Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates
An ad free resource for restaurateurs! Over 100 episodes and a new episode every Monday. Listen in to learn from industry leaders how to grow your restaurant, improve your guest experience, turn your customers from strangers to friends, and to leverage data and marketing tools to increase your revenue.
Podcasting since 2020 • 390 episodes
Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates
Latest Episodes
Eric Knott of Tiki Taco on Turning Feedback into Action
Eric Knott, CEO of Tiki Taco and former PDQ leader, joins Zack Oates to talk about scaling hospitality, refining menu strategy, and building genuine guest connections. With experience ranging from Outback to Tiki Taco, Eric shares how structure...
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17:53
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Building a Fierce Yet Friendly Brand with Amanda Kahalehoe of Vicious Biscuit
From Charleston roots to a growing national footprint, Amanda Kahalehoe has built a brand that’s both fierce and warm. As COO of Vicious Biscuit, she shares how her team balances bold, indulgent food with genuine Southern hospitality. Amanda an...
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18:24
How Haven Hot Chicken Builds Loyalty with Jason Sobocinski
Jason Sobocinski joins Zack Oates to share how Haven Hot Chicken builds lasting guest love through great food, consistent hospitality, and small gestures that surprise and delight. From “reverse tipping” cards to weekly community drop-offs, Jas...
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20:16
Paul Damico of Global Franchise Group on What Really Drives Traffic
Paul Damico joins Zack Oates to share what still wins guest loyalty today. His take is simple: nail the four walls first, then scale. With leadership across Blaze, Fuzzy’s, Global Franchise Group, Focus Brands, and Moe’s Southwest Grill, Paul e...
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19:19
John Laun of Earthbar on Using AI and Feedback to Elevate Guests
John Laun, CMO of Earthbar, joins Zack Oates to share how a wellness brand with roots in the 1970s is scaling nationally while keeping guest experience front and center. With over 60 locations and a strong partnership with Equinox, Earthbar foc...
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22:59
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