Shows
200: Tech Tales FoundHow a Beloved Steakhouse Survived Bankruptcy, Pandemic, and Digital DisruptionLogan’s Roadhouse, founded in 1991 in Lexington, Kentucky, by Dave Wachtel and Charles F. McWhorter, began as a nostalgic tribute to mid-20th-century American roadhouses, emphasizing affordability, hearty food, and a relaxed atmosphere. Its signature offerings—endless made-from-scratch yeast rolls, free peanuts with shells tossed on the floor, and the potent Roadhouse Tea—quickly became cultural touchstones, fueling rapid growth. By 1995, the chain went public, and its stock surged, marking it as a standout in the casual dining sector. However, its success attracted corporate interest, leading to a series of ownership changes that destabilized its financial foundation. Acquired by CBRL G...
2025-11-2020 min
NXT GEN presented by Pitch LabsFrom Idea to Impact: Andrew Glantz on Redefining EntrepreneurshipOn this episode of the NXT GEN Podcast by Pitch Labs, we sit down with Andrew Glantz, a purpose-driven entrepreneur who has built businesses at the intersection of impact and innovation. Andrew shares his journey from early startup challenges to scaling a mission-led company, offering insights on leadership, strategic growth, and building ventures that balance profitability with purpose.Whether you’re an aspiring founder or a business leader looking to rethink your approach, this conversation delivers actionable lessons on fundraising, brand building, and navigating the realities of entrepreneurship in today’s competitive market. https://www.giftameal.com/
2025-09-0535 min
The Business of JoyEpisode 31: Andrew GlantzBoost sales, boost Guest satisfaction…. AND fight hunger…It’s a perfect real world example of the Business of Joy in action! Meet Andrew Glantz, CEO and founder of GiftAMeal! For this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I spoke with Andrew about his amazing company that is elevating restaurant experience… and creating a BIG social impact along the way! His company has already partnered with thousands of restaurants to donate funds for more than 2.2 million meals to those in need!You guys know I l...
2024-12-1027 min
The Local Marketing LabIncrease restaurant growth with social responsibility with Andrew GlantzCan a simple photo of your meal help feed those in need and boost your restaurant’s bottom line? In this episode of the Local Marketing Lab, Andrew Glantz, founder and CEO of GiftAMeal, reveals how restaurants can achieve growth with social responsibility. Andrew shares innovative strategies that not only give back to the community but also drive customer loyalty and increase revenue.Here are some topics discussed in the episode around increasing restaurant growth with social responsibility:How to implement a giving-back program in restaurantsImpact of social responsibility on customer behavior and loyaltyIntegrating social impact initi...
2024-10-0923 min
Wisking it allConnecting Plates and People: The Success of GiftAMeal with Andrew GlantzAbout the Episode
In this episode, we’ll explore how GiftAMeal transforms everyday dining experiences into opportunities for generosity, with a stunning milestone of 2 million meals donated to food banks. We'll discuss the metrics and emotional connections that drive customer loyalty and behavior, and reveal how restaurants—from local spots to national chains—are integrating this initiative to make a positive impact.
Andrew will share insights on the challenges and triumphs of scaling GiftAMeal, the strategic importance of social media marketing, and future plans to expand their mission. If you’re in the restaurant industry or just...
2024-09-1032 min
FULL COMP: The Voice of the Restaurant Industry RevolutionAndrew Glantz on harnessing the power of “cause-marketing”I have yet to come across an independent restaurant owner that didn’t open their restaurant to better serve their community. But things get tricky when we try to get granular. We all aspire to serve our communities but with tight margins and low profits, most of us struggle to fulfill our lofty goals around community impact. Enter Andrew Glantz of GiftAMeal. Andrew has built an ecosystem that helps restaurants earn more and market better while providing over 2 million meals to local food banks. Today we sit down to discuss how cause-marketing impacts local restaurants and the communities they se...
2024-08-0934 min
The Local Marketing LabBlending the right mix of local marketing tools for franchisees with Dan SokolikIf you’re feeling overwhelmed with the challenge of getting your local marketing to connect with new audiences and engage your community, then you are not alone! In this episode of the Local Marketing Lab, Dan Sokolik, VP of Marketing at Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, shares his diverse experience working with major QSR brands like Subway, Domino’s, and McDonald’s. With a background spanning the agency, corporate, and franchise sides, Dan offers a unique perspective on blending the right local marketing tools for franchisees and multi-unit operators.Here are some topics discussed in the episode around loca...
