077: Scaling Pepper Lunch: Global Growth, Consistency, and Consumer Insight with Troy Hooper on Grounded

In this week's episode, Troy is a guest on Grounded. He shares an inside look at the rapid growth and operational strategy behind Pepper Lunch as the brand expands across North America and beyond. He discusses the differentiators that drew him to Pepper Lunch, including its experiential fast-casual model, simplified operations, strict ingredient sourcing, and global brand consistency. Troy explains how the company approaches supply chain management, from building its own procurement arm to optimizing redundancy and quality control across 17+ countries.

He also gets into the challenges of scaling like real estate constraints, global tariffs, and maintaining operational standards, and describes how Pepper Lunch's kiosk model, hospitality host strategy, and data-driven consumer insights are transforming customer experience and sales performance. Troy closes with broader industry trends around AI, labor, menu development, and cultural leadership, offering a direct look at what he believes is shaping the next generation of restaurant operations.

• Pepper Lunch's global expansion strategy and brand differentiators

• Supply chain structure, procurement approach, and vendor redundancy

• Operational decisions around ingredient sourcing and product consistency

• Experiential dining model, kiosk adoption, and hospitality host integration

• Real estate challenges, regulatory risk, and long-term scaling considerations

Connect with Lauren Mitchell of Grounded:

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

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.pandora.com/browse/podcasts?source=stitcher-sunset.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

https://x.com/ProduceAlliance

https://www.linkedin.com/company/produce-alliance-llc./

https://www.instagram.com/producealliance/?hl=en "

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper joins as the guest on Zaller Talk to share an in-depth look at his career path, the evolution of his consulting practice, and his executive role leading global expansion for Pepper Lunch. He discusses how his early exposure to hospitality, construction, and entrepreneurship shaped his operating philosophy, as well as how experiences in culinary arts, maritime work, and corporate leadership at Procter & Gamble influenced his approach to business.

Troy walks through the rapid growth of Pepper Lunch worldwide, the strategic model behind Kiwi Restaurant Partners, and current market conditions impacting operators—particularly in California. He also offers grounded advice for new hospitality entrepreneurs on capital, mentorship, industry engagement, and building authentic, scalable brands.

• From consulting to becoming CEO of Pepper Lunch North America and Co-CEO globally

• The global footprint and growth strategy of Pepper Lunch

• Troy's early background in hospitality and entrepreneurship

• The evolution of Kiwi Restaurant Partners

• Expansion challenges and regulatory pressures affecting California restaurant operators

• Strategic considerations for hospitality entrepreneurs

Connect with Anthony Zaller of Zaller Talk:

Website: www.zallerlaw.com

Blog – California Employment Law Report: www.californiaemploymentlawreport.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyzaller/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6zpZovQKMeZ5l2DYL0nh3q?si=0df7a5bc45f44743

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-legal-lineup-with-anthony-zaller/id1405859405

Prosper Forum

Website: https://www.prosperforum.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prosper-forum/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Jim Bitticks, President and COO of Dave's Hot Chicken, for a deep conversation on leadership, hospitality, team building, and the operational foundations behind some of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the industry. Jim shares how his early experiences from Jack in the Box to Rally's to Carl's Jr., shaped a service philosophy rooted in humility, empathy, and getting to "yes."

He discusses the long-standing team relationships that have followed him across multiple brands, the disciplined but human-centered training systems that enabled rapid scale, and the cultural principles that make growth sustainable. Jim also offers insight into Dave's Hot Chicken's trajectory following its billion-dollar investment, the brand's global expansion efforts, and why strong teams, clear brand ethos, and pride in the work continue to be the drivers of long-term success.

• Jim's definition of hospitality and early service influences

• Career path from Jack in the Box to leading major fast-casual brands

• Building cohesive teams and retaining talent across multiple companies

• Key operational principles that enable rapid restaurant growth

• Dave's Hot Chicken's expansion strategy and post-acquisition outlook

Connect with Jim Bitticks:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-bitticks-cfe-0bb37515

https://daveshotchicken.com/

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

https://www.instagram.com/daveshotchicken/

https://www.tiktok.com/@daveshotchicken

https://www.facebook.com/ToLiveandFryInLA

https://www.youtube.com/@DavesHotChickenOfficial

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper appears as a guest on the Single Tree Nation podcast, hosted by Charlie Eblen of Single Tree Wood Fire Barbecue. Troy shares his journey from bussing tables at Bennigan's to becoming CEO of Kiwi Restaurant Partners and the North American CEO of Pepper Lunch, a major international franchise.

