The Executive Connection

Stay connected with the latest news and insights within the Restaurant, Hospitality, Food Service, and Franchise Industries

Ray Kelley 5/13/25 Ray Kelley 5/13/25

2025 Compensation Trends in Public Restaurant Companies: A Strategic Look at C-Suite vs. VP-Level Pay

Bob Gershberg, CEO & Managing Partner 5/13/25 Bob Gershberg, CEO & Managing Partner 5/13/25

Mastering the Art and Science of Restaurant Turnaround

John Gordon 5/13/25 John Gordon 5/13/25

Restaurant Conditions: Challenging Yes; But Still Things To Do

Kevin Stockslager, EVP & Partner 4/10/25 Kevin Stockslager, EVP & Partner 4/10/25

Chief Operating Officer Interview Questions: 10 Must-Asks for Restaurant & Hospitality Leaders

John Gordon 1/22/25 John Gordon 1/22/25

Pondering Restaurants in 2025

Ray Kelley 1/14/25 Ray Kelley 1/14/25

Using AI to Mitigate Real Estate Costs

Ray Kelley 12/13/24 Ray Kelley 12/13/24

AI to Mitigate Labor Cost Challenges

John Gordon 12/10/24 John Gordon 12/10/24

Restaurants - The Need for Meaningful Catalysts

John Gordon 11/1/24 John Gordon 11/1/24

Restaurants: Hoping for a Better 2025

John Gordon 10/3/24 John Gordon 10/3/24

Restaurants: Details Emerge on Thorny Issues

Bob Gershberg, CEO & Managing Partner 9/17/24 Bob Gershberg, CEO & Managing Partner 9/17/24

No Tax on Tips?

John Gordon 7/3/24 John Gordon 7/3/24

Restaurants: Big Bets Underway

Kevin Stockslager, EVP & Partner 6/20/24 Kevin Stockslager, EVP & Partner 6/20/24

Biggest Challenges Facing the Restaurant Industry in 2024

2024 restaurant industry grapples with labor shortages, rising costs, and shifting consumer preferences.

John Gordon 6/18/24 John Gordon 6/18/24

Restaurants: How Did We Get Into This Pricing Problem?

Explore key restaurant industry success factors, pricing challenges, and strategies for maintaining profitability amidst shifting consumer dynamics.

Rebecca Patt 6/11/24 Rebecca Patt 6/11/24

Executive Chat - Paul Baldasaro - Taco Mac COO

Dive into Taco Mac’s unique offerings and growth strategy in our chat with COO Paul Baldasaro.

Ray Kelley 5/20/24 Ray Kelley 5/20/24

AI Strategy: Key Components to Consider

Explore strategic AI adoption in restaurants with Ray Kelley's insights on enhancing operations and customer experiences.

John Gordon 5/14/24 John Gordon 5/14/24

Restaurants: A Terrible January Ruined the Q1 Earnings Cycle

John Gordon reviews the challenging Q1 for the restaurant industry, marked by weak January sales and earnings misses.

Rebecca Patt 4/16/24 Rebecca Patt 4/16/24

Executive Chat - Sam Stanovich - SVP Franchise Leadership - Shaq's Big Chicken

Explore how Shaq's Big Chicken differentiates itself in the fast-casual space with unique flavors and celebrity backing.

Kevin Stockslager, EVP & Partner 4/9/24 Kevin Stockslager, EVP & Partner 4/9/24

Restaurant Industry Hot Topics

Kevin Stockslager previews 2024's key restaurant industry topics at the upcoming leadership conference.

John Gordon 4/9/24 John Gordon 4/9/24

Restaurants: Rough Waters for Now

John Gordon delves into the challenges facing the restaurant industry in early 2024, including pricing and market shifts.