Episodes

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community gathered to reflect on the power of hospitality through the lens of Mother's Day. From honoring the women who raised us to reimagining family-friendly experiences in restaurants, the conversation highlighted how thoughtful details—like personalized kids’ menus, surprise gifts for working moms, or simply easing the burden of planning—can create moments that matter. Special guest Germain Wegbrait of KidsMenus.com brought ...

Jim Taylor helps restaurants do more than stay afloat. Jim breaks down complex business concepts using a simple lemonade stand metaphor that even a 5-year-old can follow. From understanding labor costs to increasing profitability, Jim’s approach is rooted in clarity, connection, and creativity. Jim Taylor is the owner of Benchmark Sixty, based in Vancouver. He’s built a career out of helping restaurant operators turn insights into action. Tune in to hear why relationships matter, how better syst...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community gathered ahead of the 2025 National Restaurant Show to share insights, connections, and strategies for making the most of the industry’s biggest event. From first-timers to seasoned veterans, voices across the hospitality space offered practical tips—like walking the floor with intention, leading with curiosity, and always taking the photo—alongside deeper reminders about the power of presence. Whether you're showing up...

In this episode of the Cali BBQ Media podcast, Shawn Walchef breaks down his restaurant’s real-world experiment with dynamic pricing. Shawn shares how language, perception, and industry double standards fuel misunderstanding, and why embracing technology is key to long-term restaurant sustainability. Interview Takeaways: Dynamic Pricing Is Already Here – Restaurants have long used strategies like Happy Hour or early bird specials. Digital tools just make it smarter and more adaptive. Language...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, with Richard Liverman and Mike Bisceglia filling in for host Shawn Walchef, the community came together to explore the powerful parallels between sports, showbiz, and business leadership. From football clubs rebuilding their culture to athletes transitioning into entrepreneurship, the discussion highlighted how teams thrive through trust, coaching, and shared values. Guests reflected on lessons from their favorite teams—whether it's building momentum like a ...

J Goldin is the Systems Director at Riot Hospitality Group, a company known for high-volume, high-energy nightlife experiences. But behind the scenes, he is focused on precision, not chaos. In this episode, Goldin explains how technology, particularly Kickfin, has transformed Riot’s tip payout process. The result is saved time, fewer errors, and more managers on the floor where they belong. From eliminating cash to building custom tip structures that scale, Goldin shows how a thoughtful tech sta...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community gathered to explore how businesses can give back through authentic community service, even with limited time or resources. From hosting BBQ festivals to mentoring neurodivergent entrepreneurs or partnering with local schools, participants showed that impact starts with individual action. The conversation highlighted why giving back should reflect your brand’s DNA—not just be a marketing tactic. Whether mentoring future ...

At the National Restaurant Association Show, Digital Hospitality Shawn Walchef and his mentor David Meltzer are applying Stage Theory to help restaurant owners and entrepreneurs turn events into engines for business growth. Through live interviews, curated VIP experiences, and post-production content, they aim to amplify stories of resilience, innovation, and service. Interview Takeaways: Stage Theory: Turning Moments into Momentum Stage Theory empowers businesses to transform live industry ev...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation focuses on how restaurant operators can better manage their teams and labor costs in today’s challenging environment. Guest Jordan Boesch, CEO of 7shifts, joins host Shawn Walchef and the Rising Tides community to explore key lessons from The Restaurant Labor Playbook, a new guide created to help restaurants improve team productivity, retention, and profitability. Together, they discuss why building for the frontline matters, how scheduling ...

Sergio Pérez, Chief Marketing Officer of Emmy Squared Pizza, believes in staying true to your brand and community. With a digital philosophy rooted in authenticity, Pérez helps Emmy Squared grow without losing its local charm. Each restaurant feels unique, yet consistent—thanks to one central Instagram account and neighborhood-focused influencer strategies. Pérez’s experience at Bojangles taught him the importance of aligning marketing, operations, and tech. At Emmy, that alignment starts with r...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group explores the ongoing tension between data and gut instinct—and how modern business leaders are learning to blend both. Whether you’re managing a single restaurant or scaling a multi-unit operation, the pressure to make smart, fast decisions is real. But how do you know when to trust the numbers, and when to follow your intuition? This conversation dives into real-world stories of wins and losses, from marketing mishaps and ...

