Tom Ryan, Founder & CEO, ICR – New Year, New Outlook: Welcome to the Arena's 2024 Year-End Wrap-Up

Summary: What does it take to revitalize a legacy brand, while maintaining its identity? By balancing tradition and transformation, any company can breathe new life into its business and consistently evolve to meet the changing expectations of customers and employees alike.Today's guest is Julie Masino. Julie is President and CEO of Cracker Barrel, a role she took on just over a year ago in November of 2023. Since then, she's led the company with a focus on innovation and growth drawing on her over 30 years of experience in the restaurant and retail industries. Previously, Julie served President of International at Taco Bell and before that, President of North America. She's also held senior leadership positions at Sprinkles Cupcakes, Mattel, Starbucks, and began her career at iconic brands like Godiva, Coach, J. Crew, and Macy's. In this episode, Julie shares her vision for the brand and the five-pillar transformation strategy she is implementing aimed at enhancing market share, guest experience, and profitability.Highlights:Julie explains the opportunity she saw for Cracker Barrel (2:58)Julie's fiver pillar strategy for Cracker Barrel's transformation (4:25)Why dinner remains a key area for increasing market share (9:23)What updates are being made to Cracker Barrel's pricing strategy? (12:39)Improving facilities and team satisfaction (15:44)Julie highlights the metrics correlated with sales growth (18:48)Digital and off-premise growth (23:00)How Cracker Barrel is engaging younger consumers (27:05)Links:Julie Masino on LinkedInCracker Barrel on LinkedInCracker Barrel WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary:  This year, news cycles were dominated by American election coverage, groundbreaking advancements in AI, and distressing updates on global conflicts. After a year marked by uncertainty on so many fronts, will 2025 see a leveling out of the macroeconomic landscape, or persistent volatility? On this brief, end-of-year episode, Tom Ryan, founder and CEO of ICR, and host of Welcome to the Arena reflects on the key market trends of 2024 and explores the potential economic shifts that could define the year ahead.Happy new year from everyone at ICR and Welcome to the Arena. Watch out for new episodes and more incredible stories from our guests in 2025. Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteTom Ryan LinkedIn Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: With a new, crypto-friendly administration incoming, 2025 may be the year we see Bitcoin integrate more fully into mainstream finance in America and globally. Though volatile, and with an uncertain future that will heavily depend on how macroeconomic conditions and regulatory policies play out across the year, there's reason to believe that Bitcoin could soon be more prominent than ever. Today's guest is here to tell us why.Michael Saylor is the Executive Chairman and co-founder of business intelligence company MicroStrategy (Nasdaq: MSTR), and a leading advocate of Bitcoin. MicroStrategy considers itself to be the world's first Bitcoin Company, and under Michael's leadership have adopted a unique Bitcoin acquisition strategy with approximately $42 billion in Bitcoin held to date. Michael will also be the keynote speaker in ICR's 27th annual conference, held in Orlando, Florida in January 2025. In this episode, Michael describes his journey from skeptic to Bitcoin maximalist, emphasizes the importance of understanding Bitcoin as a digital capital asset, and discusses its potential to disrupt traditional valuation methodologies in finance.Highlights:Michael recommends resources for Bitcoin beginners (2:37)Why fear of progress holds us back (3:55)Michael points out the clues suggesting Bitcoin is here to stay (7:11)What USD maximalists get wrong (13:15)How we can understand the potential of Bitcoin through an engineering lens (16:25)Why valuation methodologies need to adapt to include Bitcoin (18:48)How Bitcoin outperforms traditional investments (28:09)Why supportive regulatory environment is crucial for Bitcoin's growth (30:54)Michael explains why the current capital market structure favors a select few (34:59)Why sound money is critical for societal progress (39:00)Links:Michael Saylor LinkedInMicroStrategy WebsiteBook: The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean AmmousICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: With a rising global population and growing urgency around sustainability, one industry under the spotlight is cultured meat. Vegan and plant-based products have made strides in recent years, but today’s guest is pushing that progress further—pioneering new ways to create sustainable alternatives without compromise.