Lauren Coulter didn’t plan to be a restaurant leader—but she’s become one of the most intentional voices in hospitality today.

In this episode, the Co-Founder and Chief Biscuit Eater of Biscuit Belly shares her journey from pharmacy to franchising, how she’s scaled a people-first brunch brand, and what it means to lead with “ruthless hospitality.”

We explore everything from team development and franchising culture to real community engagement—and how to hire for the things you can’t teach.

🔍 Topics Covered:
00:00 Morning Rituals and Culinary Adventures
04:05 From Pharmacy to Restaurant: A Leap of Faith
06:48 Building a Restaurant Empire: Lessons Learned
10:15 The Art of Hospitality: Creating Memorable Experiences
12:56 Balancing Culture and Operations in Franchising
26:25 Ruthless Hospitality and Coaching Dynamics
33:01 Fostering Internal Team Growth
38:13 Community Engagement and Brand Values
44:57 Leadership Horizons and Personal Growth

🎧 If you’re growing a brand with heart—or thinking about taking the leap—this one’s for you.

Adam Hayes, CFO & Co-Owner of Larkin’s Restaurant Group, shares his journey from fry cook to executive chef to financial leader — and how he’s building a people-first hospitality brand that thrives.

In this episode, we talk about:

• His transition from chef to CFO
• Building a leadership bench across multiple locations
• Scaling culture without compromise
• Why “Be NICE” guides every decision
• How to hire and retain the right people
• The unexpected leadership boost of a kitchen pushup challenge

🎧 Watch & Listen:

• Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9_cvNzHkBzs
• “Be NICE” Teaser: https://youtube.com/shorts/BANepIgLIrg?feature=share
• Pushup Challenge Teaser: https://youtube.com/shorts/cW7t9TRVL_w

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Learn more: https://www.jasonebrooks.com/podcast
• Join the Leadership Circle: https://www.aimdrivescale.com/

The Virtuous Act of Hospitality: Restoring Generosity and Culture with Steve Fortunato

👤 Guest:

Steve Fortunato
Founder & CEO, Hospitality Collaborative
Author of The Urgent Recovery of Hospitality

📝 Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Leadership Table, Jason E. Brooks sits down with Steve Fortunato to explore hospitality as a virtuous act—one rooted in generosity, intentionality, and human connection.

From his early experiences in a hosting home to founding roomforty, Pharmacie Bar + Kitchen, and the broader Hospitality Collaborative, Steve’s journey reframes catering not as an afterthought—but as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for meaning and impact.

Steve also shares insights from his book The Urgent Recovery of Hospitality, unpacking how value creation, not value extraction, defines the future of great leadership. The conversation covers practical frameworks for speaking the good, building team culture, and creating virtuous cycles that elevate both guest experience and internal growth.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Hospitality is fundamentally about creating meaningful, affirming experiences.
• Foundational moments—especially in childhood—shape leadership instincts.
• Catering should be mind-blowing, not “good for catering.”
• Intentionality matters more than appearance or volume.
• Value creation is the defining trait of future-ready leaders.
• Recognizing and celebrating others fosters lasting loyalty.
• Small, authentic check-ins build strong team culture.
• Leaders grow by noticing, affirming, and re-centering on purpose.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – The Essence of Hospitality
01:59 – Foundational Experiences in Leadership
04:56 – Convergence of Values and Intentions
07:57 – Redefining Catering in Hospitality
13:50 – The Virtuous Act of Hospitality
19:48 – Creating a Virtuous Cycle in Leadership
26:22 – Building Culture and Accountability
30:38 – Leadership Lessons from Influential Figures

💬 Sound Bites:

🔗 Guest Links:

• Website: stevefortunato.com
• Instagram: @steve_fortunato
• LinkedIn: @Steve Fortunato

📣 Subscribe & Share:

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

If this conversation resonated with you, please:

• ✅ Subscribe and leave a review
• 💌 Share it with a hospitality or service-minded leader in your circle

For more insights, tools, and frameworks to scale smarter and lead stronger, visit jasonebrooks.com and check out the weekly coaching circle at aimdrivescale.com.

“You're the only person that spends the entire day with you—own it.”
Christopher McFadden brings the heat in this candid conversation about what it really takes to lead yourself, your team, and your business with intention.

