About Lessons From the Field [Powered by Black Box Intelligence]
Learn how the top restaurant performers do it.
With hosts like Victor Fernandez, Black Box Intelligence's Head of Insights and Knowledge, and Emily Bennett, Black Box Intelligence's Director of Customer Solutions.
Breakfast, Biscuits, and Culture: Leading Biscuitville's Workforce [Ft. Belinda Kyle, Chief People Officer]
Belinda Kyle, Chief People Officer at Biscuitville, discusses how her operations background informs her workforce strategies in an interview with Andy Smith, CMO of Black Box Intelligence.
19 Jun 2025
Voice, Value, and the Review Economy: The Future of Reputation Management [ft. Gather Media]
Katie Garcia and Susie Ragland of Gather Media discuss reputation management, the value of responding to guest feedback, and leveraging star ratings to improve sales in this interview.
17 Apr 2025
How Noodles & Company Uses Data to Improve Retention and Performance [ft. Leaders from Noodles & Company]
Episode 10 | 04/17/25 Episode Overview Employee turnover remains one of the biggest challenges in the restaurant industry—but how can you use data to manage it more effectively? In this Lessons from the Field episode, Jenilee Childs (VP of HR) and Darcy Dees (Director, HRIS & People Analytics) of Noodles & Company share how their team leverages benchmarking data to support operators with actionable insights. Key Takeaways: [Insight #1] – Utilizing Data to Understand Employee Tu...
3 Apr 2025
How Torchy’s Tacos Uses Guest Feedback to Drive Hospitality & Growth [ft. Director of Brand Marketing at Torchy’s Tacos, Brandon Rathert]
How Torchy’s Tacos Uses Guest Feedback to Drive Hospitality & Growth Episode 9 | 04/03/25 Episode Overview How does Torchy’s Tacos balance its bold, unconventional brand with exceptional hospitality? In this episode of Lessons from the Field, they will share how guest sentiment data shapes service strategy, operational decisions, and brand growth. Key Takeaways: [Insight #1] – Authenticity Is Core to Brand Identity Torchy’s brand edginess and appeal a...
27 Feb 2025
Recruiting and Retaining Staff to Support Aggressive Growth Goals [ft. Chief People Officer at Kura Sushi USA, Arlene Estrada Petokas]
Recruiting and Retaining Staff to Support Aggressive Growth Goals Episode 8 | 02/27/25 Episode Overview Arlene Estrada Petokas (Chief People Officer) shares how Kura Sushi USA leverages a robust recruitment strategy to support their broader objectives. Key Takeaways: [Insight #1] – Leverage social media and marketing to attract top talent. [Insight #2] – Invest in training programs to set employees up for success. &nb...
22 Jan 2025
How Leadership Leans on Data to Drive FP&A Strategy [ft. Finance Leaders from Giordano’s ]
How Leadership Leans on Data to Drive FP&A Strategy Episode 7 | 01/22/25 Episode Overview David Poole (CFO) and Celia Perez (VP of Finance) of Giordano’s share how they leverage restaurant industry benchmarks and their own data to drive company strategy. Key Takeaways: [Insight #1] – Leverage data to tackle industry challenges and stand out in a crowded market [Insight #2] – Invest in technology [Insight #3] &...
18 Dec 2024
How Restaurant Suppliers Leverage Restaurant Industry Data to Drive Predictable Growth – Featuring Bloomberg and Libbey Glassware
Episode 6 | 12/18/24 Episode Overview Michael Halen, Senior Restaurant Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, and George Kalamaras, Sr. Market Research & Insights Manager at Libbey Glassware, share how suppliers of products and services to the restaurant industry can build more successful businesses by leveraging restaurant industry data. Key Takeaways: [Insight #1] – [Insight #2] – [Insight...
12 Dec 2024
Driving Success through Guest Satisfaction and Operational Excellence [ft. Roger Gondek, COO of Twin Peaks]
Driving Success through Guest Satisfaction and Operational Excellence Episode 5 | 12/12/24 Episode Overview How do you take a struggling brand and turn it into an industry leader? A Restaurant Turnaround Strategy- just ask Roger Gondek. With over 40 years in the restaurant industry—Gondek joined Twin Peaks in 2016 with a clear mission. This isn’t just a success story—it’s a blueprint for any restaurant looking to thrive. We break down the specifics of their Restaurant Turnaround Strategy. Key...
21 Nov 2024
How Marketing Leaders Drive Wide-Spread ASR Improvement [ft. Leaders from Keke’s Breakfast Cafe and Velvet Taco ]
How Marketing Leaders at Keke’s Breakfast Cafe and Velvet Taco Drive Wide-Spread ASR Improvement Episode 4 | 11/21/24 Episode Overview For restaurant brands, understanding and acting on guest feedback is no longer optional. It’s a critical factor in driving sales, improving operations, and brand health. In a recent Lesson from the Field, industry leaders from Keke’s Breakfast Cafe and Velvet Taco shared how reviews shape the future of restaurants. Here are the key takeaways of how they use fe...
7 Mar 2024
Gen Now: Overcoming Challenges with Today’s Multi-Generational Workforce [ft. Leaders from Luke's Lobster & taim mediterranean]
Gen Now: Overcoming Challenges with Today’s Multi-Generational Workforce Episode 2 | Originally posted 03/07/24 Episode Overview With Baby boomers retiring, Gen Z, a force of 68 million, is entering the workforce, leading among hourly workers. This shift urges restaurants to rethink their approach to attracting and retaining employees. In 2024, restaurants focus on developing frontline managers to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workforce. Key Takeaways: [Insig...
14 Dec 2023
Breaking Down the Casual Dining Chain’s 360-View of the Restaurant Experience [ft. Troy Tracy, Former Brand President & COO with Huddle House]
Breaking Down the Casual Dining Chain’s 360-View of the Restaurant Experience Episode 3 | 12/14/23 Episode Overview Huddle House, a thriving casual dining chain in the US, has cultivated a culture of valuing feedback. They proactively gather customer insights at every touchpoint during the dining experience. Whether guests choose to order online, opt for curbside pickup, dine-in, or have their meals delivered, the Huddle House team diligently examines and leverages this feedback to constantl...
14 Nov 2023
Turning Customers into Raving Fans: Lessons from Cult Fast Casual & QSR Brands [ft. Leaders from Portillo's, Whataburger, Shipley Do-Nuts]
Turning Customers into Raving Fans: Lessons from Cult Fast Casual & QSR Brands Episode 1 | 11/14/24 Episode Overview Discover the secrets behind creating a highly successful cult brand in the fast-paced world of Fast Casual and Quick Serve Restaurants. Our expert panelists will reveal proven strategies and insights for setting brand standards, balancing people and technology, and looking ahead at industry predictions that will shape the future of operations. Key Takeaways:  ...
Who has been a guest on Lessons From the Field [Powered by Black Box Intelligence]
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Belinda Kyle
Katie Garcia
Susie Ragland
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
2,701
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 17 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
7
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
0
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