In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper speaks with David Youngberg, CEO of Stonefire Grill, about what it truly means to lead with hospitality. With decades of experience in restaurant operations—from his early days at McDonald's to senior leadership at BJ's and now Stonefire—David offers grounded insights on building a people-first culture. He shares how Stonefire is refining its guest experience through technology, team empowerment, and a clear vision for growth. From improving internal communication to acting on customer feedback, David breaks down the strategic choices that make Stonefire's service model both scalable and personal.
Topics Discussed in the Episode
David's leadership journey from BJ's Restaurants to Stonefire Grill
The people-first philosophy behind Stonefire's operations
Using stakeholder input to guide strategic initiatives
Leveraging tech tools like Toast and Ovation to enhance service
Creating a high-performance culture through servant leadership
Connect with David Youngberg:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dyoungberg
https://www.linkedin.com/company/stonefire-grill-inc
https://www.instagram.com/stonefiregrill/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/stonefiregrill?lang=en
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWywdImCs66xn62mktbA5IA
https://www.facebook.com/stonefiregrill/
This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!
Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.
