QSR Uncut
QSR Uncut is a podcast from the editors of QSR magazine—the leading publication for foodservice owners and operators—that discusses the current state and future of the fast-food restaurant industry as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Made for restaurant executives, entrepreneurs, consumers, and leaders, each episode candidly shares expert advice from some of the industry's most insightful leaders.
Episodes
307 episodes
The Legend of Layne’s Chicken Fingers, with CEO Garrett Reed
Founded in 1994 in College Station, the original Layne’s Chicken Fingers became a Texas A&M cult-favorite known for its small-town charm, friendly service, iconic chicken fingers, and secret sauce. The brand has since grown past 20 stores, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 175
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41:00
Drone Delivery: Myth or Magic Bullet for Restaurants?
Can drones solve some of the age-old issues with delivery? Naturally, there isn’t one answer and it’s a wide world of possibilities to explore. Tim Ridgely, VP of online ordering at Paytronix, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to paint a...
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Season 1
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Episode 174
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38:44
How to Crush Grand Openings, with Brian Lowe
Brian Lowe, CEO of BML, works with the some of the biggest brands in quick service and fast casual but also smaller brands. A common dominator across all, whether it’s multi-unit franchisees or even a restauranteur/entrepreneur opening one loca...
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Season 1
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Episode 173
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43:38
The Future of Drive-Thru Coffee, with Darren Spicer
Clutch Coffee cofounder and CEO Darren Spicer joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to chart the journey of one of the drive-thru coffee segment’s hottest brands—how it got started, what it took to become successful, and where growth is now ...
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Season 1
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Episode 172
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41:35
The Tech Company Guaranteeing ROI for Restaurants
Self-ordering and automation solutions company GRUBBRR recently announced a “Guarantee” initiative that puts its money where its tech is. During any month where the solutions don’t generate an ROI, GRUBBRR will waive its SaaS fee. Why is it doi...
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Season 1
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Episode 171
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26:44
Inside the Growth of Bobby Flay's Fast Casual Burger Brand
CMO Anne Pritz and VP of Operations Patric Knapp join QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay set out to break the fast casual mold, from culinary innovation to service. The brand is ramping up franchise ...
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Season 1
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Episode 170
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43:25
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: Scott Taylor and Troy Hooper
In our second episode of CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, Pepper Lunch executive Troy Hooper and Cherry Bounce’s Scott Taylor quiz each other on scaling differentiated brands and what it’s like to build up emerging restaurants for long-term grow...
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Season 1
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Episode 169
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42:15
The Magic of Biscuitville, with Charles Miller
Charles Miller, RVP at Biscuitville, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to explore the story and culture of the category icon. How does the brand continue to win on labor and retention? How is it navigating the balance between hospitality...
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Season 1
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Episode 168
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34:24
The Entrepreneurial Journey of Biscuit Belly, with Chad Coulter
Chad Coulter, founder and CEO of Biscuit Belly, a growing fast casual franchise out of Kentucky, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how he went from a Doctorate in Pharmacy at the University of Georgia to launching a paint-and-...
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Season 1
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Episode 167
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41:03
How to Master Your First Job, from a former Chick-fil-A Vet
Jacob Karnes, founder of Waves Business Coaching and the author of Master Your First Job, spent more than a decade with Chick-fil-A—both in-restaurant and at the corporate level. He joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss lessons in...
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Season 1
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Episode 166
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37:21
Are Mass Closures Coming? And What's Ahead for Restaurants in 2025
Jim Balis, partner, Strategic Operations Group at CapitalSpring, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the state of restaurants as 2025 gets going and why more closures could be on the way. What about tech, expansion, and other tr...
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Season 1
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Episode 165
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34:27
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: Wow Bao's Geoff Alexander and Big Chicken's Josh Halpern
In the inaugural episode of QSR’s new series, CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, Wow Bao’s Geoff Alexander and Big Chicken’s Josh Halpern quiz each other on what it’s like to run a restaurant in today’s landscape, how you build teams, pick the rig...
