QSR Uncut
QSR Uncut is a podcast from the editors of QSR magazine—the leading publication for foodservice owners and operators—that discusses the current state and future of the fast-food restaurant industry. Made for restaurant executives, entrepreneurs, consumers, and leaders, each episode candidly shares expert advice from some of the industry's most insightful leaders.
Episodes
363 episodes
The State of Restaurant Media, with Brian Lowe
BML Public Relations president and CEO Brian Lowe returns to QSR Uncut after one of our most-listened to episodes to unpack what restaurants need to ...
The State of Digital in Fast Food and Fast Casual: Revisited (2026 Edition)
Last year, in what’s become an annual tradition here on QSR Uncut, Qu CMO Jen Kern broke down restaurant operators' thoughts on technology for the year ahead. Jen now returns to unravel the latest report, which unpacks how the industry appears ...
Staying a Step Above, with Velvet Taco's New CEO Chris Schultz
With more than 30 years of industry experience, including serving as CEO of Voodoo Doughnut and SVP of operations at MOD Pizza, Chris Schultz brought a wealth of insight to Velvet Taco when he joined the fast casual late last year. He's now tur...
[BONUS] Two Announcements and Invites to Join Other Restaurant Leaders
It's time to reveal our QSR Evolution Conference (with a special discount code for operators) and something new we're working on, an exclusive peer-to-peer restaurant group you can join and connect with fellow leaders, every day. Th...
The Marketing Genius Behind Dave’s Hot Chicken, with CMO Brandon Rhoten
There may not be a faster-growing restaurant chain in the country than Dave’s Hot Chicken over the past few years. In fact, it’s one of the quickest-scaling franchises we’ve ever recorded. Now, it’s looking to take major buzz and turn it into s...
The Remarkable Story of Konala, with Founder Trace Miller
Health-focused fast casual Konala is pioneering a high protein drive-thru model with a brand that wants to open access to a new way of eating. And it all began when Trace and his family cured what was supposed to be terminal epilepsy through fo...
The Future of Plant-Based Burger Chains, with Chris Treloar
The plant-based restaurant segment has ridden a roller coaster in recent years. From the apex of hype to some brands shutting down to others adopting a hybrid approach, what’s the market today truly look like? PLNT Burger CEO Chris Treloar join...
The Unbridled Growth Story of CookUnity, with Morley Ivers
Morley Ivers, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships, joins QSR Uncut to discuss the rise of America’s first chef-to-you meal delivery platform. CookUnity delivered more than 43 millions meals in 2025 (80 percent year-over-year growth), served n...
The Future of QSR Design, with Queenie Lo
Queenie Lo, president, Spatial Design at global agency FutureBrand, joins QSR Uncut this week to talk about the next generation of store models and the growing importance of physical experiences as prices continue to rise. For over 15 years, Qu...
Sweetfin at 10 Years: Expanding Beyond Poke, with Cofounder Seth Cohen
Seth Cohen, cofounder of Sweetfin and one of QSR Uncut’s original guests, returns to chat about the fast casual’s evolution as it celebrates 10 years. But this is far more than just a party. The brand kicked off 2026 with a bold new culinary ch...
How FiiZ Drinks is Building a Soda Empire, with Scott Ball
FiiZ Drinks president Scott Ball joins the podcast to break down life operating in arguably QSR’s craziest market there is today—beverages. From dirty sodas to energy drinks to more, FiiZ has expanded to more than 70 locations since its 2014 fo...
Paris Baguette and the Road to 1,000 Restaurants, with CDO Nick Scaccio
Paris Baguette Chief Development Officer Nick Scaccio joins QSR Uncut this week to unpack the global brand's mission to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café in markets nationwide. Targeting 1,000 stores in North America by 2030, the chain i...
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: A&W Restaurants' Betsy Schmandt and Kilwins' Brian Britton
In this episode of CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, we hand the mics over to A&W Restaurants’ CEO Betsy Schmandt and Kilwins’ CEO Brian Britton. They discuss life overseeing two of the country’s most-iconic foodservice brands, what it’s taki...
Beverage Trends, Menu Moves, and the Research Powering Restaurants, with Tomás Gilbert
Tomás Gilbert, Director, Strategic Market Insights at Curion, joins QSR Uncut to break down his adventures as a qualitative researcher in the restaurant space. We get into what’s driving traffic, what food trends are landing on menus, why bever...
Inside the Rise of Fuku, and a Sandwich That Couldn’t Be Kept a Secret
Fuku CEO Claudia Lezcano has held jobs from chief marketing officer of the Miami Dolphins, Marlins, executive roles at Burger King, Church’s Chicken, and more. But she knew she walked into something special when the opportunity to lead Fuku—the...
Taco Cabana Gears Up for National Growth, with John Ramsay
John Ramsay, industry vet and director of franchise sales and development for the brand, joins QSR Uncut to discuss Taco Cabana’s recent success and how it’s positioning to take its legacy concept to fresh markets and beyond. The Texas institut...
Jollibee is Ready for its U.S. Growth Push, with Peter Wright
Peter Wright, Jollibee's vice president of franchise development, joins QSR Uncut to discuss the global chicken giant's plans to ramp up domestic development through franchising. Voted the No. 1 Fried Chicken in America, Wright, a former Starbu...
Getting Real on Restaurant Real Estate, with Joe Blanton
Joe Blanton, founder & CEO of Stone Restaurant Real Estate, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein for a trip around the market. We look at how site selection is trending, what kind of properties operators are finding to build in today, a...
Inside the Growth Journey of Brasa Peruvian Kitchen, with CEO Michel Falcon
From culture setting to finding big-time industry supporters, like former Subway president Doug Fry, Brasa Peruvian Kitchen wants to redefine the fast casual model (it just recently opened in NYC for the first time). We explore the brand’s rise...
Staying Relevant and Fueling Growth, with Rita’s CDO Lawrence Brown
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Chief Development Officer Lawrence Brown joins QSR Uncut this week to discuss how the 40-year-old Philly-based frozen treat brand is blending its nostalgic roots with a forward-looking growth strategy to ...
Will Starbucks’ Redesign Strategy Work?
Starbucks’ strategy pivot to “turn coffee houses into living rooms” and get back to its “third place” was one of the biggest topics of 2025 and promises to grab headlines in 2026. The decision offers abundant lessons for QSRs, as Pete Champion,...
[BONUS] CEO to CEO: Original ChopShop's Jason Morgan and Taziki's Dan Simpson
In this episode of CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, Original ChopShop leader Jason Morgan and Taziki's Mediterranean Café's Dan Simpson quiz one another on life leading rising fast casuals. What still defines the category? How do you truly build...
Becoming an Unmissable Brand, with Habit Burger & Grill CMO Jack Hinchliffe
As Chief Marketing Officer of Yum! Brands’ Habit Burger & Grill since February 2023, Jack Hinchliffe leads all aspects of brand communications, retail calendar, customer insights, digital marketing, and F&B for the fast casual. On this ...
Kona Ice and the Making of One of America's Top Restaurant Franchises
Founded in 2007 by Tony Lamb, Kona Ice launched its first Kona Entertainment Vehicle in Florence, Kentucky. Today, the brand has grown to more than 1,900 trucks and nearly 3,000 points of sale, serving 49 states. The brand has also given back m...
Why Nostalgia is Not a Strategy, and How to Future-Proof Your QSR Brand, with Mike Perry
Mike Perry, founder and chief creative officer at hospitality, food and beverage brand agency Tavern, joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss how restaurants can endure in today’s weary consumer environment. Why is brand id...