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Your source for all things foodservice and hospitality related! Join us for industry expert interviews, product reviews and trending news all centered around helping owners, operators, and foodservice professionals stay on top of industry trends, best practices and cost-saving solutions that help their businesses run more efficiently and drive revenue to their bottom line.
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
In this episode of Let's Set Your Table, the hosts discuss green and sustainable disposables with their guests from Eco Products. Our guests for this episode were Toby Alves, Product and Zero Waste Specialist with Eco-Products and Nicole Geletka, Regional Sales Manager with Eco-Products.
They aim to clarify the confusion around terms like "biodegradable" and "compostable" and educate owner-operators on waste diversion and the benefits of using certified compostable packaging.
The guests explain the differences between biodegradable and compostable materials, emphasizing that compostable items break down quickly and leave behind beneficial compost, while biodegradable items take longer and may leave residuals. They also highlight the importance of proper sorting and the role of signage in waste diversion. The guests offer their services and support to help operators make the transition to more sustainable practices!
Key Takeaways
- Compostable items break down quickly and leave behind beneficial compost, while biodegradable items take longer and may leave residuals.
- Compostable products are more strictly regulated with clear standards, while the term biodegradable is less regulated and can be misleading.
- Proper sorting and signage are important for successful waste diversion.
- Eco Products offers a range of new and innovative products for operators looking to transition to more sustainable practices.
- The cost of waste diversion and composting depends on the market and contract negotiations, but it can lead to cost savings and environmental benefits.
Sound Bites:
** "Compostable materials are designed to break down quickly and leave behind beneficial compost, while biodegradable materials take longer and could leave residuals."
** "Compostable items need a specific composting environment to break down properly, while biodegradable items may break down in a wider range of environments."
** "Compostable products are more strictly regulated with clear standards, while the term biodegradable is less regulated and can sometimes be misleading."
What we discussed:
05:26 - Roles and Value of Product and Zero Waste Specialists
07:53 - Eco Products' Differentiators and Commitment to Sustainability
13:52 - Educating Operators on Waste Diversion and Composting
17:52 - Clarifying the Differences: Biodegradable vs. Compostable
23:57 - Taking the Next Step: Entry Points for Operators
27:03 - Cost Considerations and Services Offered by Eco Products
29:35 - New and Exciting Innovations from Eco Products
Links:
Explore innovative industry leading green compostable packaging solutions at : https://www.hodegroup.com
The Hode Group Chicago Showroom: hodegroupshowroom.com
Let’s Set Your Table: Apple Podcasts
Friday May 10, 2024
Friday May 10, 2024
In this episode of Let's Set Your Table, host John D and co-host Melissa Marguerite discuss the importance of napkins in the dining experience. They are joined by Patrick Garrigan, National Sales Brand Manager from Midwest Specialty Products, who provides insights into the different types of napkins and their impact on the customer's perception. They highlight the role of napkins in cleanliness, presentation, and branding. The conversation also touches on the environmental impact of different napkin options and the cost-effectiveness of higher quality napkins. The episode concludes with a discussion on custom capabilities and the potential for using napkins as a marketing tool.
Key Takeaways
- Napkins play a crucial role in maintaining cleanliness and enhancing the presentation at the dining table.
- Higher quality napkins can improve the overall dining experience and reduce waste.
- Napkins can be used as a branding tool to reinforce the restaurant's image and increase revenue.
- Air-laid napkins offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to linen napkins.
- Custom printed napkins provide an opportunity to showcase specials, desserts, and other promotional content.
Sound Bites:
** "Higher quality napkins end up costing the establishment less in the long run."
** "If your napkin is doing the job it's supposed to do, the wet naps become obsolete."
** "Restroom cleanliness is ranked number two in leaving an impression on patrons."
What we discussed:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:39 The Importance of Napkins in the Dining Experience
08:09 Choosing the Right Napkin: Quality and Cost Considerations
09:45 The Environmental Impact of Napkin Choices
12:31 Custom Capabilities: Using Napkins as a Marketing Tool
Links:
Explore innovative napkin solutions at : https://www.hodegroup.com
The Hode Group Chicago Showroom: hodegroupshowroom.com
Let’s Set Your Table: Apple Podcasts
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
This conversation explores the benefits and applications of foil packaging in the food industry. The hosts discuss the advantages of foil packaging, such as heat retention and even heating, and its suitability for takeout and home meal replacement programs. They also address concerns about the perception of foil packaging and the importance of educating customers about its qualities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of the customer experience and the role of foil packaging in delivering high-quality food. The hosts suggest passing on the cost of packaging to consumers and highlight the potential for creative designs and colors in foil packaging.
Click for images of the California foil takeout packaging referenced in this episode: https://tinyurl.com/5n7xfdyw
Check out the black and gold foil series containers: https://tinyurl.com/3jd6xb5d
Key Takeaways
- Foil packaging offers excellent heat retention and even heating, making it ideal for takeout and home meal replacement programs.
