<![CDATA[The Return]]>Most hospitality shows sound like a conference panel that never ends. Everyone nods along. Nobody actually risks anything. You forget it before you reach your car.

The Return runs the other way.

I spent my career on the floor, not in a studio, and that's the whole point. Every episode picks a fight the industry would rather avoid. The guest matters more than the employee. Margin erosion isn't a cost problem, it's a sign you stopped building value. Loyalty programs don't buy loyalty. The only number that survives the long run is whether people come back.

Guests get pressure, not a platform. We disagree on purpose. And every episode ends the same way, with one question nobody in this business wants to answer out loud: where is the industry lying to itself right now?

If you want comfortable, there are other shows. This one's for operators who'd rather be right than liked.

]]>www.anthonyvalletta.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 02 Nov 2026 15:31:42 GMTMon, 02 Mar 2026 17:18:04 GMT60Anthony Valletta<p>Most hospitality shows sound like a conference panel that never ends. Everyone nods along. Nobody actually risks anything. You forget it before you reach your car.</p><p></p><p>The Return runs the other way.</p><p></p><p>I spent my career on the floor, not in a studio, and that's the whole point. Every episode picks a fight the industry would rather avoid. The guest matters more than the employee. Margin erosion isn't a cost problem, it's a sign you stopped building value. Loyalty programs don't buy loyalty. The only number that survives the long run is whether people come back.</p><p></p><p>Guests get pressure, not a platform. We disagree on purpose. And every episode ends the same way, with one question nobody in this business wants to answer out loud: where is the industry lying to itself right now?</p><p></p><p>If you want comfortable, there are other shows. This one's for operators who'd rather be right than liked.</p>episodicAnthony Vallettaarvalletta@gmail.comno<![CDATA[You're Not Building Loyalty. You're Buying Traffic.]]>Discounts bring people through the door. But are they actually bringing them back?

In this episode of The Return, Anthony Valletta challenges one of the restaurant industry's most common strategies: using promotions to drive traffic and build loyalty.

He breaks down the hidden costs of discounting, from shrinking margins and rising menu prices to training guests to wait for the next deal. He also makes the case that restaurants may be sacrificing the experience of their most loyal guests to attract customers who won't return at full price.

Drawing on his experience at bartaco, Anthony explains why the brand has chosen to invest in bigger portions, better hospitality, and consistent everyday value rather than relying on discounts to fill seats.

The question at the center of it all: If every promotion disappeared tomorrow, how many of those guests would still come back?

]]>c7f9cf98-03d2-4d74-abd3-4b07200e8ed6Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p>Discounts bring people through the door. But are they actually bringing them back?<br /><br />In this episode of The Return, Anthony Valletta challenges one of the restaurant industry's most common strategies: using promotions to drive traffic and build loyalty.<br /><br />He breaks down the hidden costs of discounting, from shrinking margins and rising menu prices to training guests to wait for the next deal. He also makes the case that restaurants may be sacrificing the experience of their most loyal guests to attract customers who won't return at full price.<br /><br />Drawing on his experience at bartaco, Anthony explains why the brand has chosen to invest in bigger portions, better hospitality, and consistent everyday value rather than relying on discounts to fill seats.<br /><br />The question at the center of it all: If every promotion disappeared tomorrow, how many of those guests would still come back?</p>no00:15:4728You're Not Building Loyalty. You're Buying Traffic.full<![CDATA[The Screen Rents Attention. The Room Earns Regulars.]]>A three-location business has $50,000 to invest. Should it spend that money reaching new customers on connected TV, or improving the experience for the customers already walking through the door?

Anthony Valletta and Kevin Planovsky of Sparkfly take opposite sides. Kevin argues that more accessible, targeted media can accelerate growth when an operator has a strong product and experience to back it up. Anthony argues that investing inside the four walls builds deeper relationships, referrals and a more sustainable base of returning guests.

They debate the speed of paid awareness versus the staying power of word of mouth, the leaky bucket on both sides of customer acquisition, and what a business actually owns when the ads stop running.

Plus The Lie: that you can buy your way to loyalty.