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Season 1
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Episode 164
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39:24
Creating a “SH*T YEAH!” Culture and Brand, with Chris Smith
Zunzi’s + Zunzibar CEO Chris Smith joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the journey behind the fast-casual restaurant and beach bar concept Smith grew from its roots in Savannah to multiple locations across Georgia and S...
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Season 1
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Episode 163
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42:39
Building the Next Big Pizza Franchise, with Carl Comeaux
Carl Comeaux, the CEO of Crust Pizza Co., joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the growth and journey of the rising franchise as it prepares for a banner year. Crust plans to invest in its people and infrastructure as it looks to...
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Season 1
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Episode 162
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41:33
The Meteoric Rise of Taylor Chip, with CEO Doug Taylor
Doug Taylor, founder and CEO of Taylor Chip, a dessert experience company based in Pennsylvania, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how a business that started with a $50 mixer on Facebook Marketplace has evolved into a growth-...
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Season 1
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Episode 161
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34:56
Why Chick-fil-A Launched a ‘Play App,’ and How Mobile Will Change the CX Game
Megan Hastings, head of customer insight strategy at Quantum Metric, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss Chick-fil-A’s recent decision to get into the engagement game and, more broadly, how mobile platforms and devices are pavin...
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Season 1
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Episode 160
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38:54
Little Caesars and the Journey of Growth
Bryan Ketelhut, National Director of Non-Traditional and Development Services at Little Caesars, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how the iconic pizza brand is diversifying its growth strategy, from markets to models...
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Season 1
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Episode 159
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34:30
The Inside Scoop on Noodles & Company’s Menu Revolution
Noodles & Company is entering a new phase of its strategic menu transformation in collaboration with The Culinary Edge. Scott Davis, Noodles & Company's chief concept officer, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to share insights o...
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Season 1
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Episode 158
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36:20
The Rise of Co-Branding and Digital Engagement, with Mason Wiederhorn
Mason Wiederhorn, the Chief Brand Officer of multi-concept operator FAT Brands, joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to discuss a first of its kind co-branded site for Great American Cookies/Marble Slab Creamery and the launch of a “3D C...
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Season 1
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Episode 157
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37:00
Lessons in Leadership and Restaurant Success, with Dr. Emily Williams Knight
Dr. Emily Williams Knight, the CEO of Texas Restaurant Association, joins QSR editorial Danny Klein and WiRL associate editor Satyne Doner for a special crossover episode between QSR Uncut and our sister podcast, Women in Restaurant Leadership....
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Season 1
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Episode 156
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39:42
Taking a Legacy Sandwich Chain to National Growth, with Healey Mendicino
Healey Mendicino, the president of Port of Subs, began as a franchisee and opened the chain’s 100th restaurant. Now, she’s serving as president and plotting a path to 500 units in five years with a commitment to quality, differentiation, and le...
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Season 1
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Episode 155
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43:29
The Enduring Legacy of Golden Krust, with VP of Marketing Steven Clarke
VP of Marketing Steven Clarke Joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the 35th anniversary of Golden Krust, a brand that remains to this day a family-run operation that started from a single location in the Bronx, New York, before e...
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Season 1
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Episode 154
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35:57
The Making and Evolution of a Multi-Brand Empire, with Brix Holdings CEO Sherif Mityas
Brix Holdings CEO Sherif Mityas, the leader of a group that includes Red Mango, Smoothie Factory + Kitchen, Souper Salad, Orange Leaf, Humble Donut Co., Pizza Jukebox, Friendly’s, and, most recently, Clean Juice, joins QSR editorial director Da...
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Season 1
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Episode 153
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30:17
The Rise of the Dumplings, with Brooklyn Dumpling Shop CEO Jeff Galletly
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s Jeff Galletly—the brand’s first CEO in its history—joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to take a look inside the hybrid-automat and how it’s redefining dining with cutting-edge self-service technology. We also get ...
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Season 1
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Episode 152
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34:13
The State of Virtual Dining, with Robbie Earl
Linked Eats president and Virtual Dining Concepts cofounder Robbie Earl joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley for a deep dive into a category and topic that continues to evolve. All the rage when dining rooms shut down, how have virtual b...
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Season 1
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Episode 151
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47:31