Firebirds CEO Steve Kislow on the tools beyond price that create value
Take-Away with Sam Oches
Nation's Restaurant News
4.9 • 17 Ratings
🗓️ 2 June 2026
⏱️ 58 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Steve Kislow, CEO of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a polished casual chain based in North Carolina that now has nearly 70 locations in 21 states. Steve started as a GM with Firebirds more than 20 years ago before working his way up to the chief executive position, and he has overseen an evolution of the brand that has always protected the quality of its menu and hospitality first and foremost. Firebirds sits on the upscale side of the casual-dining spectrum, but it’s still committed to providing value to all manners of guests, from kids and families to couples on dates to business lunches. Steve joined the podcast to talk about how Firebirds is uniquely connecting with all of these guests and providing a value-driven experience.
In this conversation, you’ll find out why:
- You should embrace evolution, not revolution
- Your branding opportunity begins with your storefront
- Kids are just as ready to engage with your brand as their parents
- Your beverage program demands as much creativity as your food
- Technology can help you ratchet up your hospitality as a differentiator
Register for CREATE here: https://informaconnect.com/create/
Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at sam.oches@informa.com.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Welcome to Takeaway with Sam Ocas, a podcast for leaders of growing restaurant companies looking to take their businesses to the next level. |
| 0:08.0 | In nearly two decades covering restaurants, I've gained access to some of this industry's most influential decision makers, and I'm letting you in on the conversations. |
| 0:16.2 | In today's episode, you'll hear from the CEO of a growing casual chain about the tools it's leveraging |
| 0:22.0 | beyond price to provide value for its guests and about the many different ways it engages |
| 0:27.5 | its guests with unique branding. Steve Kislo is the CEO of Firebird's Woodfired Grill, a polished |
| 0:34.8 | casual chain based in North Carolina that now has nearly 70 locations in 21 |
| 0:39.5 | states. Steve started as a GM with Firebirds more than 20 years ago before working his way up |
| 0:45.3 | to the chief executive position, and he has overseen an evolution of the brand that's always |
| 0:50.2 | protected the quality of its menu and its hospitality first and foremost. |
| 0:55.0 | Firebirds sits on the upscale side of the casual dining spectrum, but it's still committed |
| 0:59.8 | to providing value to all manners of guests, from kids and families to couples on dates to |
| 1:05.1 | business lunches. Steve joined the podcast to talk about how Firebirds is uniquely connecting with |
| 1:10.4 | all of these guests and providing a value-driven experience. |
| 1:14.8 | In this conversation, you'll learn more about why your branding opportunity begins with your storefront, |
| 1:19.8 | why your beverage program demands as much creativity as your food, and how technology can help you ratchet up your hospitality as a differentiator. |
| 1:28.1 | If you learn something from this episode, go follow takeaway wherever you listen to podcasts |
| 1:31.8 | and leave some feedback. It's the best way to get these lessons into the hands of a fellow |
| 1:35.9 | restaurant leader. By the way, before I jump into my conversation with Steve, I want to remind |
| 1:40.4 | you about our upcoming create event for emerging restaurateurs. This annual event is designed |
| 1:46.4 | specifically for smaller brands in growth mode, and it features dynamic, fast-paced education |
| 1:52.0 | and networking opportunities that can level up your growth journey. Join us at the gorgeous and |
| 1:57.7 | inspiring Teranea Resort outside Los Angeles this July 20th through 22nd |
... |
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