Zarhloul
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper welcomes Mehdi Zarhloul, founder of Crazy Pita, to discuss the evolution of hospitality, business resilience, and brand-building in the restaurant industry. From humble beginnings as a teenage immigrant to becoming a multi-concept…
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064: The Future of Restaurants is Phygital with Guest Experience and Leadership Expert Kathleen Wood
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper welcomes Kathleen Wood—industry veteran, consultant, and founder of Kathleen Wood Partners—for a dynamic conversation about hospitality, founder-led businesses, and the future of leadership in the restaurant space. Kathleen shares her...
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063: Building Legacy Brands with Andrew K. Smith of Savory Fund
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with Andrew K. Smith, co-founder and managing partner of the Savory Fund. They explore the principles of servant leadership, authentic partnership in franchising, and how discipline, transparency, and an abundance mindset can…
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062: Cameron McNie on Hospitality Culture and the Fast Casual Success of Hawaiian Bros
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper talks with Cameron McNie, co-founder and executive chairman of Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, about leading with values in the fast casual restaurant space. Cameron shares how he and his brother have scaled the brand from its roots in Kansas...
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061: The Strategy Behind Scaling Costa Vida and Building the Virtual Brand "It's Just Wings" with Wade Allen
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper speaks with Wade Allen, President of Costa Vida, about his unique journey from a digital and tech background to leading a fast-casual restaurant brand. Wade shares his philosophy on hospitality, the importance of leadership over...
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060: How Restaurant365 Helps Operators Tackle Labor and Efficiency with Tony Smith
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Tony Smith, co-founder and CEO of Restaurant365, a SaaS platform transforming restaurant back office operations. Tony shares the story behind R365's founding and its evolution from a niche accounting software to a...
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059: Helping Hospitality Leaders Drive Long-Term Results with Andrew Parr
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper welcomes longtime hospitality leader Andrew Parr to discuss his journey from operator to consultant and coach. Drawing on his experiences with Applebee's franchisees, major hotel groups, and independent restaurants, Andrew shares how…
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058: How Toast Empowers Staff and Improves Guest Experience with Kelly Esten
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper interviews Kelly Esten, CMO of Toast, live from the National Restaurant Association Show 2025. They discuss the role of technology in enhancing hospitality, including how Toast integrates tools to empower staff and improve guest...
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057: How Team Culture Impacts Guest Experience and Business Results with Amy Hom
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Amy Hom, Chief Operating Officer at Barcelona Wine Bar, live from the National Restaurant Association Show 2025. Amy shares her journey from starting at McDonald's to leading major brands through culture transformation....
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056: Hidden Revenue in Your Restaurant or Venue with Sales Coach Mandi Graziano
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with sales coach and Founder of Facetime Coaching Company, Mandi Graziano for a deep dive into the principles of hospitality, sales strategy, and venue optimization. Mandi shares insights from her 27-year career in the…
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055: The Evolution of Predictive Analytics in the Restaurant Industry with Matt Wampler of ClearCOGS
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy chats with Matt Wampler, co-founder of ClearCOGS, to discuss the evolving role of predictive analytics and AI in the restaurant industry. Matt shares his journey from owning Jimmy John's franchises to launching ClearCOGS, which helps restaurants...
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054: Promotional Products Expert, Hildee Isaacs on Elevating Your Brand Experience with Swag that Works
This week, Troy welcomes Hildee Isaacs, a seasoned expert in promotional products, swag, and branded merchandise. Hildee shares her inspiring journey from her early days in New York's film industry and her entrepreneurial ventures in Atlanta to becoming a leading consultant in the promotional...
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053: Strategies for Growth, Culture, and Empowerment in Restaurants with Eric Knott
This week, Troy welcomes industry leader Eric Knott to discuss his journey from childhood in upstate New York to becoming a prominent restaurant executive. Eric shares insights on the true essence of hospitality, making people feel welcome, and expands on the implementation of it throughout your...
