Digital Hospitality – Details, episodes & analysis

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Digital Hospitality

Digital Hospitality

Shawn P. Walchef

Business
Business

Frequency: 1 episode/5d. Total Eps: 595

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Digital Hospitality is an interview podcast series that explores the ways successful people have harnessed the power of the Internet and social media. The show is hosted by Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn P. Walchef.
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Score global : 63%

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He Lost Everything Then Built a Michelin Recognized Restaurant

Episode 626

mercredi 8 avril 2026 • Duration 26:37

Shawn Walchef sits down with Cesar Vallin, co-owner of Cloak and Petal, to talk about rebuilding after failure and leading with authenticity. Vallin shares the lessons learned from bankruptcy, the mindset shift that shaped his restaurant, and why storytelling and vulnerability matter in hospitality. The conversation explores resilience, daily practices for staying present, and why long-term consistency matters more than short-term success.

  • Authenticity Builds Real Connection – Vallin does not separate business from personal life. By sharing moments like his wedding and his struggles openly, he creates a deeper connection with guests and his team. Cloak and Petal is not just a restaurant, it is a reflection of his journey, and that honesty builds trust that marketing alone cannot replicate.
  • Resilience Shapes the Operator – Losing a restaurant, filing for bankruptcy, and starting over with nothing forced Vallin to rebuild with intention. Instead of chasing money, he focused on creating an experience. That shift became the foundation for Cloak and Petal and continues to guide how he approaches challenges today.
  • Longevity Is the Real Metric – Vallin is not focused on being number one. His definition of success is staying open, staying profitable, and taking care of his team. In an industry defined by turnover, the ability to remain consistent over time becomes the ultimate advantage.

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Where to find Cali BBQ Media

From First Customers to Fifty More: The System Behind Scalable Restaurant Tech Growth

Episode 625

lundi 6 avril 2026 • Duration 29:36

Matt Lattanzio, President of Supply & Demand Consulting and former revenue leader at 7shifts, breaks down why most restaurant tech companies struggle to scale. From building repeatable go-to-market systems to defining a true target account list, he shares practical insights on sales, marketing, and growth. This episode explores the shift from single-channel inbound to distributed strategies and why consistency, not early traction, is what drives long-term success.

  • Repeatability Is the Real Growth Problem – Matt Lattanzio believes most restaurant tech companies do not have a sales problem. They have a repeatability problem. Early wins create false confidence, but without a system to consistently generate pipeline and close deals, growth stalls. The companies that scale are the ones that turn one success into a repeatable process.
  • Know Exactly Who You Are Selling To – Too many companies operate without a clear target account list. Lattanzio emphasizes that growth starts with focus. When sales and marketing align around a defined group of ideal customers, messaging sharpens, outreach improves, and accountability increases. Clarity on who to sell to drives everything else.
  • One Channel Will Not Save You – The days of relying on a single growth channel are over. Inbound is more fragmented, more expensive, and less predictable than ever. Lattanzio advises companies to build a distributed go-to-market strategy, using multiple channels to create awareness and demand. The brands that win are present everywhere their customers are looking.

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Where to find Cali BBQ Media

Embrace Your Cringe: How 1925 PubHouse Is Building in Public

Episode 616

lundi 23 février 2026 • Duration 32:35

Ben Morgan, Tyler Morgan, and Mallory Morgan of 1925 PubHouse in Anderson, Indiana join Digital Hospitality to share how a family restaurant is evolving in public. From losing a job during COVID to embracing smartphone storytelling, they discuss blending old-school marketing with modern tech. This episode explores leadership on camera, leveraging Toast and integrated tools, and why embracing the cringe might be the most powerful growth strategy in 2026.

  • Embrace the Cringe to Unlock Growth – Mallory Morgan didn’t wait for perfect lighting or polished campaigns. Putting real servers, real shifts, and real leadership on camera immediately increased engagement. When operators stop hiding behind food photos and start showing people, connection grows faster than reach.
  • Lead From the Front – If you want your team on camera, you go first. Ben Morgan and Tyler Morgan understood that visibility starts at the top. When leadership is willing to be seen, the staff follows. Culture is not what you say in meetings. It is what you model in public.
  • Old School + New School Wins – 1925 PubHouse still invests in mailers and sports radio. But pairing those community-rooted tactics with smartphone storytelling multiplies impact. The restaurants that grow today respect traditional marketing while building digital presence at the same time.

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Where to find Cali BBQ Media

Tech on Call, Vibes Always On: How F3 Keeps Restaurants and Nightlife Running Smooth

Episode 524

lundi 4 août 2025 • Duration 32:09

Running a high-volume hospitality group requires more than just great food and vibes. It takes airtight systems and rapid response. That’s why Nils Westlind partners with F3, a restaurant technology and support provider that helps power his Chicago concepts from the ground up. F3 handles everything from network setup to real-time issue resolution, ensuring that operations run smoothly even during peak hours. When a late-night systems crash threatened thousands in sales, F3 showed up in person to fix it. For Westlind, they are a critical part of the team that keeps service flowing and revenue protected. Check out this episode of Digital Hospitality to hear how Nils blends tech, culture, and storytelling to build unforgettable hospitality experiences.

