In this episode of the say86 Podcast, we're joined by internationally recognised architect Kevin Kennon, whose career has taken him around the world, from major commercial developments and retail destinations to becoming one of five finalists in the competition to redesign New York’s World Trade Center. Kevin shares some fascinating stories from his career, including his involvement in creating a public viewing platform at Ground Zero following 9/11.

We also get into the relationship between architecture and hospitality, exploring how the design of restaurants, hotels and retail spaces influences the way people feel, behave and experience a venue. From his work with Bloomingdale’s to the importance of understanding your customer, Kevin has some interesting views on why so many modern spaces are starting to look the same, and whether AI is helping or making things worse.

Finally, we explore Kevin’s latest venture, Beyond Zero, an ambitious concept bringing together luxury wilderness resorts, sustainability and extraordinary natural environments. It's a really interesting conversation about creativity, changing cities, the future of hospitality and why great design should be about much more than simply how something looks.

In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim is joined by Jay Bandy, President of Goliath Consulting Group, whose career spans almost four decades in the US restaurant industry. From helping Blimpie grow from around 100 locations to approximately 2,000, to working with McDonald’s and advising independent restaurants, chains and franchise businesses, Jay has seen what separates a successful restaurant from one that is genuinely scalable. Pasted text

Jay shares why systems, people and culture matter more than simply having a great concept, why the jump from one restaurant to two can be so difficult, and what operators often misunderstand about franchising. We also get into staff retention, developing great GMs, Gen Z, AI, robotics and how changing consumer behaviour is reshaping restaurants. Pasted text Pasted text

The conversation also looks at some of the biggest pressures facing hospitality today, from rising food and labour costs to climate change, changing drinking habits and increasingly difficult margins. Jay explains why flexible menus, better systems and the ability to adapt will become even more important, while sharing a refreshingly optimistic view of where the restaurant industry goes next.

In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim's joined by Brandon Robinson, Founder and CEO of Tipsy Putt, the California born hospitality and entertainment concept bringing together mini golf, food, drink and social competition. What began as a 74 page MBA business plan written by Brandon’s wife has grown into a multi location business, with ambitious plans to reach around 50 locations by 2031. Brandon talks about entering hospitality with no restaurant background, investing his own money into the idea and then facing the unimaginable when COVID arrived just months after opening the first location.

We get into the economics behind experiential hospitality and why Brandon believes the model can offer advantages that traditional food and beverage businesses simply do not have. Tipsy Putt combines gaming, memberships, merchandise, private events, food and beverage, while its mini golf operation carries very little ongoing cost once the initial investment has been made. We also discuss the importance of becoming part of the neighbourhood rather than simply being a novelty destination, supporting local breweries and businesses, building genuine customer loyalty and listening closely to regular guests when deciding how the experience should evolve.

Brandon is equally open about the mistakes along the way, including expensive property decisions made during the pandemic, the realities of raising capital and the challenge of scaling without losing what made the business successful in the first place. We talk crowdfunding, leadership, delegation, family life and the future of technology in hospitality, including why, despite opening in the heart of San Francisco’s technology ecosystem, Brandon actually sees Tipsy Putt remaining proudly analogue. With Denver next, San Francisco and Arizona in development and longer term ambitions for national and potentially international growth, it’s a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience and building an experience people genuinely want to come back to.