Episode 33

full
Published on:

19th Jul 2023

Deliciously Profitable: How Kern Halls, Owner & Chief Innovator at Ingenious Culinary Concepts, is Increasing K-12 Cafeteria ROI

In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Kern Halls, Owner, and Chief Innovator at Ingenious Culinary Concepts. Kern discusses his journey in the foodservice industry, including his work in the school foodservice sector and helping schools increase revenue through cafeteria refreshes. Kern also talks about the power of discipline in your personal and professional life and shares valuable insights about how to make it to the top in this competitive field.  

QUOTES

  • “I've had good mentors that tell me to do certain things. And then I take a calculated risk and we go after it and, and just make those opportunities work out as best as I can. They're not all going to work out, but I never want to look back at my life and think that I should have, could have, would have, or never tried anything.” -Kern Halls [24:28]


  • “I have to learn myself to understand that not everyone is going to work at the same speed I'm going to. I have to have patience as a leader." -Kern Halls [45:30]



TIMESTAMPS

02:37 How Kern’s experiences in the military shaped his career

10:29 Transitioning from Disney to school foodservice

15:29 How cafeteria refresh improves the student experience 

19:24 Entrepreneurial success through partnership

42:25 Importance of discipline and teamwork





RESOURCES

Portillo Sales



CONTACT 

Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com

Kern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kern-halls-19874963

Show artwork for Titans of Foodservice

About the Podcast

Titans of Foodservice
Nick Portillo shares with you the things he has learned on his own journey of building a successful business in the food service industry.

About your host

Profile picture for Seth "Creek" Creekmore

Seth "Creek" Creekmore

Seth Creekmore, or “Creek,” as he is known by most of his friends has been studying the Enneagram for almost 10 years now. Having completed training under Lynda Roberts & Nan Henson, he continued learning the Enneagram through a smattering of other teachers and books and eventually completed the Awareness to Action program. He was one of the original founders of the popular Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast and now serves as the resident Millennial for the Awareness to Action Podcast. He creates Cinematic Folk music under the name Creekmore and enjoys, hiking in cold places, cooking in warm places and traveling to all the places.