About

Join the longest-running and most influential podcast in the fast-casual restaurant industry. Hosted by Paul Barron, the founder of fastcasual.com, the Top 100, and the Fast Casual Executive Summit. Joining him as Co-Host is Cherryh Cansler, Sr. Editor of Fastcasual.com. This team has reunited after over a decade to deliver unparalleled insights into the trends and future direction of the fast-casual sector.

Each week, they will share their deep knowledge gained from over two decades as a leading voices in this dynamic segment of the restaurant business. Paul literally wrote the book on fast casual, "The Chipotle Effect" " along with the documentary Fast Casual Nation, and Cherryh has been a driving force for the growth of Fastcasual.com over the past decade.

  • Flytrex CEO Yariv Bash Discusses Drone Delivery's Future in Fast Casual
    In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep with Flytrex CEO Yariv Bash to explore how drone delivery is revolutionizing the restaurant industry. With over 130,000 successful deliveries under their belt, Flytrex has become America's largest drone...
  • Coffee Chain Genius: How Ziggi's Cracked the Code on Gen Z WITHOUT Losing Their Core Customer
    Meet Brandon Knudsen, the visionary behind Ziggi's Coffee's remarkable journey from a college dream to a 100+ location powerhouse. In this exclusive interview, Brandon reveals how Ziggi's has mastered the art of serving both traditional coffee...
  • Going From Good To Great For a Restaurant Brand
    Join Fast Casual Nation's Paul Baron as he sits down with Urbane Cafe founder Tom Holt to explore sustainable growth in the fast casual sector. From strategic expansion in second-tier markets to addressing labor challenges and maintaining community...
  • Big Chicken Creates Big Flavor
    Big Chicken and PepsiCo are collaborating to innovate in the fast-casual restaurant industry, with a strong focus on appealing to Gen Z consumers. Their partnership involves developing new menu items, enhancing digital engagement, and addressing...
  • Gen Z & The Better Burger
    Mooyah Burgers and Dillas have successfully engaged Gen Z by understanding their preferences for quality, personalization, and community. Both brands prioritize authenticity, social media, and technology to connect with this demographic. Employee...
  • Next Generation Franchise Fast Casual Brands
    🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in food service! - https://savorfm.substack.com/ In this episode of our podcast, we sit down with two industry titans to explore how technology is...
  • Overview of Wow Bao’s Technology Integrations and Innovations
    🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in food service! - https://savorfm.substack.com/ Paul Barron recently hosted an insightful podcast featuring Geoff Alexander of Wow Bao and...
  • Scaling Surcheros: Luke Christian's Journey from Farm to Fast Casual Success
    Welcome to Surcheros' Story We Dive into Tex-Mex Evolution In this inspiring episode of Fast Casual Nation, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Luke Christian, the visionary founder and CEO of https://www.surcheros.com/. Our conversation unfolded...
  • Pincho: Reviving Consumer Sentiment in Fast Casual Dining
    In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, Paul Barron dives into Pincho's incredible journey. This South Florida restaurant brand spearheaded the remarkable resurgence of consumer sentiment in the fast casual dining sector in 2023. Join us as we sit down...
  • The Power Of The Micro-Influencer on Restaurant Brands - Are you being left behind?
    The Power of Micro-Influencer Marketing: Benefits and Predictions In today's Fast Casual Nation Podcast, we talk with Nekter Juice Bar and their innovative strategies around next gen marketing. Staying ahead of the curve is essential. One strategy...
  • Revolutionizing the Cookie Game with Dirty Dough and Bennett Maxwell
    In this deep-dive conversation on Fast Casual Nation, I speak with Bennett Maxwell, the visionary founder of https://dirtydoughcookies.com/, and discuss his groundbreaking strategies that are transforming the franchising world. A Sweet Journey from...
  • The Best Cities for Fast Casual Brands
    Fast-casual dining has become a staple of the modern dining experience, offering a perfect blend of convenience and quality. As the food industry continues to evolve, certain cities are emerging as hotspots for fast casual brands. Covering this sector...
  • Building a Segment Leader: Alessandro Biggi on Avo’s Rise in the Fast Casual
    Welcome to another insightful episode of Fast Casual Nation Podcast, where we uncover the latest and greatest in the fast-casual sector of the food industry. Today, we're diving into a story of innovation, health, and the entrepreneurial spirit with...
  • Transforming the Fast Casual Landscape: A Conversation with Jeff Drake of Protein Bar & Kitchen
    On "Fast Casual Nation," I've had the pleasure of engaging with some of the most innovative minds in the restaurant industry. My recent conversation with Jeff Drake, President and CEO of https://www.theproteinbar.com/, stands out as a highlight....
  • Chipotle Goes Robotic To Combat Industry Labor Woes
    Chipotle Mexican Grill is one of the most popular fast food chains in the United States, but the company has been facing some challenges in recent months. The Restaurant Power Index (RPI) has shown a slide in Chipotle sentiment, and the company's...
  • 130. Digital Evolution in the Fast Casual Sector with El Pollo Loco
    When you think about the evolution of the fast-casual restaurant industry, digital innovation might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for those of us tuned into the latest episode of Fast Casual Nation, digital marketing's role in...
  • 129. Fast Casual Brand Growth In Uncertain Times with Wow Bao and Fat Brands
    In this podcast, we sit down with two leaders who are breaking the mold of how to grow brands - Wow Bao exploding in virtual brands and Fat Brands growing in multi-concept. We pick the brains of Geoff Alexander and Andrew Wiederhorn. Wow Bao is a...
  • 128. Fast Casual Brands Have the Secret To Building Culture
    In this podcast, we talk with two successful brand leaders at Wildflower and Dave's Hot Chicken are two of the fastest-growing fast-casual brands in the United States. Wildflower was founded in Phoenix in 2017 and has over 20 locations nationwide....
  • 127. Craveworthy Brands: A Rapid Rise in the Fast Casual Sector
    Craveworthy Brands is a relatively new restaurant group, but it has quickly become one of the most successful in the fast casual sector. Founded in 2022 by Gregg Majewski, Craveworthy Brands is a multi-concept restaurant group that owns and operates a...
  • 126. Can QSR Pizza Compete With New Upscale Fast Casual
    Fast Casual Nation is the industry's longest-running podcast celebrated for its innovative and insightful discussions that are helping to shape the future of food and dining. Our latest guest, Greg Wold, Vice President of Marketing at Toppers Pizza,...