Explore how modern supply chain leadership goes beyond procurement in this episode with Ken Bianchi, Senior Director of Purchasing at Checkers & Rally’s Drive-In Restaurants. With more than 25 years of experience across leading brands, Ken brings deep insight into operational resilience, supplier partnerships, and data-driven transformation.

From replacing spreadsheets with real-time dashboards to navigating global disruptions, Ken shares what it takes to lead a responsive, future-ready supply chain in the fast-paced foodservice industry.

Takeaways:

• How replacing spreadsheets with dashboards improves inventory visibility and risk management.
• Why strong supplier relationships create more flexibility and trust during negotiations.
• What it takes to choose between local and national suppliers based on capability, safety, and cost.
• How shelf life management in produce directly impacts quality, freshness, and waste.
• How predictive analytics and AI are shaping the next generation of supply chain decision-making.

Quote of the Show:

• “I don't think data makes the decisions. It helps you make better decisions so you better know how to get to the data you want and have the critical thinking ability to know what that data is really telling you.” - Ken Bianchi

Connect with Ken:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenbianchi/
• Company website: https://www.checkersandrallys.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

How does starting on the front lines of a restaurant shape the way you lead at the executive level? On this episode of The Grounded Podcast, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Cindy Keys, Vice President of Procurement at Snooze A.M. Eatery, to talk about leadership, scaling, and building meaningful supplier partnerships.

From starting as a hostess to now leading procurement for one of the most vibrant breakfast concepts in the country, Cindy’s career story is as inspiring as it is instructive. She shares how sustainability is woven into Snooze’s DNA, how understanding the full supply chain ecosystem drives smarter decisions, and why adapting to industry trends is key to long-term success.

• Community-Centric Growth: Like Cindy, nurturing long-term relationships with both employees and suppliers can foster a supportive network conducive to sustained growth.
• Embrace Sustainability: Incorporate sustainable practices into your business model not only as a responsibility but as a differentiator in the market.
• Leverage Experience: Utilize operational insights to guide strategic decisions, ensuring that theoretical objectives align with practical reality.
• Adapt to Trends: Stay ahead by continuously adapting to industry trends and consumer preferences, ensuring that your offerings remain relevant and appealing.
• Foster a Strong Brand Culture: Create an inviting and vibrant atmosphere that aligns with your core values, keeping both customers and employees engaged.

Quote of the Show:

• “It only takes a moment to make a difference, so how are we impacting our communities? How are we impacting our environment? How are we impacting our snoozers? How are we impacting our guests?” - Cindy Keys

Connect with Cindy:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-keys-75968539/
• Company website: https://www.snoozeeatery.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

What does it take to run a global supply chain while keeping brand values intact across diverse international markets? On this episode of The Grounded Podcast, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Will Cash, Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain & Quality Assurance at Church’s Texas Chicken.

With more than 15 years of experience at iconic brands like Popeye’s and Krispy Kreme, Will brings a wealth of knowledge on navigating international supply chains, ensuring food quality, and leveraging scale for efficiency. From adapting to tariffs and port delays to embracing technology and predictive analytics, Will shares how leaders can foster supplier partnerships, build brand loyalty, and maintain authenticity in an ever-changing food landscape.

Takeaways:

• Why adaptability is essential in overcoming global supply chain challenges.
• How leveraging collective volume helps reduce costs and drive efficiency.
• Why regional supplier capabilities are critical for international operations.
• How integrating technology and AI enhances visibility and predictive decision-making.
• The importance of staying true to brand authenticity while innovating for local markets.

Quote of the Show:

• “Simplicity is something that we've really tried to focus on to make sure that we're operating at the highest level, that's part of our DNA.” - Will Cash

Connect with Will:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willcash31/
• Company website: https://www.churchs.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

What does it take to grow from flipping burgers at 15 to leading a successful restaurant brand built on people, purpose, and consistency? On this episode of The Grounded Podcast, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with David Youngberg, CEO of Stonefire Grill, to talk about leadership, growth, and staying grounded in the fundamentals of hospitality.

From helping BJ’s Restaurants expand from 20 to 200 locations to now steering Stonefire Grill through its next era of innovation, David shares lessons on building great teams, scaling responsibly, and creating lasting guest loyalty. He also opens up about leading with a fitness mindset, and how personal health can directly impact energy, focus, and leadership effectiveness.

Takeaways:

• Why consistent systems and processes are the backbone of sustainable growth.
• How investing in people leads to long-term success and brand loyalty.
• Why local vendor partnerships strengthen operations and community connection.
• How leveraging technology enhances guest feedback and real-time improvements.
• The link between personal fitness and effective leadership decision-making.

