Restaurant Rockstars Podcast
427 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★ - 44 ratingsTips, tools & resources to help restaurant owners and managers Rock Their Restaurant! Engaging conversations with industry leaders and fellow restaurateurs.
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Episodes
How to Save 30-40% on Your Restaurant Costs - Larry Levine
May 22, 2024 16:54 - 33 minutes - 31 MBIn this episode of The Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, Roger chats with Larry, of P3 Cost Analysts, about how restaurants and hospitality businesses can save significant amounts of money on non-payroll expenses. Larry explains that P3 Cost Analysts specializes in reducing costs for telecom, utilities, waste management, and more—achieving savings from 20% to 40%. The discussion covers the types of clients served, the process of auditing expenses, and the reasons why working with an expert can yi...
391. The Secret Sauce to Scaling Up in The Restaurant Business - Debbie Roxarzade
May 16, 2024 13:13 - 43 minutes - 40 MBIn this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I speak with Debbie Roxarzade, the Founder of Rachel’s Kitchen. Debbie built seven successful restaurants in Los Angeles and then decided to move her restaurant business to Las Vegas. What’s her secret sauce? Listen as Debbie speaks about restaurant business success including: • Key-learnings that made the biggest difference in her 20+ year restaurant career. • Reinventing herself amidst celebrity chefs and thousands of restaurants • ...
390. Why Artificial Intelligence (AI) is important in your Restaurant - Parsa Riahi
May 08, 2024 12:26 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MBFor just $7, The Restaurant Profit Maximizer course will show you proven ways to boost profit in your restaurant. Check it out - https://restaurantrockstars.com/profitmaximizer The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ - Use code podcast15 for 15% off. Episode Page: https://bit.ly/E390RRP This episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast features an in-d...
389. Building a Powerful Nostalgic Brand - Steve Shlemon
May 01, 2024 13:53 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBThe Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ 👉 Show Notes: https://bit.ly/E389RRP This episode of the Restaurant Rockstars podcast features an in-depth conversation with Steve Shlemon, the President of and a key figure behind the successful restaurant chain, Ford's Garage. Born out of a passion for the Ford Motor Company's rich history, Ford's Garage meld...
389. The Power of a Brand in Building Your Business - Steve Shlemon
May 01, 2024 13:53 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBThe Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ 👉 Show Notes: https://bit.ly/E389RRP This episode of the Restaurant Rockstars podcast features an in-depth conversation with Steve Shlemon, the President of and a key figure behind the successful restaurant chain, Ford's Garage. Born out of a passion for the Ford Motor Company's rich history, Ford's Garage meld...
388. Restaurant Pricing Strategies and Tipping - Jean-Manuel Izaret
April 24, 2024 14:14 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBThe Restaurant Profit Maximizer course will show you proven ways to boost profit in your restaurant: https://restaurantrockstars.com/sp/restaurant-profits The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ This episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast features a comprehensive discussion with Jean-Manuel Izaret, a pricing strategy expert, on the nuances of pric...
387. Shifting to a Leadership Mindset In Hospitality - Jason Brooks
April 16, 2024 22:05 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBIn this episode Jason Brooks and I discuss the importance of hospitality, leadership, and company culture in the restaurant industry. Jason emphasizes the role of accountability, the significance of onboarding, and the power of coaching in building effective teams and delivering exceptional guest experiences. They also touch on the challenges faced by the industry post-pandemic, the importance of soft skills, and strategies for recovery and building a stronger hospitality culture. 🌟 The Re...
387. The Power of an Effective Restaurant Leader - Jason Brooks
April 16, 2024 22:05 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBIn this episode Jason Brooks and I discuss the importance of hospitality, leadership, and company culture in the restaurant industry. Jason emphasizes the role of accountability, the significance of onboarding, and the power of coaching in building effective teams and delivering exceptional guest experiences. They also touch on the challenges faced by the industry post-pandemic, the importance of soft skills, and strategies for recovery and building a stronger hospitality culture. 🌟 The Re...
386. Tragedy to Triumph: Perseverance, Leadership & Restaurant Success - Anne Beiler
April 10, 2024 12:01 - 1 hour - 62.2 MBIn this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Anne Beiler, the founder of international restaurant success story “Auntie Anne’s Pretzels”. Anne learned the meaning of hard work, integrity, and persistence at an early age, but had many moments of doubt and lack of confidence. Despite all odds and immense personal tragedy, Anne rose above her challenges to create a global empire. Listen as Anne shares her story of restaurant success including: • How she overcame ...
