Shawn P. Walchef

Founder of Cali BBQ Media at Cali BBQ Media

"Be the show, not the commercial."Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn Walchef helps brands and leaders leverage the new Business Creator Economy with strategic Smartphone Storytelling and Digital Hospitality.His Cali BBQ restaurant company has generated more than $35 million since opening in 2008. They operate numerous locations in San Diego and beyond.Shawn's weekly video series Restaurant Influencers (published by Entrepreneur Media and produced by Cali BBQ Media) has been seen by over 25 million people.

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More From Shawn P. Walchef

Building a Business

People Line Up Down the Block to Try This Iconic NYC Pizza. Now, It Could Be Coming to Your City.

Lawrence Longo shares his vision for the next great American pizza brand, its loyal following and the strategy behind big growth.

Thought Leaders

He Went from Tech CEO to Dishwasher. Now, He’s Behind 320 Restaurants and $750 Million in Assets.

Andrew K. Smith discusses how storytelling drives scale, how founders lead and how family stays part of the journey.

Building a Business

His Sushi Burger Got 50 Million Views — and Launched an Entire Business

Paul Ryu discusses how one off-menu item sparked millions of views, the type of creators he hires and what it takes to scale influence without selling out.

Building a Business

Von Miller Learned About Chicken Farming in a College Class – And It Became the Inspiration for a Business That Counts Patrick Mahomes as an Investor

The Super Bowl MVP might've fallen asleep during class, but it sparked a passion for farming that he turned into Greener Pastures Chicken.

Building a Business

This Restaurant CEO Created His Own National Holiday (and Turned It Into a Business Strategy)

Mehdi Zarhloul discusses how he built a thriving Las Vegas restaurant brand, Crazy Pita, and proves you don't have to wait for permission to succeed.

Building a Business

They Opened a Restaurant During the Pandemic — But Locals Showed Up, and Celebrities Followed. Now, It’s Thriving.

Barry Dakake, Marco Cicione and Yassine Lyoubi discuss how a longtime friendship became a business, how they built media buzz without a budget and how they make locals feel like VIPs.

Building a Business

These Co-Founders Came From Different Backgrounds, Joined Forces and Now Run 10 Restaurants Together

Alexandra Lourdes, Michael Santos, Steve Jerome and Lin Smith Jerome teamed up to start a Las Vegas hospitality juggernaut.

Building a Business

This Restaurant Tech Cost Him a Client — Then Changed Everything for His Business

Tunji Junard was skeptical of a new restaurant tech, but before long, he was convinced it could be a game-changer for his restaurant brand, Steam Boys.

Thought Leaders

Jon Taffer Teamed Up With This $300 Million Franchise Company to Build Something Bigger Than Restaurants

Taffer, known for his role in 'Bar Rescue,' teamed up with Craveworthy Brands to expand his concept, Taffer's Tavern.

Building a Business

How This Massive Food Company Turned Its Fleet of Trucks into Rolling Billboards — And the Lesson It Teaches About Brand-Building

The CMO of US Foods on why brand consistency matters, how the team brings its brand to life and the ways AI is transforming menu design and marketing for restaurant operators.

Tech

A Conversation About AI With Sam Altman Blew Their Minds — So They Wrote the Playbook for Businesses That Want to Use the Tech

Digital strategists Adam Brotman and Andy Sack discuss their new book on AI and the impact of tech on today's restaurants.

Building a Business

His Bakery’s Window Got Smashed — But What He Did Next Actually Helped His Business

Chef Nick Rodriguez talks about building a successful cupcake brand, staying calm under pressure and turning viral chaos into community support.

Building a Business

Giada De Laurentiis’s Major Deal With Amazon Is a New Frontier for the Chef and Entrepreneur

Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis discusses turning a two-minute demo into a two-decade career, going all-in on content and commerce and what she's building next with Amazon.

Building a Business

These College Friends Wanted to Sell Better Food. Now, Their Company Is Publicly Traded.

Sweetgreen co-founder Nicolas Jammet dives into how the brand got started, what setbacks it faced and how it's using automation in its 250-plus locations.

Thought Leaders

Fans Are Tattooing This Pizza Brand’s Logo on Their Skin for a Year of Free Slices

&pizza CEO Mike Burns discusses turning customers into superfans, empowering staff and building a brand that breaks the rules.

Building a Business

This Chef Lost His Restaurant the Week Michelin Called. Now He’s Made a Comeback By Perfecting One Recipe.

Chef Frank Neri discusses how a trip to Tijuana changed his view on flavor, a WhatsApp group kept him in the game, and doing one thing well became his recipe for success.

Building a Business

What It’s Like Putting on a Restaurant Show for 55,000 People

Lisa Malikow discusses running a massive industry event, helping operators grow and why unexpected inspiration is the best part of the job.

Building a Business

How a Spot on ‘The Montel Williams Show’ Sparked a Restaurant Power Brand for This Miami Chef

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Building a Business

A Loyal Customer Asked Him to Cater One Event. Now, He Runs More Than 1,000 a Year.

Sebastien Centner of Eatertainment discusses the five percent rule, his creative partnership with his wife and delivering more than what's on paper.

Building a Business

This ‘Chopped’ Champ Beat Cancer 6 Times, Lost Nearly 200 Pounds and Found Power in Presence

Chef Eric LeVine discusses what happens when you strip away ego, lead with truth and live fully in the moment both in and out of the kitchen.

Building a Business

How a ‘Finance Guy’ and ‘Restaurant Guy’ Joined Forces to Invest in Over 55 Companies

Branded Hospitality's unique blend of friendship, investment focus and a 'it takes a village' mindset is helping brands grow with purpose.

Building a Business

How a Jersey Kid Grew His Restaurant Business Into a West Coast Powerhouse

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Building a Business

Most Creators Are Doing Brand Deals Wrong — And This Sponsorship Expert Has Some Advice for Them

Justin Moore discusses how to perfect a pitch, what brands care about and why storytelling is still a prized commodity.

Building a Business

This Chef Is Convinced One Cuisine Will Be the Next Big Thing in Fast-Casual Dining: ‘I’m Betting My Career’

Michel Falcon of Brasa Peruvian Kitchen discusses deep family roots, thinking outside the box and why customers won't forget 1-844-GO-BRASA.

Building a Business

How This General Store Turned NYC Hotspot Earned Michelin’s Attention

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Building a Business

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Building a Business

This Hospitality Lawyer Has Worked for Big-Name Brands — And She Says This Is the Biggest Mistake Restaurant Owners Make

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Building a Business

This Chef Built a Meatball Empire, Lost Millions and Came Back Stronger with a Pizza Revolution

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Building a Business

This Chef Uses Memes to Call Out the Restaurant Industry — and He’s Turning Online Influence into Real-World Change

Chef Eli Sussman discusses what drives him to keep opening restaurants, an unexpected collaboration and his rise to meme royalty.

Building a Business

Your Guests All Want the Same Thing, Says This Hotel Food and Beverage Consultant — Here’s What

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