Quote of the Show:

• “I've really driven into my team that I need challenge partners. I need someone that if they feel I'm going in the wrong direction, someone stands up and says let’s talk this through.” - David Youngberg

Connect with David:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dyoungberg/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tridavetri/?hl=en
• Company website: https://www.stonefiregrill.com/
• The Rich Roll Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ethan-suplee-on-shedding-300-pounds-ditching-drugs/id582272991?i=1000714160129

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

What does it take to successfully grow a brand while keeping operations simple, consistent, and people-focused? On this episode of The Grounded Podcast, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Lori Cominsky, Vice President of Operations and Training at Pancheros Mexican Grill, to explore leadership, training, and scalable growth in the fast-paced hospitality industry.

Lori shares how staying closely connected to frontline employees, embracing simplicity in operations, and investing in mentorship have helped Pancheros maintain its commitment to quality while strategically expanding its footprint. From supply chain partnerships to innovative training approaches, Lori offers actionable insights for leaders who want to build thriving teams and resilient organizations.

Takeaways:

• Why staying close to frontline employees leads to better processes and team alignment.
• How evolving training strategies to match generational learning styles improves retention and performance.
• Why operational simplicity is key to delivering consistent quality and scaling successfully.
• The value of mentorship, networking, and partnerships in driving personal and organizational growth.
• How strategic supply chain collaboration mitigates risks and supports sustainable expansion.

Quote of the Show:

• “ Part of building the bridge between operations and training is understanding that the people in the restaurants sometimes know best, so it's important to listen.” - Lori Cominsky

Connect with Lori:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loricominsky/
• Company website: https://pancheros.com/
• Gleam Network: GLEAM Network - Mentorship and Leadership Development
• Prosper Forum: 2024 Prosper Accelerators - Prosper Forum

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

Explore how blending culinary insight with supply chain strategy can create more resilient, guest-centric food operations. Michael Chalmers, Director of Supply Chain Strategy at Levy Restaurants, shares his unique career path from the U.S. Marine Corps to the kitchen and into supply chain leadership.

In this episode, Michael breaks down the power of cross-functional collaboration, how data and forecasting reduce waste, and why direct supplier relationships matter more than ever. Whether you’re managing foodservice logistics or crafting premium guest experiences, Michael offers grounded lessons in leadership, innovation, and adaptability.

Takeaways:

• Why direct communication between chefs and supply chain leaders solves sourcing and production issues faster.
• What detailed, game-specific forecasting can do to minimize waste and improve operations.
• How shifting demographics and guest preferences should shape your stadium menu strategy.
• Why strong supplier relationships help maintain continuity during industry-wide shortages.
• How patience, listening, and continuous learning shape long-term success in hospitality and logistics.

Quote of the Show:

• “I see excitement and I see adjustment and pivoting take place within the culinary world at a grassroots level where young chefs aren't as encumbered with the status quo or, this is what we've done, this is how we've done it forever.” - Michael Chalmers

Connect with Michael:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-chalmers/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i_cook_4_you/
• Michael’s Blog: https://summitsupplychainsolutions.com/blog/
• Company website: https://www.levyrestaurants.com/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

Ready to navigate the complex world of food service procurement and dairy supply chain management? In this episode of The Grounded Podcast, we sit down with Jeff McNally, a procurement expert with over 30 years of experience working with brands like Starbucks, Papa Murphy’s, and IPC for Subway.

Jeff shares his proven strategies for ensuring guaranteed supply, balancing hybrid sourcing models, and adapting to evolving consumer preferences for high-quality, locally sourced products. From tackling the unique challenges of dairy procurement to leveraging data and AI for smarter decisions, this episode is packed with practical insights for leaders navigating today’s fast-changing food service industry.

Takeaways:

• Why guaranteed supply and cost-effective sourcing are critical to staying competitive.
• How hybrid strategies can leverage the strengths of both large and small suppliers.
• The role of flexibility and communication in adapting to changing market conditions.
• Why fostering transparent, trust-based relationships with suppliers drives long-term success.
• How technology and AI are transforming procurement forecasting and decision-making.

Quote of the Show:

• “California, Wisconsin, New York, New Mexico, are really the states that drive dairy production in America. The significant portion of the dairy comes from those states, so you need to have a really solid network.” - Jeff McNally

Connect with Jeff:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-mcnally-6b721419/

Ways to Tune In:

• Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267
• Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast