Entrepreneur
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From Friend's Floor to Pizza Expo: Now Operators Line Up to Hear His Story
Posted
May 19, 2026
Views
170
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May 19, 2026
170
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22:20Now PlayingMike Bausch, founder of Andolini’s Pizza and Andolini’s Worldwide, uses storytelling and social media to help restaurants build stronger brands and customer loyalty. As a restaurateur, speaker, and content creator, he blends hospitality with media and restaurant education.
Watch now to learn how Mike Bausch built his personal brand, why he believes storytelling beats discounts, and the operator mindset behind the growth of Andolini’s Worldwide.
Sponsored by:
• TOAST AllIn1 Restaurant POS
Chapters:
[01:13] - First Pizza Expo Experience
[02:00] - Building Andolini’s Worldwide
[03:41] - Becoming the Brand
[09:43] - Why Tulsa Works for Restaurants
[19:24] - Stop Being the “Junk Drawer”
SPONSORS:
RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS IS PRESENTED BY TOAST —
Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.
• Toast AllIn1 Restaurant POS
Episode Links:
Mike Bausch YouTube
Mike Bausch
Andolini’s Pizza
World Pizza Champions Instagram
World Pizza Champions Facebook
Key Takeaways:
Personal Branding Matters for Operators: Mike Bausch believes restaurant owners should stop hiding behind logos and polished ads, and instead become the face of their business by telling stories, sharing personality, and building trust online.
Experiences Beat Discounts: Rather than relying on coupons and promotions, Bausch argues that restaurants win by creating memorable experiences guests want to talk about, both online and in person.
Systems Create Freedom: From AI tools to virtual assistants, Bausch focuses on delegation and systems that remove low-value tasks from the owner’s plate, allowing operators to focus on growth, storytelling, and revenue creation.
***
ABOUT MIKE BAUSCH —
Mike owns Andolini's Pizzeria, named one of the "Top 10 Pizzerias in America" based solely on reviews by TripAdvisor, CNN, Buzzfeed, and USA Today. Business.org named Tulsa one of the most food-obsessed cities in the United States, with Andolini's as the "most recommended restaurant" in Tulsa. Mike was born at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York & New Jersey. Today Mike is proud to call Tulsa his home and make a style of pizza Tulsa can be proud of. He attended De La Salle High School and graduated from St. Mary's College of California. Mike is a Certified Master Pizzaiolo and instructor and winner of Tulsa's Restaurateur of the Year.
ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS —
Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Mayim Bialik, Jon Taffer, Robert Irvine, Toast co-founder Aman Narang, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online.
Published by Entrepreneur Media
Produced by Cali BBQ Media
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