From Dishwasher to EVP: Wisdom for Foodservice Leaders with Hans Schatz 

In Episode 10 of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, we sit down with Hans Schatz, Executive Vice President at Cut+Dry and a seasoned foodservice leader whose journey began in the dishroom. From pulling guests out of the San Antonio River in a suit and tie, to leading national sales organizations and now helping modernize the industry with technology, Hans brings a rare blend of real-world grit and visionary thinking.

This conversation is a must-listen for DSRs, DSMs, and anyone navigating the evolving landscape of food distribution. Hans shares the daily habits that build long-term success, the role of technology in freeing up time for human connection, and why picking up a single piece of paper can reveal everything about your leadership style.

Topics Covered in This Episode

•  0:00 What’s Your Desired Outcome?
• 0:54 Lessons from a Piece of Paper
• 1:44 Welcome to Crave – The IFDA Podcast
• 2:36 Meet Hans Hess of Cut+Dry
• 3:00 A Love Letter to the Industry
• 3:58 Humble Beginnings: From Dishroom to EVP
• 4:17 River Walk Stories and Entering Distribution
• 5:00 Scrappiness, Sales, and Growth
• 6:02 Deep Respect for DSRs and Their Leaders
• 7:01 Reverse-Engineering Success
• 7:22 Why Foodservice Has Been Slow to Embrace Tech
• 8:17 The Daily Grind of Distribution
• 9:19 1% Better Every Day
• 10:25 The Heart of Hospitality
• 10:53 Understanding the Full Value Chain
• 11:20 Operator Realities and the Truth in Love
• 12:36 How Tech Can Help Operators Thrive
• 13:37 The Role of Manufacturers and a Smarter Supply Chain
• 14:45 Trust, Reluctance, and the Flywheel of Change
• 15:05 Advice for DSRs Navigating Tech Shifts
• 16:21 The Three R’s: Role, Responsibility, Relationship
• 17:07 Why Intentionality Beats Indifference
• 18:06 Building a Moat Around Your Portfolio
• 19:07 The Never-Ending Leadership Cycle
• 20:07 Why the Industry Must Attract the Next Generation
• 20:49 Coaching DSRs for 2025 and Beyond
• 21:10 Relational Leadership for DSMs
• 22:13 Tailoring Strategy by Market
• 23:35 Coaching for Habits, Not Just Deals
• 24:49 Legendary DSMs and the Power of Touchpoints
• 26:13 The One-Degree Difference
• 27:06 The Pizza Paper Story
• 28:06 DSMs, Data, and Removing Obstacles
• 28:56 Focus on the Middle to Move the Whole
• 29:15 Leadership’s New Why
• 29:39 Refocusing Time on Strategic Value
• 30:00 What the IFDA Community Means to Hans
• 31:22 The Role of Advocacy and Collaboration
• 32:15 Innovation and Behavior Change
• 32:37 The One-Word Leadership T-Shirt Game
• 33:22 Final Reflections and Thanks

More About Our Guest & Host

Hans Schatz
Executive Vice President at Cut+Dry

With a lifetime serving the foodservice industry, Hans has incredibly detailed experience in the core tenets of the ‘business’ highlighted by expertise in operations, sales development, marketing and branding, financial responsibility, P&L management, fund raising and executive leadership.  Hans has served in the restaurant and hotel space, then almost 30 years in the foodservice distribution arena, followed by a leap of faith as a Tech Founder, which then led to the being the CEO of a craft beverage manufacturer, as well as time with the nation’s largest collaboration of GPO’s, and is now with the leading E-commerce technology company in the US.  Hans has a broad perspective of our foodservice industry.