Corner Booth Podcast
1) Episode 118: John Young with Young's Jersey Dairy
John Young is CEO of Young's Jersey Dairy, a 120-acre family-owned and operated Yellow Springs, Ohio, hospitality destination established 156 years ago. As its name suggests, the business began as a d...Show More
2) Episode 117: Bryan Lockwood with Artistry Restaurants
Growing up in Peoria, Bryan Lockwood’s first job in the restaurant business was working with his mother at a diner. Fast forward to his first industry career position as a manager at Bonanza Steakhous...Show More
3) Episode 116: Troy Hooper with Pepper Lunch
In 2022, Troy Hooper was introduced to the private equity owner of Pepper Lunch. He had assumed they would be discussing a short-term consulting position; however, it became a full-time position as CE...Show More
4) Episode 115: Shahpour Nejad with Pizza Guys
While in college studying mechanical engineering in the ‘80s, Shahpour Nejad worked part-time making and delivering pizzas. "It stuck with me. I am still loving the pizza business." After moving fro...Show More
5) Episode 114: George McLaughlin with Vicious Biscuit
George McLaughlin had been a successful McAlister's Deli franchisee prior to selling his interest in 2007. "Being out of the business was tough on me," he recalls. "I really missed the guest interacti...Show More
6) Episode 113: Jose Salazar with Safi Wine Bar, Salazars, & more
Award-winning Chef Jose Salazar was born in Colombia and raised in Queens, New York. His career includes working with Jean George Vongerichten, Thomas Keller, and other culinary luminaries. In 2008, h...Show More
7) Episode 112: Nelson Monteith with Honest Mary's
Inspired by the trend of healthy menu options in quick-service dining, Nelson Monteith, founder and CEO of Austin, TX-based Honest Mary's, left the oil and gas industry to become a restaurant entrepre...Show More
8) Episode 111: Sam Ballas & Sammy Gianopoulos with Sammy's Sliders
Sam Ballas grew up in a restaurant family, but he chose a career in finance upon graduation from college. However, 19 years later, he met Chef Sammy Gianopoulos, a Johnson & Wales University graduate ...Show More
9) Episode 110: Kacie Dancy with Pop's Beef
Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage (“Pop’s Beef”) has been a Chicagoland favorite for more than 45 years. The original Pop’s Beef store, located at 7153 W 127th Street in Palos Heights, IL, was opened March...Show More
10) Episode 109: Hamp Lindsey with Wade’s Restaurant
Hamp Lindsey's parents founded a small neighborhood grocery store 77 years ago. Today, it is a landmark restaurant in Spartanburg, SC. “My father was always an entrepreneur,” says Lindsey. “He added ...Show More