Shows
Women in Restaurant LeadershipMarie Crawford’s Playbook for Operations SuccessStep into the growth of Protein Bar and Kitchen with ops leader Marie Crawford, as she shares her journey from getting started in hospitality to running operations at a fast-growing brand. 💪We chat about how she’s grown as a leader, staying true to her values while helping a brand expand through franchising, and what it takes to build your own voice in this industry. Plus, Marie drops some great advice for women stepping into leadership roles and how she uses her platform to make a difference in her community. ✨ Now that's what we call #WiRLPower!2025-07-1522 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipWhat If the Best Way to Lead Is from the Inside Out? With Jennifer Thomas, Founder of Rooted ConnectionsJennifer Thomas believes leadership isn’t about powering through—it’s about powering down and tuning in. In this episode, the founder of Rooted Connections shares how she stepped away from the hustle and redefined leadership on her own terms. We talk about what it means to lead from the inside out, how to move forward when you’re feeling stuck, and why clarity and self-trust matter more than checking every box.🎟️ Want more? Join Jennifer live for Rooted to Rise: Wellness, Wisdom & the New Way to Lead—a free WiRL webinar on July 15th. Reserve your sp...2025-07-0139 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipEven for a Day: How KFC’s Girls Takeover Initiative Is Rewriting the C-SuiteWhat if one day in the C-suite could change a young woman’s entire view of what’s possible? In this special episode of the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast, we explore the transformative power of representation, partnership, and purpose through KFC’s Girls Takeover—a global initiative in collaboration with Plan International that invites young women to step into executive leadership roles, even if just for a day.You’ll hear from Shirlyn Huang, a student and youth advocate who stepped into the role of Chief People & Culture Officer at KFC as part of the initiative, as well as...2025-06-1736 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipPower, Purpose & Pushing Past Doubt, with Hope Neiman and Judy ChanThis week on the official #WiRLPod, I'm handing the mic to two women who are leading at the intersection of hospitality and tech—and doing it with boldness, heart, and just the right amount of grit.Meet Hope Neiman, Chief Marketing Officer, and Judy Chan, VP of B2B Marketing and Demand Generation at Tillster. These two powerhouses are not only driving innovation in restaurant technology, they’re also proving what’s possible when women lead with purpose and confidence in traditionally male-dominated spaces.In this episode, we talk about what makes women-led teams different (and da...2025-06-0335 min
Loud & LiftedQuick Lift: Lead Loudly, Build SlowlyIn this Quick Lift episode, we spotlight the standout moments from our interview with Satyne Doner, Associate Editor of Women in Restaurant Leadership at QSR and FSR magazines. Satyne isn’t just writing about industry change—she’s actively leading it by building a national platform that uplifts and connects women across the restaurant world.We’ll dive into three powerful takeaways you can put into action today—whether you're launching your own group, building authentic connections, or just figuring out how to lead from where you are. These micro-moments pack macro-impact.This less than 10-minute li...2025-05-1507 min
Loud & LiftedYoung, Lifted & Leading: Rewriting the Narrative with Satyne Doner She’s 23, but don’t let the age fool you—she is already shaping the future of leadership in the restaurant industry.Satyne Doner is the Associate Editor of Women in Restaurant Leadership at QSR and FSR magazines—and she’s not just writing about change in the industry, she’s leading it. She’s playing a pivotal role in building a national platform that elevates, educates, and empowers women. In this episode, we dig into how she’s building a space for real connection and visibility for women leaders, and why you don’t need a corner offi...2025-05-0829 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipChef Iliana de la Vega on Heritage, Motherhood & Mexican CuisineIn this heartfelt episode of the #WiRLPod, I sat down with Chef Iliana de la Vega—James Beard Award-winning chef, educator, and founder of El Naranjo in Austin, Texas. From her early days exploring the markets of Oaxaca to leading one of the country’s most respected Mexican kitchens, Iliana shares how heritage, memory, and matriarchal influence have shaped her journey.She opens up about