Podcasts
Listen in as our editors interview executives from emerging and fast-track restaurant companies that are setting the agenda in the chain restaurant industry and continue to be in the vanguard.
Adriano Paganini
Adriano Paganini: A New Direction
Since Pasta Pomodoro opened in 1994 in San Francisco, the Italian casual-dining chain has grown steadily to 43 restaurants. The company has slammed the brakes on expansion to refresh the brand, now called Pomodoro. Founder, chef and CEO Adriano Paganini spoke to Chain Leader about the changes.
Read a transcript of the Adriano Paganini interview.
Since Pasta Pomodoro opened in 1994 in San Francisco, the Italian casual-dining chain has grown steadily to 43 restaurants. The company has slammed the brakes on expansion to refresh the brand, now called Pomodoro. Founder, chef and CEO Adriano Paganini spoke to Chain Leader about the changes.
Read a transcript of the Adriano Paganini interview.
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Posted: Mar 31, 2008 | Permalink
Chris Patterson
Austin Grill's Chris Patterson Asks: What Recession?
How does a laid-back, Tex-Mex chain of eight restaurants weather a downturn in the economy? By practically welcoming it while controlling costs. So says Austin Grill CEO Chris Patterson, adding that it doesn't hurt to have a strong financial partner like Thompson Hospitality. Listen in as Patterson talks to Chain Leader Senior Editor David Farkas.
Read a transcript of the Chris Patterson interview.
How does a laid-back, Tex-Mex chain of eight restaurants weather a downturn in the economy? By practically welcoming it while controlling costs. So says Austin Grill CEO Chris Patterson, adding that it doesn't hurt to have a strong financial partner like Thompson Hospitality. Listen in as Patterson talks to Chain Leader Senior Editor David Farkas.
Read a transcript of the Chris Patterson interview.
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Posted: Feb 26, 2008 | Permalink
Roland Dickey
Roland Dickey: Right on Cue
Dickey’s Barbecue President Roland Dickey Jr. is the third generation running the company founded by his grandfather in 1941. While the concept has grown slowly since into a successful regional player, a new tightly run fast-casual version will help propel the chain. Dickey spoke with Chain Leader about what has changed about the 96-unit chain and what never will.
Read a transcript of the Roland Dickey interview.
Dickey’s Barbecue President Roland Dickey Jr. is the third generation running the company founded by his grandfather in 1941. While the concept has grown slowly since into a successful regional player, a new tightly run fast-casual version will help propel the chain. Dickey spoke with Chain Leader about what has changed about the 96-unit chain and what never will.
Read a transcript of the Roland Dickey interview.
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Posted: Jan 1, 2008 | Permalink
Greg Burns
Greg Burns: Guest Amenities
There’s a transformation going on at O’Charley’s Inc., says CEO Greg Burns. At headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., that means a strengthened leadership team, new distribution system and enhanced technology to support operations. The O’Charley’s brand and sister concept Ninety Nine both have new prototypes, menus and service systems. Chain Leader spoke with Burns about some of the prominent changes.
Read a transcript of the Greg Burns interview
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Posted: Nov 1, 2007 | Permalink
Julia Stewart
Julia Stewart Works to Keep IHOP’s Turnaround Spirit Alive
IHOP Chairman and CEO Julia Stewart has been lauded for the family-dining chain's turnaround. But what happens next? Stewart discusses franchisee relationships, stretching the concept, improving customer service and more in an exclusive interview with Editor-in-Chief Mary Boltz Chapman.
Read a transcript of the Julia Stewart interview.
IHOP Chairman and CEO Julia Stewart has been lauded for the family-dining chain's turnaround. But what happens next? Stewart discusses franchisee relationships, stretching the concept, improving customer service and more in an exclusive interview with Editor-in-Chief Mary Boltz Chapman.
Read a transcript of the Julia Stewart interview.
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Posted: Jul 11, 2007 | Permalink
Frank Day
Frank Day: All in a Day's Work
Chain Leader featured Rock Bottom Restaurants founder and Chairman Frank Day on the cover in January 2000. At the time, he was CEO of the newly private company of 67 restaurants, trying to slow growth to build margins. Today, Day works on policy and strategy rather than operations for the Denver-based organization, which comprises 126 company and franchised outlets. He spoke candidly with Chain Leader about his changing role.
