Shows
86 Reason Podcast by Over Easy Office86 Reason Ep 8 - Matt Buddah Budenstein - Dropping Plates, Building Dreams, and Creating AbundanceJoin host Xavier Mariezcurrena on 86 Reason for an inspiring conversation with Matthew "Buddah" Budenstein, co-founder of Liberty Kitchen and owner of Infinite Abundance Catering. Matt's journey from dropping 15 plates on his first week as a dishwasher to building a thriving multi-location restaurant and catering empire is a masterclass in resilience, community building, and the power of saying yes to challenges.This isn't a typical success story. Matt candidly shares the burnout that nearly broke him during the pandemic, the moment he realized stepping back was the only path forward, and how embracing dietary restrictions as creative catalysts transformed his...
2025-11-171h 1786 Reason Podcast by Over Easy Office86 Reason Ep. 7 | Ty Shehadi (Restaurant365): Why Single-Unit Operators Need More Than Just SoftwareJoin host Xavier Mariezcurrena on 86 Reason for a brutally honest conversation about restaurant technology with Ty Shehadi, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Restaurant365. From busboy to tech leader, Ty brings a rare perspective: he's lived in "the four walls" for over a decade and now helps shape the future of restaurant back-office solutions. His message? The best software in the world is worthless without the support to actually use it.This isn't your typical tech pitch. Ty candidly reveals why Restaurant365—despite being a powerhouse for enterprise groups—often isn't the right fit for single-unit operators unless paired with dedi...
2025-11-101h 1086 Reason Podcast by Over Easy Office86 Reason Ep. 6 | Steven Mamis from FORCS - Taming the Unique Beast of Restaurant AccountingJoin host Xavier Mariezcurrena on 86 Reason for an essential deep-dive into restaurant accounting software and multi-unit financial strategy with Steven Mamis, Restaurant365 Expert, Multi-Unit Restaurant Controller, and Founder of FORCS (Complete Restaurant Accounting & Operations Services). As Senior Controller of Five Guys New York, Steven brings battle-tested wisdom on why managing finances for multi-unit restaurants is a "unique beast", and exactly how to tame it.This conversation delivers unfiltered insights into the complexities of juggling multiple systems, sales channels, and vendors while maintaining financial clarity. Steven reveals why he considers Restaurant365 "almost non-negotiable" for serious multi-unit operators, and shares the...
2025-11-0345 min86 Reason Podcast by Over Easy Office86 Reason Ep. 4 | Shawn P. Walchef of Cali BBQ Media: Why Restaurant Owners Must Own Their StoryJoin us on 86 Reason for a raw, revelatory conversation with Shawn P. Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ Media, who dismantles the dangerous "if you build it, they will come" myth and reveals why restaurant owners must actively own their story to survive and thrive. A restaurateur since age 13 (starting as a dishwasher at the very restaurant he now owns), Shawn shares his transformation from burnout to building a media empire that markets his restaurants while helping hospitality tech companies authentically connect with operators.His hard-earned truth? "You have to put the mask on yourself first because if you pass...
2025-10-201h 0386 Reason Podcast by Over Easy Office86 Reason Ep. 5 | Andy Himmel (The Restaurant CPAs): From Building Collapse to Financial ClarityJoin host Xavier Mariezcurrena on 86 Reason for a raw, eye-opening conversation with Andy Himmel, Restaurant Industry Executive and Founder & CEO of The Restaurant CPAs. This episode delivers hard-earned wisdom about restaurant success, specialized financial strategy, and why the human element still trumps spreadsheets in hospitality.Andy's story begins with disaster: At 22, his first restaurant's building collapsed before opening day, forcing him into an unexpected six-month operational "boot camp" on a party island. This traumatic experience forged the resilience that would define his two-decade career scaling multi-unit brands. Today, he's on a mission to connect restaurant operators with the specialized...
2025-10-201h 1686 Reason Podcast by Over Easy Office86 Reason Ep. 3 | Wade Allen of Costa Vida: Why Operational Excellence Trumps MarketingA hospitality veteran since age 14 (starting as an assistant dishwasher) and former digital transformation leader at Brinker International, Wade shares his powerful pivot from a marketing-first mindset to an unwavering focus on the core "fire" of the brand—its operations and standards. His philosophy? "Marketing is the fuel that will help that fire grow. But if the fire itself isn't lit and strong, no amount of marketing will sustain this brand going forward."In this episode, Wade gets brutally honest about the challenges of scaling a fresh, Baja-style concept across competitive markets while maintaining consistency across franchised and company-owned lo...
2025-10-1353 min86 Reason Podcast by Over Easy Office86 Reason Ep. 2 | Beyond the Pitch: Michael Beck on Transforming Restaurant Tech Sales and Value DeliveryJoin us on 86 Reason for a game-changing conversation with Michael Beck, CEO of Inc Tank GTM, who's rewriting the rules of restaurant tech sales and value delivery. A self-described "pattern interrupter" and "hospitality romantic" with 15+ years in the industry, Michael shares how personal tragedy forged his mission to help restaurants not just survive, but thrive.In this episode, Michael challenges the status quo with his powerful mantra: "Nobody's coming to save us but us." He reveals why focusing on insightful questions—not flashy pitches—is the secret to unlocking genuine value, building trust, and driving real operational efficiency.Essential for...
2025-10-0651 min
86 Reason Podcast by Over Easy Office86 Reason Ep. 1 | Matt Wampler’s Journey with ClearCOGS: AI That Transforms Restaurant EfficiencyFrom sleeping on aprons during 120-hour work weeks to revolutionizing restaurant operations with AI – Matt Wampler's transformation story will change how you think about restaurant technology.In this episode of the 86 Reason Podcast, host Xavier Mariezcurrena sits down with Matt Wampler, CEO & Co-Founder of ClearCOGS, for an unfiltered look at how AI is transforming restaurant efficiency. Matt's journey from frantically managing a "train wreck" Jimmy John's franchise to building cutting-edge restaurant AI solutions offers invaluable lessons for every hospitality professional.Why This Episode Matters:Matt tackles the industry's biggest challenge head-on: "People don't enter the restaurant business to manage nu...
2025-09-271h 02