385. Restaurant Success – The Key to Thriving in This Business - Jim Collins
April 02, 2024 23:31 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBIn this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Jim Collins, the owner of Town Kitchen and Grill in California. Jim wasn’t born from the restaurant business, but he certainly has a way with running a successful restaurant and leading his employees to greatness! Listen as Jim shares his story, failures, successes, and his philosophy on running a great restaurant including: • Valuable lessons learned from his tech career that he applies to his restaurant daily • His ...
384. Fun Restaurant Concept Will Bowl You Over - Dale Schwartz
March 25, 2024 22:37 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBThis business is all about “SHOW BIZ! Guests don’t just come into a restaurant for food & drink, they’re looking for an experience. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Dale Schwartz, CEO & Co-Founder of Pinstripes, which is a restaurant concept that boasts giant spaces for bowling, bocce, delicious bistro dining, events, and fun. These restaurant concepts are as large as 30,000 square feet on multiple levels. Not every restaurant and bar has this much sp...
384. Huge Restaurant Concept Will Bowl You Over - Dale Schwartz
March 25, 2024 22:37 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBThis business is all about “SHOW BIZ! Guests don’t just come into a restaurant for food & drink, they’re looking for an experience. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Dale Schwartz, CEO & Co-Founder of Pinstripes, which is a restaurant concept that boasts giant spaces for bowling, bocce, delicious bistro dining, events, and fun. These restaurant concepts are as large as 30,000 square feet on multiple levels. Not every restaurant and bar has this much sp...
383. A Deep Dive Into Restaurant Equipment - Howard Task and John Eberhart
March 16, 2024 18:01 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBRestaurant Profit Maximizer mini-course teaches you how to boost profit in your restaurant. ONLY $7 https://restaurantrockstars.com/sp/restaurant-profits That’s right, boost your restaurant profit for less than the cost of a fancy beer – Get it today then go Rock YOUR Profits and YOUR Restaurant! EPISODE NOTES: In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Howard Task and John Ebarhart of Restaurant Equippers, a family-owned company specializing in restaurant equipm...
382. Chef Shares Great Restaurant Kitchen Success - Chef Jarad McCarroll
March 08, 2024 19:38 - 49 minutes - 45.8 MBLeading a great restaurant kitchen is difficult. It takes experience, skill, the desire to teach, patience, calm under pressure and the right chops. Most of all it takes a passion for food, people, and new experiences. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Chef Jarad McConnell of Ocean Club St. Barths. He rose from culinary school, cooking competitions and numerous restaurant kitchens to nurture, lead and inspire his team to greatness. Listen as Chef Jara...
381. Empower + Inspire Your Restaurant Team - Marc Haine
March 02, 2024 16:45 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBIn this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Marc Haine, a true operator’s operator, about leading and inspiring a restaurant team. As a young dishwasher Marc went on to master the kitchen. He never lost the hospitality bug and later ran three restaurants, became a Food & Beverage Director. Marc also founded a hospitality consulting firm, became a podcaster, and has authored a best-selling book: Lights, Camera, Action! Listen as Marc shares his wisdom on leading...
380. Great Restaurant Marketing Advice From The Trenches - Kelly Hoyman
February 25, 2024 13:19 - 55 minutes - 51 MBIn this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Kelly Hoyman, Vice President of Marketing for an 85-unit concept called Wings and Rings. Kelly brings 30 years of proven restaurant marketing expertise to this episode. Listen as Kelly shares all things restaurant marketing including: • Lessons learned from 17 years in restaurant marketing for McDonald’s. • The role restaurant marketing plays in your own restaurant’s success • Essential and foundational brand-building ...
379. Excellent Tips Get Your Restaurant Taxes In Order - Mirissa Harrison
February 17, 2024 17:50 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBI get that running your restaurant is a total commitment, and business challenges never stop. Tax time is upon us, April is looming and Restaurant Taxes are due. No worries, I’ve got your back. Know that now is the time to get your financial house in order before you send the books to your tax preparer. It’s not too late to clean things up for your 2023 restaurant taxes, make some moves that will preserve your bottom line and put you in the best possible tax position. In this episode of th...
379. Excellent Tips on Getting Your Restaurant Taxes In Order - Mirissa Harrison
February 17, 2024 17:50 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBI get that running your restaurant is a total commitment, and business challenges never stop. Tax time is upon us, April is looming and Restaurant Taxes are due. No worries, I’ve got your back. Know that now is the time to get your financial house in order before you send the books to your tax preparer. It’s not too late to clean things up for your 2023 restaurant taxes, make some moves that will preserve your bottom line and put you in the best possible tax position. In this episode of th...
