The 40/40 List: Wings Over

RSE Ventures founder and “Shark Tank” guest Matt Higgins has created a multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio of leading fine-dining and fast-casual concepts, including iconic eateries like NYC’s Magnolia Bakery, David Chang’s Momofuku, Milk Bar, &pizza, and Bluestone Lane. He joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss all of that, plus sharing his philosophy on leadership and achieving your potential, as well as stories from his NFL days, and a whole lot more. This might just be the most off-kilter, enlightening, and revealing conversation we’ve ever had on QSR Uncut.

Dustin Portillo joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss a journey unlike any other we’ve had here on QSR Uncut. From becoming the third-youngest person in Ringling's 147-year history to being promoted to “Boss Clown” to portraying Ronald McDonald at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to leading community relations at one of the top McDonald’s franchises in America, Portillo has traveled one of the most unique roads in the industry. And he’s now sharing with the world why it’s more than OK to be an IDIOT (we’ll explain).

Few restaurant brands, if any, have stayed at the forefront of innovation like Wow Bao, a concept that began as a small Chicago storefront and has now spread to more than 700 “dark kitchens” across the country. Also, Wow Bao recently rolled into thousands of CPG outlets and is plotting a future in web3 that could change the game as we know it. CEO Geoff Alexander joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss it all, what’s next, and how you lead from the cutting edge during one of the most vivid paradigm shifts on record.

Penn Station East Coast Subs chief operating officer Craig Dunaway joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein for a wide-ranging chat on the challenger brand's history and why it's poised for growth. How do you guard a brand's differentiators as you franchise? Where is the sandwich sector headed next? We get into that and a whole lot more.

Gong cha president Geoff Henry, who assumed the international bubble tea brand's top U.S. role last March, has 20 years of experience as a leader in the quick service and CPG beverage industries. He joins the podcast to discuss the factors driving the growth of the bubble tea industry and how it's capturing the Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha market and helping turn new generations into tea consumers.

Jeff Hetsel, president of Cicis Pizza, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to share insight into what all restaurants search for in this business—brand longevity. For the famed pizza buffet chain, it all starts within (Hetsel began with Cicis as a GM 30 years ago), and a culture that promotes franchise development through generations. Hetsel talks about what’s ahead for the brand, as well as the industry, as value kicks into gear in 2024.

Nekter Juice Bar CEO Steve Schulze joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the story and journey of one of the category’s true icons. Plus, we’ll get into the state of franchising and the future of the segment from the frontlines of one of the hottest arenas in fast casual.

CEO Greg Willman has Naf Naf Grill poised and ready to hit the growth lever this coming year. He joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to discuss how his background as a franchisee has provided real-life insight into how the Middle Eastern concept should expand, where it goes next, and why it continues to resonate in new and legacy markets alike.

Honey Baked Ham CMO Tripp McLaughlin joins QSR editors Danny Klein and Ben Coley to talk about the evolution of the legacy brand. For generations, Honey Baked has played a role in family holiday traditions, and now, it’s taking those core equities, differentiated food, and bringing them to fresh audiences through a reenergized marketing campaign and plan to get in front of guests across multiple occasions, no matter the time of year.

Three Jersey Mike’s leaders—Kevin Loughran, Field Training and Development Specialist, Amanda Vrabel, Manager of Business Management Systems, and Brian Deeth, Area Director for New England—join QSR editorial director Danny Klein for a wide-ranging chat on how one of the hottest brands in America is staying ahead of the competition by using tech solutions to drive operational excellence. The IT, Operations, and Training leaders will share best practices and discuss the impact these solutions have on their business. This episode is sponsored by Crunchtime.