Titans of Foodservice

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Daniel Neeley, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Brown Food Service. Nestled in the heart of Kentucky, Brown Food Service is a venerable establishment with a rich lineage dating back to 1942, originally serving mining communities in Appalachia. Daniel shares the intricacies of managing a m

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with T. Shane Johnson, a Marine Corps veteran and the driving force behind Big Guns Coffee. T. Shane shares how he transformed a simple desire into a high-powered coffee brand inspired by his daughter's entrepreneurial spirit. Big Guns Coffee epitomizes innovation and resilience with a remarkable array of 38 coff

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Pat Phelan, CEO of Leap Companies, a distinguished entity that specializes in providing comprehensive hospitality services, including furniture and logistics for various dining establishments. Pat's entrepreneurial journey, which commenced with the acquisition of Leap in 2006, is marked by significant challe

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Jeff Kyer, VP of Sales and Retail at Portillo Sales & Marketing. Nick and Jeff traverse the intricate landscape of food service and retail sales, elucidating the distinct methodologies and strategies employed within each sector. Jeff, with his extensive background in retail food brokerage and his recent

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with David Benowitz, President of Craft and Crew Hospitality. David discusses the challenges and rewards of working alongside his father, highlighting the need for open communication and the evolution of their relationship as they navigate the complexities of a family business. David elaborates on the entrepreneu

This week marks our 100th episode on the Titans of Food Service podcast! Nick Portillo speaks with Joey Cioffi, the CEO and founder of the rapidly expanding Salad House chain. With a vision for healthier, fast-casual dining, Joey has successfully opened 20 locations and is set to scale even further across the Northeast and beyond. His story begins in his family's deli in New Jersey

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Charles Johnson, CEO of the Detroit Athletic Club, to discuss its rich history and significance in the community. With a legacy dating back to 1887, the DAC has evolved from an athletic club into a premier destination for fine dining and hospitality, showcasing Detroit's heritage and resilience. Johnson shar

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Michael DiBeneditto, CEO of Golden Waffles. Michael shares insights into the evolution of his company and the unique all-inclusive waffle program they offer. Since its establishment in 1937, Golden Waffles has transformed from a traditional distributor to a pioneer in providing seamless service for waffle st

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Tim Petrillo, co-founder and CEO of The Restaurant People and Urban Street Development. Tim shares his remarkable journey in the food service industry and how he has significantly impacted South Florida's dining scene. With over 70 restaurants under his belt, Tim discusses the unique challenges and strategie

This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Ralph Bauer, CEO of The Melt. Ralph shares his remarkable journey in the food service industry, highlighting how he quintupled the average revenue per unit from $700,000 to an astounding $3.5 million. With over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at Popeyes and Domino's, Ralph emphasizes the i