Dhilon Solanki - How to Build a Hospitality Brand That People Actually Believe In
This week on Captive Conversations, I sat down with a creative force in hospitality: Dhilon Solanki — founder of Story Locker, co-founder of Pecking Order, and previously behind one of the most useful tools in the industry — Sprout.
Dhilon's journey is a masterclass in brand building with heart. He’s grown tech tools for hospitality, helped operators train better, and now helps people preserve their life stories through beautifully crafted, private podcast-style interviews.
🔥 Highlights include:
- 📲 Building and exiting Sprout – a digital marketing tool used by 100s of restaurants
- 🍗 The lessons from launching and running Pecking Order, his fast-casual brand
- 🎧 The powerful human stories behind Story Locker – a new way to preserve legacy
- 👨🍳 How Sideways is rethinking team training with short-form video and storytelling
- 🧠 Why you don’t need a flashy launch — you need tight feedback loops and strong intent
From emotional storytelling to operator tech, this episode covers what it takes to build something meaningful in hospitality — and life.
Dhilon's Podcast Answers
🔥 Best Hospitality Experience: Sticks n Sushi
🔥 Best Hospitality Tech: Glue Loyalty
🔥 Best Restaurant: Roka
🔥 Best Burger: Bleeker & Shake Shack
🔥 Best Hotel: Ham Yard Hotel
🏷️ Brands Mentioned
Connect by Me&u https://www.meandu.com/gb/grow/connect
Story Locker https://storylocker.co.uk/
Sideways https://hospitality.sideways.ai/
Sentiment Search https://sentimentsearch.com/
👉 Listen now and subscribe to hear more behind-the-scenes chats with leaders shaping hospitality.