When people go to a restaurant, personalizing the dining experience is a critical factor in making an impact that keeps customers returning. What better way to capitalize on that experience than through music? In recent years, the restaurant industry has seen a significant shift towards personalizing the dining experience for guests. As the industry…

In recent years, there’s been a vibrant resurgence in celebrating and preserving cultural heritage. As the world becomes more interconnected, there’s a wonderful opportunity to share and relish the diverse traditions that make each culture unique. One such tradition is the rich tapestry of Jewish culinary traditions, which, much like the Rosh Hashanah celebrations,…

Creating generational wealth is a goal for many, yet it seems increasingly unobtainable in recent years. One path still open to make those goals a reality is in the world of franchising. Contrary to expectations, the pandemic did not deter individuals from seeing the potential of owning and operating a restaurant franchise. The desire…

The Main Course host, Barbara Castiglia, sat down with Frank E. Olivieri, the owner of the iconic Pat’s King of Steaks in Philadelphia. Olivieri serves up the rich history of the cheesesteak, emphasizing the importance of fresh ingredients and the unique taste of their signature cheese. He also shares personal anecdotes from his early…

Barbara Castiglia   The restaurant industry, already grappling with the challenges of the pandemic, now faces another menace: sophisticated restaurant scams. As eateries worldwide strive to recover, many of them fall prey to scammers. QR codes, which gained popularity in restaurants during the pandemic, are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The National Restaurant Association puts restaurant losses…

On The Main Course, hosted by Barbara Castiglia, Ray Chung, the Director of Design at The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry, delves into the intricate art of restaurant design. From the importance of lighting and acoustics to the essence of storytelling in creating an ambiance, Chung emphasizes the need for a holistic approach. Drawing…

As dining preferences shift towards healthier options, the restaurant industry is evolving to keep pace, particularly in franchise operations. Quality can sometimes fall by the wayside in a food culture dominated by convenience and speed. However, restaurant franchises realize that the key to customer loyalty and long-term success lies in maintaining quality while expanding…

Digital Restaurants aren’t literally digital. Technology hasn’t evolved to the point where digital food is a thing. And if it were a thing, are people ready to eat it? Probably not. But whether it’s a QSR with online ordering apps, a popular sit-down restaurant chain using online ordering and delivery, or even the favorite…

The world was forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the customer experience industry, especially in the restaurant sector, has faced unprecedented challenges and transformation. The role of technology has been amplified, not only as a survival tool during a time of social distancing and lockdowns, but also as a driving force for long-term,…

As trends shift and evolve in the food industry, a notable new phenomenon has taken center stage: beverage only concepts. Over the past few years, we have witnessed an explosion in the number of businesses that focus solely on drinks, offering everything from coffee to milkshakes and now, iced tea. This intriguing move away…

There is no industry that is immune to surprises and shocks. However, the restaurant industry has been facing its own unique blend of challenges recently, forcing owners to question the adequacy of their restaurant insurance coverage. For many, insurance is perceived as a necessary yet complicated evil, something begrudgingly purchased and then promptly forgotten,…

Restaurant expansion in 2023? While that may sound hard to believe, the restaurant industry has seen a 4.9% increase in sales in 2023. While increased prices due to inflation may be driving some of those increases, indicators show now is the best time since the pandemic’s beginning to consider a restaurant expansion. But what…

Not every restaurant makes an effort to fully integrate its customer into the experience of eating and enjoying their food. But for those looking for a unique dining experience, plenty of such establishments present unique restaurant narratives. What sort of restaurants emphasize storytelling in their dining, and how do they handle staffing? On this episode…

Franchising is a common part of the restaurant business, as it allows more people to access the establishment worldwide. Some restaurants stay in specific markets while others grow to become part of a landscape featuring other ubiquitous household names. But franchising is not always easy; it takes careful planning and work. What do some restaurants…

Starbucks®, Chick-fil-A®, McDonald’s®…these are some of the most popular restaurant industry apps used and downloaded today. To put it into perspective, the Starbucks® app has 17 million users, and almost one in every five of their sales dollars comes directly from the app. These restaurants don’t have elevated app statuses for no reason—it’s because…

Two words that should be synonymous? Restaurants and technology. Let’s face it, technology is here to stay, especially in restaurants. Not only can it help with staff shortages, but leveraging technology in the restaurant industry can help transform the customer experience. How? On the latest episode of The Main Course with Barbara Castiglia, EVP…

