Fast Casual Nation
Join the #1 Restaurant Business Podcast Shaping the Future of The Restaurant Industry! Hosted by Paul Barron—industry pioneer, investor, and author of The Chipotle Effect—alongside Cherryh Cansler, the editorial force behind Fastcasual.com, this is where restaurant operators get the competitive edge. Every week, this power duo decodes the trends, strategies, and innovations transforming the restaurant business, driven by the Fast Casual mindset, redefining what's possible across all restaurant segments. With over two decades of combined expertise, Paul and Cherryh don't just report on the industry; they've helped build it.This isn't just a podcast. It's your playbook for what...
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The Celebrity Trap: Why Being a "Wahlberg" Wasn't Enough to Save the Brand
In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Randy Sharpe, CEO of Wahlburgers, to discuss one of the more compelling brand turnaround stories in the restaurant industry right now. Sharpe breaks down how he consolidated 17 menus into three, exited underperforming franchise relationships, and repositioned Wahlburgers across four distinct growth platforms — including a groundbreaking partnership with Home Depot and a major airport expansion push. If you're a restaurant operator, franchisee, or hospitality professional thinking about brand strategy, multi-unit growth, or non-traditional venue models, this conversation is one you don't want to miss.<br /><br...
The $600,000 Gamble: Why Jae Kim Almost Walked Away from the Sharks
Jae Kim, founder of Chi'Lantro, joins Fast Casual Nation to share how he built a Korean-Tex Mex fusion brand from a single Austin food truck in 2010 into a 13-location Texas fast casual empire, covering his three Shark Tank auditions, his experience pitching Barbara Corcoran, the unit economics that drove his growth strategy, and why people, not menu or marketing, remain the foundation of everything he builds.<br /><br />#FastCasualNation #ChiLantro #KoreanTexMex<br /><br /><br />Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fast-casual-nation--3598490/support.<br /><br />Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry...
The Great Divide: What the Restaurant Industry's Economic Reality Means for Your Business
In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist at the National Restaurant Association, to unpack the economic forces reshaping the restaurant industry. From shrinking profit margins and the K-shaped economy to the rise of technology adoption and long-term demographic pressures, Dr. Moutray delivers a data-driven look at what operators are facing right now — and what they need to do to survive and grow in an increasingly divided consumer landscape.<br /><br /><b>THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:</b> direct2you<br />Transform Your Direct Mail Strategy<br />In...
How Velvet Taco Built a Cult Brand — and Plans to Keep It That Way
Chris Schultz, CEO of Velvet Taco, joins Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler on Fast Casual Nation to break down the operational blueprint behind one of the restaurant industry's most beloved cult brands. From the legendary Weekly Taco Feature (WTF) — a chef-driven rotating menu item that has launched every single week for nearly 15 years — to the in-house rotisserie Back Door Chicken sold every Monday for $20, Schultz reveals how operational discipline, supply chain rigor, and an unwavering commitment to clarity are what actually fuel creativity and brand loyalty at scale. He also shares his take on technology's rightful place in hospitality, what Star...
Fast Casual Leadership: Legacy Brands, Modern Moves
In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Paul Damico, President & CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management, to discuss his bold strategy for reinventing two iconic legacy brands — Perkins Restaurant & Bakery and Huddle House. Damico shares how cutting-edge Toast POS technology is transforming operations across 600 units, why extended hours are driving 20–40% sales increases at select locations, and how the new Perkins Griddle and Go fast casual format is designed to win over a younger generation of diners — all while keeping the legendary value that loyal guests have counted on for over 65 years.<br /><br />...
The Seasonal Business Playbook: Thriving in a Summer-Driven Industry
In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Lawrence Brown, Chief Development Officer at Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, to explore how one of America's largest specialty dessert franchises is scaling smart — from its iconic first-day-of-spring tradition and drive-through expansion strategy to franchisee unit economics, community-driven marketing, and what makes the ideal Rita's franchise partner in today's competitive QSR landscape.<br /><br />#FastCasualNation #FranchiseDevelopment #RitasItalianIce<br /><br /><br />Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fast-casual-nation--3598490/support.<br /><br />Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or re...
2026 Fast Casual Brands To Watch
Discover the rising stars of fast casual dining as hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview three breakout brands from FastCasual.com's 2026 list of 25 emerging brands to watch. Jeff Pereira of Jeff's Bagel Run shares how a home kitchen experiment turned into a 26-unit bagel empire with vertical integration and proprietary tech. Brian Simowitz reveals Houston TX Hot Chicken's blueprint for scaling to 300+ locations through racing-inspired energy and loyalty innovation. Matt Morrison discusses Agapé Mediterranean's growth strategy in the fast-expanding Mediterranean category, dubbed "the new Mexican." Learn how these founders are redefining hospitality, leveraging social media, navigating price pressures, and b...
2026 Beverage Trends
Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler explore the beverage revolution transforming restaurants with SG Ellison, CEO of Diversified Restaurant Group, and Ryan Maybee, Co-Founder of J. Rieger & Co. Discover how Taco Bell's Live Más Café is reactivating dining rooms with Mexican-inspired drinks, why protein beverages are exploding across chains, and how craft cocktail expectations are reshaping every segment. Learn about draft cocktail innovation, the sober-curious movement, customization trends, and why beverages have evolved from add-ons to destination experiences driving traffic and revenue in today's competitive restaurant landscape.<br /><br />#RestaurantInnovation #BeverageTrends #FastCasualNation<br /><br /><br />Become a...
Winning Strategies for 2026 in Fast Casual
Join hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler as they kick off 2026 with CAVA Co-Founder and CEO Brett Schulman for an in-depth conversation about navigating today's challenging restaurant landscape. Schulman reveals why CAVA eliminated digital tipping while paying workers top wages, how the brand has achieved 20% traffic growth while competitors struggle, and their strategy of keeping menu prices 50% lower than industry averages. Learn about CAVA's ambitious expansion plans for 2026, their human-centered approach to AI and automation, and why Mediterranean cuisine is perfectly positioned at the intersection of health, wellness, and bold flavors. This episode is packed with actionable insights for restaurant...
2026 Restaurant Trends Round Table | Special Series
Join Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler as they sit down with industry expert Suzy Badaracco from Culinary Tides to forecast the biggest restaurant trends for 2026. This year-end episode explores how Gen Z is reshaping dining expectations, the AI versus hospitality debate, why comfort food isn't making a comeback despite economic pressures, and the rise of mood-based menus and subscription dining services. Discover insights on anti-viral marketing, the importance of "vibe" over speed, and why off-premise dining is becoming more experiential than ever.<br /><br />#RestaurantTrends #FastCasual #FoodIndustry<br /><br /><br />Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com...
