Skip to main content

What’s Cooking EP #02

How Chaos Helped Giggling Squid Thrive

In this episode of What’s Cooking? Conor Sheridan, CEO and founder of Nory, sits down with Darko Salaj, Operations Director at Giggling Squid, to uncover the unconventional strategies behind the brand's rapid expansion. From thriving amid Covid to rejecting corporate rigidity, Darko shares his unique approach to operations, leadership, and scaling sustainably.
By Conor Sherdian with Darko Salaj
July 24, 2025 - 33 mins
Listen on
Play
Next
Discover how embracing individuality and structured chaos can be a winning formula for hospitality.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
  • Why "slow down to go fast" became Darko’s mantra for growth.
  • The surprising benefits of structured chaos in hospitality operations.
  • How Giggling Squid kept scaling through Covid while maintaining culture.
  • Why personal connection beats metrics in spotting operational red flags.
  • The role of resilience and individuality in building strong restaurant teams.

Meet our guest

Darko Salaj is Operations Director at Giggling Squid, where he brings over 25 years of hospitality experience across major brands like Prezzo and Chimichanga. Known for his hands-on leadership and candid insights, Darko has helped scale Giggling Squid to over 50 sites while preserving its founder-led spirit.

Connect with Darko

About the host

Conor Sheridan is the founder and CEO of Nory, an AI-powered restaurant management system alongside being the co-founder of Mad Egg. Conor blends hands-on restaurant experience with a passion for tech-driven efficiency and profitability in hospitality.

Connect with Conor Sheridan
Enjoyed the Episode?

Enjoyed the episode? Read our blog for more stories and insights from hospitality leaders.

Curious about how Nory helps brands run smarter, more profitable operations?
Speak to our team to learn more.

Another helping?

Headline
The fast and furious arrival of Dave’s Hot Chicken to the UK

In this episode of What’s Cooking? Neil Remedios, Operations Lead for Dave’s Hot Chicken UK and Ireland, joins Conor Sheridan, CEO and founder of Nory, live from the 2025 Hospitality Tech Expo to unpack the fast, furious journey of scaling one of the world’s hottest QSR brands, under the Azzurri Group umbrella. From why a copy-and-paste localisation isn’t always possible, to launching 7 sites in under 12 months, Neil shares how operational discipline, team culture, and strategic systems fuel sustainable growth.

Headline
Inside Blacklock's People-First Growth Strategy

In this episode of What’s Cooking? Conor Sheridan, CEO and founder of Nory, sits down with Maria McCaan, Operations Director at Blacklock, to uncover how the brand has grown without compromising its people-first ethos.

Headline
Change management lessons from Bill's Restaurants

Tom James, Managing Director at Bill’s Restaurants, joins Conor Sheridan, CEO and founder of Nory, to share how he led the brand through record-breaking growth over the past 4 years by doubling down on guest experience, change management, and technology. With decades of experience and a deep operational background, Tom shares how he’s led Bill’s Restaurants through significant transformation, balancing heritage and innovation while maintaining a relentless focus on the guest experience. Listeners will gain insights into how Tom approaches change management, builds alignment across teams, and integrates new technologies without losing sight of what makes a hospitality brand thrive.