Online restaurant reviews: restaurants may love or hate them, but they should not ignore the practice. To do so means operating at one’s peril. Sifting through the noise to gain meaningful insights from reviews left online is integral to the restaurant industry and can lead to success if measured and responded to correctly. Chatmeter, a…

Owning a bakery is a dream for some people; for others, the vision continues beyond that first cookie sold. For the Co-Owners of Brooklyn, New York’s The Good Batch, Anna Gordon and Steven Hartong, the question isn’t the next type of cookie to sell; it’s what’s the next market expansion. The global market for…

AI has become a big topic recently, as more companies and businesses use it and play around with the possibilities. As the technology becomes more accessible, more people will use it in different ways and the tech will no doubt advance. Because of this, many are expecting businesses to keep using AI, especially when…

Reinvention. That’s a word many restaurants understand after undergoing three years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through technology innovations to expanded delivery options, loyalty programs, and new concepts like ghost kitchens, the restaurant industry knows a thing or two—or ten—about the ‘adapt or die’ mentality. Refreshing and reinventing a restaurant is one thing, but legacy…

As restaurants look to make a comeback and put the pandemic on the back burner, new franchises have started to re-enter the landscape. Franchises create opportunities for entrepreneurs, and the industry encourages women to enter the restaurant franchise business. Two women heeding the franchise call are Adenah Bayoh and Elzadie “Zadie” Smith. In October 2022,…

Takeout and delivery are as much the fabric of restaurants today as a room full of diners. During the pandemic, many restaurants may not have made it out the other side without takeout and delivery services. Still, staffing shortages are a significant issue for most restaurants after the pandemic. Finding the balance between handling orders…

The outbreak of COVID-19 had a significant impact on the food service industry. Many restaurants were forced to shut down, and workers lost their source of income. However, many restaurants are reopening and quickly adapting to survive the changes after the pandemic. Restaurant managers have entered a rebranding journey to optimize the customer experience and…

Greek salad, pasta salad, cucumber avocado salad, garden salad, corn salad, cole slaw, Caesar salad, Caprese salad, macaroni salad… and the list goes on and on. There are an infinite number of salads one can create—not just salads for healthy living. And everyone seems to have a preference for their own unique spin on a…

Loyalty programs use points, miles, or other currency to incentivize customers to purchase or engage with the brand. Customers can redeem these points for discounts, free products, exclusive access, or other perks. Technology, such as mobile apps and online accounts, allows customers to easily track and redeem their rewards and receive personalized promotions…

Restaurant franchising allows individuals to operate a business using a proven business model and brand. The franchisor provides training and ongoing support while the franchisee pays an initial fee and royalties. Franchise agreements are detailed, with territorial restrictions and the option to renew or terminate. Franchising reduces risk but requires significant investment. But what are…

José Andrés, Chef and Founder of World Central Kitchen, once said, “The business of feeding people is the most amazing business in the world.” While this rings true for many chefs and restaurant owners, the last several years have put businesses in delicate financial situations and has resulted in numerous closures across the…

Necessity-meeting technology played a vital role in the rapid acceleration of ghost kitchens during the COVID-19 pandemic. The global market size of ghost kitchens grew to 56.71 Billion dollars in 2021, and the industry forecasts a 112.53 billion ghost kitchen market by 2027. While one can typically find ghost kitchens in dense urban areas, there…

Managing a restaurant is challenging, especially when the way restaurants operate is changing all the time. In the last couple years with the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants have had to adapt with the times in unprecedented ways. From staff shortages to supply chain issues, there’s a lot to juggle, but there are always ways for…

The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a major hit to the restaurant industry, which would see new trends and change it forever. Some of those trends were devastating while there were others that helped improve the success of some businesses, per Forbes. But in managing the new growth that a lot of restaurant owners…

Online schooling has been around since the late ‘80s but didn’t become more common until the early ‘90s. Today, all types of educational courses can be accessed and completed solely online — even hands-on disciplines, such as culinary schooling and experiential trades. In addition, even though predominantly higher education or certain trades offered online…

Lobster and franchising are not often two words one would hear in a sentence together. And yet, franchising lobster is exactly what two cousins did from Maine. But how did their journey begin, why did they decide to franchise, and why was franchising the right fit for them? On the newest episode of The…

