Shows
Consumer CodeLeveraging Predictive Modeling For Retail Growth (ft. Hannibal Baldwin)In this episode, Lyden and Hannibal discuss the critical role of site selection in retail growth, particularly through the lens of Baldwin's experience with SiteZeus. They explore the journey from traditional retail to leveraging machine learning for predictive modeling in site selection, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer demographics and site characteristics. The discussion also covers strategies for emerging brands, the significance of proactive real estate processes, and the success stories of brands like Raising Canes and Culver's in navigating the post-COVID retail landscape.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(06:18) The Journey to SiteZeus: From Yogurt to Software(12:14) Understanding Site Selection for Emerging...
2025-03-041h 00
The Restaurant Dealmaker ShowJim Mizes | Retired CEO & Consultant | Ep#36đThe Restaurant Dealmaker ShowđEp#36 of The Restaurant Dealmaker Showđ
JIM MIZES
Consultant/Strategic Advisor/Retired CEO
Jim Mizes has spent the last 30+ years working to scale and build new brands. After an initial career in finance, Jim moved to Operations in the late 80âs with Taco Bell. At Taco Bell, Jim pioneered the 59/79/99 cent menu of the early 90âs that changed the value equation for fast food. In the early 90âs, Jim shifted to working with founders. His first engagement was with Noahâs Bagels for 4 years as the chain grew from 10 to 50+ restaurants. He later moved to Jamba Juice...
2025-02-2751 min
The Future of DevelopmentHannibal Baldwin | CEO & Co-founder | SiteZeus | AI-driven Retail Site SelectionHannibal is a fifth generation Tampa native. A student of the University of Colorado and graduate of University of South Florida in 2011 where he earned his Bachelorâs degree in Finance. Upon graduation Hannibal and his brothers Keenan & Trevor formed Shibumi Capital Partners (formerly Baldwin Beach Capital), which serves as a private equity & venture capital fund for the Baldwin Family Office.
Given the focus of investments, Hannibal and Keenan had a unique opportunity to have a front row seat in the expansion struggles and successes of several different notable restaurant & retail brands. Through these experiences originated SiteZeus, a web based si...
2022-03-0447 min
Tech and Mortar0031 Austin Smith, Savory FundTalk highlights: People are what makes or breaks a brand Learning from othersâ stories and best practices in the restaurant industry Focusing on creating happy employees will, in turn, create happy customers Speaker bio: Austinâs career an operator at Four Foods Groupâs first location opened with Kneaders Bakery and Cafe. He was able to experience first-hand the operational side of restaurants, something that many other investors do not have. Austin was one of Four Foods Groupâs first employees and was able to help grow the brand from the ground up. While there, he led th...
2020-08-0500 minTech and Mortar0030 David Beitz and George Daigh, Planned GroceryTalk highlights: Changes to the grocery industry caused by COVID-19 Why some grocery stores donât make it past the planning stages How Planned Grocery came to be Speaker bio: David Beitz and George Daigh are Co-Founders of Beitz and Daigh Geographics, Inc. the company that created Planned Grocery in 2016. Planned Grocery is a data mapping platform company that tracks grocery store real estate development cycles. The platform currently includes over 2,500 locations across the United States that are either proposed, planned, under construction, or built within the last 6 months.
2020-05-2700 minTech and Mortar0029 Anonymous Restaurant ProfessionalTalk highlights: The advantage of having offered delivery pre-pandemic Optimizing new and existing sites to be off-premise friendly The biggest issues on the minds of many restaurant professionals
2020-05-0800 minTech and Mortar0028 Jim Mizes, Blaze Pizza & SiteZeus3 main takeaways: Examples of the initiatives restaurants have taken to reach customers in new ways. What restaurant professionals should be doing to ensure they make it to the other side. How the future of the restaurant business will look. Speaker bio: Jim Mizes started his career in the retail industry as a young man working at his fatherâs pharmacy. He then went to school and received a degree in accounting and began working in typical finance jobs. After realizing that accounting wasnât what brought him joy, Jim joined Taco Bell as a general mana...
2020-04-2300 minTech and Mortar0027 Fred LeFranc, Results Thru Strategy3 main points: Things that Fred learned from his mentors, like Rich Melman from Lettuce Entertain You, and how it molded him into the business consultant he is today How technology advancements disrupted the industry - both in front-of-house and in the kitchen How restaurants can improve the experience for their customers Speaker Bio: Fred LeFranc originally began his career in the restaurant industry in Chicago at Lettuce Entertainment Expertise. He then worked with El Torito when the brand had only 18 restaurants, which lead to opening a restaurant in Laguna Beach and growing it to 250 locations...
