Advertise on podcast: QSR Uncut

Last year, in what’s become an annual tradition here on QSR Uncut, Qu CMO Jen Kern broke down restaurant operators' thoughts on technology for the year ahead. Jen now returns to unravel the latest report, which unpacks how the industry appears to have moved from experimentation to execution, defined by operational stability, intelligent decision-making, and a unified guest experience. Is AI really here? How are kiosks coming along? What matters most to restaurants and what's starting to slide? We get into all of it. Here's a link to the full report: https://stateofdigital.qubeyond.com/

With more than 30 years of industry experience, including serving as CEO of Voodoo Doughnut and SVP of operations at MOD Pizza, Chris Schultz brought a wealth of insight to Velvet Taco when he joined the fast casual late last year. He's now turning his attentions to growth and guarding some of the unique traits of a taco chain that's never blended into the pack, from LTOs every week to some of the most unique flavor combinations in the category. Schultz joins QSR Uncut to talk about the role so far and what he has in store for the future.

It's time to reveal our QSR Evolution Conference (with a special discount code for operators) and something new we're working on, an exclusive peer-to-peer restaurant group you can join and connect with fellow leaders, every day.  The links: QSR Evolution Conference: https://www.qsrevolutionconference.com/ QSR+: https://plus.qsrmagazine.com/

There may not be a faster-growing restaurant chain in the country than Dave’s Hot Chicken over the past few years. In fact, it’s one of the quickest-scaling franchises we’ve ever recorded. Now, it’s looking to take major buzz and turn it into something lasting, in the U.S. and overseas. CMO Brandon Rhoten joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss how Dave’s is capturing and nurturing fandom and evolving a story for the ages toward its next act.

Health-focused fast casual Konala is pioneering a high protein drive-thru model with a brand that wants to open access to a new way of eating. And it all began when Trace and his family cured what was supposed to be terminal epilepsy through food and diet. It’s a wild tale that sparked a growth-ready concept with designs to make it big.

The plant-based restaurant segment has ridden a roller coaster in recent years. From the apex of hype to some brands shutting down to others adopting a hybrid approach, what’s the market today truly look like? PLNT Burger CEO Chris Treloar joins QSR Uncut this week to talk about the future and how the concept has managed to steadily and strategically grow through ebbs and flows in guest demand and competitive action.  Launched with the culinary expertise and Top Chef energy of Spike Mendelsohn, PLNT Burger focuses on a lean operations team, direct-to-vendor cost controls, and ensuring it limits non-food related costs to keep G&A spend relatively low. We get into all of that and explore where the guest might be taking the once-buzzing movement next.

Morley Ivers, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships, joins QSR Uncut to discuss the rise of America’s first chef-to-you meal delivery platform. CookUnity delivered more than 43 millions meals in 2025 (80 percent year-over-year growth), served north of 200,000 eaters, and surpassed $750 million in annual recurring revenue, its strongest year yet. We discuss that journey, what's still to come after a $250 million growth infusion, and how CookUnity has struck a chord by redefining an online model for culinary leaders and consumers alike.  This episode is brought to you in partnership with CookUnity. Learn more here.

Queenie Lo, president, Spatial Design at global agency FutureBrand, joins QSR Uncut this week to talk about the next generation of store models and the growing importance of physical experiences as prices continue to rise. For over 15 years, Queenie has worked to design immersive and commercially successful experiences for brands, including McDonald’s for the past decade. The company also works with a number of global names, including HMSHost, SSP, Selfridge’s, Bloomingdale’s, and IKEA. We get into how to scale without losing your identity, and what the real future of QSR design looks like.

Seth Cohen, cofounder of Sweetfin and one of QSR Uncut’s original guests, returns to chat about the fast casual’s evolution as it celebrates 10 years. But this is far more than just a party. The brand kicked off 2026 with a bold new culinary chapter developed in collaboration with two-Michelin-starred chef Daniel Patterson. Known for redefining California cuisine through pioneering restaurants including Coi, Alta, and Locol, Patterson is bringing world-class technique to Sweetfin’s fresh, approachable style. What does this mean? Warm bowls. Elevated standards. And much more. We get into all of that, plus look back on the poke category’s growth over the past decade and what’s still to come.

FiiZ Drinks president Scott Ball joins the podcast to break down life operating in arguably QSR’s craziest market there is today—beverages. From dirty sodas to energy drinks to more, FiiZ has expanded to more than 70 locations since its 2014 founding. And the goal now is to open 500-plus units over the next 10 years in the U.S., with another 100 being launched in Canada. In just 2024, the brand served more than 200 million ounces of soda. We get into the growth ahead, what the brand is looking for in partners, and what it’s going to take to grapple with the biggest beverage leaders as consumers drive the category to new heights.

Paris Baguette Chief Development Officer Nick Scaccio joins QSR Uncut this week to unpack the global brand's mission to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café in markets nationwide. Targeting 1,000 stores in North America by 2030, the chain is refining site selection, asset strategy, and continuing to establish itself in a category that's seen its share of competitors rise over the years. 

In this episode of CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, we hand the mics over to A&W Restaurants’ CEO Betsy Schmandt and Kilwins’ CEO Brian Britton. They discuss life overseeing two of the country’s most-iconic foodservice brands, what it’s taking to win over customers with experience and service, and how restaurant leaders can inspire growth and performance from the top down. As always, CEO to CEO provides a candid dive into life directing a quick-service chain. There’s no editor. No filter. Just real and actionable insight to take to your operation and career. For more episodes of QSR's CEO to CEO series, visit here.

Tomás Gilbert, Director, Strategic Market Insights at Curion, joins QSR Uncut to break down his adventures as a qualitative researcher in the restaurant space. We get into what’s driving traffic, what food trends are landing on menus, why beverages are hot, why menu optimization is becoming widespread, and much more. There’s a reason in-market research is a growing methodology in QSR. This episode was brought to you by our partners at Curion. 

Fuku CEO Claudia Lezcano has held jobs from chief marketing officer of the Miami Dolphins, Marlins, executive roles at Burger King, Church’s Chicken, and more. But she knew she walked into something special when the opportunity to lead Fuku—the East Village brand that began as an off-menu item by chefs at David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar—arrived. Now, Fuku and its famed “Original Sando” are gearing up for growth and looking to bring an elevated product and service model to new and loyal customers alike. The episode is brought to you by our partners at Campbell’s Foodservice—where giving operators more is at the heart of everything they do.

John Ramsay, industry vet and director of franchise sales and development for the brand, joins QSR Uncut to discuss Taco Cabana’s recent success and how it’s positioning to take its legacy concept to fresh markets and beyond. The Texas institution has big plans, revamped ownership, and goals to break through in a category that’s stuffed with competitors. The episode was brought to you by our partners at Vitamix.