Digital Hospitality

Latest Episodes
How To Keep Multiple Restaurant Locations Operating Successfully
Robbie Schloss didnt set out to build a milkshake empire. In 2017, he and his business partner opened Shore Club, a 12,000-square-foot beachside restaurant on Chicagos North Avenue Beach. Seasonal by design, Shore Club thrived in the summer months but l
Rising Tides Live – Public Speaking “The Stage Theory”
In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef, the focus was on public speaking and the Stage Theoryhow showing up on stage, online, or in front of a camera creates opportunities far beyond the moment. Guests opened up about their own f
The Tech Stack Behind a Modern Restaurant Empire
Adam Rainy and David Valentine did not plan on becoming business partners. Adam was a Cisco rep, David was running Nic and Normans in Georgia, and their connection was just another transaction in the busy world of restaurants. But over time, the two foun
Rising Tides Live: New Media vs Old Media
In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef, the conversation explored the shifting landscape between old media and new mediaand what that means for storytellers, business owners, and consumers alike. From newspapers and cable TV to po
The Future of Hospitality is Data-Driven and Human-Centered
Kevin Planovsky career in digital strategy and hospitality was not built overnight. After more than a decade running his own boutique agency in Atlanta, he joined Croud, a global, tech-enabled marketing agency, to help lead U.S. growth. For Kevin, the dra
Rising Tides Live: Why You Should Build In Public
In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef, the conversation centered on the uncomfortable, unpolished, and ultimately rewarding process of building in public. Whether youre launching a product, reshaping your brand, or just trying to
Tech on Call, Vibes Always On: How F3 Keeps Restaurants and Nightlife Running Smooth
Nils Westlinds path to owning a trio of Chicago hotspots was anything but direct. Raised in Colombia and relocating to Chicago at 15, he entered hospitality through a side hustle and stayed for the creativity, community, and chaos. After years working fo
No More Math at 2AM: The Tip Tech That Let This Leader Build Bigger
Denny LiPira didnt leave Applebees because things were bad. In fact, after 26 years with the brand, things were going well. He had worked his way up from hourly employee to Director of Operations, overseeing 13 restaurants across Florida and Georgia. Bu
Rising Tides Live: Ask Shawn Anything
In this session of Rising Tides Live, the community gathered for a special Ask Shawn Anything, where host Shawn Walchef took questions from the group and encouraged everyone to do the same. From a former dishwasher turned GM sharing leadership lessons, to
Why US Foods Is Turning the Food Show Into a Full-On Operator Retreat
For years, food shows have followed the same formula: booths, samples, vendor brochures. But US Foods is flipping that script with Food Fanatics 2025, an immersive event designed to inform, inspire, and recharge restaurant operators. At the center of this