Read a transcript of the Frank Day interview.
Chain Leader featured Rock Bottom Restaurants founder and Chairman Frank Day on the cover in January 2000. At the time, he was CEO of the newly private company of 67 restaurants, trying to slow growth to build margins. Today, Day works on policy and strategy rather than operations for the Denver-based organization, which comprises 126 company and franchised outlets. He spoke candidly with Chain Leader about his changing role.
Read a transcript of the Frank Day interview.
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Posted: May 1, 2007 | Permalink
Frank Guidara
Frank Guidara: Degree of Difficulty
Frank Guidara graced the cover of Chain Leader in June 2003, when he was working to restore authenticity to the menu and the service—the Frenchiness—at Au Bon Pain. In February 2005, he became CEO of Uno Chicago Grill when Centre Partners acquired a majority interest in the Boston-based casual-dining chain, which at the time had been expanding from its pizzeria roots.
Read a transcript of the Frank Guidara interview.
Frank Guidara graced the cover of Chain Leader in June 2003, when he was working to restore authenticity to the menu and the service—the Frenchiness—at Au Bon Pain. In February 2005, he became CEO of Uno Chicago Grill when Centre Partners acquired a majority interest in the Boston-based casual-dining chain, which at the time had been expanding from its pizzeria roots.
Read a transcript of the Frank Guidara interview.
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Posted: Mar 1, 2007 | Permalink
Shannon Foust
Shannon Foust: Experience Necessary
Shannon Foust was on the cover of Chain Leader in December 2004, when he was president and CEO of Damon’s Grill, updating its prototype and upgrading the menu. He didn’t know it at the time, but he was preparing the 133-unit casual-dining chain for sale 16 months later. Since August, Foust is president of Columbus, Ohio-based Roosters Franchising Inc., hawking a "bottom rung" full-service chicken-wing concept with 11 units and big plans.
Read a transcript of the Shannon Foust interview.
Shannon Foust was on the cover of Chain Leader in December 2004, when he was president and CEO of Damon’s Grill, updating its prototype and upgrading the menu. He didn’t know it at the time, but he was preparing the 133-unit casual-dining chain for sale 16 months later. Since August, Foust is president of Columbus, Ohio-based Roosters Franchising Inc., hawking a "bottom rung" full-service chicken-wing concept with 11 units and big plans.
Read a transcript of the Shannon Foust interview.
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Posted: Jan 1, 2007 | Permalink
Michael Kaufman
Michael Kaufman: All the Essentials
Formerly the president of Metromedia Restaurant Group, Michael Kaufman is now using his chain experience to help develop Harry’s Tap Room and its spinoff, Harry’s Essential Grille, into viable chains.
Read a transcript of the Michael Kaufman interview.
Formerly the president of Metromedia Restaurant Group, Michael Kaufman is now using his chain experience to help develop Harry’s Tap Room and its spinoff, Harry’s Essential Grille, into viable chains.
Read a transcript of the Michael Kaufman interview.
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Posted: Jul 1, 2006 | Permalink
David Goronkin
David Goronkin: We've Only Just Begun
When David Goronkin was on the cover of Chain Leader in March 2005, the CEO of Famous Dave’s told us the chain was just hitting its stride. Today he likes the pace at the 132-unit casual-dining barbecue chain, crediting brand focus and people development. Goronkin sat down with Chain Leader Editor-in-Chief Mary Boltz Chapman at the 2006 National Restaurant Association Show to discuss what differentiates Famous Dave’s.
Read a transcript of the David Goronkin interview.
When David Goronkin was on the cover of Chain Leader in March 2005, the CEO of Famous Dave’s told us the chain was just hitting its stride. Today he likes the pace at the 132-unit casual-dining barbecue chain, crediting brand focus and people development. Goronkin sat down with Chain Leader Editor-in-Chief Mary Boltz Chapman at the 2006 National Restaurant Association Show to discuss what differentiates Famous Dave’s.
Read a transcript of the David Goronkin interview.
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Posted: Jun 1, 2006 | Permalink
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