Eric Skae joins the conversation to break down what it really takes to build and scale a food brand, drawing from his experience growing Rao’s and now leading Carbone Fine Foods into a new era of rapid expansion. From identifying untapped potential to driving exponential growth, he unpacks the fundamentals behind turning strong products into nationally recognized brands.

The discussion explores the key differences between restaurant success and retail success, and why so many operators struggle when making the jump into CPG. From distribution and data to brand awareness and consumer behavior, Eric shares how Carbone scaled to tens of thousands of stores while maintaining a premium position and authentic identity in a crowded category.

Along the way, the conversation dives into the role of hospitality in brand building, the importance of staying focused during high-growth phases, and how innovation fits into long-term strategy. The episode also highlights emerging opportunities across the broader Italian food category, offering a look at how disciplined execution, strong partnerships, and a clear brand vision can drive sustained growth at scale.

Episode Credits:

• Sponsored by: DirecTV
• Produced by: Branded Hospitality Media
• Hosted by: Michael Schatzberg, Jimmy Frischling
• Producer: Julie Zucker
• Creative Director: Adam Levine
• Show Runner: Drewe Raimi
• Post Production: Three Cheers Creative

www.thehospitalityhangout.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bagel Bosses of NYC come together to break down what really makes a great bagel, and why New York continues to set the standard. From the role of water and technique to the importance of process, they unpack the fundamentals behind a product that sits at the intersection of food, culture, and hospitality.

The conversation explores how bagel shops are balancing tradition with innovation, from evolving customer preferences to the growing influence of social media and hospitality trends on foot traffic and brand visibility. They also discuss the rise of catering, expansion into airports, and the push into CPG as bagel brands look to scale beyond their neighborhood roots.

Along the way, the group dives into some of the most debated topics in bagel culture, including what counts as a “schmear,” whether certain orders should be off-limits, and how much customization is too much. The episode also highlights the role bagel shops play in hospitality, serving as community anchors while delivering consistency, quality, and experience at scale.

Episode Credits:

• Sponsored by: DirecTV
• Produced by: Branded Hospitality Media
• Hosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy Frischling
• Producer: Julie Zucker
• Creative Director: Adam Levine
• Show Runner: Drewe Raimi
• Post Production: GrodMedia

www.thehospitalityhangout.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Hospitality Hangout, we dive deep into the incredible story of Pinky Cole, Founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan, and her journey in the hospitality industry. Learn how Pinky, a dynamic restaurant CEO, built a $100M hospitality business, experienced a major setback, and then successfully rebuilt smarter with Slutty Vegan 2.0.

Pinky shares critical hospitality insider insights on why experience can matter more than the food itself, the challenges and opportunities she faced during rapid franchising growth, and strategies for sustainable restaurant growth. As a leader in hospitality leadership, she also discusses how she’s leveraging media appearances like Real Housewives of Atlanta to fuel brand awareness and hospitality business expansion.

Tune in for invaluable lessons on franchising, brand resilience, and innovation in the hospitality industry. Whether you're a restaurant operator, hospitality executive, or emerging founder, this episode offers inspiration and practical advice to help you thrive in the competitive restaurant industry podcast space.

Episode Credits:

• Sponsored by: DirecTV
• Produced by: Branded Hospitality Media
• Hosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy Frischling
• Producer: Julie Zucker
• Creative Director: Adam Levine
• Show Runner: Drewe Raimi
• Post Production: GrodMedia

www.thehospitalityhangout.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.