In this episode, host Kieron Bailey sits down with Falayn Ferrell, Chairwoman of Feed the Soul Foundation and Managing Partner at Black Restaurant Week, to discuss how her organization is revolutionizing support for small culinary businesses across America.

From spotlighting 20 restaurants in Houston to over 1,500 nationally, Falayn shares insights from their groundbreaking two-year industry report, the power of data-driven advocacy, and why restaurants are truly the soul of their communities.

Takeaways:

• Why restaurants are the first to hire and give back, yet often the most overlooked in solving community challenges
• How a simple email newsletter achieved a 50% open rate by becoming genuinely resourceful
• What happens when small restaurant owners finally meet in rooms full of people who understand their exact struggles
• The surprising dual impact of gentrification on 20-year neighborhood restaurant staples
• Why most small culinary businesses aren't connected to the tourism dollars already flowing through their cities
• How starting a business without adequate funding creates invisible operational ripple effects
• What West African cuisine and Caribbean fusion might reveal about America's next flavor wave
• Why telling restaurant owners to "just fix customer service" completely misses what's actually happening behind the scenes
• The counterintuitive advice about chasing success that changed everything for a growing nonprofit
• How refusing press coverage for themselves won the hearts and respect of an entire industry

Connect with the host: Kieron Bailey on Instagram

Connect with Falayn: LinkedIn | Personal Website

Learn More: Feed the Soul Foundation Industry Report

This episode is sponsored by Save Fry Oil — cutting fry oil costs up to 50% while making food crispier. No power, no chemicals. Get your free cost savings estimate.

• (00:00:00) - Restaurant Talk
• (00:00:31) - Restaurant Talk Podcast
• (00:02:05) - Top Black Businesses support hospitality
• (00:04:19) - Black Restaurant Week
• (00:09:06) - The UK's Restaurant Week
• (00:14:00) - Restaurant Owners Need More Help
• (00:18:18) - What Keeps the Soul in the Restaurant
• (00:19:56) - The National Restaurant Association's Report
• (00:22:23) - The Voice of Small Businesses on gentrification
• (00:23:39) - Questions about gentrification in the UK
• (00:29:26) - Small Culinary Businesses Speak Out About Tourism
• (00:32:15) - The Black Restaurant Association's Community Development Report
• (00:35:57) - What's Coming Next Out of Texas
• (00:36:16) - West African cuisine trends in the US
• (00:38:02) - On Day 1 of Starting a Business

In this episode, host Chrissy Symeonakis sits down with Ivan Brewer, Founder and Managing Director of Peiso, the world's first hospitality profitability software. With over 25 years in the industry, from making 2,000 coffees a day as a barista to consulting for top venues, Ivan shares his unconventional journey and reveals why the hospitality industry's approach to profitability is fundamentally broken.

This episode is sponsored by Save Fry Oil, cutting fry oil costs up to 50% while making food crispier. No power, no chemicals. Get your free cost savings estimate.

• Website: Peiso
• LinkedIn: Ivan Brewer
• Instagram: @getpeiso
• Facebook: Peiso Profitability Software

• How a sports injury accidentally changed Ivan's entire career trajectory in an unexpected way
  
  
• The daily coffee volume that would make modern baristas completely freak out
  
  
• What working in both luxury hotels and budget restaurants revealed about the real nature of hospitality
  
  
• The shocking truth about a popular 1980s technique that dozens of consultants still recommend today
  
  
• Why half your restaurant's fate is already sealed before you unlock the doors each day
  
  
• The disturbing pattern Ivan discovered when analyzing tech spending across major hospitality groups
  
  
• What suddenly stopped working for restaurants in 2024 after years of reliability
  
  
• The data nightmare hiding in one venue's point of sale system that most operators never see
  
  
• The harsh financial reality facing Australian venues that nobody wants to talk about
  
  

What happened to Ivan eight years ago that nearly ended everything and changed his perspective forever

