QSR Uncut

Wienerschnitzel is one of the QSR industry’s true icons, with roots dating to 1961, when John Galardi opened a single location in Southern California. The world’s largest hot dog chain is now led by John’s son, J.R., who took over the reins in 2022 from his mother, Cindy Galardi Culpepper. Since, J.R. has been on a mission to preserve and enhance what makes the classic chain unique, while also thinking ahead—exploring topics from AI to store innovation to more. We dive into the past, pr...

DoorDash leader Jeff Frost joins QSR Uncut this week to talk through an increasingly complex digital ecosystem and where operators should begin. How can you manage growth? What channels are top of mind? How do you take control? We chat through customer acquisition and retention, direct ordering, loyalty, marketing, operational fit, connected technology, and much more, on this wide-ranging discussion into one of the fastest-evolving arenas there is. This episode was brought to you by our partn...

Brandon Landry joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss what’s ahead for Smalls Sliders, a brand that leapt onto the scene and appears ready to hit its growth stride. We discuss what’s next, what’s driving consumer interest these days, and also take a dive into some thoughts around leadership and what's needed to build an organization with lasting power. Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your network. Get empowered. Learn from the best. You can...

All of sudden, bagels are one of the hottest categories in QSR. Let’s meet Tiki Bagel, a St. Pete-based brand that endured early craziness (what else is new in foodservice?) to emerge stronger on the other side. Now, it’s targeting growth via franchising and taking its unique and bold labor model forward into a future rife with potential. Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your network. Get empowered. Learn from the best. You can find out mo...

Few restaurant brands have generated as much buzz in recent months as Mike's Red Tacos, a San Diego-founded concept that has hundreds of units lined up through franchising agreements. CDO Patrick Cunningham joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss the early push and what it's been like stepping into a role with so much whitespace ahead. Can Mike's Red Tacos define a category? We're about to find out. Registration is now open for QSR and FSR's Women in Restaurant Leadership Summit. Find your netwo...