In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Walt Postelwait, President of Pac Group for North America. Walt shares his extensive journey in the food service industry, from his initial steps in the citrus business to rising as a prominent figure in the flavor industry. He offers advice for those aspiring to ascend in their careers, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, strategic risk-taking, and continuous learning. Listen as Nick and Walt discuss the intricacies of leading a company, the challenges of balancing strategy and implementation, and the crucial role of relationships and service in differentiating a brand in a competitive market.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo invites his father John Portillo, CEO of Portillo Sales & Marketing, to celebrate nine years of Portillo Sales and Marketing. They discuss the evolution of their business, key strategies that have driven their success, and the importance of building strong relationships in the food service industry. John shares insights on visionary leadership and the future of food brokerage, emphasizing the need for strategy over tasks. Join Nick and John for an engaging father-son conversation about business growth, industry insights, and more.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Chris Nisi, Founder and CEO of Nisi’s Craft Bakery. Chris shares his fascinating upbringing in an Italian-American family and how those roots influenced his career in the food service industry which now spans over 25 years. He discusses the unique processes behind creating his bakery’s high-quality frozen artisan bread, emphasizing the importance of long fermentation times and using century-old natural starters.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Eric Martin, Chief Performance Officer at Food Sales East. With an extensive career in the food service industry spanning over three decades, Eric has a wealth of experience and expertise, having navigated significant industry changes and scaled Food Sales East through pivotal expansion phases. Eric shares his strategic decisions during the industry’s nationalization phase, and how Food Sales East navigated the consolidation trends of the 2010s to become a dominant regional player. Nick and Eric discuss the pivotal role of technology in modern food brokerage, particularly the adoption of Power BI for data visualization, which has revolutionized their operations and client interactions.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Reed McCord, the innovative founder and CEO of First Bite. Reed shares his experiences and the challenges he faced while building First Bite. He explains how First Bite helps businesses in the food service industry by offering a vast database of restaurant information, contact details, and sales tools. Nick and Reed discuss predictive revenue opportunities, team management, and data-driven sales strategies. Reed also discusses the potential of bringing operators into the platform and facilitating direct transactions.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Jen Roth, Vice President of Away from Home and Small Format for Hain Celestial and Emily Mark, National Sales Manager for Away from Home Food Service and Vending at Hain Celestial. Nick, Jen, and Emily discuss Hain Celestial’s intentional efforts to revolutionize the food service sector by integrating a health-focused and consumer-driven approach. Jen and Emily discuss the importance of internal culture, and strategic brand development, and share the challenges of launching a division within a well-established company while bringing better-for-you options to wider audiences.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo delves into the grueling yet exhilarating world of Ironman triathlons, connecting his personal journey with universal lessons in business and personal growth. Following his participation in the Ironman Texas event, Nick shares an honest and detailed recount of his rigorous training and the unfolding of race day, illustrating the parallels between athletic endurance and professional ambition.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Charles Bililies, Founder & CEO of Souvla, a Greek-inspired restaurant that has burgeoned into a culinary staple in San Francisco. Charles boasts a rich lineage rooted in the food service industry, with his family’s restaurant background paving the way for his introspective approach to hospitality. Charles shares his journey in the food service industry, including his experience working at renowned restaurants like the French Laundry and Bouchon Bistro. He also discusses the unique investment structure of Souvla and his plans for expanding the brand to other major cities in the United States.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Mark Chavez, Director of the Tustin Unified School District. With a strong background in the food service industry, particularly within school nutrition, Mark shares his deep understanding of the complexities and responsibilities inherent in feeding students healthily and efficiently. Listen this week as Mark sheds light on the day-to-day operations of a school nutrition program, revealing the strategic planning involved in menu development, compliance with dietary guidelines, and the innovation necessary to keep students both nourished and interested in their meal choices.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Paul Fournier, president at TacticWare Resources and a highly sought-after food service consultant. Nick and Paul talk about the evolution of the broker industry, the importance of maximizing broker relationships, and how manufacturers can work with brokers to achieve their sales objectives. Paul shares why clear communication, setting goals and objectives, and maintaining a positive culture can improve collaboration. Listen this week as Nick and Paul explore the current dynamics of food broker relationships and how to optimize performance.