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052: An Elevated Experience is More Than Great Service: In Conversation with Branded Hospitality
This is a lively episode of The Pineapple Perspective, with Troy welcoming Jimmy Frischling and Michael "Schatzy" Schatzberg from Branded Hospitality. While the episode opens with humor and banter, it transitions into meaningful reflections on hospitality, evolving dining habits, and the state of...
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051: Don't Be Boring: Brand Strategy and Storytelling with Richard Liverman
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy sits down with consultant, coach, and mentor Richard Liverman. Broadcasting from the UK, Richard shares his perspectives on hospitality, branding, and the power of storytelling in business. Drawing from a diverse background from horticulture to...
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050: Our 50th Episode is Live from Las Vegas at Pepper Lunch with Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media
In this milestone 50th episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper sits down with longtime friend and returning guest Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ Media, for the podcast's first-ever on-location recording at Pepper Lunch in Las Vegas. They reflect on the journey of launching and...
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049: SaaS Fatigue, Smart Tech Stacks, and Data-Driven Growth with Signalflair's Tammy Billings
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Tammy Billings, a seasoned marketing and technology advisor in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Tammy shares her journey from starting in hospitality at In-N-Out Burger to becoming a sought-after voice in…
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048: Solving the Real Marketing Problem with Fractional Insight with Erin Levzow
In Episode 048 of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Erin Levzow, a seasoned marketing and technology leader with more than two decades of experience in hospitality, restaurants, and consulting. Erin shares her insights on what hospitality truly means—emphasizing emotional...
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047: Restaurant Hospitality Strategist Rev Ciancio on Nano Influencers, Food Crawls, and Marketing that Works
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Rev Ciancio, a hospitality marketing expert and dynamic personality in the restaurant industry. Known for his extensive social media presence, food crawl leadership, and straight-talking marketing advice, Rev shares...
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046: Managing, Leading, Coaching & the Power of Care with Restaurant Consultant Jason E. Brooks
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy sits down with hospitality coach, author, and industry leader Jason E. Brooks. The conversation explores what true hospitality means beyond service scripts and steps, diving into Jason's personal journey from overcoming a speech impediment to...
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045: The Urgent Recovery of Hospitality: Building Relationships That Matter with Room Forty's Steve Fortunato
In this insightful episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with hospitality veteran and author Steve Fortunato to explore the deeper meaning behind true hospitality. Steve shares a compelling personal journey that led to a major mindset shift in his 34-year career in the...
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044: Creating Customer Magic Through Radical Hospitality and Churros with San Diablo's Scott Porter
In this inspiring episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with serial entrepreneur and churro connoisseur Scott Porter, founder of San Diablo Artisan Churros. With an eclectic background spanning PR, healthcare, aviation, and gourmet desserts, Scott shares his unwavering...
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043: AI, Upselling, and Repeat Business: Hospitality's New Secret Weapons with Josh Kopel
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper welcomes Josh Kopel, a seasoned restaurateur, entrepreneur, and host of the influential Full Comp podcast. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of the restaurant industry, diving into topics like AI-driven profitability, menu...
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042: Chris Tripoli on Hospitality, Restaurant Success & Growth Strategies
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with hospitality industry veteran Chris Tripoli. With decades of experience in restaurant ownership, consulting, and education, Chris shares invaluable insights into what makes restaurants successful in today's rapidly...
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041: How Fractional Executive Assistants Can Transform Your Business with Elevate's Ashley Carlson & Nichole Hughes
Welcome to this special episode of The Pineapple Perspective with your host, Troy Hooper. In today's episode, we're joined by two incredible guests — Ashley Carlson, Founder and CEO of Elevate Business Solutions, and Nichole Hughes, Lead Executive Assistant at Elevate. Together, they share how...
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040: From Local Eatery to Multi-State Franchise: The Big Biscuit's Story with CEO Chad Offerdahl
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper meets up with Chad Offerdahl, President and CEO of The Big Biscuit, a rapidly expanding breakfast and lunch franchise. Chad shares his journey as a second-generation restaurateur, detailing how he and his father transformed a small Kansas...
