What happens when a global tech leader walks into a late-night restaurant podcast? You get a power-packed conversation with Brian Klinger, a key voice at Comcast Business, who’s not only transforming QSR and enterprise restaurant brands with cutting-edge tech, but doing it all with purpose.

Jay and Dom go deep into:

• The real reason why AI might actually save the restaurant industry (hint: it’s not what you think)

• How brands like Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell are blending tech with culture

• The rise of multilingual kitchens and computer vision

• The importance of redundancy and reliability in your restaurant's tech stack

• Why Giving Kitchen is one of the most important nonprofit orgs in foodservice today

Plus: 80s jokes, the problem with paper towels, and why edibles at a food expo might be a thing now.

This is one of our most powerful and practical episodes yet—get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe cry a little. Because in hospitality, tech only works when there’s heart behind it.

On this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Podcast, we sit down with Nick Scaccio, COO of Paris Baguette North America, to talk croissants, culture, and how a 4,000-location global brand stays consistent, innovative, and joy-driven. From training centers to trademark packaging, this isn’t just a bakery—it’s a masterclass in hospitality excellence. Plus, some wild ideas get tossed around (yes, including butter dipping stations and breakfast ketchup). A must-listen for anyone growing a franchise or obsessed with pastry perfection.

In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Podcast, host Jay Ashton welcomes Maxim Atanassov—entrepreneur, investor, and founding partner of Future Ventures—for a powerful, free-flowing conversation that covers everything from natural wine to venture studios to the emotional side of leadership. Maxim shares his journey from Bulgaria to Canada, launching multiple businesses, and why mentorship and vulnerability are now at the core of how he builds companies. The two dig deep into the outdated 1765 restaurant model, building new revenue streams, storytelling as a superpower, and how doing just 10% more can double your business using the Rule of 72.

Packed with insights, laughter, and fresh ideas for anyone in hospitality or entrepreneurship—this episode will leave you rethinking what’s possible for your business.

In this powerful episode of The Late Night Restaurant Podcast, Jay sits down with Ryan Handel, founder of FIXE, the innovative bookkeeping platform created by restaurant pros, for restaurant pros. They dive deep into the real financial challenges operators face every day — from cash flow crunches and POS headaches to why so many restaurants are still using outdated systems that don’t scale.

Ryan explains how FIXE streamlines everything from invoice capture to real-time financial reporting, offering restaurant-specific insights through a modern dashboard and hands-on support from dedicated account managers. Whether you’re a single-location operator or a growing group, this episode will change how you think about your numbers.

Practical, honest, and full of real-world advice — this is the restaurant finance conversation we all wish we had years ago.

In this unforgettable episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show, the crew welcomes Sasha Rajamani, the founder of Pokko Chips — a bold, South Asian–inspired snack brand built from rice, chickpeas, and sheer determination. Sasha shares his unfiltered journey from milking goats in Alberta and scraping pig fat in a Toronto slaughterhouse to launching a breakout brand that’s now found in cafes, airports, and office snack programs across Canada. Along the way, the hosts dive into ADHD and spicy food, DIY food manufacturing, and Sasha’s startup grind during COVID with a newborn at home.

From Ziploc sales in government offices to rejecting the traditional retail route in favor of foodservice disruption, Sasha opens up about building a business with heart, cultural pride, and zero shortcuts. Expect laughter, real lessons in entrepreneurship, and maybe even a few product ideas (Pokko puffs, anyone?).

Authentic, hilarious, and deeply inspiring — this one’s for the makers, the grinders, and the dreamers.

In this special episode of The Late Night Restaurant Podcast, Jay and Dom go behind the scenes with Kandrix Foong, the co-founder of NEXT Food Expo, set to take Western Canada by storm this September 8–9 at the BMO Centre in Calgary. From Comic Expo origins to chef parades, vendor sleepovers, and why shag carpet still sparks debate, this conversation is packed with laughs, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on what a trade show should be. Kandrix shares his journey from fandom to foodservice disruption, why affordability and inclusivity are baked into NEXT’s DNA, and how this expo is designed for restaurateurs, tech leaders, chefs, creators, and the entire hospitality industry. If you've ever hated paying $400 for power at a booth or dreamt of building community at a show that truly “gets it,” this episode is for you.

In this hilariously insightful episode of The Late Night Restaurant Podcast, Jay, Dom, and Beck welcome guest Scott Carruthers — a former chef turned restaurant bookkeeper and coach — who takes us on a wild ride from mustard-making in London, Ontario to modern-day financial strategy for hospitality businesses.

Packed with gut-busting laughs, dad jokes, and real-talk on budgeting, waste, menu engineering, and the struggle of change in restaurants, this episode blends comedy with consulting gold. If you're in foodservice and not thinking about your break-even, you're already behind. Don’t miss this perfect mix of roasting chefs (lovingly), roasting mustard seeds (literally), and roasting financial chaos into clarity.

In this dynamic episode of The Late Night Restaurant Podcast, Jay Ashton sits down with Domenic Pedulla, one of the founders of the brand-new NEXT Food Expo — launching this September in Calgary. Alongside his co-founder Kandrix Foong, Domenic is on a mission to build a completely different kind of foodservice event, focused on affordability, innovation, and community.

Jay and Domenic explore why Calgary’s explosive growth, entrepreneurial energy, and world-class food scene make it the perfect home for Western Canada’s largest new hospitality event. Domenic shares the story of how he and Kandrix — with decades of experience between them in foodservice and large-scale event production — are creating an expo that truly puts operators and vendors first.

They dive into how NEXT is breaking away from the traditional trade show model: offering real value with included basics like power and setup support, encouraging collaboration over competition, and making the show accessible to companies of all sizes, not just the biggest players.

Throughout the conversation, Jay and Domenic discuss the bigger challenges facing the industry today, from rising tariffs to operational costs, and why building stronger, more connected communities is the path forward. Expect laughs, some creative (and hilarious) ideas like an "Expo Sleepover," trivia about Canada’s first food shows, and a ton of real talk about what it takes to lead the industry into the future.

If you’re ready to be part of what’s NEXT in foodservice, you won't want to miss this episode.

www.NEXTFoodExpo.com