This week on the Titans of Food Service podcast, Nick Portillo speaks with Richard Byers, President of Cash-Wa Distributing. Richard’s unique journey from working in an Italian restaurant in Philly to leading a major food distributor highlights his resilience and dedication to continuous learning. He talks about the ups and downs of his career, the challenges of closing facilities, the impact of major industry acquisitions, and the importance of cultivating strong relationships with both customers and suppliers. Nick and Richard explore the impact of great leadership and communication, and the significance of maintaining good relationships in the food service business. 

Quotes

• "Network, network, network. Don’t go out and just try to meet people. Strategically go out and build relationships. And bet on yourself would be my best advice. Because nobody knows you better than yourself." -Richard Byers
• "Sometimes you have to look backward to look forward." -Richard Byers

TIMESTAMPS

(00:02) Richard Byers' Journey in North Dakota's Food Service Industry

(03:38) Weather Extremes and Celebrity Connections in North Dakota

(04:50) From Dishwasher to Distribution: A Journey in the Food Industry

(07:50) A Journey from Restaurant Management to Distribution and Insurance

(13:11) Navigating Corporate Acquisitions and Facility Closures

(19:55) The Importance of Relationships and Communication in Business Transitions

(25:45) Cultivating Sales Teams and Building Strong Customer Relationships

(32:25) The Evolving Role of Food Brokers in Business Strategy

(37:3)3 The Journey of Continuous Learning and Networking

RESOURCES

Portillo Sales

CONTACT 

Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com