In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, host Troy Hooper sits down with Jim Bitticks, President and COO of Dave's Hot Chicken, for a deep conversation on leadership, hospitality, team building, and the operational foundations behind some of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the industry. Jim shares how his early experiences from Jack in the Box to Rally's to Carl's Jr., shaped a service philosophy rooted in humility, empathy, and getting to "yes."

He discusses the long-standing team relationships that have followed him across multiple brands, the disciplined but human-centered training systems that enabled rapid scale, and the cultural principles that make growth sustainable. Jim also offers insight into Dave's Hot Chicken's trajectory following its billion-dollar investment, the brand's global expansion efforts, and why strong teams, clear brand ethos, and pride in the work continue to be the drivers of long-term success.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

Jim's definition of hospitality and early service influences
Career path from Jack in the Box to leading major fast-casual brands
Building cohesive teams and retaining talent across multiple companies
Key operational principles that enable rapid restaurant growth
Dave's Hot Chicken's expansion strategy and post-acquisition outlook

Connect with Jim Bitticks:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-bitticks-cfe-0bb37515

https://daveshotchicken.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/daveshotchicken

https://www.instagram.com/daveshotchicken/

https://www.tiktok.com/@daveshotchicken

https://www.facebook.com/ToLiveandFryInLA

https://www.youtube.com/@DavesHotChickenOfficial

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.