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039: REPLAY Hospitality as a Business Growth Strategy with Franchising Expert Paul Tran
To celebrate the opening of Pepper Lunch in the Irvine Spectrum this month, we're replaying this episode with Paul Tran, Director of Franchising for Pepper Lunch Restaurants. Paul met up with Troy in episode 4 to talk about Pepper Lunch and hospitality. In this episode, Troy and Paul cover topics...
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038: Maximizing Efficiency in Hospitality: Tech Strategies for 2025 with ConStrata's Toby Malbec
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy sits down with Toby Malbec, a leading expert in restaurant technology and "operational technologist" for ConStrata Consulting. Together, they dive into the evolving landscape of hospitality, discussing how technology is reshaping the guest...
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037: HighMargin's Mission: Turning Restaurant Data into Actionable Success with Founder, Ashwin Kamlani
In this episode, Troy chats with Ashwin Kamlani as he shares his journey from growing up in a hospitality-focused family to founding HighMargin, a company aimed at helping restaurants leverage data for actionable insights. He discusses the evolution of e-commerce in the hotel industry, the...
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036: Proactive Restaurant Maintenance Brings Better Hospitality with Daniel Estrada of 86 Repairs
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Daniel Estrada, CEO and co-founder of 86 Repairs, to discuss the often-overlooked world of restaurant repairs and maintenance (R&M). They explore why most restaurant operators approach equipment maintenance reactively...
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035: Building an Authentic Brand with AI & Digital Strategy with Creator Heather Cox
In today's episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy meets with Heather Cox, a seasoned WordPress website designer, social media strategist, and content creator with over 15 years of experience in the digital space. Heather shares her insights on the evolving landscape of branding and marketing...
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034: Consistency, Connection, and Care: Transforming Guest Loyalty in Restaurants with Ovation's Zack Oates
This week on The Pineapple Perspective, Troy interviews Zack Oates, the founder of Ovation and a hospitality visionary. Together, they discuss the art and science of creating unforgettable guest experiences. Zack shares his insights on the essence of hospitality, which he defines as proving to...
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033: Mastering the Restaurant Tech Stack: Expert Advice from Science on Call's CEO, Andy Freivogel
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy is joined by Andy Freivogel, co-founder and CEO of Science On Call, to explore the intersection of technology and hospitality in the restaurant industry. Andy shares his unique perspective on what hospitality truly means—leading with generosity…
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032: How to Elevate Guest Experiences with AI and Data Integration with Jeremy Julian
In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy dives into the dynamic intersection of hospitality and technology with Jeremy Julian, host of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast and a seasoned industry innovator. Together, they explore how cutting-edge tools, like AI-driven analytics and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
What would you say if we told you that every business is in the hospitality business? Join Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palette America, as he explores what hospitality means in every business with industry leaders. Troy and his guests will tackle how they came to deploy hospitality in their businesses, how it impacts their results, and how they came to understand, adopt, and deploy this mindset and framework. Leveraging Troy's experience, insight, and straight talk - listeners will walk away with a plan of action that's right for them.If you feel you have deployed a unique hospitality tactic to your business, reach out to be a guest. For more information on Troy Hooper and Pepper Lunch, visit:https://www.krpusa.com/ and https://www.pepperlunchrestaurants.com/
HOSTED BY
Troy Hooper
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Pineapple Perspective have?
The Pineapple Perspective currently has 82 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Pineapple Perspective about?
What would you say if we told you that every business is in the hospitality business? Join Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palette America, as he explores what hospitality means in every business with industry leaders. Troy and his guests will tackle how they came to deploy hospitality in their businesses,...
How often does The Pineapple Perspective release new episodes?
The Pineapple Perspective has 82 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Pineapple Perspective?
You can listen to The Pineapple Perspective 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 Pineapple Perspective?
The Pineapple Perspective is created and hosted by Troy Hooper.
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