As restaurant chains race to digitize everything from ordering to loyalty perks, few face a trickier balancing act than a beloved brand with more than 50 years of history. That tension is the focus of the latest episode of The Hospitality Hangout podcast, released by Branded Hospitality Media and presented by PizzaCloud, which puts a spotlight on how Mellow Mushroom is navigating modernization without losing its quirky, art-driven soul.
NEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, October 27, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Branded Hospitality Media, the media division of Branded Hospitality, has unveiled a new installment of The Hospitality Hangout podcast, presented by PizzaCloud. Titled “Mellow Mushroom Refuses to Be Just Another Pizza Chain,” the episode features Ahsan Jiva, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Transformation at Mellow Mushroom, and was taped on site at QSR Evolution in Atlanta. Hosts Michael Schatzberg (“The Restaurant Guy”) and Jimmy Frischling (“The Finance Guy”) sit down with Jiva to explore how a pizza brand that has thrived for over five decades is reshaping the way guests order, visit, and earn rewards—all while preserving the distinct personality that makes it stand out in a crowded market.
Key topics in the episode:
• Counter service returns: Why Mellow Mushroom is bringing back counter service and what that means for guests and staff.
• Mellow Mushroom Rewards: The brand’s plans for a loyalty program.
• Kitchen technology: Tools that help teams give guests more accurate wait times.
• Brand identity: How art, merchandise and local personality make each Mellow Mushroom location feel different.
• Why not ghost kitchens: Why shared ghost kitchens don’t fit the guest experience Mellow Mushroom wants to deliver.
• Career path: How Jiva went from consulting to restaurants, a path that started with pizza nights while he was a student at Auburn.
• On the table: A tasting of Mellow Rollz, a debate about pineapple on pizza, and Jiva’s go-to order, the Holy Shiitake with steak.
Also worth a look: Chef Jeffrey James Trench takes the reins of The Chef Tours’ Seville wine and tapas experience and HandicapMD breaks down Washington’s TD-420-073 placard rules and medical certification.
The conversation highlights a dilemma facing many multi-unit restaurant brands today: how to layer in new technology, loyalty programs, and service models without eroding the culture that originally won over customers. For operators, investors, and suppliers alike, Jiva’s discussion with the hosts offers an inside look at how an established brand approaches those strategic decisions in a practical, real-world setting.
Where to listen: “Mellow Mushroom Refuses to Be Just Another Pizza Chain,” presented by PizzaCloud, is out now at thehospitalityhangout.com and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Pocket Casts.
Episode page: https://www.thehospitalityhangout.com/mellow-mushroom-refuses-to-be-just-another-pizza-chain/
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the guest on this episode of The Hospitality Hangout?
Ahsan Jiva, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Transformation at Mellow Mushroom.
What does the episode cover?
Mellow Mushroom’s return to counter service, plans for Mellow Mushroom Rewards, kitchen technology for more accurate wait times, the brand’s art-driven identity, and why it avoids shared ghost kitchens.
Who sponsored this episode?
PizzaCloud presented this episode of The Hospitality Hangout.
Where was the episode recorded?
On location at QSR Evolution in Atlanta.
Who produces The Hospitality Hangout?
Branded Hospitality Media, the media division of Branded Hospitality, which is based in New York.
Who hosts The Hospitality Hangout?
Michael Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling.
About PizzaCloud
PizzaCloud provides business phone systems built for pizza restaurants. Since 2014, pizzerias and multi-unit pizza brands have trusted PizzaCloud to keep their phones and online ordering running without interruption. Its products include cloud-based IP phone systems with POS integration and caller ID, A.I. order-taking, SMS text messaging, cellular backup internet, call recording and reporting, and call center support. PizzaCloud is based in Granville, Ohio, offers US-based technical support 24/7/365, and does not require yearly contracts. Learn more at pizzacloud.net.
About Branded Hospitality
Branded Hospitality is a New York-based hospitality media and investment platform dedicated to accelerating innovation across the restaurant and foodservice industry. Through The Hospitality Hangout podcast, strategic advisory work, and an extensive network of operators, investors, and technology leaders, Branded serves as a connector and amplifier for the people and companies driving the future of hospitality. Learn more at brandedstrategic.com.
About Branded Hospitality Media
Branded Hospitality Media delivers storytelling, insights, and activations that turn visibility into measurable growth through podcasting, newsletters, events, and digital content.
Julie Zucker
Branded Hospitality
julie@brandedstrategic.com
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
YouTube
Why it matters: As legacy restaurant brands face mounting pressure to adopt digital tools and loyalty programs, Mellow Mushroom’s approach—detailed in this episode—offers a case study in balancing innovation with brand authenticity. For industry observers, the conversation underscores that tech adoption isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about preserving the very identity that keeps customers coming back.