Interview Takeaways:

  • Powering Hospitality with Responsive Tech – In a fast-paced, high-volume environment, downtime isn’t an option. Nils Westlind relies on partners like F3 to ensure his restaurants and nightclubs run without disruption. From real-time support during late-night system crashes to seamless setup for new concepts, F3 helps keep operations sharp and guests happy.
  • Scaling with Story and Strategy – Each of Westlind’s concepts are built on a strong narrative and clear operational vision. By blending personal heritage with thoughtful design and execution, he creates immersive experiences that feel both authentic and unforgettable.
  • Building Teams that Last – Westlind knows that great hospitality starts behind the scenes. His approach to leadership emphasizes role clarity, collaboration, and creative freedom. With specialized teams and trusted creative partners, he fosters an environment where people thrive and burnout is avoided.


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Why US Foods Is Turning the Food Show Into a Full-On Operator Retreat

Episode 521

lundi 28 juillet 2025 • Duration 31:35

US Foods is reimagining the traditional food show with Food Fanatics 2025, an immersive event for restaurant operators happening August 19–20 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Behind it all are industry veterans like Lance Reynolds and Chef Scott McCurdy, whose passion for helping operators grow is the heartbeat of the event. With live demos, hands-on tech, and real-world workshops, this isn’t just about food—it’s about the future. “This is about recharging,” says Scott. “Come recharge with us.” For Lance and Scott, it’s not just a show. It’s personal. And it’s built for you. They joined Shawn Walchef on Digital Hospitality to preview what’s coming.

Interview Takeaways:

  • This Isn’t a Trade Show—It’s a Recharge: Food Fanatics 2025 is designed to help restaurant operators pause the chaos, step away from the daily grind, and return to their businesses with fresh ideas, renewed energy, and a clear sense of direction.
  • Built for Operators, Not Just Sales Reps: From labor-saving ingredients to digital tools like Moxē, everything at Food Fanatics is curated with one goal: to make running a restaurant more efficient, more profitable, and less overwhelming.
  • Hospitality Runs on Community: Whether you’re fighting to stay afloat or preparing to grow, Food Fanatics creates space for restaurateurs to connect, swap stories, and learn from others who truly understand the challenges of the business.


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About Our Sponsors
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DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

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How We Made Restaurant Reporting Actually Useful

Episode 520

mercredi 23 juillet 2025 • Duration 28:51

Martha’s Vineyard restaurateur Ted Courtney has spent his career navigating the highs and lows of seasonal business. But with two popular restaurants in a competitive market, he needed more than experience. He needed reliable systems. In this episode of Digital Hospitality, Ted shares how KitchenSync transformed his financial operations, giving him real-time insights, cost control, and objective data that help his team make smarter decisions every day. If you are a restaurant owner trying to balance creativity with control, Ted’s story shows how the right tools make all the difference.

Interview Takeaways:

  • Turning Data into Daily Decisions – For Ted Courtney, running two busy restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard means making quick decisions in a high-pressure, seasonal market. KitchenSync gives his team live, objective data that helps them control costs, manage inventory, and adjust purchasing on the fly. Instead of relying on gut instinct or end-of-month reports, Ted now has the clarity to make smart calls in real time.
  • Building Systems that Survive the Season – Seasonal operations come with unique challenges like unpredictable staffing, fluctuating demand, and tight margins. By integrating KitchenSync into his workflow, Ted has built systems that help his team flex with the ups and downs of the season. From managing prepurchases to reducing waste in the slow months, KitchenSync gives Ted confidence that every dollar and every decision counts.
  • Creating Objectivity in a Subjective Business – Restaurants will always be personal, built on relationships and run by passion. But Ted believes financial data should never be subjective. KitchenSync helps him remove the guesswork from the equation. Whether he is meeting with chefs or managers, he can turn the screen around, show the numbers, and have fact-based conversations about performance.


Episode Links:


About Our Sponsors
DAVO:

DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

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Marqii:

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Where to find Cali BBQ Media

Rising Tides Live: Building An Audience From Anywhere

Episode 519

mardi 22 juillet 2025 • Duration 55:24

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community gathered around a powerful idea: how can creators build an authentic audience from anywhere in the world? The guest was David Lissah, a UK-born entrepreneur and creator who moved to Bulgaria in 2024—and whose candid content about life abroad turned into a viral storytelling journey. What began as a simple Instagram DM between Shawn and David quickly evolved into a real-world connection, a podcast recording in Sofia, and now a global conversation about creativity, community, and the courage to show up online. From smartphone storytelling to social media algorithms, Shawn and David explored how creators and business owners alike can stop overthinking content, embrace discomfort, and unlock real growth—no matter where they are.

