1267: Ron Cardwell, Director of Commodity Strategy at Restaurant Technologies

1267: Ron Cardwell, Director of Commodity Strategy at Restaurant Technologies

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee April 6, 2026 Duration: 1:15:01

Ron Cardwell is the Director of Commodity Strategy at Restaurant Technologies, where he oversees cooking oil sourcing, pricing, and risk management for foodservice operators across the country. With more than two decades in agriculture, energy, and vegetable oil markets, he has managed global corn oil and biodiesel trading, logistics, and policy engagement at ADM and other major firms. Ron now helps restaurants navigate everything from flavor profiles and performance to sustainability and cost savings, including how to get the most out of every pound of cooking oil.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

  • Website: https://www.rti-inc.com

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 


Eric Cacciatore sits down with the people who actually run the show in the world of food service. Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore is built on conversations with established restaurateurs and seasoned professionals who have navigated the intense realities of the industry. Twice a week, these interviews dig past the surface, focusing on the tangible details of leadership, team management, and effective marketing that separate a thriving venue from a struggling one. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and the often-overlooked decisions that shape a restaurant's path. This podcast serves as a direct line to collective experience, whether you're dreaming of your first opening or steering a multi-location group. The dialogue is practical, centered on the daily grind and long-term strategy needed to build something lasting. For anyone invested in the business of hospitality, these regular episodes compile a vital resource, turning shared insights into actionable knowledge for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Podcast Episodes
1228: 7 Phases of Menu Engineering with Sean Willard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:17
Sean Willard has two decades of hospitality experience. He started in the business in his teens in a steakhouse and quickly moved through nearly all positions (FOH and BOH) until he landed at menu engineering. He then at…
1226: Three Elements that Define Excellence with Rudy Miick, Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:11
Rudy's an executive coach, psychologist, restaurateur, writer, speaker, athlete and dad. His clients typically run at 3 – 5 times above median profit within our industry, and they get there within contract periods. He is…
1224: Three Elements that Define Excellence with Rudy Miick, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:44
Rudy's an executive coach, psychologist, restaurateur, writer, speaker, athlete and dad. His clients typically run at 3 – 5 times above median profit within our industry, and they get there within contract periods. He is…
1223: Oli Petit, Co-Founder/Co-Owner of The Red Bar and Louis Louis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:09
Oli Petit is the Co-Owner and co-Founder of The Red Bar, located in Grayton Beach, Florida. Oli is the son of a successful Belgian restaurant professional and moved to the United States in 1986 to begin his restaurant ca…
1222: Three Elements that Define Excellence with Rudy Miick, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:09
Rudy's an executive coach, psychologist, restaurateur, writer, speaker, athlete and dad. His clients typically run at 3 – 5 times above median profit within our industry, and they get there within contract periods. He is…
1220: Why Every Restaurant Needs a VA with Rashmi Bhat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:49
Rashmi Bhat is the co-owner of 7 Monk's Cafe in Braunfels, Texas. She is also the co-owner of Lazy H Retreats, a property management company, as well as Rezo Hospitality, a boutique hotel management company. In this epis…
1219: Aaron Lyons, CEO and Founder of Five 12 Restaurant Concepts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:11
Aaron Lyons is the CEO and Founder of Five 12 Restaurant Concepts, based on Houston, TX. Aaron was previously a guest on Restaurant Unstoppable in 2019 for episode 608. Back then, there were five locations of his flagshi…