This guy made millions by inventing the McFlurry & the $1 Menu

In this episode, the hosts celebrate Tom Ryan, a prolific food inventor behind several beloved fast-food items, including the McGriddle and stuffed crust pizza. Ryan's journey into food science began when he took a class at his girlfriend’s encouragement and subsequently earned a master's in lipid toxicology. He worked with major companies like Duncan Hines and Jif before joining Pizza Hut, where he faced skepticism about innovating in pizza. However, he recognized that cheese was a major driver of consumer interest, prompting him to create numerous cheese-rich products such as the cheese-stuffed crust pizza and various specialty pizzas like meat lovers and pepperoni lovers.

After his success at Pizza Hut, Ryan was recruited by McDonald’s to innovate their breakfast offerings and created the McGriddle. This product combines sweet and savory elements in a handheld format, perfectly catering to busy consumers. His career also includes developing the dollar menu at McDonald's and founding Smashburger. The hosts highlight Ryan's innovative mindset, competitive spirit, and his ability to think outside the box in a saturated food industry. This episode serves as a tribute to Ryan's substantial contributions to fast food and food science, showcasing how one inventor can impact an entire industry.