378. Stocked & Stirred: How To Master Restaurant Inventory - Victoria Mosley and John Nanney
February 10, 2024 20:55 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBYour restaurant inventory represents thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars of food and beverage sitting in your business at any given time. With so much opportunity for waste, spoilage, or loss, you really need to understand and manage all that value. When I coach restaurants, I tell them Not taking inventory is like leaving hundred-dollar bills all over your restaurant. You just wouldn’t do that, so don’t leave your restaurant inventory to chance. In this episode of the Restauran...
Stocked & Stirred: How To Master Restaurant Inventory - Victoria Mosley and John Nanney
February 10, 2024 20:55 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MBYour restaurant inventory represents thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars of food and beverage sitting in your business at any given time. With so much opportunity for waste, spoilage, or loss, you really need to understand and manage all that value. When I coach restaurants, I tell them Not taking inventory is like leaving hundred-dollar bills all over your restaurant. You just wouldn’t do that, so don’t leave your restaurant inventory to chance. In this episode of the Restauran...
377. How To Increase Restaurant Sales & Build Guest Loyalty - Matt Tucker
February 02, 2024 23:12 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBEvery owner and leader wants and needs to increase restaurant sales. Success here requires many things… efficiency, systems, excellent service, but most of all engaged loyal guests. Here’s where all the power lies. Guests want to be recognized, acknowledged, and served. Providing this at a high level requires a well-trained staff and seamless technology that makes this process simple, but authentic. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Matt Tucker, who he...
376. What’s With Today’s Restaurant Employees Anyway? - Scott Greenberg
January 27, 2024 21:54 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBI hear it time and time again. “My employees don’t do what I expect... they call out on shifts, or they don’t show up at all”! Since the pandemic; finding, keeping, and motivating restaurant employees has just gotten harder. They seem to have a different mindset... their work ethic doesn’t meet expectations... What to do? In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Scott Greenberg, a leadership and restaurant employee performance expert. On top of being a leadi...
375. Using Restaurant Technology to 10X your Business - Tony Roy and Brendan Sweeney
January 20, 2024 11:38 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBAs a restaurateur, you can’t afford to ignore technology. Since the pandemic, operators of every size have had to adapt to platforms and tools that offer guest convenience and operating efficiencies. The landscape keeps changing every day and to stay competitive, great food and service are no longer enough to keep guests coming in the door. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Brendan Sweeney and Tony Roy who run Popmenu, arguably one of the leading and fa...
374. Spreading the Legacy: An Authentic Journey of Neapolitan Pizza - Francesco Zimone
January 13, 2024 16:09 - 1 hour - 57.5 MBDon’t miss this episode, get my FREE “Top 3 Ways You’re Killing Your Restaurant Profits and a bonus at www.restaurantrockstars.com/profits then go out there and Rock YOUR Restaurant! Every restaurant has its own unique story. But this one carries on a 152-year tradition. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Francesco Zimone. Francesco grew up in Naples, Italy where pizza and pizza making are a time-honored tradition. Francesco is an ex-finance person tur...
373. Cracking The Hospitality Code the Journey of Abraham and his Restaurants - Abraham Merchant
January 08, 2024 17:13 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Abraham Merchant, veteran restaurateur, President & CEO of Merchant’s Hospitality. Abraham shares his philosophy on hospitality, employee retention, strategies for operational success, and the importance of public relations, marketing, and responding to online reviews. A major focus of the conversation is Abraham’s...
372. All Successful Restaurants have a Secret Formula - Doug Stritzel
December 18, 2023 14:21 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ All successful restaurants have a secret formula. It might be about the food, or the relationships between owner, staff & guests. Perhaps it’s the marketing, or the location. Sometimes it’s a combination of all of these. How can your restaurant be more successful? Listen on! In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Doug Stritzel – the Founder of Pickle...
372. Restaurant Success - Doug Stritzel
December 18, 2023 14:21 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ All successful restaurants have a secret formula. It might be about the food, or the relationships between owner, staff & guests. Perhaps it’s the marketing, or the location. Sometimes it’s a combination of all of these. How can your restaurant be more successful? Listen on! In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Doug Stritzel – the Founder of Pickle...