Shawn Walchef thought he understood social media—until he discovered the deeper power of storytelling. His Orange Tree Theory was born from a real tree planted by his immigrant grandfather outside the family restaurant. Overlooked for decades, that tree became a symbol of legacy, values, and identity once its story was shared. Now a cornerstone of Cali BBQ’s brand, it inspires Walchef’s message to business owners everywhere: stop treating content like a commercial and start telling stories that ...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group dives into how to maximize the experience of attending the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Whether it’s your first time walking the floor, your tenth time exhibiting, or your chance to finally meet longtime digital connections in real life, this event is packed with opportunities. More than just a massive trade show, NRA is a place to build relationships, discover innovations, and strengthen your brand...

Zenon McHugh did not just open a bar, he built a vision. By prioritizing real estate ownership over short-term gains, Zenon turned Twisted Shamrock Pub into a true community anchor near Chicago’s Midway Airport. His background in accounting and tax strategy gave him an edge, helping him secure key licenses, manage costs, and survive the brutal early months. Weekly financial reviews, brand integrity, and smart marketing helped Twisted Shamrock grow without sacrificing its identity. Today, the pub...

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group dives into the meaning behind business milestones—and why most people don’t celebrate them enough. Whether it’s opening your first restaurant, hitting a round-number anniversary, or simply surviving another month in business, these moments deserve recognition. More than just feel-good celebrations, milestones can drive connection, storytelling, team morale, and customer loyalty. From viral TikTok promos to client thank-you ...

Running a successful restaurant today means becoming more than a chef or operator—you have to be a storyteller. Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ Media, believes digital content is now just as essential as great food. From swapping out legacy tech for cloud-based systems to sharing behind-the-scenes moments on YouTube and LinkedIn, Shawn champions “digital hospitality.” He urges restaurateurs to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start using their phones to build brand trust. Whether it’s ...

In this session, we explore the power of nostalgia marketing and why tapping into the past can be a strategic advantage for entrepreneurs, restaurant operators, and hospitality professionals. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group unpacks how memory, tradition, and emotion fuel brand loyalty and customer engagement. The conversation features real-world examples from business leaders who are using sensory storytelling, legacy content, and emotional resonance to d...

Albi Zogaj is turning his restaurant into a brand—and a media company. The co-founder of Albi Italian Kitchen in San Antonio, Zogaj has embraced the digital storytelling strategies championed host Shawn Walchef. From posting skits and behind-the-scenes content to launching a podcast and product line, Albi is showing what’s possible when restaurant owners lean into content creation and systems. His videos now bring in over 100,000 views, driving real foot traffic with zero ad spend. Whether it’s ...

In this session, we explore the impact of location selection and why making strategic real estate decisions is essential for entrepreneurs, restaurant operators, and hospitality professionals. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group discusses how physical location, community presence, and digital strategy intersect to shape business success. The conversation features firsthand insights from industry leaders who have navigated tough location choices, balanced nost...

You don’t need money to build a media company. You need courage, consistency, and a smartphone. In this breakdown from Cali BBQ Media's Shawn Walchef, learn how to turn your everyday business actions into powerful digital storytelling. From embracing quantity over perfection to showing up across platforms, this guide highlights the mindset shift entrepreneurs need to grow their brand in today’s creator economy. By building community, sharing your truth, and offering value, you can create real bu...

In this session, we explore the power of sales funnels and why designing them with intention is crucial for businesses, entrepreneurs, and hospitality professionals. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the group unpacks how B2B and B2C brands are building smarter, more efficient sales systems. The conversation features real-world strategies from restaurant operators, tech founders, and service providers who are leveraging email campaigns, referral networks, digital too...

Mike Bathurst, VP of Barney Enterprises, oversees 14 Wendy’s, locations in Northwest Indiana. With rapid growth came operational challenges—especially in repairs and maintenance. After struggling with unreliable vendors and disjointed asset tracking, Mike turned to 86 Repairs. The platform helped centralize equipment data, streamline service requests, and refine vendor management across stores. By taking an iterative approach, Mike has built a smoother, more efficient R&M process—freeing up time...

In this session, we explore the power of personal tech stacks and how the tools we use shape the way we communicate, create, and collaborate. In this episode of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community dives into the devices, apps, and digital habits that fuel productivity, connection, and creativity in both personal and professional life. From AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to communication platforms like Slack, WhatsApp, and Zoom, this conversation reveals how hospitality pr...

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation centers on the power of YouTube Shorts and how restaurant brands can use the platform to improve local SEO, brand visibility, and content strategy. Guest Claudia Tomina, CEO of Reputation Arm, brings insights from her work in citation management, review automation, and local search optimization. Joined by host Shawn Walchef and the Rising Tides community, Claudia explores why YouTube is the new TV, how to structure multi-location channels, a...