Welcome to the very first episode of 86 Opinions — the no-BS podcast built for restaurant and food truck owners who are tired of the noise and ready to start running on strategy.
In this debut episode, The Digital Chef (Doug Maxon) lays the foundation for what this show is all about — real talk, real strategy, and real systems that help food entrepreneurs fill more seats, earn more five-star reviews, and finally get their time back.
Doug breaks down what “86” really means in the restaurant world — when something’s gone, it’s 86’d. And that’s exactly what this podcast is here to do: 86 the opinions, excuses, and outdated tactics that are holding food business owners back.
You’ll learn where this whole idea came from, how Doug went from running food trucks and restaurants to building White Bus Media and The American StrEatz, and why this next step — 86 Opinions — is about giving every owner a front-row seat to the kind of marketing insights that actually move the needle.
This isn’t a highlight reel or a motivational speech. It’s a behind-the-line, after-hours conversation about what it really takes to build a brand that lasts.
Doug also introduces his proven framework — The ABCs of Restaurant Marketing — the system behind every successful restaurant he works with:
You’ll also get a sneak peek at what’s ahead this season:
Each episode of 86 Opinions is designed to be short, smart, and loaded with practical takeaways. You won’t hear marketing buzzwords or trendy fluff — just real-world strategy, served hot, by someone who’s lived it.
If you’re a food entrepreneur ready to move past the chaos, build a brand that matters, and finally take control of your marketing — this is your kitchen.
Because in the restaurant world, luck runs out. But strategy scales.