- Educating customers about the qualities of foil packaging can help them understand its benefits and overcome any concerns about its appearance.
- Foil packaging provides a grease barrier and helps maintain the quality and freshness of the food.
- Operators can pass on the cost of packaging to consumers to ensure the use of high-quality materials.
- Foil packaging can be customized with different colors and designs to enhance the customer experience.
What we discussed:
00:00 Show Introduction
03:20 Discussion on Foil Packaging
08:18 Switching from Compostable Packaging to Foil
10:25 Foils as a Viable Option for Takeout Packaging
13:02 Crimping and Sealing Foil Containers
15:55 Presentation and Grease Barrier of Foil Packaging
20:23 Home Meal Replacement Concept
24:05 Passing Packaging Costs to Consumers
26:06 Different Colors and Designs for Foil Packaging
27:35 Maximizing Customer Experience with Foil Packaging
29:41 Conclusion and Call to Action
Links:
Explore the vast product list of aluminum foil takeout packaging at: https://www.hodegroup.com
The Hode Group Chicago Showroom: hodegroupshowroom.com
Let’s Set Your Table: Apple Podcasts
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Attention Hospitality and F&B OPERATORS! You could be (literally) throwing money away into your trash, the landfill AND it might be costing you more than $100K every year. This savings strategy is one that most of you may have never considered! It is commonly overlooked and we break it down for you and how it works in this episode.
By the end of this episode, you will soon realize how much money your operation is possible wasting and you’ll want to do an waste audit of your property ASAP.
“You're not in the business to keep the landfill in business. You're in the business to make more money. So the more money you can save in a disposable - that money needs to be parlayed into things that drive more revenue and ticket sales”
What we discussed:
(00:15) The savings strategy you NEVER considered
(05:26) Money is in the TRASH!
(10:39) Where are the savings?
(14:50) What you COULD be spending money on instead
(15:40) Get more return visits
(20:04) Trash can weights
(21:42) How much we ACTUALLY save - case studies
(26:00) Schedule a property audit with us
3 Reasons To Do A Property Audit ASAP:
- Operators often believe they need larger trash can liners than they actually do - and it costs them significantly. A common mistake is buying 60-gallon liners for a 44-gallon, 32-gallon or even a 23-gallon Slim Jim trash can.
- Improper management of your trash cans and trash liners can cause increased expense to your business and operation. Addressing overlooked money drainers like trash can liners can possiby save you $1000-$100,000+ every year depending on your property size.
- By optimizing management and the waste stream of your trash, you free up resources to enhance guest experiences, invest in state-of-the-art equipment, and elevate food quality, driving even more revenue
Links:
Get an audit of your property, and possibly save $1,000-$100,000+: https://www.hodegroup.com
The Hode Group Chicago Showroom: hodegroupshowroom.com
Let’s Set Your Table: Apple Podcasts
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
It’s not often that a professional knife is passed on as an heirloom, but that’s the case for Dexter Knives which are guaranteed to last a lifetime. They are American-made knives that have been around for 205 years. When brands promise a lifetime guarantee, they usually haven’t been around for centuries - but this brand walks the talk.
Tune in to discover how Dexter Knives makes knives for chefs who need them and use them all day long. You’ll get an insight into their go-to-market strategy and the principles that guide their manufacturing process.
Guests from this Episode:
Alan Peppel, President & CEO - Dexter
Andrew Peppel, Marketing Manager - Dexter
Chef David Leathers, Owner, Foodsmith
This episode was recorded during the National Restaurant Show in Chicago.
What we discussed:
(00:11) Episode overview
(02:42) How was the National Restaurant Show in Chicago?
(04:33) How Dexter makes superior knives (3 steps)
(07:13) Why heat treatment matters
(08:57) The real reason Dexter has over 2500 products
(09:59) Go-to-market strategy
(12:34) Biggest marketing challenge
(14:34) Their fan club?
(16:16) Why professional knives are different
(19:46) Foodsmith: Running a fine-dining mobile restaurant, Chef David Leathers comments on Dexter Knives
3 things to remember:
- To make a great knife (a) start with great steel, (b) heat treat it correctly, (c) then grind the right edge. Different uses require different cutting edges.
- Heat treatment gives knives the hardness and grain structure that it needs - not only to be strong but to withstand resharpening.
- Dexter Knives believes in providing the right item, made the right way, at good value for professional use. This is a great ethic to have for any operator/owner in the food space.
Links:
Dexter Helpful Resources:
The Hode Group Chicago Showroom: hodegroupshowroom.com
The Hode Group Corporate Website: hodegroup.com
Let’s Set Your Table: Apple Podcasts
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
What’s it like to buy paper packaging? Which type is right for you? Are paper packaging prices up or down these days? Rich Rosenberg, a food paper packaging industry leader, joins the show to answer all your questions to help you find the right packaging for your business.