the power of the maternal line in Mexican culinary tradition, the deep cultural identity woven into every dish, and the importance of honoring diversity in both cuisine and leadership. Iliana also reflects on b...2025-05-0628 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipMarketing with Impact, with Cassie Pinckney (VP of Marketing, Gastamo Group)In this episode of Women in Restaurant Leadership, I sit down with Cassie Pinckney, Vice President of Marketing at Gastamo Restaurant Group, to explore her dynamic career journey from national brands like Velvet Taco and Pei Wei to leading innovative marketing strategies for a growing portfolio of fast-casual concepts. Cassie shares the key lessons she’s carried across roles, her process for immersing herself in new brand cultures, and the art of balancing creativity with calculated risk.We dig into how she navigates brand transitions, stays ahead of consumer trends, and drives relevancy in an increasingly digital wo...2025-04-2225 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipHow Clean Eatz Tackles Ozempic, Gut Health, and the Wellness RevolutionCan a restaurant brand really change lives? 🤩In this episode of the WiRL Pod, I'm sitting down with Evonne Varady, Co-Founder of Clean Eatz, a health-focused fast-casual franchise that’s on a mission to transform lives. From its humble beginnings to becoming a leading player in the wellness space, Evonne shares her journey of building a brand that prioritizes more than just healthy meals — it’s about creating a community where judgment is left at the door, and wellness becomes a lifestyle.Evonne opens up about the challenges of franchising, how Clean Eatz stays true to its mi...2025-04-0829 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipFrom Frontline to Future, with Sarah DiehlWelcome to the Season 2 debut!! ✨The restaurant industry is full of incredible career opportunities—if you know where to look. In this episode of the WiRL pod, I'm sitting down with Sarah Diehl, founder of Empowered Hospitality. She joins me to break down the evolving talent landscape in hospitality. 💪From shifting employee expectations to the power of employer branding, Sarah shares expert insights on how restaurant professionals can build long-term, fulfilling careers beyond the front line. Whether you're a manager looking to grow, an operator aiming to retain top talent, or someone eager to transition into a...2025-03-2528 min
Peel: A PMQ Pizza PodcastEpisode 28: Kim Juda of Crust Pizza Co. (plus BONUS interview with MJ Riva, CEO of Pizza Factory)Kim Juda, VP of operations for Crust Pizza Co., joins the show to talk about her background and how she is helping Crust scale its footprint (3:05). Juda talks about some things she learned during her time with Quiznos, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and a few other brands, and gives a picture of how and where Crust Pizza Co. is growing its print. Later in the show, Satyne Doner, associate editor of the WiRL podcast, comes on to preview her interview with MJ Riva, CEO of Pizza Factory (26:08). Doner and Riva then discuss how Riva became the CEO of one of th...2025-03-1755 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipBONUS EPISODE: Women Shaping the Future of PizzaFor the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast SEASON ONE FINALE (can you believe it?!), we’re teaming up with our sister publication PMQ Pizza for a special bonus episode! PMQ senior editor Charlie Pogacar is leading the conversation this time, with pizza industry trailblazers Laura Meyer and Stephanie Swane. 🍕They dive into the future of pizza, innovation in the industry, and the importance of championing women in food. From pushing culinary boundaries to redefining leadership, Laura and Stephanie share their insights on what’s next for the world of pizza. #WiRLPowe #PizzaPower anyone? ✨💪2025-03-1148 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipElevating Women in Food, with LDEI President Stephanie JaegerIn this episode of Women in Restaurant Leadership, I sat down to chat with Stephanie Jaeger, President of Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI), to explore how the organization is championing women in food, beverage, and hospitality. Stephanie shares insights on LDEI’s most impactful initiatives, the power of mentorship, and her vision for the future of women in the industry. She also reflects on her personal journey in hospitality, the global connections LDEI fosters, and even reveals which legendary chefs she’d invite to a dream dinner party. Thank you for tuning into this bite-sized episode of the o...2025-03-1125 