2024-05-2222 min
VigorAndrew Glantz / Founder of GiftAMealStudies have shown that 84% of Gen Z shoppers are more likely to purchase from a brand if the brand gives back and 71% of Millennials would pay more for a product if they knew that some of the proceeds were going to a good cause. That’s the inspiration behind GiftAMeal, an app created by Andrew Glantz that makes a donation to local food banks when diners take photos of their meals at participating restaurants.
In this episode of Forktales, Michael and Andrew talk about cause marketing, the profits-with-a-purpose business model, entrepreneurial spirit and how GiftAMeal beat out thousands of competitors to...
2023-12-1435 minForktalesAndrew Glantz / Founder of GiftAMealGiftAMeal is an app that allows diners to take a photo of their order from a partner restaurant. For each photo taken, GiftAMeal donates to a local food bank to provide a meal to a family in need. Each month, more than 40,000 meals are provided through more than 100 local food banks in 37 states via GiftAMeal. In the last year, GiftAMeal has grown from 200 to almost 1,000 partner restaurants. Andrew fell in love with the profits-with-a-purpose business model as a student at Washington University. While there, he owned and operated a non-profit storefront dedicated to reuse and su...
2023-12-1435 min
This Is Small BusinessHow to Stay Profitable While Giving BackTrying to figure out how to make money while giving back through your business? Learn what it takes to grow your business when the foundation of your business model is social responsibility. Andrew Glantz, the Founder & CEO of GiftAMeal, explains how he managed to make a profit out of a business centered on giving back to the community. And Heather Cameron, a social entrepreneur and Michael B Kauffman Professor of Practice at the Washington University in St. Louis, tells us how to successfully build a business model that makes that possible.This episode is...
2023-11-2124 min
The Restaurant InnovatorHow Restaurants Can Emotionally Connect with Guests, Ft. GiftAMeal CEO Andrew GlantzAndrew Glantz sounds off on the power of hospitality through tech, infusing core values into the customer experience, winning over younger consumers in the restaurant realm, and more.
2023-11-0835 min
Restaurants Reinvented: Putting Growth Back on the MenuBridging Communities: GiftAMeal & The Social Conscious RestaurantIn this episode of Restaurants Reinvented, host Jen Kern from Qu invites Andrew Glantz, the founder of GiftAMeal, and Dan Sokolik, Vice President of Marketing at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, to discuss their partnership that aims to fight hunger and support local communities. GiftAMeal is a mobile app that enables users to provide meals to those in need by simply taking a photo of what they're eating at participating restaurants. The app has already facilitated the donation of 1.3 million meals and continues to expand its reach.Moments to Listen for: A unique so...
2023-05-2028 min
Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack OatesAligning Purpose and Profit With Andrew GlantzSend us a textAndrew Glantz is the Founder & CEO of GiftAMeal, a local marketing program that helps provide a meal to a family in need each time a guest takes a photo at a partner restaurant. Over 500 restaurants currently participate and over 1,300,000 meals have been given so far! Andrew believes that profit and purpose can be consistent goals hence his expertise in brand alignment.On this episode, you'll learn from Andrew about:Aligning social impact and business valuesGrowing your business is a sustainable/profitable wayThe impact of giving/service on your businessMore!Thanks...
2023-04-2415 min
Restaurants Reinvented: Putting Growth Back on the MenuAI Inside & Outside the Four Walls - Phil Crawford CTO of CKE RestaurantsJoin the man, the myth, the legend - Phil Crawford, CTO of CKE Restaurants, on how he’s using AI to drive better efficiencies for his brand and what he thinks “the store of the future” will operate like.Moments to Listen for: Harnessing technology more efficiently to save time (labor efficiency), extract data easier (personalization efficiency), and please guests (revenue efficiency)How CKE is using new AI technologies at the drive-thruHow CKE is using AI on the back end to build proactive algorithmsKitchen efficiency and optimization strategies The next generation - what they’ll expect ...
2023-03-2152 min
Talkin’ Solutions: Solving Problems With Global Thought Leaders#27: Working to solve the food insecurity crisis in the U.S one photo at a time - GiftAMeal Founder and CEO: Andrew GlantzWe're tackling the food insecurity crisis in the U.S by highlighting GiftAMeal and their quest to help provide meals to the 40 million people suffering through the uncertainty of not knowing where their next meal is coming from.
