This week, Troy welcomes industry leader Eric Knott to discuss his journey from childhood in upstate New York to becoming a prominent restaurant executive. Eric shares insights on the true essence of hospitality, making people feel welcome, and expands on the implementation of it throughout your business, from the staff to operations. Eric talks about how important culture, leadership, and empowering your staff is to create a resilient and connected team, especially as your company or restaurant grows and scales.

Eric also shares about his recent role at Tiki Taco, a vibrant fast-casual concept he is helping expand through strategic location placements, community engagement, and technological innovation. Important topics such as hiring principles, maintaining brand integrity, and envisioning future growth, including potential franchising and joint ventures are also discussed in more detail. This is a power packed episode you don’t want to miss!

Topics discussed in the episode

• The true meaning of hospitality and its importance in business
• Eric Knott’s background and journey into the restaurant industry
• Building and maintaining company culture as the brand scales
• Strategies for hiring, empowering staff, and reducing turnover
• Tiki Taco’s growth plans, community focus, and future expansion

Connect with Eric Knott:

https://www.tikitaco.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tikitaco/

https://www.facebook.com/tikitaco/

https://twitter.com/tikitaco_

https://open.spotify.com/user/l8dhha2fmgtwi7xe6ugkcbd1s?si=qxwFUBHIT8um13cuiuZoMw

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-knott-96504973/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tikitaco/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

This is a lively episode of The Pineapple Perspective, with Troy welcoming Jimmy Frischling and Michael “Schatzy” Schatzberg from Branded Hospitality. While the episode opens with humor and banter, it transitions into meaningful reflections on hospitality, evolving dining habits, and the state of restaurant technology.

Jimmy and Schatzy share their roots in the industry, how Branded Hospitality blends investment, operations, and media, and why personalization and community are at the heart of hospitality today. They emphasize how operators can use technology not as a gimmick but as a tool to elevate the guest experience. The trio point out how Pepper Lunch's hospitality model provides a great example of how blending tech and human interaction can improve business outcomes.

• Definitions of hospitality from different industry perspectives

• The origin and mission of Branded Hospitality

• Evolving consumer dining trends, especially among Gen Z and Gen Alpha

• Effective integration of restaurant technology (e.g., kiosks, loyalty tools, feedback platforms)

• Industry collaboration, influencer involvement, and events like RLC

Connect with Michael ‘Schatzy’ Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling:

www.thehospitalityhangout.com

www.HospitalityHeadline.com

www.BrandedStrategic.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/branded-ventures/

https://www.instagram.com/brandedstrategichospitality/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesfrischling/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-%E2%80%9Cschatzy%E2%80%9D-schatzberg-9a16ba5/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.

In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy sits down with consultant, coach, and mentor Richard Liverman. Broadcasting from the UK, Richard shares his perspectives on hospitality, branding, and the power of storytelling in business. Drawing from a diverse background from horticulture to luxury brands he illustrates how service and connection can define success across industries.

The conversation centers around Richard’s core mantra, “Don’t be boring,” which he uses as a lens to challenge clients’ thinking, brand execution, and communication. He introduces listeners to the concept of “scaffolding” for personal and professional growth, highlighting systems and support that help leaders and entrepreneurs perform at their best.

Topics Discussed in the Episode:

• Defining hospitality through meaningful connection and consistency

• The role of storytelling in branding and customer engagement

• “Don’t be boring” as a mindset for challenging assumptions and innovating

• Personal and business “scaffolding” for sustainable growth

• Staying fresh and relevant through clarity of brand DNA

Connect with Richard Liverman:

https://richersolutions.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-liverman/ https://www.instagram.com/richer_solutions_global/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.