2020-02-2600 minTech and Mortar0026 Dee Ann Turner, Chick-fil-A3 main points  Selecting talent versus hiring people  Creating a company language that matches the existing behavior  The key to retaining good talent Speaker Bio Dee Ann Turner started her Chick-fil-A career as a secretary to the Vice President of Human Resources and eventually, moved up to the VP of Talent and HR becoming the very first female officer of the company. During her 33 years at Chick-fil-A, Dee Ann focused on growing the renowned culture of the company by recruiting for the corporate staff as well as selecting franchisees. Dee Ann now owns her own...
2020-01-2100 minTech and Mortar0025 Ghost Kitchens featuring Brett Wilson, DoorDash3 main takeaways: What is a ghost kitchen? Find out how brands are becoming successful with third-party delivery Answers to the most frequently asked questions from retailers regarding ghost kitchens Speaker bio: Brett Wilson has been in sales for 10 years and specializes in technology, food service, and data analytics. Brett is currently at DoorDash where he helps brands of all sizes enter into third party delivery and the ghost kitchen space.
2019-11-2500 minTech and Mortar0024 Jim Mizes, Blaze Pizza & SiteZeus3 main takeaways: How to create a foundation and team within a restaurant that supports growth and success. The importance of discovering your âzone of geniusâ and how it can lead to internal joy. Building a team that is service-oriented rather than task-oriented. Speaker bio: Jim Mizes started his career in the retail industry as a young man working at his fatherâs pharmacy. He then went to school and received a degree in accounting and began working in typical finance jobs. After realizing that accounting wasnât what brought him joy, Jim joined Taco Bell as a gen...
2019-10-2900 minTech and Mortar0023 Mariel Ebrahimi, DisruptCRE3 main takeaways Types of innovation commercial real estate is experiencing What emerging trends Mariel is excited to see What to expect at a DisruptCRE conference Speaker Bio Mariel Ebrahimi co-founded DisruptCRE in 2014 with the goal of connecting industry professionals with emerging technologies and trends. Recently, Mariel has spoken for groups within CoreNet New England, Commercial Real Estate Finance Council, NGKF, and at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. In 2015, she was selected as a finalist for the SmartCEO "Skyline Awards" for innovation in commercial real estate and in 2018, a Bisnow NYC Woman of Influence award...
2019-08-2800 minTech and Mortar0022 Garrick Brown, Cushman and Wakefield3 Main Takeaways: How untraditional education and experience can be the most valuable When and how brick and mortar retail met their pitfall How to have the most beneficial relationship between a franchisor and franchisees Speaker Bio: Garrick Brown started his career by working in various retail stores while going to school for a creative writing degree. He then pursued freelance writing where he created a connection with a broker and began writing real estate reports. Today, Garrick is one of the leading Retail Real Estate Analysts in the US and serves as the...
2019-08-0600 minTech and Mortar0021 Tyler Carlson, Tech and Mortar & SiteZeus3 Takeaways: What can listeners gain from the Tech and Mortar podcast? Why retail isnât dead â just evolving The importance of having young perspectives in business Speaker Bio: Tyler Carlson is a serial entrepreneur who was involved in an acquisition of a company during college. As Freshman in college, Tyler began selling study guides for his classes. He went on to sell more guides than any individual in the country, averaging around $10,000 each semester. Eventually he went on to join a website that facilitated the sale of guides and was involved in the acquisition. In...
2019-06-2600 minTech and Mortar0020 Bobby Shaw, Bobby Shaw Consulting3 Takeaways: What went wrong when introducing Chipotle in Jacksonville that led to Bobbyâs biggest insight? How $8 and 10 minutes can facilitate creating culture at a Whataburger Know the difference between good and great performers - if you canât define it you canât find it  Bio: Recognized in 2016 by Fast Casual in their annual Top 100 report as a Top 25 Executive, Bobby Shaw has held senior leadership roles with several restaurant companies including Freebirds World Burrito, Chipotle, and McDonaldâs. Bobby got his start in the restaurant business at McDonaldâs where he sp...
2019-06-1200 minTech and Mortar0019 Ryder Jeanes, Canntilever 3 takeaways: What is the state of cannabis today and how is the west coast leading the way? What can retailers do to embrace the changing tide? What are some of the expanding applications of cannabis?  Speaker Bio: Ryder Jeanes has unparalleled expertise in the intersection of cannabis and retail having spent decades on the retail side. He is also a member of the very first cannabis hedge fund. Through his experience in the industry, Ryder founded Canntilever. Canntilever operates at the intersection of real estate, capital markets and the gl...
2019-05-2900 min2019-05-1500 minTech and Mortar0017 Mo AsgariTalk Highlights What is a leaderâs true job? To help them see what they donât see 5 year outlook on off premise What is going to happen to those 30% fees third parties are charging? Â Speaker Bio Mo is an expert at aligning technology development and corporate strategy to anticipate, shape and lead major market trends. As a professional manager with over 25 years of Software Development and Technology experience, most of his career has been spent in an executive technology management role developing and managing products ranging from an extensive enterprise solution, to corpo...
