Mark Waldo- Founder/Owner- Waldo's Chicken and Beer

In this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, Brandon sits down with Mark Waldo, the founder of Waldo’s Chicken & Beer — one of the fastest-growing chicken concepts in the Southeast. Mark shares the story behind Waldo’s: from opening the first location in Germantown, to now expanding into multiple states with a clear mission — great chicken, cold beer, and genuine hospitality. We talk about what makes Waldo’s different in a crowded fast-casual space, how Mark approaches culture and growth, and the power of keeping things simple. Highlights from the conversation include: The origin story of Waldo’s and how Mark identified a gap in the market How their beer program supports the brand's laid-back personality Scaling with purpose: the challenges of growing while protecting company culture Advice for operators looking to expand while staying true to their core Mark’s insight into operations, leadership, and hospitality is full of wisdom for anyone in the industry — whether you’re running a neighborhood spot or dreaming up the next big concept. You’ll also hear some great stories from the early days and learn what’s next for the Waldo’s team.