All Episodes

In this episode, Michael talks with experienced operator and tech CEO Dan Brookman of Airship & Toggle. Two platforms that enable operators to engage customers by generating pre-sold revenue and recency and frequency of visit. They work with great brands like Boston Tea Party, Roadchef, Leon, Revolution Bars, Byron & Turtle Bay Dan has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having owned and operated venues in his 20’s. Dan gives an overview on how the pandemic impacted them as ...

There’s a story behind every business, and it’s an area a lot of us neglect to fully communicate with our consumer. So how do we best tell our story? To find out, I catch up with Mark Smith, Founder and Lead Strategist of Double Up Social, an award-winning social strategy and content creation studio. We explore brands that have succeeded with their digital marketing. Tune in to learn more about the role of emotion, how digital marketing has evolved, and where to start with your strategy today. D...

The hotel industry has faced a big shake up since the outbreak. Now two months after reopening, MD of Dominion Hospitality Drew Brown joins the show to share how technology has helped drive behavioural change for the regional hotel business. As we enter autumn, we look to see what a successful transition looks like. Join us as we discuss the staycation trend, managing people from their homes and partnership opportunities. Dominion Hospitality owns 24 hotels and inns across the south of England. ...

Back by popular demand, Zoey Henderson has worked closely with hospitality brands to be healthier and more sustainable. During lockdown, she launched her own low alcohol beer Fungtn. I caught up with Zoey to learn more about how she came to produce such a drink that is hoppy, textured – and made from mushrooms. The pandemic has made us address our own personal health, and as hospitality business owners it’s our duty to serve healthy, sustainable food and drink. Things look promising: the no alco...

With a background in theatre and acting, today’s guest Tom Lionetti-Maguire fell in love with the immersive piece. In 2013 he launched Little Lion Entertainment, and operates the likes of The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience. Their mission is to provide live entertainment where the audience is at the heart of it. With the social industry crashing to an abrupt halt this spring, we find out how Tom navigated through this period. We explore why immersive experiences open to wider audiences, the need to...

We don’t have the answers yet, but we need to ask the right questions in order to navigate through the pandemic. What’s clear is that the hospitality business model of low profit margins needs to change. Today’s special episode is from a webinar Michael had the pleasure of being on with Rob Liddiard, Founder of Yapster, and chaired by Matt Coulthard from Bizimply. They talked about operation transformation, product market fit, the solutions with the rental market and how to serve both your custo...

We’re going to take a different view of the hospitality industry today – through the eyes of investment. Today’s guest is Ali Aneizi, a M+A and Private Equity specialist, and founder of Tamweel Capital – an investment advisory boutique focussed on brand led consumer facing businesses. As the industry is going through an intense period of natural selection, we explore what future successful operators need to look like. Tune in to learn more about changing consumer behaviours, re-setting the landl...

What do successful leaders look like over the next few months? To get to the heart of this, Michael catches up with leadership expert Caitlyn O'Loughlin to dissect how most often it’s the simple things that stick. As Leadership Trainer at LifeLabs Learning, she’s seen first-hand that people-first companies are succeeding during the pandemic. Tune in to learn more about their learning-approach, what are tipping point skills and dealing with mental health as leaders. LifeLabs Learning has worked w...

As Victoria, Australia is in its second week of its second lockdown, Michael catches up with hospitality expert Shaun de Vries to see his current outlook of the hospitality industry. With over 23 years experience in hospitality, he’s a true student of the industry. He’s currently the founder and director of Open Pantry Co. and host of The Open Pantry Podcast. Join us as we explore having a reality check with your business, what he’d like to see the industry take shape in the future, and what pos...

Facing repeat openings and closings in LA, it’s been a tough time for so many restaurant owners. But it’s given today’s guest some serious thinking time about the kind of life he wants to live. For too long, the hospitality industry has been running on long hours, low-profit margins and constant competition. It’s time to change the business model for this industry. Joshua Kopel is an entrepreneur, Michelin-rated restaurateur and podcast host. He founded FLO, a restaurant growth accelerator, to h...

In this episode, Michael has Head of Operations for The Athenian Patrick Gray as a guest. Patrick has a lifetime of experience from many great brands like Bill's Restaurants, Boston Tea Party and many more. The Athenian was born out of love for Greek food. They launched at the business at the end of 2014, as a small street food venture offering freshly made souvlaki prepared in the healthiest, most authentic way possible. And as you will here they have moved very fast since especially in the pan...

Following months of being on “soldier mode”, we’ve all experienced overwhelm during the Covid-19 crisis. Now more than ever we need to be taking care of ourselves. Michael catches up with clinical psychologist Dr Vikki Barnes – a true expert in positive psychology. She is the Founder of Positive Wellbeing, a consultancy which supports the mental health of organisations and their people. Vikki has also worked with the NHS and Virgin, in clinical and strategic roles. Tune in as we explore Positive...