]]>https://anthonyvalletta.com/ef6e75cc-e86d-4d0e-8c4f-e5930456907bWed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p>A three-location business has $50,000 to invest. Should it spend that money reaching new customers on connected TV, or improving the experience for the customers already walking through the door?<br /><br />Anthony Valletta and Kevin Planovsky of Sparkfly take opposite sides. Kevin argues that more accessible, targeted media can accelerate growth when an operator has a strong product and experience to back it up. Anthony argues that investing inside the four walls builds deeper relationships, referrals and a more sustainable base of returning guests.<br /><br />They debate the speed of paid awareness versus the staying power of word of mouth, the leaky bucket on both sides of customer acquisition, and what a business actually owns when the ads stop running.<br /><br />Plus The Lie: that you can buy your way to loyalty.</p>no00:17:2527The Screen Rents Attention. The Room Earns Regulars.full<![CDATA[Technology vs. Human Judgment]]>Restaurant technology is supposed to give your team time back. But what happens when it starts taking away the thinking that made them good in the first place?

Anthony makes the case for automating as much back-of-house work as possible, while questioning the growing number of tools that replace human judgment instead of supporting it.

He pushes on what operators are actually giving up in the name of efficiency.

The episode gets into forecasting tools that slowly weaken a manager’s instincts, guest-facing technology that cuts labor but also cuts hospitality, and why having more information about a guest means very little if your team hasn’t been taught what to do with it.

Plus The Lie: that technology gives your team time back.

]]>ac03f1b2-3941-448b-b01a-5acf8d2346b7Wed, 30 Sep 2026 14:30:00 GMT<p>Restaurant technology is supposed to give your team time back. But what happens when it starts taking away the thinking that made them good in the first place?<br /><br />Anthony makes the case for automating as much back-of-house work as possible, while questioning the growing number of tools that replace human judgment instead of supporting it.<br /><br />He pushes on what operators are actually giving up in the name of efficiency.<br /><br />The episode gets into forecasting tools that slowly weaken a manager’s instincts, guest-facing technology that cuts labor but also cuts hospitality, and why having more information about a guest means very little if your team hasn’t been taught what to do with it.<br /><br />Plus The Lie: that technology gives your team time back.</p>no00:14:4026Technology vs. Human Judgmentfull<![CDATA[The Guest Isn’t a Data Point]]>We have more guest data than we’ve ever had. And somehow, we may know our guests less than we ever did.

Jen Dodd has spent more than 30 years in the restaurant business and believes data is essential, especially when you’re trying to scale hospitality across hundreds of locations.

Anthony pushes back on what the dashboard can actually tell you.

They get into the difference between knowing your numbers and knowing your guest, why great operators still need to “listen to the hum” of the restaurant, and whether AI and automation are helping leaders see more or slowly replacing the instincts that made them great operators in the first place.

Plus The Lie: that if we collect enough data about a guest, we actually know them.

]]>117ee5d2-09cd-44f4-a49f-912d2f60aa48Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p>We have more guest data than we’ve ever had. And somehow, we may know our guests less than we ever did.<br /><br />Jen Dodd has spent more than 30 years in the restaurant business and believes data is essential, especially when you’re trying to scale hospitality across hundreds of locations.<br /><br />Anthony pushes back on what the dashboard can actually tell you.<br /><br />They get into the difference between knowing your numbers and knowing your guest, why great operators still need to “listen to the hum” of the restaurant, and whether AI and automation are helping leaders see more or slowly replacing the instincts that made them great operators in the first place.<br /><br />Plus The Lie: that if we collect enough data about a guest, we actually know them.</p>no00:21:44The Guest Isn’t a Data Pointfull<![CDATA[Why Promotion Is Killing Your Best GMs]]>Every great GM is supposed to want the next title. Regional. Director. Bigger scope. More locations.

But what if promoting your best operator is the fastest way to weaken your best restaurant?

Anthony sits down with Christin Marvin of Columbine Hospitality to argue about the career ladder hospitality treats as inevitable: whether moving up is real development, or just churn we’ve learned to call growth.

They get into why the GM chair should be a destination job, not a stopover; why autonomy matters more than another training program; and what happens when a company’s growth plan gets mistaken for an individual leader’s ambition.

Plus The Lie: that up is the only direction that counts.

]]>14092db3-14a7-47fd-8988-a5b38ca473f0Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p>Every great GM is supposed to want the next title. Regional. Director. Bigger scope. More locations.<br /><br />But what if promoting your best operator is the fastest way to weaken your best restaurant?<br /><br />Anthony sits down with Christin Marvin of Columbine Hospitality to argue about the career ladder hospitality treats as inevitable: whether moving up is real development, or just churn we’ve learned to call growth.<br /><br />They get into why the GM chair should be a destination job, not a stopover; why autonomy matters more than another training program; and what happens when a company’s growth plan gets mistaken for an individual leader’s ambition.<br /><br />Plus The Lie: that up is the only direction that counts.</p>no00:20:2124Why Promotion Is Killing Your Best GMsfull<![CDATA[Nobody Is Loyal to a Discount]]>I argue loyalty programs don't create loyalty, they just find the guests who were already loyal and put a price tag on them.

