All Episodes - BDO To-Go

Strategic HR Insights for Restaurant Success

Understand the broad scope of human resources in the restaurant industry, including compliance, talent acquisition, and employee relationsIdentify best practices in talent management to address turnover and enhance employee retention through effective organizational cultureExplore the benefits of outsourcing HR functions to improve compliance, efficiency, and continuity in payroll and benefits administrationRecognize the impact of regulatory changes on HR practices and the importance of staying informed

Restaurant Franchising Trends: What to Expect in 2025

Understand the current challenges and opportunities in the restaurant franchising landscape.Learn strategies to leverage data-driven decision-making and AI for enhanced profitability.Gain insights into the role of private equity and non-traditional locations in shaping future growth.Discover the importance of early technology adoption to stay competitive in the evolving market.

Insurance Insights: Building a Secure Restaurant Future

Understand the current challenges and shifts in the restaurant insurance landscape. Learn strategies to proactively manage risks and reduce insurance costs. Gain insights into the specific applications of various insurance policies for better protection.

Navigating Restaurant M&A: Strategies for a Smooth Transaction

Discover the importance of timely and accurate financial reporting. Learn about the impact of balance sheets in a merger and acquisition transaction. Understand the role of an advisor and legal counsel. Explore ways to navigate the emotional journey through clear goal setting.

Leveraging Technology Trends to Transform Restaurant Operations

Understand the impacts of implementing technology into your restaurant business. Learn about the importance of leveraging data effectively for your business operations.Hear real-world examples of the results of technology integration efforts.Discover emerging technologies and the new opportunities and efficiencies they can bring.

Serving Equity – Crafting Long-Term Incentives for Key Restaurant Employees

• Learn how to provide long-term equity to key restaurant employees.• Discover ways to structure compensation to minimize tax implications and receive capital gain.

What’s In and What’s Out – 2024 Restaurant Marketing Trends

Hear about the latest marketing trends within the restaurant industry.Learn about guest communication and different ways to grow loyalty.Discover avenues to explore when working to increase market share.Understand how technology is impacting the restaurant industry.

Waiting on the Future: How AI is Transforming the Restaurant Industry

Hear about how restaurants are currently using AI or starting to.Gain knowledge on hot issues in restaurants and how Generative AI can help.Learn how AI can help analyze operational trends and explain financials.Understand considerations before considering the use of data analysis/AI in restaurant operations.

The Story of Visioning with Zingerman's Ari Weinzweig

Ari Weinzweig is the Co-Founding Partner of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, a nationally renowned food icon that’s grown to over $70million in annual revenue. In this episode, Ari discusses how he was able to build the vision and the culture for his company and what process he had to undertake to properly map it out so that everyone could see it, believe it, and get on board with it. Ari joins our new host, Giselle El Birri to deliver best practices around building vision and culture in today’s industry.

Sound “Bites” from the 2022 CFO Bootcamp: Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law

In this episode, we hear some sound bites from the 2022 BDO Restaurant CFO Bootcamp where Alicia Voltmer of GreenbergTraurig, LLP provides an overview of current and emerging L&E issues faced by the restaurant industry, including some hot-topic items in employment law. Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and AV® Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubble®, Alicia advises employers, from start-up companies to Fortune 500s, in a wide variety of employment matters.

Gregg Thomas and Meg Potts Dish on Data Warehouses, C-suite Outsourcing, and Automation

Gregg Thomas and Meg Potts joined BDO in 2020 through the acquisition of CFO Advisors, a trusted ally to retail and restaurant brands for over 25 years. The team provides C-suite services such as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Data Officer expertise, as well as providing data analytic services, all on an out-source basis to multi-unit restaurants and retail groups. Gregg and Meg join host Jeff Tubaugh to dish about best practices and strategies for the industry.

Bill Lindsey on Restaurant Technologies and Rising to the Challenge of Inventory

Bill Lindsey is the partner and co-founder of COGS-Well, a company named one of the top five restaurant technologies by MURTEC. In this episode, Bill dishes on how technology has revolutionized the industry with the rising expectations of consumers. Host, Jeff Tubaugh and Bill navigate into the importance of innovative systems to continue to stay ahead of the technology curve.

FUSIAN: Where passion and persistence meet with Stephan Harman and Mike Speck

Stephan Harman and Mike Speck are both partners at the restaurant FUSIAN with Mike serving as CEO. FUSIAN exists to connect people through collaboration, culture and cuisine. In this episode, the duo shares where they see the industry headed and how FUSIAN is evolving with our host, Jeff Tubaugh.

A Look Behind the Curtain: Franchising in 2022 and Beyond

In this episode, Dana Zukofsky interviews Justin Klein, one of the leading franchise business attorneys in the United States. Named to the International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers, Justin’s knowledge and insights provide listeners with a sneak peek behind the curtain of the franchising world today.

Annie Fitzsimmons – Experiencing Restaurants through the Eyes of a Traveler

In this week’s episode, Dana Zukofsky interviews Annie Fitzsimmons, a travel expert, to share her experiences on the ground about what’s happening in the travel and restaurant industry on an international level. Annie shares how she navigates the restaurant scene nationally and internationally.

The Other Side of the Table with Richard Rosendale

Richard Rosendale trained in several kitchens across the United States and mentored under several Certified Master Chefs. He was the youngest member of ACF Culinary Team USA since the team’s inception and was one of five chefs who represented the U.S. in the 2004 World Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany. In this episode, Jeff Tubaugh and Richard talk about thinking outside the box when it comes to how you approach the restaurant business from the other side of the table.

