Fast Casual Nation cover art

Fast Casual Nation

Fast Casual Nation

By: Savor.fm
Listen for free

About this listen

 Join the longest-running and most influential podcast in the fast-casual restaurant industry. Hosted by Paul Barron, the founder of fastcasual.com, the Top 100, and the Fast Casual Executive Summit. Joining him as Co-Host is Cherryh Cansler, Sr. Editor of Fastcasual.com. This team has reunited after over a decade to deliver unparalleled insights into the trends and future direction of the fast-casual sector.

Each week, they will share their deep knowledge gained from over two decades as a leading voices in this dynamic segment of the restaurant business. Paul literally wrote the book on fast casual, "The Chipotle Effect" " along with the documentary Fast Casual Nation, and Cherryh has been a driving force for the growth of Fastcasual.com over the past decade.Savor.fm Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • From Family Pizzeria to Fast-Casual Success: Joey Cioffi's Journey with The Salad House

    From Family Pizzeria to Fast-Casual Success: Joey Cioffi's Journey with The Salad House
    Aug 20 2025
    This episode is brought to you by KRAFT Philadelphia Cream Cheese
    Visit https://bit.ly/Kraft-FCN

    Join Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler as they sit down with Joey Cioffi, founder and CEO of The Salad House, to explore his inspiring journey from working in his family's pizzeria to building one of the industry's most promising health-focused franchise concepts. Recently named to Fast Casual's 2025 Top 100 Movers & Shakers, Cioffi shares valuable insights on hospitality, franchise development, and how staying true to core values while adapting to market changes has driven The Salad House's growth from a single New Jersey location in 2011 to a thriving franchise system that prioritizes community wellness and exceptional guest experience.

    FastCasualNation #TheSaladHouse #RestaurantFranchise
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • How la Madeline Cracked the Growth Code

    How la Madeline Cracked the Growth Code
    Aug 13 2025
    This episode is brought to you by KRAFT Philadelphia Cream Cheese
    Visit https://bit.ly/Kraft-FCN

    La Madeleine French Bakery & Café CEO John Dillon joins Fast Casual Nation to discuss the 43-year-old brand's strategic renaissance, including their game-changing $8.99 Pick Three value offering, expansion beyond Texas into 11 states, and how they're doubling down on French authenticity to stand out in a crowded fast-casual market growing at 9% annually.

    FastCasual #RestaurantIndustry #LaMadeleine

    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • The Fast Casual Taco Boom: Building The Perfect Brand 🌮

    The Fast Casual Taco Boom: Building The Perfect Brand 🌮
    Aug 12 2025
    Why are tacos taking over America's fast-casual scene? From corner food trucks to billion-dollar chains, the taco industry is exploding—and there's no sign of slowing down.
    In this episode, we sit down with Brooke Perry, VP of Marketing at Velvet Taco, one of the hottest names in the fast-casual taco space. Brooke breaks down exactly what's fueling this incredible growth and why consumers can't get enough of elevated taco experiences.

    What You'll Discover:
    - The surprising factors behind the fast-casual taco explosion
    - How brands like Velvet Taco are revolutionizing the traditional taco experience
    - Consumer trends driving demand for premium, customizable Mexican food
    - Marketing strategies that actually work in the competitive fast-casual space
    - What's next for the taco industry—and which trends to watch
    ----------------------------
    Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/

    Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

    Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.