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Artwork for QSR Uncut

QSR Uncut

QSR magazine
Franchising
Restaurant Industry
Covid-19
Starbucks
Fast Casual Dining
Customer Service
Customer Experience
Loyalty Programs
QSR Industry
Marketing Strategies
Potbelly
AI In Restaurants
Fast Food Industry
Fast-Casual Dining
Golden Krust
Food Delivery
Fast Casual
Restaurant Sector
Restaurant Equipment
Supply Chain

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes367Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipManagementBusiness

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Artwork for QSR Uncut

Latest Episodes

The legacy pizza buffet has posted a strong year despite the odds, leaning into a fresh approach of value-based branding and promotions. From a record-breaking loyalty launch that turned back the clock on pricing, with sales jumping nearly 30 percent... more

Back in March, F&B Capital, a new capital markets firm focused on advising and supporting concepts across the franchise ecosystem, emerged into the space. This isn’t your average vehicle. Zack Fishman and Jimmy Frischling, who you may best know, resp... more

Jennifer Durham, SVP of franchising and development at Potbelly, joins QSR Uncut to discuss the sandwich chain’s next act after its blockbuster $566 million deal to RaceTrac. One of the most-intriguing deals in recent quick-service memory brought a c... more

Beginning inside a Holiday Inn hotel kitchen in Tacoma, Washington, Secret Burger Kitchen has taken a fervent following and developed a brand ready to scale. CEO and cofounder Paul Sandhu joins QSR Uncut to share how the upstart concept teamed with s... more

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Recent Guests

Zack Fishman
Chief Growth Officer, Fishman Public Relations; Franchise Elevator
Fishman Public Relations; Franchise Elevator
Episode: A New Way for Franchisees to Find Capital, with Zack Fishman and Jimmy Frischling
Jimmy Frischling
Co-founder and managing partner, Branded Hospitality Group
Branded Hospitality Group
Episode: A New Way for Franchisees to Find Capital, with Zack Fishman and Jimmy Frischling
Jennifer Durham
SVP of Franchising and Development at Potbelly
Potbelly
Episode: What’s Next for Potbelly After RaceTrac Sale, with Jennifer Durham
Paul Sandhu
Founder and CEO of Secret Burger Kitchen
Secret Burger Kitchen
Episode: Revealing the Growth Potential of Secret Burger Kitchen, with CEO Paul Sandhu
Brian Lowe
President and CEO of BML Public Relations
BML Public Relations
Episode: The State of Restaurant Media, with Brian Lowe
Jen Kern
CMO at Q. Q (Unified Commerce Platform)
Q. Q
Episode: The State of Digital in Fast Food and Fast Casual: Revisited (2026 Edition)
Chris Schultz
Velvet Taco CEO
Velvet Taco
Episode: Staying a Step Above, with Velvet Taco's New CEO Chris Schultz
Brandon Rhoten
Chief Marketing Officer, Dave's Hot Chicken
Dave's Hot Chicken
Episode: The Marketing Genius Behind Dave’s Hot Chicken, with CMO Brandon Rhoten
Trace Miller
Founder and CEO of Konala
Konala
Episode: The Remarkable Story of Konala, with Founder Trace Miller

Host

Danny Klein
Host of QSR Uncut

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 54 ratings
  • One of the best interviewers in the industry

    Danny is a standout interviewer. He asks thoughtful questions and creates conversations that feel insightful rather than scripted. QSR Uncut is consistently interesting because he lets the conversation breathe with a relaxed and knowledgeable pov. A must-listen for anyone in the restaurant space.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AttorneyDanCallahan
    United States6 months ago
  • Go-to Industry Source

    This show has become my go-to source for restaurant industry insights. Danny has a real talent for asking unique questions that go beyond surface level conversations you may hear everywhere else. His recent episode with ARB CEO Alex Macedo was extremely insightful re: M&A. Essential listening for operators who want to stay at the pulse of what’s happening in the industry. 5/5.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SamDevito
    United States7 months ago
  • EVP North America, Redgrave

    Danny is an excellent interviewer who knows the QSR world better than anyone and has the ability to really put the subject at ease. A first class podcast and a pleasure to be involved! 👏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dan Rymer
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Take a Listen & Learn!