From emotional intelligence and burnout recovery to feedback culture and Gen Z expectations, this episode pulls back the curtain on what leadership actually looks like in hospitality today.

🔍 What We Cover:

• The shift from hitting metrics to owning the moment
• Self-awareness vs. self-management—and why both matter
• How Gen Z gives more feedback than you think (and how to use it)
• Rebuilding team trust after burnout
• Leadership lessons from the floor, the classroom, and the stage

🎙 Guest: Christopher McFadden
Founder, The McFadden Group
🌐 https://tmg-hospitality.ca
🔗 Christopher on LinkedIn

🎧 Host: Jason E. Brooks
Leadership Coach | Keynote Speaker | Hospitality Strategist
🌐 https://www.jasonebrooks.com/podcast

📌 The Leadership Table is a podcast for hospitality operators, executives, and emerging leaders who believe growth begins with the way we lead.

🔔 Subscribe and leave a review to help more leaders find this show.

In this episode of The Leadership Table, Jason sits down with Renee Sjulin, Vice President of Runza® National—a 76-year-old brand rooted in people-first leadership, legacy, and a commitment to excellence.

Renee opens up about what it means to carry a family legacy forward while innovating for the future, how Runza builds culture that sticks, and why grace and honesty are essential traits for modern leadership.

This is a must-listen for operators, executives, and team leaders looking to lead with more clarity, consistency, and care.

🔍 Topics Covered:

• Leading with purpose across generations
• How “We rise each morning…” shapes team culture
• Developing leaders from within a legacy brand
• Navigating change while staying values-driven
• Honest performance management and follow-through
• The power of external partnerships to support growth
• Mentorship moments that shaped Renee’s leadership

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube
🌐 More: www.jasonebrooks.com/podcast

What does it take to grow from a 16-year-old garnish guy to a leadership consultant shaping kitchen culture nationwide?

In this episode of The Leadership Table, host Jason E. Brooks sits down with Simon Zatyrka, founder of Culinary Mechanic, to unpack lessons learned from decades in the trenches of the hospitality industry.

In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ Simon’s journey from the line to leadership
✅ The leadership rejection that became his turning point
✅ Building a positive and productive kitchen culture
✅ Why asking more questions makes you a better leader
✅ The importance of systems, recipes, and communication in restaurant operations
✅ Believing in your team’s desire to succeed

About Simon Zatyrka:
Simon is the founder of Culinary Mechanic, where he helps restaurant leaders streamline operations, build stronger teams, and create sustainable kitchen cultures. Learn more at https://culinarymechanic.com.

Connect with Simon:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonzatyrka/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culinary.mechanic/

Listen & Subscribe:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09DHB9DjHpQEcV4SSwstx1
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadership-table/id1810437949
RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2471668.rss

Follow Jason E. Brooks for more leadership insights:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-e-brooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2LeadnSucceed/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpAeHGYZ50evlJ2KjH2oDvQ
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/2LeadnSucceed

Website:
https://www.jasonebrooks.com

If you found value in today’s conversation, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another leader!

In this episode, Jason E. Brooks welcomes Sam Oches, Editor-in-Chief of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, to explore how storytelling builds culture, shapes brands, and sets the tone for industry leadership. From empathy to media trends, this conversation is packed with insights for every hospitality leader.

In this episode of The Leadership Table, host Jason E. Brooks sits down with Sunny Ashman—Founder & CEO of AmpliSKY Franchise Consulting—for a powerful conversation on what it really takes to build high-performing teams, retain talent, and lead with empathy.

Sunny brings over 15 years of franchise and operations experience at brands like Moe’s Southwest Grill, Cinnabon, and Popeyes. She opens up about her leadership journey, the power of two-minute huddles, why feedback is a gift, and how culture—not just compensation—drives retention.

Whether you're leading a restaurant, managing a brand, or growing your next team of rockstars, this episode will inspire and equip you with practical tools that work.

🎯 Topics We Cover:

• Emotional intelligence and trust
• The power of team huddles and onboarding
• Why retention is about belonging
• Mentorship, GLEAM, and WiRL insights
• Building leadership without micromanaging

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube.

🔗 Connect with Sunny Ashman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnyashman
📢 More leadership tools: https://jasonebrooks.com
🎙️ RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2471668.rss
🟡 Buzzsprout Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2471668/episodes/17261583