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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 experience
• Why consistency builds long-term guest loyalty
• Using menu innovation to keep the brand relevant
• How small hospitality moments create lasting emotional connections
• The importance of staying authentic while evolving with guest expectations

Thanks, Jim!

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/pfchangs/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmazany/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pfchangs/

https://www.pfchangs.com/

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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 personal interactions create repeat guests
• Building consistency across a growing restaurant brand
• Why healthy food doesn't have to sacrifice experience
• Protecting ingredient quality despite cost pressures
• Why short-term savings can hurt a brand long-term

Thanks, Brianna!

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/toastique/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-keefe-4a735087/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/toastique/

https://toastique.com/

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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 compromise on bread quality
• How authentic hospitality begins the moment guests walk through the door
• Using guest data to improve long-term loyalty
• The value of staying true to a brand's founding principles
• Why storytelling matters as much as product quality
• How Great Harvest is preparing for its next chapter of growth

Thanks, John!

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/greatharvest/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-dikos/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/great-harvest-bread-co./

https://www.greatharvest.com/