2019-05-0100 minTech and Mortar0016 Jayson TippTalk Highlights Jayson takes us from the days of Census data on CDs into 2019 Without a leader who understands analytics and technology, there is no hope How a jazz band can relate to a well-run organization  Speaker Bio Jayson Tipp is the CEO of PINCHO, which is the family owned Latin American fast-casual concept known for pioneering the combination of premium hamburgers and grilled kebabs (âPinchosâ) with a Latin-twist. A nationally recognized restaurant leader considered an expert in consumer analytics, market strategy and development, Mr. Tipp has a track record of translating insights into r...
2019-04-1700 minTech and Mortar0015 Jack HenryTalk Highlights The pros and cons of the requirement to work as a manager at Dominos to become a franchisee. His experience opening different format stores emphasizing the carryout and dine in sales with 126%Â increasein sales. How teaching kids to make pizza creates customers for a lifetime. Â Speaker Bio Jack Henry has over 25 years in the Restaurant Industry in the international market. He was a franchisee for 2 major fast food chains SUBWAY | Dominoâs. Experienced at raising capital or financing, the accounting system and understanding financials, holding people and self-accountable, deep understanding of sale...
2019-04-0300 minTech and Mortar0014 Beth Azor, Azor Advisory Services3 Takeaways #1 advice for retailers? Reduce friction. âRookies do not listen to the vets, and the vets hush upâ The blaring truth that our industry is ignoring? Social media. Â Bio Affectionately known as âThe Canvassing Queenâ, Beth Azor is the founder and owner of Azor Advisory Services (AAS), a leading commercial real estate advisory and investment firm based in Southeast Florida. Beth has been in the Commercial Real Estate Industry since 1986, from 1998 to 2004 as President of Terranova, Florida's largest 3rd party asset manager. She founded Azor Advisory Services in 2004 to invest in her own p...
2019-03-1300 minTech and Mortar0013 Lyden Foust, Spatial.AI3 Takeways Observational research difference between asking questions and observing. One location CRUSHING it and one FAILING. Similar Demos. How can you explain the differences? Cambridge analytica. What is Lydens opinion on data privacy? Bio Lyden is the Cofounder of Spatial, the worldâs first human-driven layer for cities. A Techstars company. Before Spatial Lyden was an Ethnographic Research consultant for brands like P&G, JnJ, Intel and an adjunct professor of Ethnography at Miami University. He also founded Campus Solutions which he sold in 2014. In eighth grade, he pitched a no-hitter.
2019-02-2700 minTech and Mortar0012 John Hamburger, Franchise Times Corp.3 Takeaways 1. Stories from back in the day, mailing in financial statements to the corporate offices to report sales 2. The evolution of the restaurant space from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and into today. What lessons were learned? 3. Advice for restaurants to raise capital the right way to prepare for the inevitable. Bio John Hamburger is the founder and president of Franchise Times Corp. A national publisher of business trade journals in franchising and finance. The company publishes: - Franchise Times Magazine, - Restaurant Finance Monitor,
2019-02-1300 minTech and Mortar0011 Chris Dull, Global Franchise Group3 Takeaways: The importance of understanding how policy and procedures that are put in place from the office are executable in the field. How Chris spent time working in the store long after being an executive. Is the customer always right? Don't react to what is happening from a technology standpoint TODAY, but where you see it tomorrow. Lessons he learned and what he might have done differently. Â Speaker Bio: Â Chris Dull understands what it takes to build successful brands. After graduating from Baylor, Chris took a position with Marble Slab Creamery, Inc. and ro...
2019-01-3000 minTech and Mortar010 Jayson Siano, Sabre Real Estate Advisors3 Main Points:Â Lessons Jayson learned after landing the Starbucks account and bringing Chipotle to NYC If you do not differentiate yourself, then you are out of business Why Jayson considers the word âbrokerâ a curse word Speaker Bio: Jayson Siano is the co-founder of Sabre Real Estate Group, a retail real estate brokerage firm based in Long Island, New York. Jayson was born into a family of car dealers, where he learned how to detail cars and make sales. His humble beginnings have shaped the way he conducts business. He first joined Breslin Realty in 2001 at th...
2019-01-1600 minTech and Mortar009 Ryan Rao, Apex Franchise Development Group3 Main Points: Create an experience so memorable they will tell people about it Why franchise sales are completely different from other sales The first question every franchisor needs to ask a potential franchisee Speaker Bio: Ryan Rao is a franchise development expert who has grown multiple franchise-based businesses into national and international brands. Ryanâs passion for franchising grew and developed from his entrepreneurial spirit. Ryan has vast experience in real estate, start-up financing, start-up franchising, franchise development, and the intricacies of growing and developing a brand. He is an avid franchise blogger with thousands of...
