In this episode of 'Staying Hungry,' hosts Michael D'Onofrio and Vinny Pappalardo sit down with Joey Cioffi, the visionary behind Salad House.

Joey shares his inspiring journey from working in his family's deli to founding a rapidly growing healthy eating franchise. Learn how his Italian immigrant parents' pursuit of the American dream influenced Joey's business philosophy and led to the creation of Salad House, a brand dedicated to providing nutritious, delicious meals for modern families.

Joey discusses the challenges and rewards of franchising, the importance of community involvement, and how technology and customer feedback drive their success.

Tune in to hear Joey's insights on balancing tradition with innovation and his heartfelt message about the future of healthy dining in America.

00:00 Introduction and Early Challenges

02:01 Starting in the Food Business

09:12 Transition to Wall Street and Back

13:30 Birth of Salad House

17:11 Franchising and Growth

24:08 Customer and Employee Relations

32:16 Raising Kids and Work Ethic

35:29 The Challenges and Rewards of Franchising

44:32 Balancing Technology and Hospitality

53:00 Future Expansion Plans for Salad House

01:03:24 Personal Reflections and Family Time#StayingHungry #HealthyEating #FamilyBusiness #RestaurantIndustry #SaladHouse #FranchiseGrowth #CustomerFeedback #RestaurantTechnology #ItalianImmigrants #AmericanDream

In this episode of Staying Hungry, hosts Mike and Vinny sit down with Mark Boccia, a seasoned restaurateur and real estate developer with over 30 years of experience in the Bayside, Queens community.

Known for his popular establishments such as Bourbon Street, Austin’s Ale House, and One Station Plaza, Mark shares his inspiring journey from bussing tables as a teenager to owning multiple successful restaurants.

He delves into the challenges and rewards of the hospitality industry, the impact of COVID-19, and the importance of community involvement.

Don't miss this deep dive into Mark's entrepreneurial spirit and his unwavering commitment to his beloved Bayside neighborhood.

01:24 Getting Started in Hospitality

05:20 First Business Ventures

21:27 Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

28:09 Balancing Family and Business

30:05 Advice for Aspiring Restaurateurs

32:54 The Role of Sports in Business

34:50 Opportunities Within the Organization

38:15 Personal Hobbies and Interests

41:01 Challenges in the Restaurant Industry

46:25 Technology's Impact on Operations

01:02:37 Community Involvement and Charity Work

Guest & Sponsorship Inquiries - stayinghungry@viola.mediaNew episodes dropping soon! Subscribe, Like and Leave us a Comment Below! =================================================================*SUBSCRIBE* to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@stayinghungrypodcast?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW US:https://www.instagram.com/stayinghungrypodcasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/4cfz4H7IIzUlEcGtwSgJMuhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573551302497https://www.linkedin.com/company/staying-hungry-podcast/Podcast by Viola Media: https://viola.media/#stayinghungry #hospitalityindustry #restaurantbusiness

Welcome to another soul-stirring episode of Staying Hungry, where legacy meets lunch and grit gets deep-fried. In Episode 107, hosts Vinny and Mike sit down with the incredible Merrill Zorn, third-generation owner of Zorn’s of Bethpage - a Long Island institution that’s been feeding families (and their nostalgia) for over 85 years.

This isn’t just a story about rotisserie chicken. It’s a meditation on tradition, tenacity, and turkey - told through the lens of a woman who's carried a family dream forward, one pot pie at a time. From pioneering takeout in the 1940s to navigating modern food costs and labor shortages, Merrill shares what it takes to preserve a brand that means home for so many New Yorkers.

📍 Whether you’re a foodie, entrepreneur, or just someone who knows the emotional weight of a good chicken leg, this episode will feed more than your stomach. It’ll feed your soul.

⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00] Intro

[05:23] From Turkey Farm to Takeout Pioneer: The Birth of Zorn’s

[12:47] Meryl Zorn on Legacy, Leadership, and Lessons from Her Grandfather

[24:15] Challenges in Modern Hospitality: Labor, Costs, and Staying Authentic

[30:55] Outro