Why Celebration Matters in Restaurant Leadership with Chris Gannon of Bolay

About this episode

Zack Oates interviews Chris Gannon about building a lasting restaurant brand and the importance of celebration in leadership.

Send us Fan Mail Zack Oates sits down with Chris Gannon, founder and CEO of Bolay, to discuss what it takes to build a restaurant brand that lasts. After more than a decade in business and over 20 locations, Chris shares lessons from navigating growth, challenges, and maintaining a strong culture. They explore how guest experience is shaped through small moments, why hiring the right people is critical, and how recognition and celebration drive team performance. Chris also explains how consis...

People in this episode

Host: Zack Oates

Guest: Chris Gannon

Topics covered

• restaurant leadership
• guest experience
• team performance
• company culture
• employee recognition

Keywords

• restaurant brand
• growth challenges
• hiring
• recognition
• celebration

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bolay

More episodes of Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates

• Why Guest Reviews and Profitability Go Hand in Hand with Adam Sanders at Killer Burger · June 8, 2026 · 17 min
• The Secret Behind a 4.9 Rating with Derrick Hayes of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks · May 29, 2026 · 16 min
• Why the Floor Matters More Than the Ceiling with Anthony Valletta of bartaco · May 26, 2026 · 19 min
• Building an 80-Year Brand That Still Feels Personal with Jennifer Schuler of Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream · May 19, 2026 · 19 min
• Turning a Simple Bagel Into a Premium Experience with Tom Selementi of Spread Bagelry · May 14, 2026 · 17 min
• Why Bold Brands Win Big with Pinky Cole of Slutty Vegan · May 11, 2026 · 19 min