In this episode, Michael talks with Amy Ogden. Amy is based in New York City and matches world-class hospitality brands of all sizes with best-in-class agency partners in the areas of digital marketing, web, SEO, paid search, PR, social media, branding and more. Amy gives us an overview of what’s happening in the New York hospitality market, including events of the last 3 months in lockdown, and how they are managing re-opening. Amy and Michael talk about the importance of purposeful storytellin...

In this episode, we have Operations Director Paul Hooker from Boston Tea Party as a guest. The Boston Tea Party is a purpose-driven cafe operator with 24 units across the South-West of England. Paul has more than 20 years of experience in the industry working with some great national brands. Paul and Michael talked about their approach, principles and mindset to navigate the pandemic and beyond. Paul really underlines that their long term purpose as an organisation of Making Things Better for pe...

In the episode, Michael have a great friend and colleague of his as a guest. Michael knew it would be an out of the box experience, and as you will hear very different than a normal podcast conversation. Martin is the founder YourBigPic a consultancy that helps teams to connect the dots of the bigger picture of so they in a fast and fun way can spot their challenges and opportunities. With colleagues at the centre, they are specialists in connecting People to the success of the business with the...

In this episode, Michael talks with Joshua Jarvis the Co-founder of Wing Shack Co - a QSR concept with 3 units from London. They talked about how the pandemic has impacted Wing Shack Co and how they quickly transformed into delivery and click and collect model. Joshua gives some great advice on how to adjust and simplify your menu, and how to focus on kitchen capacity as you are preparing for the new normal. He also talks about the importance of developing a number of new revenue streams while y...

In this episode, Michael will be talking with Davonne Reaves who is the founder of The Vonne Group in Atlanta - A co-author and hospitality consultancy specialising in travel market research, asset and operational management, and brand development for boutique hotels. She has extensive experience from operations, brand to asset management. We talked about how the pandemic has impacted the hotel market in the US, Davonne gives some great example on how the progressive hotel operators have pivoted...

Coming Back Stronger is a special edition podcast series focusing on the way food and drinks businesses are bouncing back as the world slowly starts to re-open from COVID-19. We will especially share great stories on how progressive leaders are bouncing back from the pandemic by utilising the power of technology and delivery. By tuning into these conversations in the coming period you will be able to pick up great stories, insights and facts as well as best practices from industry experts, indep...

In this episode, we talk with Scott Erwin Founder and CEO of HIre Hand - a tech company that helps companies to staff more flexibly. Prior to Hire Hand Scott work with McKinsey specialising in workforce planning. We talked about how he has seen the pandemic evolve and how to bring staff back. Scott underlines that staffing flexible will become a core discipline to master as hospitality businesses re-opens. Scott gives some great advice at the end of the podcast - you are not in control - get a m...

in this episode, our guest is Rob Kidd, a management consultant and expert in hospitality technology. Rob and Michael talk about how tech is changing the hospitality industry, how progressive operators are using tech to survive and thrive during and in the aftermath of the pandemic. Rob also gives a number of great advice on how to optimise your digital strategies to ensure short and long term ROI. Takeaways: Tech should save you time and money Digital tools (apps, services, devices) are now che...

In this episode, I’m talking with the founders of OMFGCO Fritz Mesenbrink and Jeremy Pelley. They run a brand and interior design studio in Portland USA and is doing a lot of work with progressive hospitality and restaurant businesses across the Globe. We talked about how the world is changing due to the pandemic and the importance as an operator to make people feel safe through the way you communicate as a brand as well as how the experience in your physical space is perceived. We also talked a...

Michael talks with Hugo Engel from Leon Restaurants about how they have pivoted in these challenging times by launching a number of new digital channels as well as feeding our frontline heroes. They also discuss the importance of not only ensure that your operations are safe but also give customers a human experience - contactless but human. This episode will help you to understand how to approach digitalisation of your revenue streams and what the big trends are digital and much more. Key take...

In this episode, the guest is Neena Jivraj Stevenson Chief Cultural Officer of Point A Hotels, which is more than just a hotel with rooms - it’s a place where everyone receives heartfelt hospitality, no matter their budget. They now have hotels in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Neena and Michael talked about life in hospitality and being part of a family business, how Point A Hotels are navigating the pandemic by putting people first, and their approach to leadership and culture. Neena shares so...

In this episode, we put together a strong panel with industry experts Peter Backman and Mark McGlinn to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the industry, what operators are doing to survive and thrive now and in the future, the fast evolution of delivery and digitalisation as well as some great advice for operators on how to bounce back. Key takeaways from this episode are: The current impact on the restaurant industry Delivery is changing and third party delivery platforms are losing momentum...