​Arik Kaufman is an accomplished entrepreneur and the CEO and co-founder of Steakholder Foods. Armed with strong values and a clear vision of how to approach urgently-needed changes in the food industry, Arik set out to develop printed meat in 2019, resulting in a more sustainable and authentic alternative to conventional meat. Today, with its innovative 3D food printing technology, Steakholder is at the forefront of this growing industry. Arik has also founded three other food-tech firms, two of them (cell-grown milk developer Wilk and cultured honey company Beeio Honey) on the Tel Aviv stock exchange, and is a founding partner of Blue Sound Waves, an investment partnership led by Ashton Kutcher, Guy Oseary, and Effie Epstein.In this episode, we explore how Steakholder Foods is shaping a future where alternative proteins and traditional meat coexist, and what it will take for cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing to gain widespread adoption in a rapidly evolving market.Highlights:The impact of a growing population and climate change on the cultured meat industry (4:36)How 3D printing meat works, and what makes Steakholder's approach unique (6:42)The importance of IP and in-house innovation at Steakholder Foods (8:50)Steakholder Foods' business model (10:05)Steakholder's customer base and target audiences (11:19)The status of regulation with cultured meat technology (15:25)Differences between 3D printing variances of cultured meat (18:08)Arik speaks on the potential for international expansion (19:35)Arik discusses collaborations and partnerships in the food industry (22:42)Arik reflects on lessons learned working in food tech (23:49)What Arik is most excited about at Steakholder, and plans for the future (24:46)Links:Arik Kaufman on LinkedInSteakholder Foods on LinkedInSteakholder Foods Website ICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: In today’s market, too often brands find themselves caught up in chasing trends, losing sight of the path to long-term growth. Today’s guests are breaking that cycle by taking a customer-first approach, turning insights into action, and aligning multiple brands under one clear vision.Today we're sitting down with Steve Dunn and Diana "DB" Barnes from WHY Brands. Steve is WHY's CEO, founder, and Chairman and Diana is Chief Brand Officer and Creative Director of the company. WHY Brands is the parent company of baby lifestyle brand Munchkin, which Steve founded in 1990, as well as a new name in upscale home goods, Curio, which was co-founded by DB and Steve in 2023. A young father himself at Munchkin's start, Steve aspired to bring smart design into the nursery and found his passion in innovative product development and is now the primary inventor of the majority of over 350 patents. An investment banker turned entrepreneur, Steve holds a Bachelor's Degree from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Harvard Business School. As Chief Brand Officer, DB oversees global brand partnerships and manages the public relations, social media, and brand design teams for Munchkin and Curio Worldwide. She joined Munchkin in 2014 and under her leadership the brand design team has won over a hundred top international awards.She's the creator and producer of Munchkin's top-ranked parenting podcast, StrollerCoaster, and was recently named one of the top 20 CMOs in the world by Fast Company. DB is a passionate advocate for animals and the environment, and leads all Munchkin CSR initiatives, including partnerships with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and Trees for the Future.Diana holds a BA from the University of Tennessee, a BFA in Graphics Packaging from the ArtCenter College of Design, and has completed several executive MBA programs at Harvard Business School.In this episode, we learn how WHY Brands' "moonshot" culture fuels its innovation, and why paying attention to your customers should always be a priority. Highlights:Steve's business background and path to founding Munchkin (3:50)Steve describes the early days of the baby and children's market, and initial hurdles at Munchkin (5:20)DB talks through the founding of Curio Home Goods (7:08)The inspiration behind the creation of WHY Brands (8:22)DB discusses the unique 'moonshot culture' at WHY Brands (9:35)WHY Brands' RD8 Group and how they innovate for the future (10:40)DB on the importance of connecting with the consumer beyond advertising (15:03)Potential M&A opportunities at WHY Brands (17:31)Hot to stay on top of evolving trends and maintains brand relevancy (19:59)Standout products from Curio and Munchkin (22:59)WHY Brands' philanthropic initiatives (24:44)Steve's advice for navigating rocky climates in business (26:22)DB reflects on career challenges she has overcome (28:13)Links:WHY Brands Inc. on LinkedInWHY Brands Inc. WebsiteDiana Barnes on LinkedInStrollerCoaster PodcastICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary:  Navigating the intricate landscape of ESG and shareholder activism requires a deep understanding of both market dynamics and investor expectations. That's why expert guidance is indispensable for companies looking to build lasting value and trust with their stakeholders.Today we're sitting down with Lyndon Park, Head of ICR Governance Solutions. Lyndon advises boards and management teams on complex corporate governance, ESG and shareholder activist event-driven issues to align clients with investor and market expectations. Before joining ICR, Lyndon was Head of Global Corporate Governance at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where he oversaw the firm's global stewardship and ESG initiatives. Prior to Dimensional, Lynden was a partner and Head of Governance and Listing Standards at EQX, a capital market startup. He began his career in governance at BlackRock by supporting BlackRock's board of directors on intercompany governance matters before serving as one of the BlackRock Investment Stewardship teams' lead governance analysts, overseeing portfolio companies representing about $450B of BlackRock's AUM. Lyndon is a recognized thought leader in ESG and shareholder activism, frequently participates on panels, and his perspectives have been published or quoted in numerous leading media outlets like the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times. Highlights:Takeaways from the 2024 proxy season (3:25)What companies can do differently to avoid Executive comp challenges (6:00)What companies can do differently