Tony Pham, co-founder of Mecha Noodle Bar, joins host Sam Danley to share how a local ramen shop in Connecticut grew into a multi-state, mission-driven restaurant group. Pham walks through his unconventional path into hospitality and why telling your own story matters as concepts scale. He gets into his “Eat Justice” initiative that ties every bowl sold to community impact and explains why he’s shifting his focus inward, prioritizing team development and personal fulfillment over rapid expansion.

Heirloom Restaurant Group founder Kevin Santiago shares his lessons on revamping and revitalizing restaurant concepts, what he looks for in acquisition opportunities, and how to systematically optimize your business. He also talks about coaching people up and building confidence, giving kitchen staff ownership stakes, and how to weather the current challenges in the economy.

Cesar Vallin, co-founder of Michelin Guide recognized Cloak and Petal, joins host Sam Danley for a candid conversation on rebuilding a career—and a life—in hospitality. Vallin reflects on his first venture’s collapse and the hard lessons that reshaped how he approaches leadership. He opens up about addiction, recovery, and the shift from chasing status to prioritizing purpose. Plus, he gets into Cloak and Petal’s design-forward philosophy and why he’s embracing AI tools to run a smarter, more resilient business.