Room for Seconds Turns One: 5 Unforgettable Moments from a Year of Game-Changing Conversations cover art

Room for Seconds Turns One: 5 Unforgettable Moments from a Year of Game-Changing Conversations

Room for Seconds Turns One: 5 Unforgettable Moments from a Year of Game-Changing Conversations

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 We’ve hit a major milestone—one full year of Room for Seconds—and to celebrate, we’re bringing you five unforgettable moments from the past 53 episodes that showcase the grit, growth, and game-changing ideas shaping the restaurant industry.From Super Bowl champ turned restaurateur to the minds behind Big Chicken and Badass Breakfast Burritos, these conversations are packed with leadership insights, brand-building wisdom, and stories you won’t want to miss.Takeaways:Indulging in High-Quality Treats - Super Bowl Champion Ndamukong Suh has successfully pivoted from dominating the NFL to building an impressive entrepreneurial portfolio. One standout move? Investing in Kinnamōns, a cinnamon roll concept focused on premium ingredients and indulgent quality without compromise.Preserving Core Values in Virtual Brands - As co-founder of Dog Haus and visionary behind The Absolute Brands, André Vener has pioneered a new approach to virtual restaurants—one that doesn’t sacrifice brand DNA for the sake of scale.Reaping the Rewards of Good Mentorship - Hospitality veteran Amy Hom dropped one of the most powerful leadership lessons of the season—mentorship isn’t about control, it’s about growth. She shared a story of supporting a regional director through a tough promotion decision. The experience didn’t just teach leadership lessons—it shaped a future VP.Jimmy John’s Influence - In this heartfelt episode, Bob Norman reflects on his deep-rooted journey at Jimmy John’s and the mentorship he received from founder Jimmy John Liautaud. Beyond business, Jimmy’s hands-on support and generosity shaped Bob’s outlook on leadership and loyalty.Listen and Learn From Your Customers - Sam Stanovich, Senior VP of Franchise Leadership at Big Chicken, opened up about how Shaquille O’Neal built the brand with humility, letting the food speak for itself. But it was the customers who brought Shaq’s story back into the spotlight.Episode Links:Ndamukong Suh Online Ndamukong Suh Instagram Ndamukong Suh Business Portfolio Visit Kinnamons OnlineThe Absolute Brands OnlineDog Haus InstagramAndré Vener LinkedInAmy Hom on LinkedInBarcelona Wine Bar OnlineBarcelona Wine Bar on LinkedInBarcelona Wine Bar on InstagramBob Norman LinkedInBig Chicken OnlineBig Chicken InstagramBig Chicken FacebookBig Chicken Tik TokBig Chicken on XBig Chicken on LinkedInSam Stanovich on LinkedInAbout NdamukongNdamukong Suh is a household name for sports fans across the country. His tenacious approach and domination on the defensive line both in college at the University of Nebraska and the NFL afforded him a 13 year career that saw him reach five Pro Bowls, named to the All Pro team five times, win Defensive Player of the Year, a member of the 2010s All Decade team, and a Superbowl. As a youngster in Portland, Oregon, Suh knew early that he wanted a life beyond football. Now, as a businessman, he is the Founder of House of Spears Management and the Generals Restaurant Group. Suh currently resides in Portland with his wife and twin boys.About Andre VenerAndré Vener co-founded Dog Haus in April 2010 with his two business partners, aiming to transform stadium food classics into gourmet delights. Over the past decade, Dog Haus has grown from its roots in Pasadena, California, to nearly 50 locations nationwide. Vener and his partners have driven the brand's expansion through strategic alliances with top ghost kitchen networks, a partnership with Live Nation, and the creation of The Absolute Brands—a collection of virtual restaurant concepts featuring popular Dog Haus menu items like the Bad Mutha Clucka.Before Dog Haus, Vener was the executive producer at Pasadena Entertainment, organizing events at notable venues such as The Rose Bowl and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. He also founded redwhite+bluezz, an acclaimed restaurant and jazz club, and served as CEO and president of the California Philharmonic for a decade, leading performances at venues like the Walt Disney Concert Hall. As a recognized restaurant industry expert, Vener has been featured on CNN, FOX News Channel, and MSNBC, and his work with Dog Haus has been highlighted in Entrepreneur magazine and Food & Wine.About Amy HomAmy Hom brings over 25 years of impactful leadership in the restaurant industry and technology innovation space, Amy is currently the COO at Barcelona Wine Bar. Previously, Amy served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief People Officer for Bluestone Lane, where she played a pivotal role in shaping operational strategies and fostering a culture of excellence. Before her tenure at Bluestone Lane, she held the position of Executive Vice President of North American Retail and Kitchens at REEF Technology, where she led transformative initiatives to convert static neighborhood spaces into dynamic community hubs, including building a food safety team, training department, and an operational excellence strategy.With a keen eye for operational ...
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