Zach Goldstein, founder and CEO of Thanx, builds those programs for a living.

They get into why most loyalty metrics are meaningless, what the "40% of revenue through the app" number actually tells you, and why a program that hasn't changed in two years is holding your brand back instead of growing it.

18 minutes, no filler.

]]>063df76c-1788-44f9-8e72-4ee4cdca8a0aMon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p>I argue loyalty programs don't create loyalty, they just find the guests who were already loyal and put a price tag on them. </p><p></p><p>Zach Goldstein, founder and CEO of Thanx, builds those programs for a living. </p><p></p><p>They get into why most loyalty metrics are meaningless, what the "40% of revenue through the app" number actually tells you, and why a program that hasn't changed in two years is holding your brand back instead of growing it. </p><p></p><p>18 minutes, no filler.</p>no00:18:2023Nobody Is Loyal to a Discountfull<![CDATA[The 10:01pm Test]]>Kathleen McDonough and Derek Williamson built Shifting People on a belief: take care of your people and everything else follows.

Anthony built The Return on the opposite arrow. Episode 2 puts both in the same room. No warmup, no panel-discussion politeness.

Kathleen makes the strongest case for people-first you'll hear anywhere, Derek gets asked to tear it apart before Anthony ever touches it, and then a soaked two-top shows up at a locked door at 10:01pm and every framework in the room gets tested at once.

Plus The Cut, the people cost each of them trimmed that never makes the case study, and The Lie, where the people-ops world gets asked what it's lying to itself about.

The 10:01 Test, with Kathleen McDonough and Derek Williamson of Shifting People.

]]>d012f7e9-4ea0-4dd1-9e66-b2350d92e222Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:00:00 GMT<p><i>Kathleen McDonough and Derek Williamson built Shifting People on a belief: take care of your people and everything else follows. </i></p><p></p><p><i>Anthony built The Return on the opposite arrow. Episode 2 puts both in the same room. No warmup, no panel-discussion politeness. </i></p><p></p><p><i>Kathleen makes the strongest case for people-first you'll hear anywhere, Derek gets asked to tear it apart before Anthony ever touches it, and then a soaked two-top shows up at a locked door at 10:01pm and every framework in the room gets tested at once. </i></p><p></p><p><i>Plus The Cut, the people cost each of them trimmed that never makes the case study, and The Lie, where the people-ops world gets asked what it's lying to itself about. </i></p><p></p><p><i>The 10:01 Test, with Kathleen McDonough and Derek Williamson of Shifting People.</i></p><p></p>no00:20:33The 10:01pm Testfull<![CDATA[The Guest Beats The Employee]]>We measure the wrong things in this business and then act shocked when the math quits on us.

Covers. Average check. Labor as a percentage. Every one of them looks backward, and every one of them can be juiced for a quarter while the real problem keeps growing underneath.

The number I'd trade all of it for is whether the guest comes back. That's the whole show. That's why it's called The Return.

First episode is live. No guest, just me, saying out loud what I actually believe after over 20 years on the floor. Including the part that gets me in trouble: the guest matters more than the employee, and refusing to say so is exactly why your margins are bleeding out.

If you've ever sat through an industry panel and wanted to launch your chair across the room, start here.

]]>e413b3e5-a1d1-4188-93df-29aa1356430dWed, 08 Jul 2026 11:00:00 GMT<p>We measure the wrong things in this business and then act shocked when the math quits on us.</p><p></p><p>Covers. Average check. Labor as a percentage. Every one of them looks backward, and every one of them can be juiced for a quarter while the real problem keeps growing underneath.</p><p></p><p>The number I'd trade all of it for is whether the guest comes back. That's the whole show. That's why it's called The Return.</p><p></p><p>First episode is live. No guest, just me, saying out loud what I actually believe after over 20 years on the floor. Including the part that gets me in trouble: the guest matters more than the employee, and refusing to say so is exactly why your margins are bleeding out.</p><p></p><p>If you've ever sat through an industry panel and wanted to launch your chair across the room, start here.</p><p></p>no00:13:11The Guest Beats The Employeefull<![CDATA[How Location Shapes Brand Perception]]>In this episode, JJ Perino of TwoTen Strategy discusses the evolving approach to site selection, emphasizing the importance of understanding what locations communicate about a brand beyond traditional metrics.