Onboarding and training are crucial to success and ensuring long-term employees. It’s their first welcome in the company and essential to keeping them long-term, and this point is proving itself time and time again in industries with a deskless workforce. So, what are the elements of good onboarding, and why is it so important…

Are jars the next big trend in dessert-themed QSR restaurants? QSR magazine reported Orange County, California, joined Texas in expanding a new QSR franchise, JARS, by Fabio Viviani. Viviani, the noted chef and restauranteur is set to open his flagship location in Chicago this fall, followed by ten locations in Texas and the newly…

Statista states there are more than 75,000 pizza restaurants in the United States. That’s a lot of slices served every year! For a business to stand out in the pizza market, it must find ways to melt hearts with more than cheese, sauce, and dough. Personal pizza lover, Barbara Castiglia of Modern Restaurant Management…

Catering is a growing trend in the restaurant industry that brings enormous growth opportunities and since the pandemic, opportunities that bring new customers to the table are critical. The restaurants that embrace the innovative possibilities of catering are seeing the benefits. One national multi-concept restaurant platform believes catering isa great way to introduce new…

It may come as a surprise to some, but entrepreneurship is experiencing growth after the pandemic as many people have decided that they want to work for themselves. A great way to become your own boss is to start a franchise. However, the rate of women who own franchises is falling behind their male…

It’s no secret that restaurants need repeat customers for continued success. Retention is a vital aspect of the restaurant industry, especially since the pandemic. Loyalty Reward Programs are more than just a sound strategy; they can help boost a restaurant’s profits by 95% through repeat business.   So, what can a great loyalty program due…

The pandemic accelerated many aspects of the restaurant industry, including the ways in which consumers interact with QSR’s. Bringing in the Global Head of Technology for Xenial, host Barbara Castiglia spoke with Chris Siefken about the changing nature of QSR’s and the technology that is here to address them. Restaurant technology is, and always has…

The restaurant industry has historically been slow to shift and adopt new technology. Ben Simmons, Co-founder and COO of Table Needs recalled a meeting in 2012 when a restaurant owner was considering building a website. Websites were pretty mainstream, but it shows an example of generalization. Today, as reported by Restaurant Dive, 77% of…

Groupon has it wrong. Or at least partially. Taking a deep dive into customer data and analytics, Zach Goldstein, CEO & Founder of Thanx, a loyalty, CRM, and guest engagement platform shares his insight on what it means to build customer loyalty with The Main Course host Barbara Castiglia. Our understanding of what loyalty…

Barbara Castiglia interviews Maribeth Dela Cruz, President of Jollibee North America, to discuss Jollibee and its presence in North America. Jollibee is on the fastest growing Asian restaurant companies in the world. Cruz has been with the Jollibee company for thirty years and has worked her way from shift manger to her current role as…

The co-CEO and co-founder of Biggby Coffee, Mike McFall, talked with host Barbara Castiglia of the podcast “The Main Course,” about the rise of his coffee chain. Founded in Lansing, Michigan over 27 years ago, today Biggby Coffee is one of the most popular coffee chains in the Midwest region. McFall said decades ago…

David Novak was the first of his family to graduate from college. He studied journalism at the University of Missouri and started working in advertising. After a few turns in his career, Novak found joy in working in the restaurant industry. He eventually co-founded Yum! Brands and acted successfully as CEO for many years….

Healthy Pour is a consultancy whose mission is to improve the mental health and well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations within the hospitality and adjacent sectors through education, coaching, intervention development, and research. Laura Louise Green, Founder of Healthy Pour, joined Barbara Castiglia to talk about this critical concern in the restaurant and hospitality…

Jessica Valenzuela conceptualized the GoGoGuest system while using the free wifi at cafes around Europe. What started as a wifi marketing solution has evolved into a more significant consumer connection. The company’s capabilities connect the consumer to the restaurant amenities and leverage their information back to the restaurant. Today, GoGoGuest services over 300 customers across…

Americans love breakfast. A recent survey indicated that 62% of Americans chose breakfast as their favorite meal of the day. That sounds like an opportunity. Kirk Ruoff, Founder and CEO of Turning Points Restaurant, thinks so as he embarks on turning his award-winning restaurant into a franchise concept. He spoke with The Main Course…

While technology isn’t new, its addition into the restaurant industry has been slow and hesitant. However, the increasing use of automation is driving changes in the industry. Founder and President of CrunchTime! Bill Bellissimo has recognized the importance of technology for over 25 years. Bellissimo chats with The Main Course host Barbara Castiglia about…