when under duress during proxy season (8:58)Lyndon discusses the effects of the Universal Proxy Card (11:45)Lyndon discusses MNA-driven attacks (16:06)Examining the recent Starbucks ESG activist campaign (17:25)The current anti-ESG movement, and Lyndon's take (19:24)Lyndon's advice on easy wins in ESG strategy in this moderating DEI climate (21:50)Lyndon shares what he sees on the horizon in 2025 (25:05)How the best boards and management teams tackle this landscape (28:17) Links:Lyndon Park on LinkedInICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR Website Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary:  Every industry has its trailblazers, but true innovation goes beyond just patents and profits. Today’s guest understands that collaboration and flexibility aren’t just ideals—they’re essential to creating safer, smarter technologies that drive progress across an entire ecosystem. Frantz Saintellemy is the CEO of LeddarTech, an automotive ADAS and autonomous driving software company, trading under the symbol LDTC. As an engineer, innovator, and internationally recognized expert in advanced technology, Frantz brings over 25 years of experience in the electronics and automotive sectors. Frantz is the co-founder of Groupe 3737, an incubator and innovation hub, and previously served as VP and General Manager of the Automotive and Industrial Division at Integrated Device Technology. His remarkable career includes roles as President and Executive VP of Global Sales and Marketing at ZMDI AG, a global supplier of automotive and industrial sensor solutions, and as CTO and Corporate VP of Technical Marketing and Advanced Engineering at Future Electronics. A graduate of the MIT Sloan Engineering Fellows Program on Innovations and Global Leadership with a degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern and an MBA from McGill, Frantz's expertise has a firm academic foundation. And, in 2021, he was appointed Chancellor of the University of Montreal, underscoring his commitment to both innovation and education. In this episode, we explore LeddarTech’s approach to innovation and IP, how LeddarTech’s technology is differentiated, and what the future of autonomous driving looks like for all of us.  Highlights:LeddarTech's background and how their software works (3:32)Common automobile safety problems and what software can do to help (7:46)LeddarTech's target audience (10:52)How LeddarTech protects their software innovations through IP (14:00)Frantz's perspective on market competition (15:52)AI incorporation and current software developments (19:06)Common misconceptions about ADAS safety systems (20:40)Frantz's outlook on short-term developments in automotive technology (22:20)Future goals for LeddarTech (25:04) Links:Frantz Saintellemy on LinkedInLeddarTech on LinkedInLeddarTech WebsiteICR LinkedIn ICR TwitterICR Website Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary: Driven by pandemic restrictions and changing lifestyles, social isolation is on the rise in America. In response, many people are searching for new ways to connect and share meaningful experiences together. Bars, restaurants, and entertainment spaces have a unique opportunity to help fill this void, but too many venues leave potential markets untapped by prioritizing some aspects of their offering at the expense of others. Today’s guest, however, has come up with a winning formula: a blend of thoughtful design, engaging entertainment, and stand-out dining that appeals to customers across generations and backgrounds.Today we sit down with Dale Schwartz, the founder and CEO of the bowling and bocce restaurant Pinstripes, which trades under the symbol PNST. Prior to Pinstripes, Dale was co-Founder and co-CEO of natural pharmacy retailer Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, CEO of Infigen, Inc., and CFO of Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Earlier in his career, he was a principal at Odyssey Partners, a private partnership specializing in leveraged buyouts, venture capital, and recapitalizations. He got is start as an analyst in Morgan Stanley's M&A group, attended Colgate University, and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. In this episode, Dale talks us through Pinstripes' unique approach to experience curation, their considerations when it comes to real estate, and discusses their plans for domestic growth and international expansion.Highlights:Pinstripes' story and background (3:05)How Pinstripes got its name (4:10)Dan's outlook on the early days in the dining and entertainment industry (5:02)Pinstripes' interior design and the importance of atmosphere (6:33)Pinstripes' menu, and finding balance between food and entertainment (8:57)How Dale chooses new locations for Pinstripes (10:27)Pinstripes economic model for food, drink, and entertainment (12:16)Dale's outlook on the private event space (14:17)Growth and expansion goals (15:25)Dale discusses the influence landlord incentives have on costs and returns (18:08)Potential for international expansion (20:00)Dale's approach to the current macro environment and rising costs (21:40)What future success looks like for Pinstripes (23:46)Links:Pinstripes on LinkedInPinstripes WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary:  There's a growing call for clean energy solutions in America, and our guest today is ready to answer it. With an unpredictable geopolitical landscape and US lithium demands projected to skyrocket over 500% by 2030, now is the time for American innovation in the outdated lithium refinement industry. Today’s guest is leading this charge, modernizing an industry