Grounded

AI, Leadership & the Future of the Produce Supply Chain Episode #58

In this episode of Grounded, Lauren Mitchell sits down with Christopher Rheault for a wide-ranging conversation on AI, leadership, produce management, supply chain strategy, and the future of global sourcing. Chris shares how AI is already creating operational efficiencies inside Produce Alliance and why human relationships, critical thinking, and purpose-driven leadership will matter even more in the years ahead. Christopher Rheault is President of Produce Alliance, where he leads operational strategy, technology innovation, food safety, procurement, and international sourcing initiatives across the produce supply chain. Lauren and Chris also dive into company culture, leadership principles, international expansion, ethical AI adoption, and the importance of staying “close enough to the ground” to create meaningful change. 5 Key Takeaways 1. AI Enhances, Not Replaces, Human Roles AI is expected to significantly augment human capabilities, particularly in roles focused on relationships and strategic thinking, rather than replace them. Salespeople, for example, can use AI for research and background information while focusing more on building genuine connections and demonstrating value. 2. Leveraging Data for Actionable Insights Companies can gain a competitive edge by effectively leveraging their data. By analyzing large amounts of customer and purchasing data, businesses can identify trends before they become widespread and proactively improve procurement programs, supplier relationships, and distribution partnerships. 3. A Shift Toward a Strategic Workforce AI adoption will continue pushing organizations from task-oriented work toward more strategic, value-driven work. Employees who embrace AI as a productivity and insight tool will become more valuable by focusing on decision-making, collaboration, and innovation. 4. Human Expertise Still Matters Most While AI can surface answers and insights, human expertise remains critical for interpreting information, validating accuracy, and acting on recommendations. Chris emphasizes that leaders must use AI to support—not replace—critical thinking, relationship-building, and operational expertise. 5. Ethical AI and Data Privacy Cannot Be Ignored As AI becomes more embedded into operations, businesses must stay mindful of data privacy, vendor transparency, and ethical implementation. Chris highlights the importance of working with trusted partners, understanding how data is being used, and protecting customer information through clear agreements and responsible practices. 💬 Quote of the Episode “In leadership, be close enough to the ground to affect change.” — Christopher Rheault, President of Produce Alliance Connect with the Guest(s) * Christopher Rheault — President, Produce Alliance * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrheault/ * Website: https://producealliance.com/ Ways to Tune In Transistor: Grounded Podcast [https://www.groundedonthepod.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Spotify: Grounded on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Apple Podcasts: Grounded on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Amazon Music: Grounded on Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460?utm_source=chatgpt.com] iHeart Radio: Grounded on iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Podchaser: Grounded on Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Stitcher: Grounded on Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441?utm_source=chatgpt.com] YouTube: Grounded on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Everyone Eats: Billy Itule on Produce, People & Partnership #57

Episode Overview In this episode of Grounded, Lauren Mitchell sits down with Billy Itule, CEO of Willie Itule Produce, for an inside look at the fast-moving world of produce distribution, food safety, cold chain logistics, and restaurant supply chains. From operating in Arizona’s extreme desert climate to managing sourcing relationships with growers in Mexico, Billy shares what it really takes to keep fresh produce moving efficiently and safely. Billy Itule is the CEO of Willie Itule Produce, a Phoenix-based produce distribution company serving restaurants, hospitality groups, and foodservice operators across Arizona. He also serves as a committee member with the IFPA, helping shape conversations around the future of produce distribution and supply chains nationwide. Together, Lauren and Billy discuss traceability, technology investments, labor challenges, restaurant trends, forecasting for major events, and why communication between distributors and operators matters more than ever. 🔑 5 Key Takeaways 1. Cold chain compliance is critical in extreme climates.  Billy explains how Willie Itule Produce operates a 100% climate-controlled supply chain to protect product integrity in Arizona’s 120-degree heat, including real-time temperature monitoring across facilities and trucks. 2. Produce distribution depends heavily on long-term grower relationships.  Mexico plays a major role in feeding the U.S. produce market year-round, and Billy shares why trusted partnerships with growers and shippers are essential for consistency, contingency planning, and supply stability. 3. Technology is transforming food distribution beyond traceability.  From paperless delivery systems to real-time inventory management and electronic food safety monitoring, Billy discusses how distributors are increasingly becoming tech-driven operations. 4. Communication between operators and distributors can prevent costly mistakes.  Billy emphasizes that involving distributors earlier in menu planning and LTO discussions can help operators avoid sourcing issues, poor seasonal quality, or unexpected cost increases. 5. Hospitality and leadership start at the top.  As a family-run company, Willie Itule Produce prioritizes transparency, accountability, and respectful service culture. Billy explains why owning mistakes and treating employees and customers like family is central to their success. 💬 Quote of the Episode “If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room. Find a different room.”  — Billy Itule, CEO, Willie Itule Produce 🔗 Connect with the Guest(s) * Billy Itule — CEO, Willie Itule Produce * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billyitule/ * Website: https://ituleproduce.com/about-us 🎧 Ways to Tune In Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ [https://www.groundedonthepod.com/] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460] iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/] Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267 [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267] Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 [https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast]