Rich Rosenberg is an industry expert in the paper packaging industry. He’s been in the industry for almost 50 years and is the president of PBI sales.
What we discussed:
(00:24) Is paper back?
(02:27) The best products in the industry
(03:10) Who is Rich Rosenberg?
(05:49) Paper packaging market update
(08:02) Ban on foam
(09:02) Raw paper vs. corrugated boxes: what’s the difference?
(13:07) Grease barriers
(15:16) How packaging helped hospitals in the pandemic
(18:05) Serving Chick-fil-a, 7/11, Lowe’s
(20:20) Does he work with small operators?
4 things to remember:
- Amazon is one of the biggest users of packaging. When Amazon’s business goes down, paper mill businesses go down too, and supply increases.
- Demand has dropped in the box industry since the height of the pandemic. Prices are coming down.
- Corrugated boxes are made up of 3 layers while paperboard is one ply paper. Paperboard is used in cosmetics and food while corrugated boxes are like pizza or Amazon boxes.
- Grease penetrates through board, so a grease barrier typically needs to be applied especially if there is printing on boxes that directly come into contact with food.
Links:
PBI Sales Helpful Resources:
Food and Beverage Takeout & Catering Boxes
Food & Pizza To-Go Packaging
The Hode Group Chicago Showroom: hodegroupshowroom.com
The Hode Group Corporate Website: hodegroup.com
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Episode 09
John and Nick D. are joined at the table with the Director of National Sales for Leafware, Diane Maxwell. In the ever-changing world of food service, green compostable food packaging and dinnerware is not a new term. However, Palm Leaf is a new renewable, sustainable and compostable substrate that you may not be familiar with. Diane shares the features, benefits and the various uses for palm leaf, it's compostability and ability to perform well in the green space for operators as a" Grab-n- Go" or for fast casual green choice of dinnerware.
So, if you are looking to diversify your disposable food packaging bundle and offer your customers the most sustainable and compostable substrate out there, then pull up a chair with us at the table as we discuss the world of Areca palm leaf packaging and dinnerware with Leafware!
Show Notes (topical points of interest and links)
--------------------------------------------------
4:22- Who is Leafware, what do you do and what value to you bring to the foodservice and hospitality industry?
5:01 -What is Palm Leaf and where is it sourced?
5:56 -What makes this Areca species or type of Palm Leaf and its ability to perform so different?
9:00-How does the Palm leaf substrate do with various plated foods and sauces?
10:18-Is Palm Leaf best used as a grab-n -go play or for in house casual dinnerware or fast casual serve
11:42 - How long will plated food last and will my food "hold"on palm leaf?
15:55-Is Palm Leaf compostable, BPI Certified compostable and CMA ?
20:12-Will Leafware coach my group thru a composting initiative?
21:20- Leafware now offering a Bamboo line and what products are they bringing to the marketplace?
24:16 -What other types of shapes and sizes of products does Leafware offer?
26:01- Leafware and Bamboo sample policy for testing and review.
Guest Information:
Diane Maxwell
Director National Sales- Leafware®
also representing Bamboo Studio
2023 Leafware Catalog
http://hgiresourcecenter.com/files/pos_catalogs/2023-full-product-catalog64482cf146433.pdf
Bamboo Studio & Bambooware
http://hgiresourcecenter.com/files/pos_catalogs/2020-bamboo-studio-bamboo-catalog5f9af8b8547d0.pdf
http://hgiresourcecenter.com/files/pos_catalogs/2020-bamboo-studio-reusable-catalog5f9af9524eca7.pdf
The Hode Group Chicago Showroom
The Hode Group
Info@hodegroup.com
815-455-0500
Check out our HGI Testimonials:
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
Episode 08
In this episode, Jack Hode and John D. caught up with our good friend, Eric Fialkoff, the Smile Distribution Manager at Specialty Box and Packaging and the home of…custom takeout bags!
Eric is a great partner of ours at the Hode Group! He is is an expert in custom logo'd and takeout packaging and is a huge asset in the disposables industry.
Eric shares with us who Specialty Box and Packaging is and how long they have been in the business with multi-generational roots. Listen in as they have pivoted over 60+ years to become your packaging point guard and one-stop shop for custom packaging for restaurant carry-out & takeout programs and for retail business as well.
Eric also shares why custom logo'd packaging is so important for the owner/operator in today's marketplace and why developing brand recognition is so important in a very competitive industry.
Jack and Eric also discuss the "3 must-do’s" in your branding logo design. Key information, that you are not going to want to miss!
So, if you've ever asked yourself the question, "Why Should I Brand my To-Go Packaging?" or "Why Should I Spend the Money Branding my Business, Concept or Theme?", then tune in to this episode cuz it's all right here on the table!
