Hopdoddy Burger Bar President & CEO Jeff Chandler joins Lauren Mitchell to break down what it takes to scale a fast-casual brand without losing what makes it special. Jeff shares leadership lessons from his University of Washington football days, how Hopdoddy approaches authentic hospitality, and why quality-driven sourcing and true vendor partnerships matter—especially after COVID. If you’re building culture, driving growth, or navigating menu innovation, this episode is packed with practical insights you can steal today.
Jeff Chandler is the President & CEO of Hopdoddy Burger Bar, with more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Precision and accountability can be taught—and enforced. Jeff shares Coach Don James’ “Timex” lesson: being “on time” meant being early, and if you missed the bus, it left without you.
2. Hopdoddy focuses on unscripted, authentic hospitality. Instead of scripting greetings, they hire for attitude and personality—then tell team members to “just be yourself.”
3. Variety and quality are core differentiators—not marketing fluff. Beyond beef, Hopdoddy offers bison, turkey, chicken, a veggie patty (“sole patty”), and a sashimi-grade ahi tuna burger that’s ground and seared to avoid the “dry filet” experience.
4. Supplier relationships are built for the long haul, not annual price shopping. Jeff describes “true partnerships,” shaped by who showed up during COVID, and annual supplier meetings where both sides share how to be better partners.
5. Growth and innovation require guardrails to protect operators. Hopdoddy balances trend-spotting (especially via social media) with operational mastery by making intentional menu updates three times a year—and measuring brand health heavily through retention and turnover.

💬 Quote of the Episode

🔗 Connect with the Guest(s)

• Jeff Chandler — President & CEO, Hopdoddy Burger Bar
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-chandler-02881545/
  • Website: https://www.hopdoddy.com/

🎧 Ways to Tune In

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Grounded, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with James Bonanno, Founder & CEO of Upstream Hospitality Group, to unpack how a kitchen dream turned into a fast-growing hospitality portfolio across Long Island—and beyond. James shares the “two weeks to open” origin story behind Tap Room, what it really takes to scale from one location to 20+, and how culture, character, and tech have helped Upstream become a Top Workplace of 2025.
James Bonanno is the Founder & CEO of Upstream Hospitality Group, whose brands include Tap Room, Bingo Bowls, and iconic seasonal waterfront venues like Salt Shack—all united by a mission to “go upstream” through originality and pushing boundaries.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Action beats perfection—especially early on. James explains how Tap Room came together fast: a vacant space, an opportunity, and the decision to jump in before feeling “ready.”
2. Scaling requires shifting from reactive to professional operations. Moving past “firefighting” meant building systems, getting visibility into numbers, and running the business like an organization—not a one-location hustle.
3. Know your numbers in near real-time. Upstream leaned into operational tech so food and liquor costs aren’t a month late—they’re visible quickly enough to actually manage.
4. Culture can scale when values are clear and lived. James highlights values like “saying yes” and quality, with examples like honoring life events and creating a great guest experience even in a parking lot during COVID.
5. Technology is a leadership advantage when it saves time and sharpens focus. James shares how ClickUp’s AI-powered executive dashboard gives him a quick snapshot of what’s on track, behind, and ahead across the leadership team.

Connect with the Guest(s)

• James Bonanno — Founder & CEO, Upstream Hospitality Group
  
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-bonanno-a5a665103/
• • Website: https://upstreamhospitality.com/

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Episode Overview

Chef Chris Decker joins Grounded to share how 30 years of pizza-making turned into a mission-driven craft rooted in community, creativity, and connection. He and host Lauren Mitchell unpack the story behind Truly Pizza—from its name and hospitality philosophy to the culture that keeps guests coming back for life’s biggest moments. This episode is a reminder that great meals tell stories—and the details (and people) make the experience.

Guest: Chris Decker — Chef, Truly Pizza.

🔑5 Key Takeaways

1. Chris didn’t start out planning a life in food—he originally wanted to be a police officer, then realized he could still “help people” through hospitality and community-building.
2. The name Truly Pizza comes from a personal, unexpected origin: a partner’s character named “Truly,” plus Chris’s early idea of a “love story” to pizza (“yours truly, pizza”).
3. Truly Pizza’s hospitality standard is built around a clear operating principle: “one extra step” in service, on the food, and in anticipating what guests need before they ask.
4. Culture is intentional—from hiring for character (yes, including the grocery cart test) to keeping the kitchen energy positive, loud, and focused on making “happy food.”
5. Chris’s approach to innovation stays grounded: he’s tried AI phone answering due to overwhelming call volume, but ultimately prioritizes “old school hospitality” and human connection.

💬 Quote of the Episode

🔗 Connect with the Guest(s)

• Christopher Decker — Chef, Truly Pizza
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingbutanchovies/
  • Website: https://www.trulypizza.com/

🎧 Ways to Tune In

Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033
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