Inside the Produce Pipeline: Planning for the Unpredictable Episode #56

In this episode of Grounded, host Lauren Mitchell brings together voices from across the produce supply chain to pull back the curtain on how sourcing really works—from forecasting and contracts to weather risk, communication, and collaboration. The conversation highlights the complexity behind everyday items like lettuce and broccoli and what national brands need to understand about volatility, planning, and partnership. Stephanie Fyle is the President of Fresh Alliance, Ava Walker is a Contract Coordinator at Fresh Alliance, and Thomas Wheelus is the Director of Food Service at Tanimura & An Growers, bringing the grower, procurement, and contracting perspectives together at one table. 🔑5 Key Takeaways 1. Clear communication and accurate forecasting are the foundation of successful sourcing. Growers rely heavily on customer projections to plan planting cycles that can range from 65 to 80 days, making early and accurate volume planning essential.  2. Contracts help stabilize pricing—but they also share risk. Fixed-price contracts with escalation clauses allow restaurants to forecast menu pricing while protecting growers when weather or yield disruptions drive costs higher.  3. Weather and supply chain volatility require constant coordination and contingency planning. Growers use diversified growing regions and nursery strategies to buy time and maintain supply when fields are impacted by rain or other disruptions.  4. Strong partnerships are built on transparency and solutions—not just information. Procurement teams aim to communicate industry challenges quickly, but they prioritize bringing actionable alternatives to clients whenever possible.  5. Technology and traceability will shape the future of sourcing. From automation to full supply chain visibility, the industry is moving toward greater transparency, faster communication, and more collaborative decision-making.  Connect with the Guests * Stephanie Fyle — President, Fresh Alliance  *  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-williams-fyle-889134104/ *  Website: https://www.freshalliance.com/ * Ava Walker Davis — Contract Coordinator, Fresh Alliance  *  Website: https://www.freshalliance.com/ * Thomas Wheelus — Director of Food Service, Tanimura & Antle  *  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-wheelus-70863a51/ *  Website: https://www.taproduce.com/ Ways to Tune In Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ [https://www.groundedonthepod.com/] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460] iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/] Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267 [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267] Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 [https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast]

The Value Trap: Why Great Restaurants Still Win with Danny Klein Episode #55

Episode Overview What does it take to win in today’s restaurant landscape—and what mistakes are brands making along the way? In this episode of Grounded, the conversation dives deep into the realities shaping foodservice in 2026, from the “value frenzy” and shifting consumer behavior to the critical role of hospitality, technology, and brand identity. Danny Klein, Vice President and Editorial Director at WTWH Media, joins the show to share frontline insights from years covering the restaurant industry and launching major events like the QSR Evolution Conference. He’s joined by Caitlin Webster, Director of National Accounts at Fresh Concepts, who brings a supplier-side perspective and asks the practical questions operators and vendors are facing every day. Together, they explore what separates thriving brands from struggling ones—and what leaders should focus on next. 5 Key Takeaways 1. Restaurants are competing in a “value frenzy,” but price alone won’t win. Consumers may be dining out less frequently, so brands must deliver both strong value and a memorable experience to stay relevant.  2. Technology should solve real problems—not just follow trends. Many brands rushed into kiosks and digital tools after COVID, but the winners are those using tech to support hospitality, not replace it.  3. Menu simplification is becoming a survival strategy. Rising costs are pushing operators to focus on core items they execute well, rather than maintaining large, complex menus.  4. Losing loyal customers is an early warning sign. If regular guests stop visiting, leaders should investigate immediately—often the issue is a drift from the brand’s original value proposition.  5. The most successful brands know exactly who they are. Companies like Texas Roadhouse and Chick-fil-A thrive because they stay consistent, protect their identity, and deliver reliably on the fundamentals.  💬 Quote of the Episode “Any brand that tries to trade off convenience and speed for quality is going to lose because there's too much parity in the marketplace.”  — Danny Klein, Vice President and Editorial Director, WTWH Media 🔗 Connect with the Guest(s) *  Danny Klein — Vice President and Editorial Director, WTWH Media  *  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyklein14/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyklein14/] *  Website: https://www.wtwhmedia.com/ [https://www.wtwhmedia.com/] 🎧 Ways to Tune In Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ [https://www.groundedonthepod.com/] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460] iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/] Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267 [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267] Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 [https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast]

How Great Restaurant Cultures Are Actually Built with Tara O'Neill #54

How Great Restaurant Cultures Are Actually Built In this episode of Grounded, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Tara O'Neill to explore what it really takes to build a people-first culture in the restaurant industry. Tara shares how her background in counseling psychology shaped her leadership philosophy and how she applies it to hospitality—focusing on culture, career growth, burnout prevention, and the future of people leadership in a tech-driven world. Tara O'Neill is a people leader and helps shape culture and leadership development for the Fresh Kitchen brand, where she focuses on creating environments where teams can grow, thrive, and build meaningful careers in hospitality. 5 Key Takeaways 1. Culture only works when it’s operationalized. Fresh Kitchen defines specific behaviors for each of its six core values so team members—from hourly staff to executives—share a clear understanding of what those values look like in action. 2. Career paths must be visible and documented. The company maps out competencies for each role level so employees clearly understand what it takes to grow from hourly team member to leadership positions. 3. Burnout prevention is a company responsibility. Tara believes organizations must design realistic schedules, supportive policies, and stable work environments—not just offer stress management tools. 4. Team stability is a critical people metric. Fresh Kitchen tracks leadership tenure and management team consistency to create stronger restaurant teams capable of handling constant industry change. 5. Technology is increasing the importance of human skills. As digital tools and AI become more common, Tara sees hospitality leaders doubling down on connection, eye contact, and authentic human interaction. Quote of the Episode “People will always be the number one strategy because nothing would exist without them.”  — Tara O'Neill, Ciccio Restaurant Group / Fresh Kitchen Connect with the Guest(s) Tara O'Neill — People Leader, Ciccio Restaurant Group / Fresh Kitchen   * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-o-neill-a1967b134/  * Website: https://www.eatfreshkitchen.com/?_ga=2.4292019.1835062062.1773161342-756918199.1773161342   Ways to Tune In   Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/ [https://www.groundedonthepod.com/] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460 [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460] iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/] Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267 [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267] Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441 [https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast]