BDO To-Go

Join BDO To-Go host Meg Potts, Co-Lead of BDO’s National Restaurant Industry Group and true fan of data as she interviews Kirstie Tiernan – Principal with BDO Digital and enthusiastic helper of businesses choosing to make better decisions with data and AI. Kirstie spearheads BDO’s Data, AI and Labs teams. Leveraging her expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning, she collaborates with clients to enhance operational efficiencies, automate processes, and employ advanced analytics. Kirstie is dedicated to helping clients navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital transformation.

Tony Grant is CEO/CFO of Northern United Brewing, a craft brewer, distiller and winemaker based in Dexter, MI. In this episode, one of our BDO To-Go hosts, Katie Salerno talks with Tony about the origin and purpose of Rivals for a Cause and how he integrates Michigan football, Northern United Brewing, and other local restaurants into his game plan for giving back.

Ari Weinzweig is the Co-Founding Partner of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, a nationally renowned food icon that’s grown to over $70million in annual revenue. In this episode, Ari discusses how he was able to build the vision and the culture for his company and what process he had to undertake to properly map it out so that everyone could see it, believe it, and get on board with it. Ari joins our new host, Giselle El Birri to deliver best practices around building vision and culture in today’s industry.

In this episode, we hear some sound bites from the 2022 BDO Restaurant CFO Bootcamp where Alicia Voltmer of GreenbergTraurig, LLP provides an overview of current and emerging L&E issues faced by the restaurant industry, including some hot-topic items in employment law. Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and AV® Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubble®, Alicia advises employers, from start-up companies to Fortune 500s, in a wide variety of employment matters.

Gregg Thomas and Meg Potts joined BDO in 2020 through the acquisition of CFO Advisors, a trusted ally to retail and restaurant brands for over 25 years. The team provides C-suite services such as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Data Officer expertise, as well as providing data analytic services, all on an out-source basis to multi-unit restaurants and retail groups. Gregg and Meg join host Jeff Tubaugh to dish about best practices and strategies for the industry.

Bill Lindsey is the partner and co-founder of COGS-Well, a company named one of the top five new restaurant technologies by MURTEC. In this episode, Bill dishes on how technology has revolutionized the industry with the rising expectations of consumers. Host, Jeff Tubaugh and Bill navigate into the importance of innovative systems to continue to stay ahead of the technology curve.

Stephan Harman and Mike Speck are both partners at the restaurant FUSIAN with Mike serving as CEO. FUSIAN exists to connect people through collaboration, culture and cuisine. In this episode, the duo shares where they see the industry headed and how FUSIAN is evolving with our host, Jeff Tubaugh.

In this episode, Dana Zukofsky interviews Justin Klein, one of the leading franchise business attorneys in the United States. Named to the International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers, Justin’s knowledge and insights provide listeners with a sneak peek behind the curtain of the franchising world today.

In this week’s episode, Dana Zukofsky interviews Annie Fitzsimmons, a travel expert, to share her experiences on the ground about what’s happening in the travel and restaurant industry on an international level. Annie shares how she navigates the restaurant scene nationally and internationally.

Richard Rosendale trained in several kitchens across the United States and mentored under several Certified Master Chefs. He was the youngest member of ACF Culinary Team USA since the team’s inception and was one of five chefs who represented the U.S. in the 2004 World Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany. In this episode, Jeff Tubaugh and Richard talk about thinking outside the box when it comes to how you approach the restaurant business from the other side of the table.

Mark Bromberg is the President at Apex Restaurant Group, a firm that focuses on chain restaurant improvement, management, rejuvenation, and more. In this episode, Dana Zukofsky and Mark talk opportunities, what he’s been seeing within his space, and how his organization is working to overcome labor shortages. Mark provides an update to help listeners get a better idea of what’s happening on the ground, and what they can do about it.

Greg Creed, the Former CEO of Yum! Brands and Taco Bell joins Dana Zukofsky in our latest podcast. Creed retired after a successful 25-year career with Yum! and has more than 40 years of extensive global experience in marketing and operations with leading packaged goods and restaurant brands. Dana and Greg discuss the key ingredients to building and maintaining a thriving brand and reflect on some of Yum! Brands most memorable campaigns.

Host Jeff Tubaugh is joined by Bob Wright, the new CEO for Potbelly Sandwich Shop. In this podcast, Bob shares his passion for the restaurant business and how that passion is helping to fuel the success of Potbelly. Listen in as he shares how a solid team armed with insightful strategies can fuel profitable ventures and redevelop existing businesses into fresh, competitive operations.

In our latest podcast, Dana Zukofsky is joined by Sarah Gavigan the Founder and CEO of the Otaku Group, a ramen restaurant based in Nashville, Tennessee. This week, Sarah shares how she got her start, why ramen, and how she pivoted when COVID-19 hit.

In our newest podcast, Dana Zukofsky is joined by Andrew Moger, the Founder and CEO of BCD, a real estate brokerage firm that represents tenants in the food and restaurant space in New York City and the surrounding areas. In this episode, Andrew shares some of the common real estate trends he is witnessing and shares tips on how restaurants can come out of the pandemic stronger than before.

Robert Earl, the founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood and the Chairman of the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas pops into our latest podcast with BDO’s Dana Zukofsky. A mogul in this space, Robert shares his unique insights about where the future of the restaurant industry is headed and the exciting new projects he’s currently working on within the industry.

Jeff Tubaugh sits down with Mike Axiotis, the President & CEO of Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group, a thriving Red Robin franchise covering the Lehigh Valley, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Philadelphia and Harrisburg regions. Mike also serves as the Chair of the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Advocacy Fund. In this episode, Mike shares his journey on what was supposed to be ‘just a five year plan’ and how it turned into over two decades of service in the restaurant industry. Mike is passionate about the people he serves and shares some of the strategies he and his team quickly implemented during COVID that not only positively impacted his patrons, but his employees.

BDO’s Dana Zukofsky joins us in this episode as she interviews Kevin Burke, the founder and Managing Partner of Trinity Capital. Kevin discusses what he’s seeing in the restaurant space right now and offers an informative chat on where he sees new restaurant policies going with the new administration, how consumers will be eating, and other trends for 2021. This podcast was recorded in December of 2020 and all references to year end pertain to 2020.

BDO’s Dana Zukofsky joins us in today’s conversation as she interviews Helen Lao, Founder & President of ClearPath Solutions. Helen is known for her social media hashtag #helenonthemove and has been a huge advocate in the restaurant space.

CEO of America’s largest fast casual Italian chain, Carl Howard understands restaurants. In this episode, our host Jeff Tubaugh sits down with Carl as he shares the critical pivots he and his team made early on in the pandemic, why it’s important to keep your third-party delivery drivers happy, and how he made the process of ordering food easy for all generations.