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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes380Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipBusinessManagement

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for QSR Uncut

Latest Episodes

Cofounder and executive chairman Steele Smiley returns to QSR Uncut to share his thoughts on why wellness and fitness remain major whitespace opportunities within the restaurant industry. We discuss how Crisp & Green is tapping in from an authentic a... more

Industry vet Michael Sien joins QSR Uncut this week to talk about a recent leap—starting faSHOW, a specialist consultancy dedicated to helping organizers, exhibitors, and operators get more out of their industry events. We’ll explore what’s going wro... more

At just about 90 locations open across 12 states and 230 signed for development in the coming years, the fast casual tenders focused brand is hitting the growth lever. Andy Howard, known as the “Chicken Guy,” has had stops from Kenny Rogers Roasters ... more

Chick-fil-A owner-operator Jon Harmeling, a former West Point instructor in systems engineering, joins QSR Uncut to chat about his journey with the category leader, but also to break down how he’s developed 10 AI systems that run inside his store. Fr... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Bob Andersen
President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill
Episode: The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Preps for Lift-Off, with President Bob Andersen
Dan Rowe
Founder and CEO of Fransmart
Fransmart
Episode: A Conversation on Franchising, Growth, and the State of Restaurants, with Fransmart CEO Dan Rowe
Fabrice Alce
CEO and Cofounder of Beignet Spot
Beignet Spot
Episode: The Journey of Beignet Spot, with CEO and Cofounder Fabrice Alce
Jeff Hetsel
President of Cicis, franchisee, and veteran chef-turned-operator
Cicis
Episode: Winning the Value Customer, with Cici's President Jeff Hetsel
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

Host

Danny Klein
Host and editorial director at QSR magazine; leads discussions with industry leaders on growth, franchising, and technology.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 56 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 States9 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 States10 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 Kingdoma year 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 Statesa year 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.

A first-class podcast with excellent guest experiences and deep industry context.
In-depth look inside restaurant executives and growth stories.
Content quality sometimes challenged by production/editing issues in early episodes.
Danny is a standout interviewer who asks thoughtful questions and guides insightful conversations.
This show is a go-to source for restaurant industry insights with unique questions and practical takeaways.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Conversation on Franchising, Growth, and the State of Restaurants, with Fransmart CEO Dan Rowe
Q: What qualified Dan Rowe to identify the next big emerging brand?
He emphasized looking for authentic DNA, strong unit economics, and a proven track record of scaling and supporting franchisees, rather than chasing buzzworthy concepts with weak fundamentals.
The Journey of Beignet Spot, with CEO and Cofounder Fabrice Alce
Q: How do you approach franchising and choosing partners as you scale?
The guest explains that franchising aligns with the vision of coast-to-coast growth, leveraging high-level operators, their real estate networks, and robust systems to maintain brand standards. The plan includes targeting multi-unit operators initially, with selective single-unit openings later, and continuously refining the franchise program based on feedback and performance, while preserving the brand's core hospitality and service values.
The Journey of Beignet Spot, with CEO and Cofounder Fabrice Alce
Q: What was the feedback like out of the gate and how did you handle demand and marketing for a new concept?
Demand surged during the COVID reopening, especially for in-person dessert experiences and beignets, but the team had to address how to market breakfast without diluting the dessert focus. Initial confusion about the daypart led to adjustments in branding and social media strategy to emphasize dessert while maintaining breakfast options as a secondary, evolving element.
The Journey of Beignet Spot, with CEO and Cofounder Fabrice Alce
Q: Walk us through what that process was like for Beignet Spot and how it actually came to life?
The Beignet Spot concept evolved from the family's Caribbean restaurant, with Beignets added after year five. They opened a new breakfast/dessert-focused concept, learned from a difficult start with breakfast as a daypart, and pivoted toward a dessert-centric menu while maintaining breakfast offerings that complemented the brand. The story emphasizes leveraging family strengths, navigating a rapid expansion mindset, and aligning the product with a clear brand identity.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About QSR Uncut

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

A fast-moving interview series focusing on growth, franchising, and technology in the quick-service and fast-casual sector. Expect candid conversations with brand founders, multi-unit operators, marketers, and PR professionals about scaling concepts, unit economics, and the role of AI and data in improving guest experience, labor productivity, and marketing performance. Episodes frequently cover franchising strategies, capital access, brand differentiation, and how leaders navigate mergers, acquisitions, and rapid expansion while maintaining culture and hospitality. A distinctive angle is the mix of operator-focused insights with communications and tech perspectives, making it helpful for operators, franchisees, marketers, and investors see... more

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Which podcasts are similar to QSR Uncut?

These podcasts share a similar audience with QSR Uncut:

1. Founders
2. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
3. My First Million
4. The Tim Ferriss Show
5. Pivot

How many episodes of QSR Uncut are there?

QSR Uncut launched 8 years ago and published 380 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for QSR Uncut?

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for QSR Uncut?

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What guests have appeared on QSR Uncut?

Recent guests on QSR Uncut include:

1. Bob Andersen
2. Dan Rowe
3. Fabrice Alce
4. Jeff Hetsel
5. Zack Fishman
6. Jimmy Frischling
7. Jennifer Durham
8. Paul Sandhu

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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