GiftAMeal founder Andrew Glantz joins the podcast to chat about how GiftAMeal is partnering with food banks in local communities to provide meals for people who are food insecure. How do they so? They work with participating restaurants, and all customers have to do is snap a photo of their delicious food or drink and post it through the...
2022-05-2547 minTalkin’ Solutions: Solving Problems With Global Thought Leaders#27: Working to solve the food insecurity crisis in the U.S one photo at a time - GiftAMeal Founder and CEO: Andrew GlantzWe're tackling the food insecurity crisis in the U.S by highlighting GiftAMeal and their quest to help provide meals to the 40 million people suffering through the uncertainty of not knowing where their next meal is coming from.
GiftAMeal founder Andrew Glantz joins the podcast to chat about how GiftAMeal is partnering with food banks in local communities to provide meals for people who are food insecure. How do they so? They work with participating restaurants, and all customers have to do is snap a photo of their delicious food or drink and post it through the...
2022-05-2547 min
Food on the TableUjima - Nick Speed, Founder and PresidentNick Speed's nonprofit Ujima is dedicated to cultivating community through food justice, environmental stewardship, and youth empowerment in St. Louis.
From his own time at Americorps and EarthDance Farms, through overseeing Ujima's apprenticeships, founder Speed joins us to share stories of programs that are making a real difference.
Learn about vermiculture, building a home garden that flourishes, and hear about Ujima's plans for expansion and collaboration throughout the region.
EPISODE LINKS
Donate to Ujima today or learn more on UjimaSTL.com
Follow Ujima...
2021-05-2818 min
Food on the TableKimberly Neil — Director of Marketing, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop in St. Louis + Columbia, MOThe wonderful Kimberly Neil joins us to share her Fuzzy's favorites, how they've grown through the challenges of the past year, and what's in development among the chain's ever-expanding array of tacos.
2021-04-3012 min
Food on the TableThe Fit and Food Connection - Joy Millner and Gabrielle Cole, Co-DirectorsWe're joined by Joy Millner and Gabrielle Cole, who together run The Fit and Food Connection (FAFC), a nonprofit based in St. Louis that serves people living in food and fitness deserts. Their two main areas of programming -- wellness (group fitness, nutrition classes & 1-on-1 help) and food access (an organic garden & delivery-based healthy food pantry) support healthy living in low-income communities and impact hundreds of families.
In today's episode, they share the story of their nonprofit, and how the pressures of the pandemic led them to rethink their offerings -- and what this new...
2021-01-1518 min
Food on the TableAaron Teitelbaum, Owner of Herbie’s and Kingside DinerAaron Teitelbaum's restaurants in St. Louis and Clayton, Mo. have grown to be a beloved staple of local dining. He joins us for a timely conversation about the current situation for restaurants in December 2020. Topics covered include:
How his restaurant concepts have grown and changed since opening Herbie's 15 years ago and the first Kingside Diner 5 years ago
The emotional rollercoaster of being an employer in a pandemic
What top-tier safety measures look like and what they mean to staff & guests
Relief measures & the needs of the industry
... and fascinatingly, he shares how his establishments...
2020-12-1225 min
Food on the TableVicia and Winslow's Table - Tara Gallina, ownerTara Gallina, owner of St. Louis' Vicia and Winslow's Table in University City, joins us to discuss the state of the industry and share how she and her husband Michael have been keeping their beloved restaurants alive and relevant from the initial weeks of the pandemic throughout all the difficult trials of 2020.
Hear how they've kept afloat and true to their ethos of wonderful food, supporting local food systems, and great hospitality... from finding ways to keep staff employed to creating all-new giftable experiences as an alternative to holiday gift cards.
Links from the episode:
2020-11-2600 min
The Charity Charge ShowEP: 54 Andrew Glantz | Founder and CEO of GiftAMealIn episode 54 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen speaks with Andrew Glantz, Founder, and CEO of GiftAMeal, whose mission seeks to empower people to fight hunger in their community while supporting local businesses. In addition to GiftAMeal, Glantz serves on the Washington University in St. Louis Alumni Board of Governors and guest lectures at the university on the topics such as marketing, negotiations, and entrepreneurship.