long overdue for and upgrade with a commitment to environmental responsibility and smarter, sustainable practices. Roshan Pujari is the founder and CEO of Stardust Power, a sustainability-focused, American developer of battery grade lithium resources, which lists on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the symbol SDST. Currently, the company is focused on building 'the U.S.’s largest battery-grade lithium refinery' in Muskogee, Oklahoma, which is expected to process up to 50,000 metric tons of lithium annually (enough to power almost five million electric vehicle (EV) batteries every year). Previously serving as founder and CEO of VIKASA Capital, Roshan brought over 20 years of experience in market analysis with him to Stardust. He is a recognized investor and philanthropist, and is chairman of the Pujari foundation, a 501(c)(3) educational organization promoting arts, culture, education, and community around the globe.  In this episode, Roshan discusses the strategic advantages of the location chosen for their Oklahoma refinery, and outlines the sustainable practices, including the use of recycled wastewater from oil and gas production, at the core of Stardust's business model.  Highlights:Roshan's path to the energy industry (3:00)Stardust Power's Oklahoma refinery project (4:15)Roshan describes the lithium supply chain (5:21)What are the advantages to keeping lithium production domestic? (7:22)Roshan describes the strategic advantages of building the refinery in Oklahoma (9:28)How do legacy methods of lithium production harm the environment? (11:52)Roshan reflects on potential impacts of the upcoming US election to the industry (13:26)Where is the electric vehicle industry likely headed? (15:04)The expertise of Stardust Power's leadership team (16:45)Taking Stardust Power public (18:23)Limiting technology risk in the supply chain (20:15)Roshan's vision for Stardust's future (22:03) Links:Roshan Pujari on LinkedInStardust Power on LinkedInStardust Power WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR Website Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Summary:  On October 22, the CDC reported that an outbreak of E. coli infections was connected to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, leading to recalls of their quarter pound beef patties and fresh slivered onions from supplier Taylor Farms in several states. This outbreak has spotlighted the importance of food safety for restaurants and food services companies and has reminded us of an interview from earlier this year with food safety expert, and CEO & Founder of PathSpot, Christine Schindler. This is a timely episode and, whether you caught it when it originally aired or are listening now for the first time, one you won’t want to miss. In an industry booming with customer-focused innovations, it's crucial not to overlook the backbone of an enterprise. Today's guest created a groundbreaking technology that prioritizes health and safety for both customers and in-house staff and is a critical asset for hospitality businesses as a whole.  We're sitting down with Christine Schindler, who is CEO and co-founder of PathSpot, a technology company dedicated to protecting businesses and their customers from the threat of food borne illnesses and outbreaks. An engineer and entrepreneur who is passionate about utilizing technology to overcome gaps in healthcare, Christine invented PathSpot's hand scanner in 2017, following a transformative educational trip to Mount Kilimanjaro. The scanner instantly detects carriers of harmful contamination commonly spread through poor handwashing. PathSpot has now broadened its safety suite to include a comprehensive range of back-of-the-house digital health and safety tools that track temperature, expiration, and more.  Christine has a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Global Health from Duke University. Prior to founding PathSpot, she assisted with biomedical research for Engineering World Health at Mount Kilimanjaro and spent two years on the innovation and M&A team at Cigna. In addition to PathSpot, Christine is Founder and CEO at Girls Engineering Change, a non-profit focused on increasing female representation in STEM. She was also featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2021 and Hospitality Technology's Top Women in Restaurant Technology in 2023. Highlights: ·       Christine's background in healthcare and public health (4:30)·       Christine describes the entrepreneurial influence that motivated her (5:30)·       The a-ha moment for PathSpot's hand scanner technology (6:20)·       How the hand scanner technology works (8:12)·       How PathSpot found and targeted their audience (9:22)·       Brands that PathSpot works with (10:24)·       Christine describes PathSpot's safety suite of services and data platform (11:30) ·       The pandemic's impact on PathSpot's newly founded business (13:01)·       PathSpot's economic model (14:29)·       How PathSpot uses their data bank as an ROI feature for businesses (15:36)·       Christine explains the data PathSpot technology detects, and how businesses can utilize it (17:17)·       How PathSpot maintains legal regulation and brand compliance (20:07)·       PathSpot's areas of focus for the new year (21:23)·       Christine's perspective on the society's mindset on health and safety conditions, post-COVID (22:03)·       PathSpot's goals and trajectory over the next 10 years (23:13)  Links:Christine Schindler on LinkedInPathSpot on LinkedInPathSpot WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR Website Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].