Interview Takeaways:

  • Start Before You’re Ready – Your content won’t be perfect in the beginning — and that’s exactly how it should be. David Lissah reminded us that the only way to improve is by actually creating. The more you post, the more you learn what works, and the better you get over time.
  • Authenticity Wins – Social media doesn’t reward fake personas. David built his audience by being unapologetically himself — sharing honest stories, showing real moments, and resisting the urge to follow trends for the sake of it. When you show up as your true self, people pay attention.
  • Engagement Builds Community – Posting is just the first step. David emphasized how important it is to engage with your audience — reply to comments, connect with other creators, and be part of the conversation. That’s how you build real relationships and turn followers into a supportive community.


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DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

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Marqii:

Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

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Social Media Rule #1: You’re Going to Suck When You Start

Episode 518

lundi 21 juillet 2025 • Duration 18:34

David Lissah didn’t move to Bulgaria planning to be a content creator — but that’s exactly what happened. By sharing his honest story online, he built a personal brand, launched a freelance business, and discovered the power of authentic content. In this conversation, Lissah shares how staying true to yourself (and setting healthy boundaries) leads to long-term success. He explains why business owners are already creators — and why documenting your journey opens doors. Whether you’re an aspiring influencer or a business owner on the fence about content, Lissah’s story will motivate you to start.

Interview Takeaways:

  • Authenticity Wins Every Time – David Lissah learned the hard way that forcing content that doesn’t feel right only burns you out. Whether you’re a business or a creator, staying true to yourself builds lasting connections.
  • Boundaries Make the Dream Work – From working with his wife to setting strict work hours, David shares why structure and clear boundaries are the secret to making content creation sustainable — and fun.
  • You’ll Suck at First — That’s the Point – Everyone starts at zero. The key is to pick up your phone, hit record, and get comfortable being uncomfortable.


Episode Links:
<br /><br /> <strong>About Our Sponsors</strong><br /> <strong>DAVO:</strong> <p>DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...</p> <a href="https://www.davosalestax.com/influencers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to learn more</a><br /> <strong>Marqii:</strong> <p>Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...</p> <a href="https://www.marqii.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to learn more</a>

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No Tax on Tips? Here’s What Restaurant Owners Need to Know

Episode 517

mercredi 16 juillet 2025 • Duration 21:36

Brian Hassan, Co-CEO of Kickfin, joins Digital Hospitality to break down the “No Tax on Tips” bill and why it matters for every restaurant operator in America. He explains how the legislation works, who qualifies, and why digital tip tracking is essential for compliance and employee financial health. From avoiding audits to helping staff build credit, Brian makes a clear case for ditching cash and embracing transparency. If you want your business and your team to benefit from the new rules, this episode is your guide to getting ahead before the law becomes a reality.

Interview Takeaways:

  • A Tax Break for Tipped Workers – The “No Tax on Tips” Bill would allow service employees to deduct up to $25,000 in tips from their federal income taxes—if they earn less than $160,000 annually. It’s a big win for hourly workers, but only if their tips are properly reported.
  • Transparency Starts with Tracking – Without digital records, employers and employees could miss out. Operators need tools that accurately log tip payouts to stay compliant, avoid audits, and support their team’s financial future.
  • Digital Tips Build Real Credit – When workers don’t report tips, it hurts more than tax returns. Untracked income makes it harder to rent an apartment, finance a car, or build credit. Going digital benefits everyone—today and down the line.


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DAVO:

DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

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Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

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Where to find Cali BBQ Media

Rising Tides Live: Post Production Speed

Episode 516

mercredi 16 juillet 2025 • Duration 01:05:59

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community rallied around a clear challenge: how can content teams move faster without sacrificing purpose? The guest was Scot Turner, a London-based hospitality consultant and creative thinker, who recently joined Shawn and their families on a vacation in Bulgaria. What started as a transatlantic DM has grown into a real-world collaboration rooted in media, mindset, and shared values. From filming with iPhones on the Black Sea to launching a cross-team YouTube workflow, Shawn and Scot sparked a rich conversation about systems, speed, and how two hospitality pros are using technology not just to create content—but to create time.

Interview Takeaways:

  • Speed Is a Skill You Can Build – Great content isn’t just about quality — it’s about timing. Scot Turner emphasized that post-production speed is something you can train for. By making speed a habit, not an afterthought, brands can stay ahead of the conversation and maximize impact.
  • Systems Don’t Limit Creativity — They Unlock It – Whether in a kitchen or a content studio, having a clear workflow gives you the freedom to move fast without losing intention. Scot likened media production to restaurant operations: when everyone knows the process, you gain efficiency and clarity.
  • Publish First, Then Polish if You Must – The traditional mindset says hold onto content until it’s perfect. But in today’s fast-paced world, waiting often means missing the moment. Scot challenged creators to flip the habit: publish quickly, and make adjustments after. Momentum matters more than perfection.


Episode Links:


About Our Sponsors
DAVO:

DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

Click here to learn more
Marqii:

Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

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Where to find Cali BBQ Media

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