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipTossing Up the Future of Fresh Eats, With Darden Coors and Jenn RuppertWhat does it take to build a thriving healthy fast-casual empire? I'm sitting down to chat with Darden Coors, CEO of Salad Collective (and Coors family heiress), along with Jenn Ruppert, Salad Collective's VP of Marketing and one of our recent WiRL Together Summit speakers! Darden shares her unique journey from practicing law to leading MAD Greens, Tokyo Joe’s, and Snappy Salads under one roof. I'll explore how she blends her family’s legacy with her vision for growth, the challenges of scaling a mission-driven brand, and what’s next for Salad Collective. Plus, Jenn off...2025-02-2534 min
I am Maria PodcastTurning challenges into stepping stones | With Satyne DonerJoin us as we explore the inspiring journey of Satyne Doner in this episode, "Turning Challenges into Stepping Stones". Discover how Satine transformed personal struggles and a difficult upbringing into opportunities for growth and leadership. From leaving a destructive home situation at 18 to finding her voice and creating a platform for women in restaurant leadership, Satyne's story is a powerful testament to resilience and self-discovery. Learn about her tools for self-care, including grounding techniques, journaling, and the importance of connecting with nature and animals. Satiyne also shares her experience navigating the challenges of c...2025-02-1739 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipChristine Johnson’s Path From the Courtroom to the CafeHow does a legal powerhouse transition into leading a beloved French café brand? ☕️✨🥐In this episode, we sit down with Christine Johnson, who was COO of la Madeleine at the time of this recording and now serves as executive vice president, to explore her unique journey from practicing law to overseeing operations at a national restaurant chain.Christine shares how her legal expertise has shaped her leadership approach, from strategic decision-making to navigating industry regulations. We’ll also dive into how she balances la Madeleine’s legacy with innovation, leads through change, and mentors the next generatio...2025-02-1124 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipGrowth, Leadership, and Empowerment in the C-Suite, with Tropical Smoothie Cafe CDO Cheryl FletcherReady for another bite-sized episode to get your week started on a good note? In this episode of the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast, I'm joined by Cheryl Fletcher, chief development officer at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. She shares her inspiring (and unconventional) journey to the C-suite and what it’s like to lead in the fast-paced world of QSR. Cheryl discusses stepping outside her comfort zone, her bold leadership style, and the strategies behind Tropical Smoothie’s rapid growth in recent years. She also offers valuable advice for aspiring women leaders, insights into balancing brand expan...2025-01-2824 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipFinding Your Voice... with MJ Riva, CEO of Pizza FactoryIn this episode of Women in Restaurant Leadership, I sit down with MJ Riva, CEO of Pizza Factory, to explore her journey in the restaurant industry and the evolution of her leadership style. MJ shares powerful insights on finding your voice, embracing discomfort to grow, and navigating challenges with confidence and authenticity.We discuss how she’s used her unique perspective to drive brand growth at Pizza Factory, the role of mentorship in empowering others, and strategies for asserting authority in high-pressure situations. MJ also offers advice for emerging leaders on building support networks and fostering environments wh...2025-01-1424 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipThe Woman Behind a Wellness Movement, with Vitality Bowls President and Founder Tara GiladHappy New Year, #WiRLFam! In this episode of the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast, I’m joined by Tara Gilad, President and Founder of Vitality Bowls, a fast-growing superfood café franchise that has transformed the healthy dining landscape. Tara shares her inspiring journey from her health-conscious upbringing and entrepreneurial roots to founding a brand driven by a deeply personal mission—creating safe, nutritious dining options for those with food allergies. 🥗🍎🥕We’ll explore how Tara overcame early challenges to build Vitality Bowls into a nationally recognized brand with over 70 locations, her approach to innovation through ventures like Ha...2024-12-3128 min