• (00:00:00) - Restaurant Talk: Ivan Brewer
• (00:01:26) - Leading the hospitality industry's evolution
• (00:07:15) - Peso: The World's First Hospitality Profitability Software
• (00:10:53) - PESO: The challenge of technology in hospitality
• (00:13:34) - Developing an App for the Future
• (00:15:25) - Top Chef: The challenge of hospitality
• (00:19:26) - What's the future of the Melbourne Cup?
• (00:20:54) - Data driven decision-making in the hospitality industry
• (00:23:53) - Operating in a Challenging Industry
• (00:27:03) - Future of hospitality: AI and the industry
• (00:30:21) - Favorite Experience as a Hospitality Customer
• (00:31:59) - What Would You Do If You Had To Give Advice To Your Guests

In this episode, Susan Tung sits down with Joanna and Jeanette, second-generation owners of Yueh Tung Restaurant, one of Toronto's oldest Hakka Chinese restaurants located in the original Chinatown. The sisters discuss their journey taking over the family business, navigating the challenges of maintaining a legacy while adapting to modern marketing demands, and their personal struggles with gender dynamics in the restaurant industry.

• The moment their father got sick changed everything—including who would actually run the kitchen.
• Why their mom actively fought against the one thing that ended up saving the business.
• The backlash Joanna faced in her own kitchen reveals an uncomfortable truth about the restaurant industry.
• How loyal customers became an unexpected liability instead of an asset.
• The reason Joanna scheduled her own shifts without asking permission as a teenager.
• What happened when they tried to modernize their father's "cowboy cooking" approach.
• The one policy decision downtown that hit harder than any economic downturn.
• Why Chinese wok cooks are in such high demand but so few people pursue it.
• The advice their father gave them that took 15 years to fully understand.
• What they wish they'd known on day one about ego, observation, and letting results speak for themselves.

This episode is sponsored by Save Fry Oil — cutting fry oil costs up to 50% while making food crispier. No power, no chemicals. Get your free cost savings estimate today.

• (00:00:00) - Restaurant Talk
• (00:00:26) - Jeanette and Joanna on Toronto's Chinatown
• (00:04:10) - What Are Your Pre-Childhood Memories?
• (00:06:50) - The Sisters' Return to the Family Business
• (00:11:19) - Toronto's No. 1 restaurant has stayed relevant with social media
• (00:17:47) - Restaurants Open for the New Era
• (00:19:22) - The Challenges of Running a Restaurant
• (00:20:47) - Being a head chef is challenging
• (00:22:47) - When I became the boss of a restaurant, I had to change
• (00:27:16) - Teaching your dad how to cook
• (00:29:08) - Chinese Kitchen's Success Story
• (00:31:53) - Susan and Yitong on Starting Your Business

In this episode of Restaurant Talk, host Kieron Bailey speaks with Chris Heffernan, CEO of dlivrd Technologies, a last-mile delivery tech solution company. They discuss how restaurants can streamline their off-premise operations through integrated technology, the importance of honest metrics over vanity numbers, and the power of people-first business practices. Chris shares insights on scaling from mom-and-pop operations to enterprise brands, the philosophy behind strategic partnerships, and why authentic company culture matters more than perks.

The conversation also explores the balance between automation and humanization, the real success rate of deliveries beyond industry hype, and how personal branding helps tech leaders connect with the restaurant community.

Takeaways

• Why integrated tech is worth more than the sum of its parts.
• The unexpected interview question that reveals true partnership potential.
• How automation actually buys you more time with people that matter.
• Why operators' gut instinct about prep times is probably wrong.
• The uncomfortable truth about industry success metrics that everyone ignores.
• One customer service move that turns complaints into loyalty.
• What delivery drivers really need from leadership.
• The problem with company culture and what to do instead.
• Why certain restaurant types thrive on delivery platforms.
• How a CEO's personal brand makes a tech company feel human.

This episode is sponsored by Save Fry Oil — cutting fry oil costs up to 50% while making food crispier. No power, no chemicals. Get your free cost savings estimate.