He explores how data, customer behavior, and brand strategy intersect to make smarter real estate decisions.


]]>48497d77-8a1a-4fc8-9024-de59c4a4114aWed, 24 Jun 2026 11:30:00 GMT<p>In this episode, JJ Perino of TwoTen Strategy discusses the evolving approach to site selection, emphasizing the importance of understanding what locations communicate about a brand beyond traditional metrics. </p><p></p><p>He explores how data, customer behavior, and brand strategy intersect to make smarter real estate decisions.</p><p><br /></p>no00:19:23110How Location Shapes Brand Perceptionfull<![CDATA[The Hidden Challenges of Hiring in Hospitality: Beyond Resumes]]>This episode explores the challenges of hiring and talent retention in the hospitality and restaurant industry with Rikin Lakhani, a seasoned operator and recruiter.

It emphasizes the importance of trust, understanding the candidate's holistic profile, and adapting recruitment strategies to modern expectations.


]]>4dcab212-8edc-4267-91b2-c589bf201870Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:30:00 GMT<p>This episode explores the challenges of hiring and talent retention in the hospitality and restaurant industry with Rikin Lakhani, a seasoned operator and recruiter. </p><p></p><p>It emphasizes the importance of trust, understanding the candidate's holistic profile, and adapting recruitment strategies to modern expectations.</p><p><br /></p>no00:16:0119The Hidden Challenges of Hiring in Hospitality: Beyond Resumesfull<![CDATA[The Labor Lie...]]>Jim Taylor challenges traditional labor cost metrics in restaurants, emphasizing the importance of understanding labor as an output rather than an input.

This conversation explores innovative approaches to managing labor, improving employee satisfaction, and enhancing operational efficiency.


]]>6fc2de49-2ddf-4398-8222-6e4e1caa5c89Wed, 27 May 2026 11:30:00 GMT<p>Jim Taylor challenges traditional labor cost metrics in restaurants, emphasizing the importance of understanding labor as an output rather than an input. </p><p></p><p>This conversation explores innovative approaches to managing labor, improving employee satisfaction, and enhancing operational efficiency.</p><p><br /></p>no00:16:5718The Labor Lie...full<![CDATA[The Biggest Threat to a Turnaround Isn't the Business. It's the Leader]]>In this insightful interview, Brandon Coleman shares his expertise on leading organizations through turnaround, the importance of culture, managing ego, and maintaining work-life balance.

Discover practical strategies for leadership, board dynamics, and building lasting relationships.

]]>253af4b0-1935-4dbd-aeae-7206765a0c1cWed, 13 May 2026 11:30:00 GMT<p><b>In this insightful interview, Brandon Coleman shares his expertise on leading organizations through turnaround, the importance of culture, managing ego, and maintaining work-life balance.</b></p><p></p><p><b>Discover practical strategies for leadership, board dynamics, and building lasting relationships.</b></p>no00:18:1417The Biggest Threat to a Turnaround Isn't the Business. It's the Leaderfull<![CDATA[The Most Underrated Leadership Skill Nobody Is Training For]]>This episode explores the importance of curiosity in leadership, addressing how blind spots, overconfidence, and decision-making processes impact organizational growth.

Landon Lynch shares insights on developing self-awareness, fostering influence, and asking the right questions to unlock leadership potential.

]]>2f7687b3-7e66-4a11-baa5-377253111090Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:30:00 GMT<h2>This episode explores the importance of curiosity in leadership, addressing how blind spots, overconfidence, and decision-making processes impact organizational growth.</h2><h2>Landon Lynch shares insights on developing self-awareness, fostering influence, and asking the right questions to unlock leadership potential.</h2>no00:17:3416The Most Underrated Leadership Skill Nobody Is Training Forfull<![CDATA[Your Feedback Is Lying to You]]>Zach Oates, CEO of Ovation, discusses the importance of genuine guest feedback, the pitfalls of relying solely on metrics, and how AI can enhance guest recovery without losing the human touch.

Learn how to turn feedback into actionable insights and build true loyalty in hospitality.

]]>e33bc4e7-fa7c-4e56-9951-b6fd4e6ee23fWed, 15 Apr 2026 11:30:00 GMT<h2>Zach Oates, CEO of Ovation, discusses the importance of genuine guest feedback, the pitfalls of relying solely on metrics, and how AI can enhance guest recovery without losing the human touch.</h2><h2>Learn how to turn feedback into actionable insights and build true loyalty in hospitality.</h2>no00:17:04Your Feedback Is Lying to Youfull<![CDATA[Less Is More: Why Simplicity and Authenticity Are Winning the Beverage Game]]>Anthony Valletta and Curt Goldman discuss the evolving landscape of the beverage industry, emphasizing the emotional connection consumers now have with their choices.

