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Wisking it allPresented by WISK Author: Angelo Esposito
Welcome to Wisking it all, where we interview hospitality professionals who put everything on the line to do what they do, and we try to understand how and why? Contrary to most businesses the hospitality business is mainly made up of people who are passionate about their trade. Not many people go into it for the money but go into it for the passion of delivering a unique customer experience. Language: en-us Genres: Arts, Business, Entrepreneurship, Food Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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S2E90 - Top Restaurant Leaders' Wisking It All 2025 Highlights
Episode 90
Tuesday, 23 December, 2025
About the Episode This “Best Of 2025” episode of the WISKing It All podcast, hosted by Angelo Esposito, is a handpicked collection of the year’s most compelling conversations from across the restaurant and hospitality industry. The episode opens with Salem Najjar sharing his journey from accounting into multi-unit hospitality franchising, breaking down the key criteria he used to build his business and reflecting on the hands-on reality of successful restaurant ownership. Salem Najjar candidly dives into leadership, operational challenges, and the importance of embracing scalable systems and choosing a brand that aligns with both values and market opportunity. The episode also features insights from industry experts like David Scott Peters, who reveals the foundational traits and practical systems behind restaurant prosperity, stressing the critical importance of leadership, accountability, and action. Yaro Tsyhanenko looks toward the future, describing how technology is seamlessly transforming restaurant operations and the customer journey through smart automation and digital-first experiences—without losing the vital human touch. Whether you’re a restaurateur or just passionate about the business, this highlight reel is packed with hard-earned wisdom, cutting-edge trends, and practical takeaways to inspire growth and innovation in 2025 and beyond. Takeaways Salem Najjar learned that successful franchising requires hands-on involvement, not just passive investment. Salem Najjar prioritized strong leadership and a clear vision when choosing franchise brands. Profitability and smart financial management are essential for long-term success in hospitality. Labor market challenges require brands to stand out to attract and retain employees. Personal connection and pride in your business play a big role in franchise selection. Price increases in restaurants are both an art and a science, affected by rising costs and community needs. David Scott Peters found that passion for hospitality and persistence are key traits of successful restaurant owners. Leadership, systems, continuous learning, accountability, and taking action make restaurant operators prosperous. Accountability should be reframed as “answerability” to drive results in management. Chefs and managers must adapt from traditional methods to modern staff needs and management systems. Hospitality employees need proper training, structure, and fair treatment to stay engaged. Digital transformation is rapidly shaping the future of quick-serve restaurants. Yaro Tsyhanenko is building tech to improve labor efficiency, order accuracy, and customer journeys. Automating tasks can save managers time and enhance human hospitality. Seamless integration of digital and physical experiences is vital for modern restaurant operations. Personalized customer and driver experiences increase satisfaction and efficiency. Timestamps 00:00 From Accounting to Franchise Success 04:55 Building A Standout Business Brand 09:24 Accountability Drives Success 10:10 Clear Expectations, Total Accountability 15:01 "Seamlessly Connecting Physical and Digital" 17:02 "Boosting Efficiency and Experience" 21:49 "Seamless Physical-Digital Customer Journey" 23:13 "Learn More About WISK"