Mark Bromberg — The Scope of Restaurants Today: Supply Chain and Labor Shortages

Mark Bromberg is the President at Apex Restaurant Group, a firm that focuses on chain restaurant improvement, management, rejuvenation, and more. In this episode, Dana Zukofsky and Mark talk opportunities, what he’s been seeing within his space, and how his organization is working to overcome labor shortages. Mark provides an update to help listeners get a better idea of what’s happening on the ground, and what they can do about it.

From Thinking Outside the Bun to Live Mas; Greg Creed of YUM! Brands Shares the Key Ingredients of Leading Brands

Greg Creed, the Former CEO of Yum! Brands and Taco Bell joins Dana Zukofsky in our latest podcast. Creed retired after a successful 25-year career with Yum! and has more than 40 years of extensive global experience in marketing and operations with leading packaged goods and restaurant brands. Dana and Greg discuss the key ingredients to building and maintaining a thriving brand and reflect on some of Yum! Brands most memorable campaigns.

Building a Better Business, One Potbelly Sandwich at a Time with Bob Wright

Host Jeff Tubaugh is joined by Bob Wright, the new CEO for Potbelly Sandwich Shop. In this podcast, Bob shares his passion for the restaurant business and how that passion is helping to fuel the success of Potbelly. Listen in as he shares how a solid team armed with insightful strategies can fuel profitable ventures and redevelop existing businesses into fresh, competitive operations.

You Had Me at Ramen… How Sarah Gavigan is Changing the Game

In our latest podcast, Dana Zukofsky is joined by Sarah Gavigan the Founder and CEO of the Otaku Group, a ramen restaurant based in Nashville, Tennessee. This week, Sarah shares how she got her start, why ramen, and how she pivoted when COVID-19 hit.

Leveraging New Technology in the Restaurant Industry

In our latest podcast, Dana Zukofsky is joined by Michael “Schatzy” Schatzberg is the Managing Director for Branded Restaurants. Schatzy talks about the adoption of technology in the hospitality industry, what he looks for when it comes to new technology products and service offerings and leveraging the power of subject matter experts.

The Power of Second Chances — Impacting Lives Through Food and Service

Host Jeff Tubaugh is joined by two special guests taking a different approach to the restaurant business. Both Joe DeLoss & Brandon Chrostowski have open hiring policies that provides people with a second chance at getting back on their feet. Joe is the owner of Hot Chicken Takeover and Brandon is the restaurant owner of Edwin’s and Edwin's Institute, a 501(c)(3) organization that trains formerly incarcerated adults in the culinary arts. Learn more about this unique and inspiring approach to business and how it’s impacted the surrounding community for the better.

Restaurant Real Estate Trends and Beyond with Andrew Moger

In our newest podcast, Dana Zukofsky is joined by Andrew Moger, the Founder and CEO of BCD, a real estate brokerage firm that represents tenants in the food and restaurant space in New York City and the surrounding areas. In this episode, Andrew shares some of the common real estate trends he is witnessing and shares tips on how restaurants can come out of the pandemic stronger than before.

Paving the Way for a New Restaurant Model with Virtual Food Brands

Robert Earl, the founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood and the Chairman of the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas pops into our latest podcast with BDO’s Dana Zukofsky. A mogul in this space, Robert shares his unique insights about where the future of the restaurant industry is headed and the exciting new projects he’s currently working on within the industry.

When Passion Meets Resilience: How One Restaurant Group Got It Right

Jeff Tubaugh sits down with Mike Axiotis, the President & CEO of Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group, a thriving Red Robin franchise covering the Lehigh Valley, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Philadelphia and Harrisburg regions. Mike also serves as the Chair of the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Advocacy Fund. In this episode, Mike shares his journey on what was supposed to be ‘just a five year plan’ and how it turned into over two decades of service in the restaurant industry. Mike is passionate about the people he serves and shares some of the strategies he and his team quickly implemented during COVID that not only positively impacted his patrons, but his employees.

What the New Normal Means for Restaurants in 2021 with Kevin Burke

BDO’s Dana Zukofsky joins us in this episode as she interviews Kevin Burke, the founder and Managing Partner of Trinity Capital. Kevin discusses what he’s seeing in the restaurant space right now and offers an informative chat on where he sees new restaurant policies going with the new administration, how consumers will be eating, and other trends for 2021. This podcast was recorded in December of 2020 and all references to year end pertain to 2020.

Wage and Salary Considerations During the Times of COVID-19

BDO’s Dana Zukofsky joins us as she interviews Carolyn D. Richmond, the Co-Chair of Fox Rothschild’s Hospitality Practice Group. Her practice largely consists of representing and counseling employers in the hospitality industry, specifically restaurants, hotels, caterers, night clubs, lounges, and fitness centers. Carolyn has extensive experience litigating wage and hour class actions, restrictive covenants, and employment discrimination cases.Listen in as Carolyn shares what restaurant owners need to consider to mitigate risk during times of COVID-19 from a lawyer’s perspective.This podcast was recorded in December of 2020 and all references to year end pertain to 2020.

Step Up to The Table… Supporting Local with the Founder of ClearPath Solutions, Helen Lao

Everyone in this industry has been affected by the stay-at-home orders and Helen knew that if we sat idling by, some of our favorite places would be going under. Inspired by the ice bucket challenge to raise money, Helen created Step Up To The Table to help local restaurants stay afloat during these challenging times. Find out more about how you can support your local favs in this week’s episode!

Noodling Around With the CEO of Fazolis, Carl Howard

CEO of America’s largest fast casual Italian chain, Carl Howard understands restaurants. In this episode, our host Jeff Tubaugh sits down with Carl as he shares the critical pivots he and his team made early on in the pandemic, why it’s important to keep your third-party delivery drivers happy, and how he made the process of ordering food easy for all generations.

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