They explore the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior, the importance of authenticity in branding, and the necessity of building meaningful partnerships.

The conversation highlights the shift from transactional relationships to genuine connections, advocating for simplicity and intentionality in both product offerings and partnerships.

]]>b888e46e-3d26-48d2-a509-9feaef705b48Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:30:00 GMT<h2>Anthony Valletta and Curt Goldman discuss the evolving landscape of the beverage industry, emphasizing the emotional connection consumers now have with their choices. </h2><h2>They explore the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior, the importance of authenticity in branding, and the necessity of building meaningful partnerships. </h2><h2>The conversation highlights the shift from transactional relationships to genuine connections, advocating for simplicity and intentionality in both product offerings and partnerships.</h2>no00:19:2314Less Is More: Why Simplicity and Authenticity Are Winning the Beverage Gamefull<![CDATA[The Fourth Place: What It Actually Takes to Make Guests Feel at Home]]>Anthony Valletta and Peter Newlin explore the evolving landscape of hospitality, emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful experiences that go beyond mere transactions.

They discuss the concept of the 'fourth place' a restaurant that feels like home, and the critical role of human connection in fostering a sense of belonging.

The discussion also highlights the significance of sound design in enhancing the dining experience and the challenges of aligning restaurant design with guest expectations.

As technology and AI continue to shape the industry, the duo reflects on the irreplaceable value of authentic human interactions in hospitality.

]]>f59cfeb9-e925-467b-aea1-6d13566dc796Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:06:05 GMT<p><b>Anthony Valletta and Peter Newlin explore the evolving landscape of hospitality, emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful experiences that go beyond mere transactions. </b></p><p></p><p><b>They discuss the concept of the 'fourth place' a restaurant that feels like home, and the critical role of human connection in fostering a sense of belonging. </b></p><p></p><p><b>The discussion also highlights the significance of sound design in enhancing the dining experience and the challenges of aligning restaurant design with guest expectations. </b></p><p></p><p><b>As technology and AI continue to shape the industry, the duo reflects on the irreplaceable value of authentic human interactions in hospitality.</b></p>no00:17:1313The Fourth Place: What It Actually Takes to Make Guests Feel at Homefull<![CDATA[Why the Guest Experience Is Still the Only Real Advantage]]>In a saturated hospitality market, where technological solutions and loyalty programs dominate the conversation, one factor remains the key differentiator: the guest experience.

In this podcast episode, Scott Lawdon, the co-founder of bartaco, shared invaluable insights on how to cultivate a memorable guest experience that goes beyond mere transactions.

]]>96c4e5e6-6e2f-4088-bcd5-0c6443399551Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:25:10 GMT<p>In a saturated hospitality market, where technological solutions and loyalty programs dominate the conversation, one factor remains the key differentiator: the guest experience. </p><p></p><p>In this podcast episode, Scott Lawdon, the co-founder of bartaco, shared invaluable insights on how to cultivate a memorable guest experience that goes beyond mere transactions. </p><p></p>no00:15:3212Why the Guest Experience Is Still the Only Real Advantagefull<![CDATA[The Disconnect in Hospitality Training: A Conversation with Rachel Nemeth]]>In this episode of Check, Please, host Anthony Valletta engages with Rachel Nemeth, CEO of Opus Training, to discuss the critical disconnect in leadership training within the hospitality industry.

They explore how traditional training methods often fail to reflect the realities of on-the-ground work, emphasizing the need for real-time learning and continuous development.

Rachel argues that many leaders mistakenly believe that completing a training program equates to effective learning, while in reality, ongoing coaching and adaptation are essential for true skill retention and application.

]]>78328c46-8a07-4985-a952-eef7af9772c2Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:56:28 GMT<p>In this episode of Check, Please, host Anthony Valletta engages with Rachel Nemeth, CEO of Opus Training, to discuss the critical disconnect in leadership training within the hospitality industry. </p><p></p><p>They explore how traditional training methods often fail to reflect the realities of on-the-ground work, emphasizing the need for real-time learning and continuous development. </p><p></p><p>Rachel argues that many leaders mistakenly believe that completing a training program equates to effective learning, while in reality, ongoing coaching and adaptation are essential for true skill retention and application.</p>no00:18:0711The Disconnect in Hospitality Training: A Conversation with Rachel Nemethfull