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Artwork for Fast Casual Nation

Fast Casual Nation

Savor.fm
Gen Z
Franchising
Fast Casual Industry
Penn Station East Coast Subs
Fast Casual
Customer Loyalty Programs
Catering
Fast Casual Dining
Women's History Month
Marketing
Social Media
Technology
Buena Papa
Newk's Eatery
Birdcall
Slim Chickens
Millennials
Starbucks
Mcdonald's
Cuban Sandwich

Join the #1 Restaurant Business Podcast Shaping the Future of The Restaurant Industry! Hosted by Paul Barron—industry pioneer, investor, and author of The Chipotle Effect—alongside Cherryh Cansler, the editorial force behind Fastcasual.com, this is where restaurant operators get the competitive edge. Every week, this power duo decodes the trends, strategies, and innovations transforming the restau... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes195Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ManagementEntrepreneurshipBusiness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Fast Casual Nation

Latest Episodes

Chris Schultz, CEO of Velvet Taco, joins Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler on Fast Casual Nation to break down the operational blueprint behind one of the restaurant industry's most beloved cult brands. From the legendary Weekly Taco Feature (WTF) — a ... more

YouTube

In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Paul Damico, President & CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management, to discuss his bold strategy for reinventing two iconic legacy brands — Perkins Restaurant & Bak... more

YouTube

In this episode of Fast Casual Nation, hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler sit down with Lawrence Brown, Chief Development Officer at Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, to explore how one of America's largest specialty dessert franchises is scali... more

YouTube

Discover the rising stars of fast casual dining as hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview three breakout brands from FastCasual.com's 2026 list of 25 emerging brands to watch. Jeff Pereira of Jeff's Bagel Run shares how a home kitchen experi... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Paul Damico
President and CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management
Ascent Hospitality Management
Episode: Fast Casual Leadership: Legacy Brands, Modern Moves
Lawrence Brown
Chief Development Officer at Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
Rita's Italian Ice
Episode: The Seasonal Business Playbook: Thriving in a Summer-Driven Industry
Jeff Pereira
Co-founder of Jeff's Bagel Run
Jeff's Bagel Run
Episode: 2026 Fast Casual Brands To Watch
Brian Simowitz
President at Houston TX Hot Chicken
Houston TX Hot Chicken
Episode: 2026 Fast Casual Brands To Watch
Matt Morrison
Co-founder and CEO of Agapé Mediterranean
Agapé Mediterranean
Episode: 2026 Fast Casual Brands To Watch
Ryan Maybee
Co-founder and managing director of J. Rieger
J. Rieger & Co.
Episode: 2026 Beverage Trends
SG Ellison
CEO and president of Diversified Restaurant Group
Diversified Restaurant Group
Episode: 2026 Beverage Trends
Brett Schulman
Co-founder and CEO of CAVA
CAVA
Episode: Winning Strategies for 2026 in Fast Casual
Suzy Badaracco
Expert from Culinary Tides
Culinary Tides
Episode: 2026 Restaurant Trends Round Table | Special Series

Hosts

Paul Barron
Industry pioneer, investor, and author with expertise in shaping modern dining experiences; recognized for significant contributions to the restaurant landscape.
Cherryh Cansler
Co-host and editorial force behind Fastcasual.com, influential in tracking industry innovations and providing insightful discussions on restaurant trends.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 34 ratings
  • Food Industry insights

    Really glad to have a show that talks to the leaders and shares great restaurant insights on operations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I Live For Cooking
    United States4 years ago
  • Food Industry Insights

    Incredible interviews with top leaders in the industry. Very educational for those needing insight and tips on staffing an day to day operations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Asila H
    United States4 years ago
  • High content and low calories

    New to the fast casual food business after a long hiatus (30 yrs) in the pizza busting and this podcast is loaded with information that is crucial if you are in or entering the food industry, the informal is served in a low calorie yet filling format so no need to set aside hours for tasteless boring info you can swing by for half hour or so and leave full of info . Caution it’s addictive

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gennotti R
    United States4 years ago
  • Really great show about the fast/casual food industry.

    Podchaser
    5
    jfpodcasts
    5 years ago
  • Owner operator

    Each time I wonder when Paul will say “cool” or mention his 20 plus years of tracking industry. Just being funny. Like the podcast with duration of 30 minutes or more.. gives time to explore subjects. Keep up good work

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gumbobaker
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the depth of insights offered by industry experts and leaders, highlighting the actionable information for restaurant operators. Many comment on the host's ability to decode complex market trends and provide valuable strategies that keep them ahead of the competition.
Listeners express a desire for more frequent episodes, indicating a strong demand for continuous learning opportunities in the fast casual sector.
The podcast is praised for its engaging format and the quality of the conversations, which cover a broad spectrum of relevant topics in the restaurant industry.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Roam Artisan Burgers: High End Fast Casual
Q: How do you manage keeping in line with food costs while offering high-end ingredients?
We talk to our butcher and ranchers about pricing and availability, and we focus on managing waste effectively.
Roam Artisan Burgers: High End Fast Casual
Q: What has really changed for you guys recently?
There's definitely been a bigger shift towards delivery and takeout, especially in the fast casual sector.
Why This Restaurant Is Perfect for Franchising
Q: Would this ever be something you would franchise?
Lorena believes the model is perfect for franchising due to its simplicity, and they are currently focusing on understanding how that will work for them.
Why This Restaurant Is Perfect for Franchising
Q: Did you just start as a restaurant server, or a checkout and learn English that way?
Lorena learned English while working at a Mexican restaurant in Denver, where her interview was in Spanish, and she had to quickly memorize the menu.
Korean Food Goes VIRAL: How One CEO is Conquering Small-Town America
Q: So how has that been having him, you know, local and working on new innovations and new flavors?
Having Chef Che here has been great because now we're able to really put together a consistent pipeline of flavor innovation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Casual Nation

What is Fast Casual Nation about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast tackles the evolving landscape of the restaurant industry, with a strong focus on fast casual dining. It features insightful discussions on trends, strategies, and innovations, providing restaurant operators with valuable insights to remain competitive. The hosts, possessing extensive experience in the restaurant sector, showcase conversations with industry leaders who share their expertise on various critical topics such as customer engagement, franchising strategies, and technological advancements. Unique elements of this podcast include its deep dives into how legacy brands adapt to modern challenges, the influence of Gen Z on dining preferences, and emerging beverage trends that reflect changing consumer behaviors. This syn... more

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How many listeners does Fast Casual Nation get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Fast Casual Nation?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Fast Casual Nation:

1. How I Built This with Guy Raz
2. Freakonomics Radio
3. Up First from NPR
4. The Daily
5. Group Chat

How many episodes of Fast Casual Nation are there?

Fast Casual Nation launched 7 years ago and published 195 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Fast Casual Nation?

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What guests have appeared on Fast Casual Nation?

Recent guests on Fast Casual Nation include:

1. Paul Damico
2. Lawrence Brown
3. Jeff Pereira
4. Brian Simowitz
5. Matt Morrison
6. Ryan Maybee
7. SG Ellison
8. Brett Schulman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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