---------------------------About Charity ChargeCharity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements...
2020-11-2030 min
Food on the TableBARcelona Tapas - Karl SchmitzNFL athlete. Apparel entrepreneur. Bar manager. Karl Schmitz of Clayton, MO's venerable BARcelona Tapas Restaurant and ❤︎OMS Clothing has a background like no other.
He joins us to share his story -- from growing up in Bermuda, to working with his family to weather the pandemic, and much more.
Episode Links
BARcelona Tapas Restaurant: website, Facebook, Instagram
Heart On My Sleeve Clothing: website, Facebook, Instagram
2020-09-0922 min
Food on the TableFood Pedaler - Alex Ward, ownerCould you carry 40 lunches on a bicycle? Keep a pizza balanced while you pedal around town? Food Pedaler is St. Louis' only locally-owned food delivery service... and they do it all on bikes!
Owner Alex Ward comes on to share:
- How a chance encounter at lunch led him away from the world of PR and down a different (bike) path
- How to carry 40 lunches or a stack of pizzas on a bicycle
- The impact of COVID-19 and how he kept his customers and couriers...
2020-08-1619 min
The Seed – The Startup Journey8. Donating Meals with Food Photos? Andrew Glantz, CEO & Founder of GiftAMealIn this episode of The Seed – The Startup Journey, I will be interviewing Andrew Glantz. Andrew is the Founder & CEO of GiftAMeal, which is a socially conscious dining app that is Feeding those in need, One picture at a time.You can also check us out on YouTube at https://youtu.be/d79KtStHE_QFollow us on Instagram to see the latest episodes, highlights, and takeaways! https://www.instagram.com/seed_startup_journey/--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-seed-startup-journey/support
2020-07-1522 min
Food on the TableFul. - Kenneth Mao, founder and head chefKen Mao joins us at Food on the Table for our longest and most in-depth episode yet.
Ken started his career in education, traveling the world and creating his own test prep company before working as a teacher on a private yacht. He learned to cook delicious healthy meals for himself, and when he came to St. Louis for his MBA, his classmates at Wash U wanted in on his meal prepping. And that's how he got the idea for what became "Ful.", a health-focused meal prep company with pickup locations all over St. Louis. He's...
2020-07-101h 29
Food on the TableTurn Restaurant - David Kirkland, Chef/OwnerDavid Kirkland is the owner and Executive Chef of Turn Restaurant. His background is far-ranging: He spent years honing his craft in the kitchens of acclaimed cafes and restaurants throughout St. Louis before his decade-long career as a DJ in San Francisco. In 2007, he returned to STL where he helmed Cafe Osage before opening Turn Restaurant and David Kirkland Catering in 2016. Since then, he's delighted customers with his health-centered and unique takes on American comfort food.
He sits down with GiftAMeal founder Andrew Glantz for a timely discussion about his background, the genesis of Turn, and...
2020-06-1918 min
Food on the TablePappy's Smokehouse - John Matthews, co-founder and ownerIn 2008, John Matthews opened Pappy's Smokehouse in St. Louis, MO. Today, customers drive hundreds - sometimes thousands - of miles just to eat their award-winning 'cue. The Pappy's Family of Restaurants is has grown substantially, and is commonly credited with putting the St. Louis barbecue scene on the map. There's a reason the Food Network named them the "The Best Ribs in America"
Their Memphis-style BBQ has won too many awards to list, and in early March of 2020, things were looking great. Southern Living had just named them the 'Best BBQ' in the state...
2020-06-1717 min
Food on the TableHot Box Cookies - Ryan Rich, CEOCEO Ryan Rich has a sweet tooth for helping his community. With a career path like no other -- from transactional law practice to food tech investor to cookie entrepreneur -- he's applied everything he's learned into building and operating his company, Hot Box Cookies.
People love his product and Hot Box Cookies has grown quickly as a result. 2020 was poised to be a year of huge growth... and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Ryan sits down with GiftAMeal founder and CEO, Andrew Glantz, to discuss what...
2020-06-1630 min
Food on the TableEspresso Yourself Coffee & Cafe - Jules Karagiannis + Tracy Calabro, co-owners and Chief Happiness Junkies #1 & #2Jules and Tracy are sisters who opened Espresso Yourself with a simple mission: to create good vibes and serve great coffee & food. Located in the Macklind Business District of St. Louis, their joy-inspiring cafe lifts up the community, the people, and the businesses around them.
