Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates
Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast is your backstage pass to the minds of hospitality leaders, innovators, and operators who are redefining what it means to serve. Hosted by Zack Oates, founder of Ovation, each episode dives into real-world tactics and inspiring stories from restaurant pros who know how to create five-star guest experiences—both in-store and off-premise.
From fast casual to fine dining, catering to curbside, learn how to drive loyalty, empower your staff, and deliver hospitality that hits home. Whether you're a restaurant owner, operator, marketer, or tech partner, this podcast will leave you with practical insights and plenty of reasons to celebrate and Give an Ovation.
Episodes
446 episodes
Fan-first Fun: The Savannah Bananas' Playbook with Emily Cole
Today we're joined by Emily Cole, the visionary owner of the viral sensation, the Savannah Bananas. Emily shares her journey of transforming the traditional baseball experience into a lively, fun-filled event that captivates fans of all ages. F...
Back to Basics with Susie Sarich of SusieCakes
Susie Sarich created SusieCakes for two reasons: 1) to make it easier for women to work in hospitality, and 2) to bring back classic desserts recipes to the culinary wild west she was witnessing in San Francisco. With her Grandmas' timeless rec...
Brewing Up Customer Loyalty with Nick Newbill of 7 Brew Drive-thru Coffee
Join Nick Newbill, Marketing Director of 7 Brew Coffee, as he shares his journey from shift lead to marketing leader. At 7 Brew Coffee, great guest experiences are as important as the perfect brew. He highlights the brand's core values: kindn...
Selling A Feeling with Scott Lawton
At the beginning, Scott Lawton didn't know what food he was going to sell at his restaurant concept - but he knew how he wanted it to feel. The rest figured itself out.On this episode, we explore the art of creating an exceptional guest...
Dave's Playbook for a Hot Brand with Jim Bitticks
Joining us today is Jim Bitticks, President and COO of Dave's Hot Chicken! Have you ever wondered how Dave's became the phenomenon that it is? On this episode, we explore the brand's formula for success, starting with their rise fr...
Leading with Authenticity with Ricky Richardson of Eggs Up Grill
Today we talk with Ricky Richardson, a seasoned pro from TGI Fridays who is now leading Eggs Up Grill. Ricky shares practical insights on authentic leadership and managing high-energy environments while fostering emotional connections with team...
The Golden (Chick) Rule with Brian Loescher
Join us as we chat with Brian Loescher, President of Golden Chick Franchising, about the secrets behind a stellar restaurant experience. Drawing from his background at Rally's Hamburgers and Arby's, Brian shares practical insights for standing ...
Continuous Innovation with Craig Dunaway of Penn Station East Coast Subs
Today's guest is Craig Dunaway, COO of Penn Station East Coast Subs, who shares insights from his 25 years in the restaurant industry. Learn how to spot lasting trends, adopt new technologies wisely, and use a 'fast follow' approach to stay ahe...
Mastering Marketing in the QSR Industry with Sergio Pérez
It's Bo time! Today's episode is with Sergio Pérez, Senior Director of Omnichannel at Bojangles, who takes us through his journey from an intern to a strategic executive in the world of restaurant marketing. We also talk through th...
Shake Shack's Recipe for Tech-Enhanced Customer Journeys with Dave Harris
Today we sit down with Shake Shack's CIO, Dave Harris. As you can imagine, he had some great insights on tech stacks, the balance between human and tech-centered hospitality, and the potential he sees AI having on the industry. If ...
Restaurant Strategy in Action with Jared Cohen
Why should all of us care if restaurants are adopting a big-picture strategy? Sure, Mcdonald's should have a strategy team, if not an entire department. But let's get real - say you've got 14 locations. How do you justify having someone as tale...
Building Effective Restaurant Teams with Matt Tucker
Today's episode is with Matt Tucker, a titan in the industry who was formerly the President and COO of Olo, and is now the Head of Tock. Matt and Zack discuss: The 'cockroach' strategy—a testament to the rele...
Slam Dunk Loyalty with Josh Halpern
Today's episode is with the CEO of Big Chicken and Beer Park, Josh Halpern, from whom we learn all about the good and the hard that comes from a star-backed brand. Sure, Shaq can bring them in. But how do you get them to stay? Stay tuned ...
The Difference of a Few Degrees with Andy Husbands
Imagine treating every diner like Grandma – with warmth, affection, and a genuine concern for their experience. That's the philosophy Andy Husbands, the acclaimed chef behind Smoke Shop BBQ and the author of "Pitmaster," brings to our table in ...
Compassion in the Culinary Industry with Jen Hidinger-Kendrick
Our episode today is a heartfelt conversation with the powerhouse behind Giving Kitchen, where we uncover the incredible journey that led Jen from personal tragedy to the founding of an organization that's the embodiment of hope for food servic...
Making It Cool To Care with Brian Klinger
Ever wonder how Chick-fil-A became a byword for customer service excellence? Brian Klinger from Comcast joins us to unravel the secrets behind blending technology with the human touch to create unforgettable restaurant experiences.We di...
Leading Modern Restaurant Employees with Sam Fauser
Is leadership an art or a science? Sam Fauser, the guru of team training and development who's left a mark on Domino’s and NASCAR, joins us to explore this intriguing terrain. Together, we pull back the curtain on the evolution of leadership, c...
The Science Behind Location, Location, Location with Max Sheets
In this episode, Max Sheets, Founder & CEO of Chick N Max, peels back the curtain on melding cutting-edge data analytics and AI with the indispensable art of site visits to pinpoint the perfect spot for a thriving restaurant. Whether it's t...
From Star Power to Staying Power with Andy Hooper of Hart House
This episode has a lot of... hart. Discover the art of building a brand that shines on its own, even when it's linked to the dazzle of a celebrity like Kevin Hart. Join us as Andy Hooper, CEO of Hart House, opens up about the delic...
Serving California Food in Alabama with Jennifer Ryan
Jennifer Ryan is the restaurateur behind BlueRoot, a seemingly rare example of healthy, tasting eating in Alabama. She's also the Co-Founder and CEO of Croux, an online marketplace that connects vetted talent with flexible work opportunit...
Navigating a Lifetime of Achievement in the Food Industry With Carin Stutz
Prepare to be enlightened by Carin Stutz, a hospitality giant whose restaurant industry experience serves as the backbone of today's conversation. Her tenure at the helm of industry giants like Wendy's and Applebee's has made her a veritable or...
The Secret Ingredients to Creating Memorable Dining with Michael McHenry
Tune in to this week's episode with Michael McHenry, the mastermind behind The McHenry Group, as he joins us to unravel the intricacies of curating dining experiences that linger after the last bite. Michael shares his creative journey, reveali...
Mastering the Art of Hospitality With David Doty
Uncover the secrets behind the scenes of the restaurant world with David Doty, the financier turned hospitality expert. Our conversation peels back the curtain on the meticulous craft of curating a five-star guest experience, revealing the hear...
Revolutionizing the Guest Experience With Eric Knott
Unlock the secrets behind the fast-food revolution with Eric Knott, COO of PDQ, as we discuss the art of enhancing the guest experience in the bustling restaurant industry. Learn how PDQ's dedication to quality goes beyond mouthwatering meals, ...
Grilling up Top-Tier Customer Service With Laura Rea Dickey
Discover the secret sauce behind creating an unforgettable guest experience with Laura Ray Dickey, the CEO of Dickey's BBQ Pit. Dickey's BBQ is a legacy brand that began in 1941. In this episode, Laura pulls back the curtain on what it takes to...