• (00:00:00) - Restaurant Talk: Week 3
• (00:00:30) - Restaurant Talk
• (00:01:15) - Irish entrepreneur to start Del in the UK
• (00:02:59) - How To Build a Single Tech Stack for Catering
• (00:07:05) - Where to Work With Franchises and Brands
• (00:09:03) - Bojangles' Tailgate Parties
• (00:11:38) - Chips: Four Pillars of Engagement
• (00:16:58) - Frylo: Save Fry Oil
• (00:17:30) - Pushing Data-driven Insights into the Operator Experience
• (00:19:25) - How To Use Data Driven Insights in Your Business
• (00:22:07) - In the Elevator With Sir Elton
• (00:22:41) - How To Build a Partnership With Your Customers
• (00:25:16) - Operators Talk About Culture
• (00:26:59) - The Right Metrics for Delivery
• (00:29:55) - What A Successful Delivery Is
• (00:32:58) - Foodie Friday: When Will I Be a Influencer?
• (00:37:30) - The Last Thing That You Ate That Will Destroy You
• (00:42:28) - The Executive Chef At D'Fruit Tar
• (00:44:49) - Starting a Business: What Advice Would You Give?
• (00:46:43) - Tick Tock

Welcome to a special intro episode where your three hosts finally meet! Kieron Bailey from the UK, Chrissy Symeonakis from Australia, and Susan Tung from Canada get together across three time zones to share the stories behind their love affair with hospitality.

This is the conversation you'd have over drinks after a long shift. The hosts talk about the weirdest things they've seen customers order, their go-to comfort foods (hello, McDonald's and dirty kebabs), and those pet peeves that every hospitality pro understands. They open up about how they got into the industry, often by accident, and share food memories that still bring them joy years later.

If you've ever wondered who's behind Restaurant Talk and why they're so passionate about sharing stories from the industry, this episode gives you a front-row seat to their world. It's funny, it's real, and it's a reminder of why hospitality is about so much more than just serving food.

Restaurant Talk is brought to you by Save Fry Oil with Frylow - because nobody wants to talk about fryer oil until they see their invoice.

• The mysterious woman ordering poached chicken and boiled eggs every morning
• A customer who cried over missing tripe
• The guy who complained about the same dish for months

• Why McDonald's becomes essential after a brutal shift
• The secret language that scores free kebabs at 4 AM
• When melted cheese is the only answer

• Rebelling against the family restaurant... then coming back
• The work experience swap that changed a life
• That moment when hospitality chose them

• The systems that buy back your freedom
• Being there for people's best days (not their worst)
• When a single taste takes you back decades

• The numbers no one teaches you (but should)
• Why cheap shoes will haunt you forever
• Document the madness while you can

• (00:00:00) - Restaurant Talk: Week 3
• (00:00:30) - Restaurant Talks
• (00:01:37) - The Woman Who Order The Same Breakfast Every Day
• (00:02:43) - The Strangest Situation
• (00:03:58) - The 'Wagamama Guy'
• (00:05:54) - Comfort Food
• (00:08:35) - 7 Types Of People You Don't Like
• (00:11:48) - Recurring Trauma Bonds
• (00:12:28) - What Did You Want To Do When You Were Growing Up?
• (00:16:10) - Kieran on Becoming A Librarian
• (00:18:48) - First porters into the hospitality industry
• (00:23:51) - How to get your foot in the hospitality door
• (00:28:53) - The Importance Of Dad's Advice
• (00:31:55) - The First Time I Realised The Feeling Of Hospitality
• (00:33:32) - Working for Your Parents
• (00:38:17) - Food on the Air
• (00:41:27) - Experiencing Australia
• (00:45:26) - The Unreasonable Hospitality Summit in Nashville
• (00:50:26) - What Excites You Most About Hosting Restaurant Talk
• (00:51:39) - The Escape From Australia: Stories from the Industry
• (00:56:42) - Jimmy Kimmel On Day 1 Advice For Restaurants

Join Kieron Bailey as he sits down with Jim Harris of Western Computer, a seasoned expert in food and beverage software, to explore the evolving role of technology in the hospitality industry. From the impact of smartphones to the rise of AI and robotics, Jim shares insights on how technology is reshaping customer expectations and business operations.

Key Topics:

The transformation of technology in hospitality over the past 25 years. Building trust with operators through technology. The role of AI and robotics in enhancing customer experience. The importance of seamless tech integration in business operations. Future trends in technology and their potential impact on the industry.

