In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper joins as the guest on Zaller Talk to share an in-depth look at his career path, the evolution of his consulting practice, and his executive role leading global expansion for Pepper Lunch. He discusses how his early exposure to hospitality, construction, and entrepreneurship shaped his operating philosophy, as well as how experiences in culinary arts, maritime work, and corporate leadership at Procter & Gamble influenced his approach to business.

Troy walks through the rapid growth of Pepper Lunch worldwide, the strategic model behind Kiwi Restaurant Partners, and current market conditions impacting operators—particularly in California. He also offers grounded advice for new hospitality entrepreneurs on capital, mentorship, industry engagement, and building authentic, scalable brands.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

From consulting to becoming CEO of Pepper Lunch North America and Co-CEO globally
The global footprint and growth strategy of Pepper Lunch
Troy's early background in hospitality and entrepreneurship
The evolution of Kiwi Restaurant Partners
Expansion challenges and regulatory pressures affecting California restaurant operators
Strategic considerations for hospitality entrepreneurs

Connect with Anthony Zaller of Zaller Talk:

Website: www.zallerlaw.com

Blog – California Employment Law Report: www.californiaemploymentlawreport.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyzaller/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6zpZovQKMeZ5l2DYL0nh3q?si=0df7a5bc45f44743

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-legal-lineup-with-anthony-zaller/id1405859405

Prosper Forum

Website: https://www.prosperforum.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prosper-forum/

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.