In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Hannah Lopez, the Director of Marketplace for Food Service at the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA). Nick and Hannah discuss exciting developments in the plant-based food movement, recent legislation in Los Angeles County, and Hannah’s background in starting a juice business. Hannah also shares her passion for promoting plant-based options in the food service industry and the importance of consumer preferences in driving change as plant-based dishes begin to emerge as leading dishes on menus across America.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo takes an intimate look at the nearly nine-year journey of his company, Portillo Sales and Marketing. Nick talks about the importance of having a strong founding team, investing in key hires, and embracing change and innovation. He shares how building a strong company culture and valuing excellence has steered his company through the challenges and triumphs of the industry. Nick also reflects on the impact that leveraging relationships has had on both himself as an individual and on his business.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Paul Neal, CEO of Vantage Point Commercial Capital and a real estate finance expert who’s carved a niche in helping business owners secure their financial future through property ownership. Paul shares his wisdom on how owning your building can significantly propel wealth creation, tax advantages, and operational control for food service industry professionals and beyond. Paul also talks about the myriad benefits of transitioning from a tenant to a property owner. Listen this week as Nick and Paul discuss the tangible impact of smart property investments on business growth and personal wealth.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Dan Gordon, a transformative coach in the fields of business, sales, and public speaking. Dan shares his philosophy on the importance of being interesting over just being good at something. Through a blend of personal experiences and sharp insights, Dan illustrates how evoking curiosity and engaging others is the currency of today’s social and business interactions. Nick and Dan discuss the power of building genuine relationships and how to break through self-limiting beliefs to rapidly approach a greater version of oneself.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Stephanie Lind, whose extraordinary story embodies the resilience and innovation at the heart of the food service industry. Stephanie brings invaluable insights from her multifaceted career, emphasizing strategies that drive small, impactful brands toward success against the backdrop of an ever-evolving sector. Nick and Stephanie discuss the complex interplay between sales, marketing, and product innovation in food service. Stephanie also shares the challenges faced by both emerging and established brands, specifically highlighting the broker model’s pitfalls and the pressing need for industry-wide reform.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Mario Sakora, a thought leader in the realm of human behavior, leadership development, and Enneagram application within the business space. He discusses the Enneagram model of personality styles and how it can be used in leadership development. Mario shares insights into the strengths and challenges of different Enneagram types, and how teams can use this knowledge to improve communication and collaboration. Listen as Nick and Mario discuss leadership styles and how they can be turned into individual strengths.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Laura Chute, Vice President of Sales for Custom Culinary. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Laura shares her passion for helping customers optimize their businesses and create positive outcomes. She discusses the importance of rest and recovery in a high-stress industry, the art of influence in sales, and her vision for impacting the food industry in a way that supports both human and planetary health. Nick and Laura also discuss how to pioneer sales strategies and coach sales teams to be solution-focused connectors.

In this solo episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo delves into the profound changes and consolidations occurring in the food service broker industry. Nick touches on the emotional journey and the evolution of his business, Portillo Sales and Marketing, emphasizing its challenges and triumphs. He discusses how they navigated through the changes brought by industry giants such as Acosta, Core, KeyImpact, and Waypoint, and how this has shaped their approach to business today. Nick illustrates the resilience needed to persist through industry transformations and the potential for success when viewing upheaval as an opportunity for growth.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with food service maven Candace Williams. Set against the background of Candace’s expertise in the plant-based beverage space, this dialogue delves into her career trajectory, her innovative approach to national accounts, and her integral role in the ascent of Califia Farms. As the director of national accounts at Califia Farms, Candace provides a firsthand glimpse into the booming plant-based movement and its impact on menu innovation in national chains. She shares her strategic methods for realizing growth and change, and her holistic provision of support services, emphasizing her dedication to excellence in product launches.

In this week’s episode of the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Ed Zimmerman, a seasoned professional with over four decades of experience in the food service industry. He is the President of The Food Connector, a company that specializes in B2B marketing and strategy within the sector. Ed shares valuable perspectives on the multifaceted nature of the food service industry and his journey through various sectors, from food manufacturing to marketing. His approach to business development through strategic planning and networking underscores the importance of building strong relationships and staying ahead of industry challenges.