Wing It On! is a QSR brand focused on providing chicken lovers with better wings and sandwiches in a takeout and delivery model. Matt Ensero, Wing It On’s CEO, launched his first location in 2011 in Waterbury, CT. Today, Wing it On! is in ten locations with one food truck and nine brick & mortar…

The omnichannel experience that first wreaked havoc with the retail industry quickly began to make its impact on the restaurant industry even before the pandemic. The disruption caused by the pandemic accelerated this trend requiring restaurant owners of national chains and family-run businesses as well as every restaurant version in between to adapt or die….

Can seafood really be as accessible as the corner bar? Shuckin’ Shack was designed on this premise of making seafood an everyday menu item as opposed to the white tablecloth service. The company’s CEO Jonathan Weathington joined The Main Course host Barbara Castiglia to share the company’s story and his thoughts on franchising. While Shuckin’ Shack is a…

After 15 years as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry, Christie Lagally decided to utilize her skills to champion plant-based foods. Barbara Castiglia spoke Lagally, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at rebellyous foods, about her unique career path and why plant-based foods are so important to her. When Lagally first went to college she…

The Main Course served up something sweet when Nicole Di Pietro, Vice President at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, dropped in to talk all about these tasty frozen treats served up with a smile. Jeremiah’s Italian is no newbie to the frozen treat stage; they’ve been scooping Italian Ice since 1996. Florida residents know Jeremiah’s, where it…

Colorado restauranteur Bobby Stuckey, Partner & Master Sommelier at Frasca Food and Wine, knows the challenges of making a restaurant a success under normal economic conditions. Add in a global pandemic, and the recipe for any restaurant owner is one for trying to avoid disaster and keep the doors open. SOMM TV documents Stuckey’s…

Pooja Nair, Partner at Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP, is not only a business litigator for the food and beverage sector; she’s a problem solver. Through her work, Nair advises food and beverage clients, startups, and other businesses on a full range of issues, from employment and trade secrets to partnership disputes, intellectual property, and…

People familiar with Time Out Magazine may already be familiar with the Time Out brand and what that brings to the table. And lately, that table can be found in a unique dining experience located in seven major cities from Miami to New York, and Montreal to Dubai; Time Out Market. Jay Coldren, COO…

In this episode of The Main Course, Barbara Castiglia speaks with Big Chicken’s CEO Josh Halpern to learn about the disruption this franchise is posed to cause franchises focused on chicken. Big Chicken opened the doors of its first brick and mortar venue in Las Vegas, NV in 2018. Since then, they’ve opened several…

Barbara Castiglia spoke with Savneet Singh, president and CEO of Par, a software and hardware solutions company for the restaurant industry, about the importance of technology to survive the pandemic. “The pandemic pulled all that [technology] forward. If you didn’t have great technology … it was really hard to survive,” Singh explained. “You clearly saw…

Host Barbara Castiglia welcomed to The Main Course Yariv Bash, CEO of Flytrex, to discuss an innovation in food delivery that has long been on the radar, but whose growth has been exacerbated by the pandemic: drones. While his company was founded in 2013 under different circumstances, it only took until 2016 for Bash and…

The fast-casual chicken market has a lot of competition in the U.S. That hasn’t stopped Campero USA from growing and winning over consumers. The Guatemalan brand has achieved great success in the U.S. market. Sharing the story is the company’s Managing Director and COO Luis Javier Rodas joined The Main Course Host Barbara Castiglia. Rodas has spent over 20 years…

As arguably the oldest franchise brand, A&W is known for its classic root beer floats, but many aren’t aware of the many other options they offer at their many franchised stores. John Palumbo, senior director of franchise development at A&W, spoke with Host Barbara Castiglia about the history and future of the brand, including…

Before technology entered the restaurant industry, commercial businesses had to rely on cash registers. The first industry to adopt a point of sale (POS) system were retail and grocery stores, and restaurants didn’t integrate the technology until about 30 years ago. President and Founder, Nadav Solomon, of Tabit, a POS and tableside ordering system…

Host Barbara Castiglia talks the latest restaurant technology with Zuppler’s Founder and CEO, Shiva Srinivasan. Zuppler, an online ordering management company, serves primarily independent restaurants and some chains, focusing on ensuring the company’s brand is maintained throughout the online ordering process. Initially, Zuppler started as a portal, similar to a Grubhub, but as more…

