Boost 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 love data… in a case study, GiftAMeal led to:

>guests returning 39% more

>spent 20% more per visit

>tipped 32% more

Listen to the full episode to learn more! Restaurant operators, this is one you don't want to miss!

Your mom was right! It’s not what you say but how you say it!

For the finale of Season Three, I spoke with the legendary Mac Brand!

From his early days working with his father in downtown Los Angeles, to his time working at big companies like PepsiCo and Mars, to his experiences traveling around the world, Mac has so many valuable insights.

Emotional intelligence & 55/38/7: Mac explains the Mehrabian model of communication and how communication is about much more than words!

The importance of culture: Whether it’s learning Spanish from the locals, or sharing experiences with classmates while taking a course at Oxford University, Mac emphasizes the value of culture and the countless lessons you can learn by just listening.

Tending To Your Garden: Mac’s latest book, Tending To Your Garden, emphasizes the importance of relationships in business and in life.

He also shares a ton more great business lessons and practices, such as a protocol that allows employees to self-select out of the organization.

Mac, thank you for coming on the show!

Get his book!

How today’s leaders can better support the next generation – A student’s perspective.

Meet Chayil Hyland! She’s a Senior at Cornell University studying hospitality. I have no doubt she will be one of the leaders of this industry some day!

From the first time I saw her speak at Will Guidara's The Welcome Conference, I knew Chayil was wise far beyond her years. And unlike many who just “end up” in the hospitality industry, she knew exactly what she wanted to do at a young age!

Her passion for cooking and hospitality is contagious, and she is simply amazing! There are so many great takeaways from this episode, such as an acronym she uses for empowering those in the industry: BET (Believing, Equipping, and Teaching).

You’ll also hear:

1. What she learned from her family, going to Food and Finance high school, and in her early jobs in the industry

2. What she enjoys now, what she’s looking for after she graduates, and where she hopes the industry is headed!

Chayil - thank you! It was a joy to have you on the show!

From selling lemonade as a child to overcoming a life-changing injury in 1994 that ended his military and athletic careers.... this conversation moved me!

Today’s episode is with John Register, a resilience architect and also a business man, Paralympic silver medalist in the long jump and keynote speaker. He shared his remarkable journey and for the first time he connected that his resilience started way before his injury.

Just a few of the incredible insights in this episode:


"Resilience is not just about bouncing back, it's also about finding the silence embedded in resilience."

"In a new environment, we have to give our teams space and grace to grow, because there is no 'new normal' - it's a totally new landscape."

"Diversity of thought and skillsets on your team is crucial, like having both steady 'distance runners' and agile 'sprinters'."

From the farm, and small-town roots, to big city success as a hospitality leader.

Wonder what it’s like being the youngest of 11 children and living on a working farm, then growing up to be Managing Director at the prestigious Omni Dallas?

For this week’s episode, I had the joy of talking with Carolyn Dent!

Here are some very cool stories that stood out to me….

🌱 Carolyn’s childhood “farm-to-table” life: way before it was a hip trend, Carolyn’s experience growing up on a working farm in Central Missouri as the youngest of 11 taught her early lessons about hospitality and the importance of family!

✨The magic and scale of the hotel industry: from culinary to security, the hotel industry has something for everyone. Even if you don’t know what you want to do now, it is a perfect launchpad for countless industries!

🏨 Inspiring the next generation: Carolyn talks about some of the partnerships the Omni has, including a mind-blowing project she did to transform a classroom to a simulated hotel!

Carolyn’s passion for people, giving back, and educating the next generation is obvious. She shares so many great perspectives and insights into leadership, work ethic, and hospitality.

We’ve all been watching the success of Chili’s lately - even during these crazy challenging times! Want to know Brinker President/CEO Kevin Hochman’s secret sauce? It’s pretty simple… literally!

“Ruthless simplification” is Kevin’s mantra that runs through all aspects of the business –

· Menu reduction (cutting the menu by 25% in the last 2 years)

· Training procedures (did they really need to be counting all the shrimp? - a great story)

· Communication (sharing the why’s of key decisions)

All while supporting each other and the guest… brilliant!

He shares countless back-to-basic stories that lead to a better Guest experience, and it all adds up to a business that’s on fire!

“How can we do this better?” This one simple, but powerful question sparks endless innovation.

Today’s podcast features the one and only, Lauren Fernandez, Founder & CEO of Full Course! As I’ve gotten to know Lauren over the last year or so, I realized that I had to get her on the podcast to share her incredible stories and unique insights into the restaurant industry!

You will learn that Full Course is more than an investment firm, they are category disruptors!

Here are some my favorite highlights:

Serving the Underserved: Lauren has a mission to break barriers and give entrepreneurs the shot they need and deserve. Her firm goes beyond just investing, they elevate brands with the support they need to succeed!

Reframing Risk: “Most lawyers” might be risk adverse. Not Lauren! Sure, her legal background gave her a strong foundation for understanding risk, but it’s her forward-thinking approach and willingness to try new things that has turned her into a category disruptor.

People-First Leadership: Lauren believes that the foundation of any thriving restaurant is its people. Her focus on investing in employee education and career development isn’t just about retention, it’s about building a better, more sustainable future for the industry.

Lauren’s perspective on innovation and leadership is exactly what the restaurant industry needs right now: fresh ideas and an overwhelming commitment to people.

Education is freedom! Take it from Jim Keyes, the former CEO of 7-Eleven & Blockbuster.

In this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, Jim shares his incredible journey—from flipping burgers at McDonald's to leading Fortune 500 companies.

He has worked with LEGENDS from Nelson Mandela to Jimmy Donaldson (Mr. Beast) to advocate for the power of knowledge in overcoming fear and unlocking true freedom in life.

Here are some key takeaways from the episode:

1. Education Is Freedom: Through his foundation and his book, Jim’s mission to make education accessible is enabling the next generation to reach new heights.

2. Relentless Positivity: Just like I always say, joy is a choice. Despite early life adversity, Jim focused on staying relentlessly positive and even earned the nickname "smiley."

3. Change Equals Opportunity: Jim shares a perfect acronym that embodies what the role of a CEO should be. Rather than see change as a threat, see it as an opportunity.

This interview is a perfect parallel to my when joy is greater than fear thesis!