2019-01-0200 minTech and Mortar008 Kevin Foreman, INRIX3 Main Points: Self Driving cars are coming whether you are ready or not. Pick the industry that is winning. Have more fun along the way. Why does Amazon call it shipping instead of trucking? Speaker Bio: Kevin Foreman lives with his family in Seattle, WA and serves as a VP at INRIX. INRIX is the global leader in connected cars and transportation intelligence. They provide information such as, which side of the road has more morning traffic. Not only was Kevin one of the first 1,000 Facebook users and has an MBA from Harvard...
2018-12-0500 minTech and Mortar007 Adam Saxton, The Saxton Group 3 Main Points: The mistake of rolling up your corporate identity to the brand youâre a franchise of rather than focusing on your companyâs culture and what is under your control. Having a mindset that you are a new neighbor when opening a restaurant in a new community. The transition from focusing on site characteristics to focusing on the trade area when choosing new locations. Speaker Bio: Adam Saxton has had restaurant and operations running through his veins ever since he can remember. As a fourth generation to continue the tradition of food...
2018-11-1900 minTech and Mortar006 Chris Ressa, DLC Management Corp.3 Main Points: Best advice for those trying to find their way in commercial real estate or brick and mortar, as well as, the best strategies for effective networking. The difference between good and great retailers. What is happening with big box? Major headlines and what do they mean. Speaker Bio: Chris Ressa joined DLC Management Corp. in 2007. As Senior Vice President of Leasing, Mr. Ressa oversees leasing operations. During his tenure at DLC, his leadership has led to the successful repositioning of assets. His most notable leasing transactions have included TJX, Ross Dress for Less...
2018-11-0600 minTech and Mortar005 Gregg Katz, The Shopping Group CenterTalk Highlights: How Greggâs retail background lead him to where he is today, The Shopping Center Group. Why businesses should look at technology, mapping, and general infrastructure when building the bridge between technologies and brokers. Headed into The Shopping Center Group with an open mind Gregg starts tackling the job bringing in a new mapping platform. Why is mobile and movement data so important in todayâs day and age? Speaker Bio: For twelve years Gregg Katz had worked hand-in-hand with an award-winning GIS & Analytics company, The Shopping Center Group. As the Director of Inno...
2018-10-2400 minTech and Mortar004 Jim Balis, CapitalSpringTalk Highlights: What sets apart a good franchisor from a great one? Jimâs reaction to those who respond to the question âWhy are you doing it that way?â with âBecause that is the way we have always done itâ. The results of a company being resistant to technology. Speaker Bio: Jim Balis leads CapitalSpringâs Strategic Operations Group, supporting due diligence, portfolio management, and industry knowledge building initiatives. He has several decades of management and turnaround experience in restaurant industry. Prior to joining Capital Spring, Jim was Founder and President of RMG a boutique advisory and...
2018-10-0900 minTech and Mortar003 Larry Salinas, SiteZeusTalk Highlights: The evolution of predictive modeling, from drawing maps to machine learning, from the perspective of an industry expert. Data democratization. Why mobile data is the new âtrue trade area.â Speaker Bio: Larry Salinas has seen the market research industry evolve. From hiring internal Cartographers to leveraging the earliest of computers. Larry splits his time between New Jersey & Portland Maine. Larry built the market research team from scratch for a $7 Bn company. He is a rare combination of experience with a grasp of latest technology. Larry has worked with iconic brands such as Whole Foods...
2018-09-1900 minTech and Mortar002 Lee Arnold, Colliers InternationalTalk Highlights: Lessons Lee learned from starting the first commercial real estate department in Pinellas County FL to the early days of site selection. Commonalities of successful products particularly in the commercial real estate space, the drastic speed of technological evolution, and the reception of the industry. The story of one of the most successful people in the land of development, Herb Brown. As well as, his habits and behaviors that contributed to his success. Speaker Bio: Founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Arnold Companies consortium of private companies including Colliers International â Fl...
2018-08-2900 minTech and Mortar001 Don Fertman, SubwayÂŽ Talk Highlights: The early years of subway and Donâs introduction to the company Donâs personal experience on how anyone can become successful no matter their current situation Donâs firsthand experience of the evolution of site selection Spaker Bio: Working in the Franchise industry for over 35 years, Don has participated in Global Development, Strategic Planning, Brand Transformation and Field Performance Management for the Subway brand. As a person in long-term recovery, Don has been public about his early struggles with addiction and his 34 years of sobriety. Both experiences came to light when Subway was twice featur...
2018-07-1000 min