Author, restaurant owner and hospitality industry expert Barry Jessurun discussed his book, life lessons, and tips for restaurant success with Host Barbara Castiglia on The Main Course. As owner of Green Valley Hospitality, Jessurun has ran four restaurants ranging from fast-casual to higher-end menus to university settings for up to 32 years. While he…

Key Points 86 Repairs utilizes technology for data-centric decisioning in restaurant industry. Restaurant industry lacks data to utilize preventative maintenance plans. Data and technology will continue to move restaurant industry forward. Commentary: Daniel Estrada, co-founder and CEO of 86 Repairs, noticed a large gap in the restaurant industry, which ultimately lead to the formation…

Traditional American fast food is perceived by many to be inevitably unhealthy; however, it doesn’t have to be. Amy’s Kitchen is reinventing the classic American drive-thru one organic, vegetarian burger at a time. In this episode of The Main Course, Host Barbara Castiglia sat down with the President of Amy’s Drive-Thru, David Wolfgram, to…

Key Points: QSRs experienced a quick, major disruption during pandemic. Technology and data are pivotal to QSR success. Bottle Rocket helped build the Chick-Fil-A customers love today. Commentary: Host Barbara Castiglia discussed all things modern restaurant management with Peter Klayman, quick service restaurant (QSR) and practice lead at Bottle Rocket. Klayman focuses on consulting…

Key Points: Paris Baguette has nearly 4000 bakery-cafes worldwide. They maintain standards by having regular store audits. They also constantly train, film and, review in order to maintain standards. Commentary: If the thought of a French baguette or pastry puts you in a good mood, you’ll love the latest delicious episode of The Main…

Acceleration of restaurant technology adoption isn’t slowing down. The rush to adapt during the pandemic is still occurring, with new guest expectations and operational workflows. So, how is technology solving the restaurant industry’s biggest challenges? The Main Course host Barbara Castiglia spoke with Steve Simoni, CEO of Bbot, on the topic. Simoni described the company’s…

Most of us contributed in some way to the $26.5 billion dollar revenue for food delivery businesses in 2020. With exploding success, new questions arise, like· what ways can hospitality brands can improve retention and bring in new workers to address hiring challenges and labor shortages? And what’s next for contactless ordering and payments now…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   While having a robust to-go strategy is imperative for almost all restaurants now, many full-service locations weren’t prioritizing until the pandemic. The Main…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The restaurant industry has been through a lot in the last year-plus. Some have pivoted and grown, while others faltered. So, what was…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Indian cuisine concepts on a franchise level aren’t represented very well in the U.S. However, Curry Up Now is changing that dynamic. The CEO and…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   On this episode of The Main Course, Host Barbara Castiglia talked with Jim Plamondon, Co-President of Plamondon Companies, which specializes in hotel management…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Being family-friendly is a goal for many restaurants and hospitality brands. They want to appeal to this segment of the population. Talking about…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   While restaurants and other hospitality venues are now open, restaurants are still waiting for the dust to settle. With the Delta Variant…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   These three fields blend together, but they’re often talked about separately. Restaurants, hospitality, and travel all intersect and rely on one another. On…

Celebrating the leaders and experts that are powering education into the future, MarketScale sets out to ask the “right questions” in EdTech to understand the changes in policy and technology that will power our universities, tradeschools, and companies – and drive growth in upskilling certifications.   The EdTech space is in a state of flux….