The conversation dives into his hospitality philosophy, his thoughts on leadership and technology in foodservice, and the importance of maintaining genuine human connection in a fast-evolving restaurant landscape. Troy also discusses the rise of imported franchise brands, the balance between hospitality and automation, and how restaurateurs can build community digitally and in person. The episode wraps with reflections on legacy, mentorship, and the enduring influence of Anthony Bourdain.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• Troy's early days in hospitality and career growth through the industry

• The role of Kiwi Restaurant Partners in scaling restaurant brands

• Launching and developing the Pepper Lunch franchise in North America

• Balancing restaurant technology adoption with authentic hospitality

• The importance of community-building in digital and physical spaces

Connect with Charlie Eblen & Single Tree Nation:

www.singletreebbq.com

https://www.singletreebbq.com/podcast

https://www.singletreebbq.com/store

https://www.facebook.com/SingleTreeBBQ

https://www.instagram.com/singletreebbq

https://twitter.com/EblenCharlie

https://www.tiktok.com/@stbbq

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcdltRbqsUtVD_7gABvZ5lA?app=desktop

https://www.linkedin.com/company/single-tree-bbq

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper interviews Adam Sanders, CEO of Killer Burger, to explore how a finance executive transitioned into leading a fast-casual burger brand through strategic franchising and customer experience innovation. Adam shares his path from valuation consulting to beverage partnerships at Anheuser-Busch before joining Killer Burger as CFO and eventually stepping into the CEO role.

The conversation touches on how Killer Burger maintains its rebellious, community-focused ethos while scaling responsibly, the importance of supporting franchisees, and how evolving customer expectations influence menu and service design. Adam also discusses the challenges of balancing growth with infrastructure, offering insights for emerging brand leaders navigating expansion.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Adam's career shift from finance to foodservice leadership

• How Killer Burger defines and delivers hospitality

• Strategic franchising and brand evolution

• Balancing culture and systems in multi-unit growth

• Forecasting responsible growth in emerging markets

Connect with Adam Sanders:

www.killerburger.com

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

https://www.instagram.com/killerburger/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/19094917/admin/dashboard/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv22AUfJpNGgUiqipQgZ7iQ

https://twitter.com/KillerBurger

https://www.facebook.com/EatKillerBurger/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Mijo Alanis, founder and franchisor of Beyond Juicery + Eatery. Mijo shares his journey from dishwasher to successful brand builder, offering candid insight into the realities of starting, scaling, and franchising a health-focused restaurant concept. He reflects on lessons learned from decades in the restaurant business, the mindset shift required to become a franchisor, and how hospitality has evolved into something deeper than just good service. Mijo also highlights the challenges of growth, including maintaining quality, embracing new technology like HPP, and building a team that can carry the brand forward. With 50 locations and more on the way, Beyond Juicery + Eatery stands as a testament to purpose-driven entrepreneurship and the power of listening to your customers.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Mijo's early years in the restaurant industry and path to entrepreneurship

• The founding and evolution of Beyond Juicery + Eatery

• Transitioning from operator to franchisor with a service mindset

• The role of innovation, from HPP tech to scalable systems

• How hospitality and customer connection drive long-term success

Connect with Mijo Alanis:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mijo-alanis-942990141/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-juicery-eatery

https://beyondjuiceryeatery.com/

http://instagram.com/beyondjuiceryeatery

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Beyondjuiceryeatery

https://www.tiktok.com/discover/beyond-juicery-eatery

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper speaks with David Youngberg, CEO of Stonefire Grill, about what it truly means to lead with hospitality. With decades of experience in restaurant operations—from his early days at McDonald's to senior leadership at BJ's and now Stonefire—David offers grounded insights on building a people-first culture. He shares how Stonefire is refining its guest experience through technology, team empowerment, and a clear vision for growth. From improving internal communication to acting on customer feedback, David breaks down the strategic choices that make Stonefire's service model both scalable and personal.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• David's leadership journey from BJ's Restaurants to Stonefire Grill

• The people-first philosophy behind Stonefire's operations

• Using stakeholder input to guide strategic initiatives

• Leveraging tech tools like Toast and Ovation to enhance service

• Creating a high-performance culture through servant leadership

Connect with David Youngberg:

www.stonefiregrill.com

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

www.instagram.com/tridavetri

https://www.linkedin.com/company/stonefire-grill-inc

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

https://twitter.com/stonefiregrill?lang=en

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWywdImCs66xn62mktbA5IA

https://www.facebook.com/stonefiregrill/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy sits down with Rob Ertmann, CEO of Mo'Betta's Hawaiian-style restaurant chain. With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Rob shares the brand's growth journey from 22 to 68 stores in four years, its partnership with Savory Fund, and its recent acquisition by Blue Marlin and Tribe.

The conversation focuses on operational excellence, cultural authenticity, and the importance of simplicity in menu design. Rob outlines how Mo'Betta's has preserved its Hawaiian roots while scaling rapidly, discusses the pivotal role of the general manager, and highlights how defining team values such as humility, kindness, and hunger has contributed to the company's strong internal culture.

• The growth and evolution of Mo'Betta's from 22 to 68 stores

• Maintaining cultural authenticity during rapid scale

• Why simplicity in menu design supports operations and margins

• Hiring for values over resumes and building internal leadership

• Learning from team feedback and staying humble in decision-making

Connect with Rob Ertmann:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-ertmann-61b93927

http://www.mobettahs.com

https://mobettahs.com/about/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mo-bettahs

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

https://www.facebook.com/Mobettahs/

https://www.tiktok.com/@mobettahs

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.