Show Notes (topical points of interest and links)
--------------------------------------------------
The Hode Group Chicago Showroom
The Hode Group
Info@hodegroup.com
p: 815-455-0500
Check out our HGI Testimonials:
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Episode 07
In this episode, we catch up with Amy Howard, Senior Tabletop Specialist and Consultant for the Hode Group. Amy shares what value the Hode Group and our dedicated team with well over 100 years of combined experience bring to the food service and hospitality professional. Amy also discusses the opening of the new Hode Group Chicago Showroom which displays industry leaders and brands like Steelite, Lionswood Banquet American Metalcraft, TrueForm Concrete, ChefWorks, Eco-Products, and Anchor Packaging to just name a few. These and others are all available to preview and sample in this 4300 sq ft showroom space located in the famous Fulton Market District at 318 N Carpenter, Suite 200 in the west loop of Chicago.
Amy explains what you can expect when you visit our showroom and how easy it is to set an appointment or consult with one of our highly qualified tabletop consultants either in person or virtually.
So, if you or your group have an interest in doing some planning for a new opening, retrofitting your existing space, or doing a fresh new concept or design and need some guidance and direction for your operation, then pull up a chair and join us ….cuz it all here on the table.
Show Notes (topical points of interest and links)
--------------------------------------------------
Past Show References:
EP.06 -Why "Wood"n’t You Choose WoodForm Concrete®
https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-bmxhf-12cc662
The Hode Group Chicago Showroom
The Hode Group
Info@hodegroup.com
p: 815-455-0500
Check out our HGI Testimonials:
Wednesday Sep 21, 2022
Wednesday Sep 21, 2022
Episode 06
In this episode of Let's Set Your Table, John D, Nick D and Jack Hode visit with the creator of WoodForm Concrete® and founder of JM Lifestyles, Jeff Kudrick. He is joined by Andrew Lippmann, who is the General Manager of Trueform Concrete. Trueform Concrete recently purchased JM lifestyles in August of 2022, so our visit with them could not be more timely.
Jack Hode shares the back story of how the Hode Group found, worked, and represented Jeff Kudrick at JM Lifestyles, a highly talented Artisan, craftsman, and fabricator who is now part of the Trueform Concrete team.
Andrew Lippman shares who Trueform concrete is, what they do, what they create, and what an innovative product they produce domestically in the USA for the culinary and hospitality industry!
Andrew and Jeff offer insight on using "woodform" decorative concrete and wood-like concrete surfaces for designers, architects, and commercial owner's & operators that are in that custom design/build or that remodel-renovation phase of business.
WoodForm Concrete® offers endless opportunities for tabletop, bar tops, wall panels, countertops, banquet tables, furniture, and the creation of an accent piece or an iconic indoor/outdoor structure for your property.
So if you're looking for a unique way to differentiate your space from the rest of the pack, wow those guests or perhaps even create a conversation piece to attract more customers and keep them coming back, then grab a chair and join us at the table and let us, help you, set your table!
Show Notes (topical points of interest and links)
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5:10 Jack Hode shares the history and how the Hode Group got started with Jeff Kudrick - JM Lifestyles and WoodForm Concrete®
7:12 Andrew Lippman shares who is Trueform Concrete and the value they bring to the industry today
8:32 How does the addition of Trueform Concrete with JM enhance the deliverable as a supplier for the end user?
9:36 What type of feedback is received by prospective customers when introduced to WoodForm?
11:53 What is the difference between WoodForm Concrete® and Actual Wood? What are the benefits?
14:02 Life expectancy of decorative concrete compared to wood? Benefits? Repairs? ("The Abe Lincoln Analogy ")
16:10 What options do I have with using this product for indoor/outdoor applications?
17:50 USA Made & Proud! Handmade by artisans that are unique and no two pieces of concrete are the same. What can you create?
19:55 What is your competitive advantage? What's your conversation piece to bring your customers back?
21:15 Do I need to physically travel to you to see your work? Where are you located?
22:19 Jack Hode shares a success story, project and installation with this “woodform” product in Chicago
23:38 Jeff Kudrick shares the most unique install he has completed
26:27 Does Trueform concrete also service residential owners?
27:34 Where can I see your live pieces?
29:10 Tips and advice for an operator that is on the fence? Wood vs. WoodForm Concrete® - what to do and how to get started?
Guest Information:
Jeff Kudrick
Creator - WoodForm Concrete®
Founder, JM Lifestyles (now Trueform Concrete)
Andrew Lippman
General Manager
Trueform Concrete
Jack Hode
Senior Vice President
The Hode Group
jack@hodegroup.com
What is WoodForm Concrete? Watch below:
The Hode Group Chicago Showroom
The Hode Group
Info@hodegroup.com
815-455-0500
Check out our HGI Testimonials: