At CaterZen, we’re on a mission to help restaurateurs grow thriving, profitable catering businesses — and our Restaurant Catering Smarts podcast is one of the best ways we can put real-world strategies straight into your hands. Hosted by me, Michael Attias, founder of CaterZen Catering Software, each episode delivers actionable insights from leaders who are scaling off-premise, building powerhouse teams, and transforming the way restaurants grow.
Today, we’re excited to release Episode 24 of Restaurant Catering Smarts, featuring a powerhouse operator and leader in the franchising world: Phillip Scotton, President & COO of Primo Partners.
Episode 24: Inside Primo Partners’ Off-Premise Playbook with COO Phillip Scotton
In this episode, I sit down with Phillip Scotton, whose journey from unpaid intern to COO of one of the fastest-growing multi-unit franchise groups is nothing short of inspiring. Primo Partners operates more than 20 Ben & Jerry’s shops, multiple Starbucks licensed stores, and a growing real estate portfolio — all built on a foundation of culture, hospitality, and scalable operations.
Under Phillip’s leadership, Primo Partners became the #1 off-premise operator globally in the Ben & Jerry’s system. Yes — number one in the world.
What makes that even more impressive? They did it by focusing on experience, people, and systems that empower their team to deliver exceptional catering and event activations — sometimes for crowds as large as 10,000 guests.
Here’s what you’ll learn in Episode 24:
🔥 How Primo Partners turned off-premise into a revenue powerhouse
From campus events to stadium vending to massive corporate activations, Phillip shares the strategy that took off-premise from a side revenue stream to a core growth engine.
👥 Why culture is the foundation of operational excellence
Discover how Primo built a people-first culture around three core values — servant leadership, hospitality, and growth — and how those values fuel both team performance and retention.
🚚 The systems behind serving thousands at once
Philip breaks down the operational playbook that allows Primo to efficiently serve 2,000, 5,000, even 10,000 guests without sacrificing quality or guest experience.
📈 How Starbucks fits into Primo’s off-premise future
Primo’s expansion into Starbucks licensed stores is opening new opportunities for catering and drop-off programs — and Phillip shares how they’re building that side of the business from scratch.
🏗️ The role real estate plays in long-term brand growth
Learn how Primo uses real estate development to create stability, empowerment, and opportunity for their team members.
💡 Leadership lessons from scaling a multi-brand, multi-state operation
From annual 360 reviews to leadership pathways and equity opportunities, Phillip offers a practical roadmap for developing leaders at every level.
Whether you run a single location or a multi-unit operation, Phillip’s insights will help you think bigger, plan smarter, and execute catering at a higher level.
How to Tune In
You can watch or listen to this episode right here on our Restaurant Catering Smarts podcast page.
Why Restaurant Catering Smarts?
This podcast goes beyond tips — it gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what truly makes catering programs thrive. Our guests are operators, marketers, franchise leaders, chefs, and executives who are building high-performing catering operations every day.
No fluff. No theory.
Just real-world strategies, straight from the experts.
Whether you're just starting your catering program or ready to scale it into a major profit center, Restaurant Catering Smarts is here to support your journey.
Let’s Hear From You!
Have a question you’d like us to tackle in a future episode?
Want to recommend a guest?
Curious about a specific catering topic?
Shoot us a message — we’d love to hear from you.
Stay Connected with Us on Social Media!
Don’t miss out on updates, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive tips for growing your catering business. Follow us on social media to stay in the loop:
- LinkedIn: CaterZen LinkedIn
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- Facebook: CaterZen Catering Software
- Join our private Facebook group: Restaurant Catering Professionals
Join the conversation and let us know how Restaurant Catering Smarts is helping you level up your catering game. We love hearing your wins!
Ready to Level Up Your Off-Premise Game?
Phillip’s journey is proof that you don’t need a massive corporate infrastructure to build something extraordinary. You just need clarity, culture, and the guts to try something that hasn’t been done before.
Whether you’re scooping ice cream, serving barbecue, or running a multi-unit brand, this episode is packed with moves you can steal and start using immediately—how to build experiences, empower your people, and create systems that scale without chaos.
Think of it as a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when you mix servant leadership with smart operations and a whole lot of heart.
So plug in your earbuds and hit play.
Because off-premise success isn’t about doing more—
it’s about doing the right things, consistently, with a team that believes in the mission.