QSR UncutLessons in Leadership and Restaurant Success, with Dr. Emily Williams KnightDr. Emily Williams Knight, the CEO of Texas Restaurant Association, joins QSR editorial Danny Klein and WiRL associate editor Satyne Doner for a special crossover episode between QSR Uncut and our sister podcast, Women in Restaurant Leadership. We discuss everything from climbing the ladder to the industry’s most-pressing issues and regulatory challenges to this February’s upcoming WiRL Summit, and much more. If you're interested in learning more about WiRL or attending our February event, visit here: https://www.womenleadrestaurants.com/2024-12-1939 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipTrisha Bovell’s Journey to Building Big Chicken’s Training PlaybookHow does a biology major become one of QSR’s Young Leaders to Watch? In this episode of Women in Restaurant Leadership, I chat with Trisha Bovell, Head of Training at Big Chicken, about her unconventional path into the restaurant industry, her rise from GM to training guru, and her hands-on approach to onboarding that’s helping Big Chicken grow!Trisha shares lessons from her time at Dutch Bros and Topgolf, her secrets to building a killer training program, and how she balances leading the charge at Big Chicken with co-owning her small business, Simply Charcuterie LV. We a...2024-12-1021 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipMeredith Sandland on the Future of Food, Digital Restaurants, and Building Empower DeliveryIn this episode, I sit down with Meredith Sandland, author of Delivering The Digital Restaurant and founder of Empower Delivery, to discuss the transformative shift in how Americans consume food. Meredith shares her career journey, pivotal lessons learned along the way, and her passion for leading change in the restaurant and delivery industries.We dive into:🍴 How food consumption patterns are evolving in the U.S.📖 The inspiration behind her book and the hardest part of writing it🚀 The challenges and triumphs of founding Empower Delivery📦 What’s next for third-part...2024-11-2629 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipGame On! How Devour Is Revolutionizing Restaurant Tech, with CEO Shelly RupelLet's talk tech! 👩💻🤖🎮This week, we're catching up with Shelly Rupel, CEO and Co-Founder of Devour—a next-gen engagement platform that's "feeding the future" by weaving seamless food ordering into the world of gaming and streaming.Shelly is a fearless leader in three traditionally male-dominated fields: restaurants, technology, and gaming. With Devour, her goal is to reach all 212 million U.S. gamers by meeting them where they are and going beyond the traditional means of engagement and loyalty. 🏆Check out her full story on QSR: https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/shelly-rupel...2024-11-1224 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipChanging Lives One Sandwich at a Time, with Healey MendicinoToday I'm joined by Healey Mendicino, who shares her journey to becoming the president of Port of Subs, a beloved 52-year-old nationwide sandwich shop. We also dive into the nuances of franchising and what it takes to successfully grow in today's ever-changing environment. We also learn about Healey's favorite sub order! 2024-10-2931 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipThe Queen of Brunch Shares Her Recipe for Success, with Brandy BlackwellThis time on the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast, we're joined by Brandy Blackwell, VP of Marketing at Another Broken Egg Cafe. Brandy opens up about her inspiring career journey, unique leadership style, and what it takes to thrive as a woman in a male-dominated industry. We’ll also dive into the “Brunch Boom” phenomenon and explore how Another Broken Egg Cafe continues to lead the way with fresh innovations in a competitive market.And don’t miss the fun bonus at the end—Brandy reveals her dream brunch guests and shares her ultimate brunch playlist!2024-10-1535 minWomen in Restaurant LeadershipBuilding a Career You're Proud Of, with CEO Jennifer DoddToday we're joined by Jennifer Dodd, CEO of Main Squeeze Juice Company! In this episode, we talk about everything under the sun when it comes to career growth. With over 30 years of experience leading successful turnarounds, driving strategic growth, and empowering diverse teams across brands like The Melting Pot, Tim Hortons, Dunkin’ Donuts, Applebee’s, Church’s Chicken, Arby’s, and more, Dodd’s leadership journey is unparalleled. Her story, which began at a Wendy’s drive-thru where she met her husband, adds a personal touch to her professional achievements.As a certified DiSC leadership assessment to...2024-10-0136 min