    QSR Uncut gives in-depth look inside restaurant industry executives and what’s to come within our space. It’s interesting to hear what people have to say as they continue to grow their brands and learn from previous roles.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PRDivaRachT83
    United States9 months ago
  • Oddly amateurish

    Is this a professional podcast or something produced out of a guy’s basement? The host sounds like a guy doing his homework on the bus. Very strange to have a podcast produced by a B2B website yet the podcast feels so amateurish.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    shaqfool
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

First-class podcast with a focus on hospitality and branding.
In-depth look at growth and brand strategy, highly actionable.
Strong interviewer who asks insightful questions.
Some listeners find production quality variable and room for polish.
Go-to industry source for restaurant insights with depth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Future of QSR Design, with Queenie Lo
Q: What do you think is going to define the market this coming year and beyond in terms of design?
Lo predicts a continued emphasis on human connection, nostalgia-driven branding, and the ability to reinvent localization while maintaining a strong global brand identity; she also notes the rise of limited, exclusive collaborations and “food drops” to keep brands interesting.
The Future of QSR Design, with Queenie Lo
Q: But what would your advice be to me to go get started on right away from a branding side?
She emphasizes establishing core brand pillars, balancing a compelling brand story with practical market deployment, and ensuring consistency across all touchpoints—digital and physical—while planning for local adaptation and scalable systems.
The Future of QSR Design, with Queenie Lo
Q: Yeah, no, thank you for joining us. So before I get started, as always here though, I want to give you a chance just to fill us in a little bit on your background, your work with restaurants, your personal career, and we'll take it from there.
Queenie outlines her transition from fashion at Tommy Hilfiger in Amsterdam to agency-side branding, working across retail, hospitality, and QSR, and highlights her role in McDonald's design program and in shaping brand experiences that blend emotional branding with operational practicality.
The State of Restaurant Media, with Brian Lowe
Q: What is Brian's take on the role of AI in restaurant PR and how should brands approach it?
AI should be used as a research and inspiration tool rather than a replacement for PR professionals. It can help brainstorm and streamline messaging, but human-led storytelling, credibility, and strategic storytelling remain essential. Brands should vet AI-generated data and use AI to supplement, not supplant, earned media and traditional PR work.
The Unbridled Growth Story of CookUnity, with Morley Ivers
Q: How do aspiring chefs start cooking with CookUnity and join the platform?
There is a dedicated recruiting team that engages with top chefs, provides access to multiple kitchen facilities, and supports them through onboarding, recipe development, and scaling their operation within CookUnity's ecosystem.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About QSR Uncut

What is QSR Uncut about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A business-focused show that interviews restaurant executives, brand leaders, and franchising experts about growth, branding, and market dynamics in the fast-food space. Recent episodes highlight topics such as menu optimization, franchise development, consumer behavior, and the evolving role of data and culture in shaping guest experiences. Notable strengths include deep industry insight from senior leaders, practical takeaways for operators and franchisors, and a willingness to tackle both strategic growth and day-to-day challenges like real estate, incentives, and customer loyalty. The show tends to attract listeners in leadership roles within hospitality and foodservice, and often features guests with hands-on experience scaling brands ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to QSR Uncut?

These podcasts share a similar audience with QSR Uncut:

1. How I Built This with Guy Raz
2. How Leaders Lead with David Novak
3. Morning Brew Daily
4. My First Million
5. The Game with Alex Hormozi

How many episodes of QSR Uncut are there?

QSR Uncut launched 7 years ago and published 367 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 QSR Uncut?

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What guests have appeared on QSR Uncut?

Recent guests on QSR Uncut include:

1. Zack Fishman
2. Jimmy Frischling
3. Jennifer Durham
4. Paul Sandhu
5. Brian Lowe
6. Jen Kern
7. Chris Schultz
8. Brandon Rhoten

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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