Shawn Walchef is the founder of Cali BBQ Media and a leading voice in the Business Creator Economy. He teaches restaurant owners, tech founders, and hospitality leaders how to thrive in the digital age through Smartphone Storytelling and his Digital Hospitality framework.
As host of Restaurant Influencers (produced by Cali BBQ Media and published by Entrepreneur Media), Shawn has built one of the most impactful shows in the hospitality industry. The podcast and video series has been viewed more than 71 million times and features top executives, operators, and innovators shaping the future of restaurants.
Shawn is also the owner of Cali BBQ, a restaurant brand in San Diego that has grown from a local hotspot into a national example of how hospitality can thrive by embracing technology and storytelling.
A keynote speaker at leading restaurant and technology shows, Shawn has partnered with Toast, Uber Eats, Pepsi, US Foods, Restaurant365, and Google to create authentic content that drives awareness and growth. His mission: help businesses stop being invisible online by teaching them to "Be The Show, Not the Commercial."
More From Shawn P. Walchef
Shaz Khan of Tono Pizzeria & Cheesesteaks on Navigating Friendship + Business
André Vener of Dog Haus on Effective Branding Strategy
Matt Horn on Finding Purpose in Family and Flames
Eitan Bernath on Becoming a Teenage Food Entrepreneur and Social Media Star
Nina Manchev of Forte Tapas on Engaging Customers with Social Video
Toast CEO Chris Comparato on Why Restaurants Need a Tech Partner That Cares
Stratis Morfogen on Using Disruptive Technology to Improve Hospitality
Restaurateur PHILIP CAMINO on Striving for Hospitality and Health
How To Become an Overnight Success — in 10 Years
The ‘CEO of ChefTok’ Explains Going Viral on Social Media
Leading a Restaurant Culture with Warmth and Hospitality
Authenticity is Currency on Social Media
Blogging Gives Your Business A Big Voice
The Reality of Getting Your Business on Reality TV
Get Media Coverage By Being Authentic Online
A Loyal Brand Attracts Loyal People
TikTok is About At-Bats — Not Perfect
Cooking Up Virtual Flavor at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
It Takes a Village to Keep a Restaurant Open
Delivering Hospitality to Online Audiences