• (00:00:00) - Restaurant Talks: Technology
• (00:00:25) - Jim Harris
• (00:02:15) - The Big Challenges of Tech in Hospitality
• (00:09:30) - The Importance of Cost Management in the UK
• (00:11:09) - Technology in the Hospitality Industry
• (00:13:59) - How to Deploy AI in Your Business
• (00:17:30) - Do We Run the Risk of Too Much Tech in Our Business?
• (00:21:18) - McDonald's Ready to Roll Out Robotic Menu
• (00:23:01) - How AI is adding value to hospitality
• (00:29:03) - In the US, How to Network
• (00:30:21) - What Does the Future Look Like for Agents?
• (00:36:53) - Jim Toroy on LinkedIn
• (00:38:03) - Happy Birthday, Karen

Join Rachel Smalling and Susan on the Restaurant Talk podcast by Save Fry Oil as they delve into the realities of running small businesses, from managing customer expectations to the intricacies of partnerships. Rachel is the owner of 1854 Cocktail Bar & Lounge (a Cookeville TN Speak easy), a Dale Hollow Tn fishing lodge, and an Inn on Dale Hollow Lake, TN as well. Discover how they balance personal and professional lives, the importance of setting boundaries, and the value of hiring based on character over experience.

Key Takeaways:

The impact of customer reviews and how to handle them. Differences in managing motels versus restaurants. The importance of clear communication in partnerships. Strategies for hiring and retaining the right team. Balancing work-life dynamics in the hospitality industry.

• (00:00:00) - Restaurant Talk
• (00:01:04) - Interviewing Rachel Smalling from Cookeville, Tennessee
• (00:02:17) - Where Everything Clicks: Rachel's Motels
• (00:04:39) - Where Everything Clicks: Cookeville's First and Only Prohibition Bar
• (00:08:57) - Opening Day at Cookeville's First C cocktail bar
• (00:10:56) - Drunk on Fire: Staying True to Yourself
• (00:18:27) - Restaurant Owners Need to Connect with the Community
• (00:25:31) - How Do You Respond to Reviewers? Motels vs. Restaur
• (00:31:30) - How To Manage Money in a Married Marriage
• (00:35:51) - On the Partnership aspect
• (00:43:47) - Bar Owners: Setting Boundaries
• (00:45:23) - How Small Bar Can Be With a Small Team
• (00:49:45) - How Do You Find Good Talent?
• (00:54:22) - Gen Z and the Workplace
• (00:59:05) - Independent Business Owners on the Challenges
• (01:00:07) - Small Businesses and the Small Business Community
• (01:02:39) - Want to start your own business? Here's What to Know
• (01:04:29) - A Lifetime Supply Of Towels

Join Kieron Bailey on the Restaurant Talk Podcast as he sits down with David Burton, a seasoned hospitality professional with over 20 years at Hard Rock Cafe. From Cardiff to Amsterdam, David shares his experiences, the challenges of kitchen life, and the camaraderie that makes the restaurant industry unique. Discover the stories behind the scenes, the evolution of kitchen technology, and the unforgettable memories from Hyde Park Calling.

Key Highlights:

David's journey from Cardiff to Amsterdam The impact of consistent training in hospitality Memorable experiences at Hyde Park Calling Innovations in kitchen technology The importance of music in the kitchen

• (00:00:00) - Restaurant Talks
• (00:00:32) - The Hard Rock Cafe's 20-year employee
• (00:01:33) - Hard Rock Cafe
• (00:04:47) - Phil Collins on Hard Rock Training
• (00:09:36) - The Hard Rock's Adam Ferguson
• (00:15:09) - Gordon Ramsay on Leading the Kitchen
• (00:18:16) - Working at Hard Rock Cafe: Hyde Park Festival
• (00:22:31) - Rock and Roll
• (00:26:33) - The Battle of the Nile
• (00:27:26) - Working in the Kitchen for 20 years
• (00:30:15) - Gordon Ramsay on the Kitchen Display System
• (00:32:24) - Food and Music in The Kitchen
• (00:35:45) - The Hard Rock's Exclusivity