Claim OwnershipGive an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates
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Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast is your backstage pass to the minds of hospitality leaders, innovators, and operators who are redefining what it means to serve. Hosted by Zack Oates, founder of Ovation, each episode dives into real-world tactics and inspiring stories from restaurant pros who know how to create five-star guest experiences—both in-store and off-premise.
From fast casual to fine dining, catering to curbside, learn how to drive loyalty, empower your staff, and deliver hospitality that hits home. Whether you're a restaurant owner, operator, marketer, or tech partner, this podcast will leave you with practical insights and plenty of reasons to celebrate and Give an Ovation.
443 Episodes
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Send us Fan Mail Skeeter Miller, founder and president of County Line Barbecue, joins Zack Oates to share how a Texas barbecue restaurant has continued evolving after more than five decades in business. From going from just 10 to 20 dinners a day to hundreds after a Texas Monthly write-up, to building a multimillion-dollar private events business, Skeeter shares the stories and ideas that have kept County Line relevant for 51 years. Zack and Skeeter discuss: How County Line became a Texas bar...
Send us Fan Mail John Owen, CEO of Blaze Pizza, joins Zack Oates to discuss how restaurants can create memorable guest experiences through personalization, consistency, and strong execution. With more than three decades of leadership experience across brands like McDonald's, Subway, and Scooter's Coffee, John shares why understanding the difference between customization and personalization is critical for today's restaurants. Zack and John discuss: Why personalization matters more than ever i...
Send us Fan Mail Jim Mazany, CEO of P.F. Chang's, joins Zack Oates to discuss how one of America's most iconic restaurant brands continues to evolve while staying true to its hospitality roots. From creating memorable dining experiences to balancing value with premium quality, Jim shares why every guest interaction is an opportunity to build lasting loyalty. Zack and Jim discuss: Creating memorable experiences that guests return for years later Balancing value with an elevated dining exp...
Send us Fan Mail Brianna Keefe, founder of Toastique, joins Zack Oates to discuss how she built a health-focused restaurant concept from one Washington, D.C. location into a rapidly growing franchise brand. Brianna shares why Toastique prioritizes owner-operators, how the brand creates value without compromising ingredient quality, and why the personal touch remains essential as the company scales. Zack and Brianna discuss: Why Toastique chose an owner-operator franchise model How person...
Send us Fan Mail John Dikos, CEO of Great Harvest Bread Company, joins Zack Oates to discuss what it takes to modernize a beloved restaurant brand without losing the traditions that made it successful. From preserving Great Harvest's commitment to fresh-milled wheat and scratch baking to using guest data more effectively, John shares how authenticity and hospitality continue to differentiate the brand nearly 50 years after its founding. Zack and John discuss: Why Great Harvest refuses to comp...
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