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   On this episode of The Main Course, Host Barbara Castiglia talked with Steve Schulze, the Founder of Nékter Juice Bar, a juice bar…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Many things shifted in the restaurant industry during the pandemic. A lot of restaurants were forced to change and change quickly to keep…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Restaurants have had a tough time due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Having to adjust constantly was challenging. But, having crucial data at their…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   In restaurants, chefs, managers, and owners pay attention to the food, the dining room, and the service. These are important, but one often…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Food markets are centuries old, but the modern equivalent is a customer-driven experience, blending cuisines from around the world. One incarnation of this…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.     On this episode of The Main Course, Host Barbara Castiglia talked with John Ramsay, the Vice President of Franchise Sales for Noodles…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   On this episode of The Main Course, Host Barbara Castiglia talked with Alan Rosen, Owner, Junior’s Cheesecake, the New York heritage brand since…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   There’s never been more demand for on-the-go and delivery options for restaurant customers – and that’s led to a race for optimal solutions…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   On this episode of The Main Course, Host Barbara Castiglia talked with Ross Franklin, the Founder and CEO of Pure Green, an omnichannel…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Established in 1998, Cheba Hut is the first marijuana-themed sandwich “joint” that provides customers with made-to-order food in an eclectic fast-casual environment. Seth…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The restaurant industry took a significant hit over the past year, perhaps more than any other industry. Despite record takeout numbers, 1 in…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The Melting Pot fondue restaurants are an experiential concept that’s “as much about what’s going on around that fondue pot as it is…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Food lockers for modular marketplaces were already becoming popular before the pandemic accelerated adoption of the concept and technology. To discuss this emerging…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   On this episode of The Main Course, Host Barbara Castiglia talked with James Walker, Senior Vice President, Restaurants for Nathan’s Famous. The duo…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The pandemic has turned many industries upside down, including the restaurant sector. While farsighted restaurants had digital plans on their future roadmaps before…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry. Food quality and customer experience are fundamental to the restaurant business and are often the result of a dedicated team that puts customers first…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   While the food and beverage portion of a meal is the main focus, restaurateurs also develop other aspects of the business to create…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Technology is an ever-increasing presence in restaurants. Over the past year, restaurants have scrambled to move to contactless services to help prevent the…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Experiential dining has always been a special segment combining outstanding service, unique moments, and delicious food. But it came to a halt during…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Restaurants have always placed importance on hygiene. With local, state, and federal guidelines, it was top of mind. However, the pandemic shifted it…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Ghost kitchens are now part of the vernacular, as delivery became the go-to for restaurants during the pandemic. Those trends, coupled with the…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Meatless Monday, first introduced in 2003, is a movement that’s still going strong. This global campaign seeks to encourage consumers to cut out…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The pandemic briefly took away one of the world’s beloved institutions – the coffee shop. As the world opens up, the opportunity to…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Paul Shapiro is not your average entrepreneur. He is the author of Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Data and technology are used in restaurants but not used to build relationships. It’s mainly used to track customer purchases, track inventory, scheduling…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Franchising is critical to the restaurant world, but not every franchisee is successful. So, what’s the secret recipe? Franchise expert, speaker, and author…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Technology is a crucial component of restaurant recovery. Augmented reality (AR) has many applications to drive value, especially in personalizing and modernizing the…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Iconic brands create experiences for their customers. That’s the feeling many Californians have about Fosters Freeze, which dates back to the 1940s. Their soft-serve…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Is business dining making a comeback after being hit hard by the pandemic? Industry expert and Dinova CEO Alison Galik joined The Main…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The Main Course is talking barbecue and big data today. Host Barbara Castiglia chatted with Joe Tenczar, Chief Strategy Officer at Sonny’s BBQ….

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   How did some restaurant chains grow during the pandemic? They had to pivot and meet new customer demands to answer the consumer question…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The Main Course brings a new perspective to the world of restaurants by looking at the legalities involved in operating during a pandemic….

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Many restaurants suffered big blows during the pandemic, but not Teriyaki Madness. It experienced growth and expansion. So, what’s their secret recipe for success?…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The Main Course always has a pulse on what’s next for the restaurant industry. For a look at the restaurant industry outlook for…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The Main Course returns to the topic of restaurant technology, which has been a lifeline for most businesses during the pandemic. But how…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Providing angles on all types of topics for restaurants is the goal of The Main Course. Host Barbara Castiglia spoke with litigator and…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The Main Course seeks to bring listeners insights from every corner of the industry. The topic of this conversation is restaurant staffing. Host…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The restaurant guest experience looks remarkably different; however, the pandemic didn’t create the desire for frictionless, easy, and fast to-go ordering. It did…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   The Main Course offers listeners lots of sensory experiences, though, most of the time, it’s all about taste and smell. Now, the podcast…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   Every great meal needs an equally tantalizing beverage. For a pulse on what’s happening in the world of cocktails, host Barbara Castiglia spoke…

Food is serious business. Now, on The Main Course, host Barbara Castiglia will invite insiders on the front lines of food to share their expertise, strategies, and forecasts for navigating the ever-changing restaurant industry.   TV advertising has evolved to meet the 21st-century consumer, but how do brands really know if they’re effective? Breaking down this question and…