In this episode of The PAX Hospitality Podcast, hosts Leon Kennedy, Michael Bascetta, Loren Daniels, and Tim Varney tackle one of the most overlooked — yet defining — disciplines in hospitality: product.

Moving up the PAX Pyramid from Identity to Product, the group explores what it means to be truly product-led — not just in the physical sense of dishes and drinks, but as a system of thinking that aligns identity, customer needs, and operational decisions.

From examples like Chin Chin’s perfect market timing to Stomping Ground’s play equipment instead of tables design choice and Reed House’s Sunday Roast revival, the team breaks down how product market fit in hospitality means removing friction between who you are, what you offer, and what your guests actually need.

The conversation unpacks how data, intuition, and culture converge — and why iteration, testing, and humility matter more than perfection.

Topics Covered:

• The difference between product and product management — and why hospitality needs both
• How to become a product-led organisation by balancing mission and customer insight
• Understanding product-market fit through examples from Chin Chin, Filter, Stomping Ground, and Reed
  The power of testing, iteration, and “failing fast” in hospitality
• Using data, feedback, and frontline insight to evolve the guest experience
  How marketing and product intersect — and why removing friction is the ultimate growth strategy

The PAX Hospitality Podcast is produced by PAX and Craate Creative. Support for this podcast comes from Square and Brunswick Design and Innovation. Our music is produced by Patricia Heath and Mattias Westergren.

PAX acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and to all First Nations People.