Episode Summary

What turns a food trend into a menu mainstay? And how can restaurant operators balance innovation, consumer demand, and supply chain realities?

In this episode of Grounded, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Cathy Holley, one of the foodservice industry's most respected trend forecasters. As Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Flavor & The Menu and President of The Flavor Experience, Cathy has spent more than two decades helping operators understand emerging flavors, menu innovation, and changing consumer behaviors.

Together, Lauren and Cathy explore the lifecycle of food trends—from street food and bowls to dirty sodas and Dubai chocolate—and discuss how operators can successfully bring innovation to market without creating unnecessary complexity. The conversation also dives into the growing role of AI, consumer wellness, hospitality, and the importance of aligning culinary, procurement, distribution, and supply chain teams early in the innovation process.

Whether you're a restaurant operator, supplier, distributor, or simply fascinated by how food trends emerge, this episode offers a masterclass in innovation at scale.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Trends Can Come From Anywhere

The days of white-tablecloth restaurants dictating food trends are largely behind us. Today, innovation often emerges from street food, social media, global food cultures, and consumer-driven viral moments.

2. “Fads” Often Leave Lasting Impact

From the Cronut to cupcakes to Dubai chocolate, Cathy explains that even trends dismissed as fads often create ripple effects that shape future menu innovation, consumer expectations, and entirely new categories.

3. Innovation Must Be Balanced With Execution

Successful menu innovation requires close collaboration between culinary, procurement, supply chain, distributors, and suppliers. The best ideas are the ones that can be executed consistently and profitably at scale.

4. Consumers Are Buying Experiences, Not Just Food

Today's diners—especially younger generations—are increasingly influenced by hospitality, atmosphere, texture, and overall "vibe." Restaurants that create memorable experiences can differentiate themselves beyond menu offerings alone.

5. Personalized Wellness May Be the Next Major Shift

As consumers become more informed about protein, fiber, macros, and health goals, AI-powered personalization could significantly influence menu choices and dining behaviors over the next several years.

Memorable Quote

“It's never too late to adopt a trend.”

— Cathy Holley

Connect with the Guest

Cathy Holley
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-nash-holley-214a5613/

Flavor & The Menu
Flavor & The Menu

Ways to Tune In

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Subscribe to Grounded for conversations with leaders across foodservice, hospitality, supply chain, procurement, and innovation who are shaping the future of the industry.

Episode Summary

What does it take to build a purpose-driven brand in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry?

In this episode of Grounded, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Jennifer Dodd, CEO of Main Squeeze Juice Company, to discuss leadership, franchise growth, wellness trends, and the importance of creating businesses that genuinely improve people's lives.

Jennifer shares how Main Squeeze is making healthy living more accessible through clean ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and a customer-first approach. She also reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped her career, the power of empowering teams, and why the future of wellness is about much more than nutrition.

Jennifer Dodd is the CEO of Main Squeeze Juice Company and a respected leader in the restaurant and franchising industry. She also serves on the board of Women in Restaurant Leadership, where she helps mentor and elevate the next generation of industry leaders.

5 Key Takeaways
Healthy living should be simple and accessible.
Main Squeeze’s mission is to make healthy choices easier through clean, minimally processed ingredients and a wellness-focused menu.

Great leadership starts with empowerment.
Jennifer discusses how learning to slow down, listen, and trust her team became one of the most important leadership lessons of her career.

Strong systems create scalable businesses.
Consistent processes, training, and technology allow teams to focus their energy on customer experience and innovation.

The future of wellness is deeply personal.
Consumers increasingly view health as a form of wealth and power, making wellness a central part of everyday decision-making.

Successful franchise relationships are built on trust and communication.
Thriving franchise systems create space for crucial conversations, shared accountability, and collaborative problem-solving.

Memorable Quote

“Your top strengths can also become your greatest opportunities to develop.”

— Jennifer Dodd

Connect with the Guest

Jennifer Dodd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferedodd/
Company: Main Squeeze Juice Company

Ways to Tune In

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Subscribe to Grounded for conversations with leaders across foodservice, hospitality, franchising, supply chain, and business who are shaping the future of their industries.

What does it take to market one of the most recognizable family entertainment brands in the world? In this episode of Grounded, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Blake Johnson to explore how Chuck E. Cheese is evolving for a new generation while protecting the nostalgia and emotional connection that generations of families already have with the brand.

Blake shares how Chuck E. Cheese balances value, entertainment, active play, and brand consistency across nearly 500 locations. From marketing to kids in a fragmented media landscape to launching new Adventure World concepts, this conversation is packed with insights on family entertainment, operations, consumer behavior, and modern restaurant marketing.

Blake Johnson leads brand marketing and creative for CEC Entertainment and brings more than 18 years of experience in restaurant operations, marketing, and advertising across multiple restaurant brands.

🔑 5 Key Takeaways

1. Chuck E. Cheese views kids as the true decision makers.
   The brand strategically prioritizes advertising directly to children ages 3–9 while ensuring parents see affordability and value as barriers to entry continue rising for family entertainment.
2. Simplicity drives operational success.
   Blake explained that every marketing initiative is filtered through one core question: does this make the experience easier for both operators and parents?
3. The company is doubling down on active play.
   Chuck E. Cheese has expanded beyond arcade games by adding trampolines, obstacle courses, and launching the new Adventure World concept focused almost entirely on physical activity and interactive play.
4. Data revealed surprising customer behavior.
   The team discovered many families were stopping at nearby quick-service restaurants before visiting Chuck E. Cheese, leading them to rethink menu offerings, snack options, and overall value positioning.
5. Nostalgia remains one of the brand’s greatest assets.
   Blake emphasized that nearly everyone has a personal connection to Chuck E. Cheese, creating a rare emotional attachment that spans generations and strengthens long-term brand loyalty.

💬 Quote of the Episode

“We were created to be the treat up the street.” — Blake Johnson, Brand Marketing & Creative Lead, CEC Entertainment

🔗 Connect with the Guest(s)

• Blake Johnson — Brand Marketing & Creative Lead, CEC Entertainment
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-johnson-88466114/
• Website: https://www.chuckecheese.com

🎧 Ways to Tune In

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