They joined us on this episode of Food on the Table to share their story, and it's a fun one.
And their story is great --- we talk about:
How they came up with the idea and what it took to open Espresso Yourself /
...
2020-06-0128 min
Food on the TableGerard Craft - Niche Food GroupGerard Craft is an incredible chef, a James Beard Award—winner and the owner of Niche Food Group, whose 7 restaurants have delighted St. Louis and Nashville alike.
He comes on the show to share some of the uplifting things his restaurant group has done recently, like staffing a nonprofit community kitchen and raising more than $1,000,000 for local small businesses and workers displaced by COVID-19.
Links from the episode:
https://www.nichefoodgroup.com/donate
Brasserie web, facebook, instagram
Pastaria (STL) web, facebook, instagram
brassWELL web, fa...
2020-05-2225 min
Food on the TableNapoli 2 - Ande Pietoso, ownerWhat does the coronavirus pandemic mean for family-owned fine dining establishments?
Napoli 2 owner Ande Pietoso and his family at Café Napoli and Bar Napoli have spent decades perfecting the art of consistently delighting guests with wonderful meals and impeccable service in a refined, inviting atmosphere. With dining rooms closed across the state, they had to move quickly and thoughtfully to keep serving their community.
We asked Ande to share his story, from growing up polishing silverware in his parents' Clayton restaurant, to opening Napoli 2 in Town and Country, to the challenges and triumphs of the l...
2020-05-1623 min
Food on the TableBlood & Sand - Brad Phillips, GM and Beverage DirectorHow do you take fine dining and hand-crafted cocktails to curbside? At Blood & Sand in downtown St. Louis, Brad Phillips and his team started preparing months in advance to find the answer.
From menu redesign to wine tastings held online, hear the story of how this restaurant, once a private club, rose to the challenge of staying relevant in a time of pandemic.
Links from the episode:
Blood & Sand website
Virtual Wine Tasting with Fred Dame, M.S.
Check out the Wine Club
2020-05-1529 min
Food on the TableKristen Wild, Executive Director of Operation Food SearchWhat does it take to heal hunger during a pandemic?
Operation Food Search collects and distributes nearly 50 tons of food daily to those in need throughout the St. Louis region. And with hundreds of distribution sites and partner agencies depending on their continued work, they've had to really adapt quickly to the unique pressures of COVID-19.
Executive Director Kristen Wild joins us for an interview about how the organization has risen to the challenge with new distribution methods and strategies to make sure the community we love stays safe and fed.
2020-04-3017 min
Founderverse011 - Profits with a Purpose - Andrew Glantz - GiftAMealAndrew Glantz is the founder & CEO of GiftAMeal, a mobile app that helps provide a meal to someone in need each time a user takes a photo at a partner restaurant. To date, GiftAMeal has donated over 410,000 meals. In today’s episode, we talk about what it’s like building a company while still in college, why a business doesn’t have to be a non-profit to give back to the community, and why you need to push even harder when you start gaining traction.
Visit the website and download the app at https://www.gi...
2020-03-0931 min
Future FoundersGetting PressGetting Press featuring Andrew Glantz (Founder of GiftAMeal) and Kelly Bertog (Marketing Manager at Future Founders)
2019-09-2500 min
Innovation CityGiving Back Through Purpose-Driven Business - Andrew Glantz (St. Louis, MO)"Start early. Test things out and fail and perform small experiments to learn. Otherwise, if you're waiting [for the perfect time] you could yield nothing." — Andrew Glantz Today's guest is Andrew Glantz, Founder & CEO at GiftAMeal. GiftAMeal is an app that provides a meal to someone in need each time customers dine at a partner restaurant. Andrew sits down with the team to discuss the importance of removing barriers in the donation process, the value of being a purpose driven organization, his love for the St. Louis startup scene, his advice for startups looking to scal...
2019-08-2722 min
The Bourbon Friday Show0046 – GiftAMeal // Andrew GlantzOn this episode of the Bourbon Friday Show we talk with Andrew Glantz, Founder and CEO of GiftAMeal, about their social sharing app that helps provide meals to people in need in the St. Louis and Chicago areas.
Bourbon: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
2019-01-0420 min