372. This is What Makes a Successful Restaurant - Doug Stritzel
December 18, 2023 14:21 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ All successful restaurants have a secret formula. It might be about the food, or the relationships between owner, staff & guests. Perhaps it’s the marketing, or the location. Sometimes it’s a combination of all of these. How can your restaurant be more successful? Listen on! In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Doug Stritzel – the Founder of Pickle...
371. Love them or Hate them, Restaurant Finances are Vital to your Success - Tom Rutledge
December 09, 2023 17:56 - 1 hour - 65.6 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ SHOW NOTES: https://restaurantrockstars.com/audio/371-restaurant-finances/ I get it, many operators hate numbers, so they avoid them. But the truth is numbers really move the needle good or bad, and they ultimately determine your restaurant’s success or failure. When I owned restaurants, I was obsessed with my critical numbers and analyzed them each and every week. It’s one of the reas...
370. Scaling a Restaurant Brand – Josh Luger
December 01, 2023 12:25 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Josh Luger co-founder of Capital Tacos, a restaurant that started small, built a brand for itself and is now taking the country by storm. Listen as Josh shares: • The early brainchild and vision for his brand • Early growing pains and challenges of the first few restaurant locations • How leadership creates a stron...
370. How They Scaled Their Restaurant Brand – Josh Luger
December 01, 2023 12:25 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Josh Luger co-founder of Capital Tacos, a restaurant that started small, built a brand for itself and is now taking the country by storm. Listen as Josh shares: • The early brainchild and vision for his brand • Early growing pains and challenges of the first few restaurant locations • How leadership creates a stron...
Episode #370 How They Scaled Their Restaurant Brand – Josh Luger
December 01, 2023 12:25 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Josh Luger co-founder of Capital Tacos, a restaurant that started small, built a brand for itself and is now taking the country by storm. Listen as Josh shares: • The early brainchild and vision for his brand • Early growing pains and challenges of the first few restaurant locations • How leadership creates a stron...
369. Juggling Multiple Restaurants and Concepts - Ty & Karen Raju
November 16, 2023 17:39 - 59 minutes - 48 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ Join The Restaurant Academy: Train your entire team to up level your business, maximize sales and optimize profits - Join the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy 🌟 Episode Notes: In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Ty & Karen Raju, co-owners, and founders of Bene Hospitality Group. They are juggling multiple restaurants and c...
368. Extreme Hardship to Restaurant Success - Chef Ahu
November 10, 2023 14:58 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ Join The Restaurant Academy: Train your entire team to up level your business, maximize sales and optimize profits - Join the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy Connect with us on Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin-21590016 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantrockstars/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantro...
367. Tax Tips and Tricks for Restaurants - JT Pells CPA
November 03, 2023 18:18 - 55 minutes - 44.4 MBLearn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ Join The Restaurant Academy: Train your entire team to up level your business, maximize sales and optimize profits - Join the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy Connect with us on Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin-21590016 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantrockstars/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantro...
366. Growing a Single Restaurant to a Global Brand - Blas Escarcega
October 29, 2023 13:24 - 59 minutes - 47.5 MBEvery restaurant has its unique story. Many of these are family run restaurants with recipes passed down from generations. Some find success with one location; others have big dreams and grow to multiple countries. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Blas Escarcega of Pollo Campero. This Guatemalan chicken restaurant concept first found huge success in Central America and other countries, and now continues to grow raving fans in the U.S. Show Notes: Tha...
365. How to Succeed in the Restaurant Business Without Experience - Chad & Lauren Coulter
October 20, 2023 17:32 - 1 hour - 49.6 MBShow Notes: https://restaurantrockstars.com/audio/episode-365-restaurant-business-no-experience/ Thank you to our sponsors: The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits and maximize sales https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ The Birthday Club – Get new and repeat business, fill your tables, and boost sales with Birthdays: https://jointhebirthdayclub.com/BirthdayRockstar/ Xenia: Your operations base camp that scales standard procedures, trains your team, ...
364. How to Lead a Great Restaurant Kitchen - Chef Anthony Bucco
October 14, 2023 14:54 - 1 hour - 65.3 MBAny great kitchen is the “Heart of House”. Honoring this house requires creating a culture of passion, pride, and commitment to consistent quality. This takes a unique leader who both inspires, teaches, recognizes talent, and elevates each and every guest experience from the culinary team right down to the dish pit. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Chef Anthony Bucco, the Senior VP of Culinary Operations for a dynamic family run restaurant group kno...
363. How to Grow a Great Restaurant Company - Tom Krouse
October 06, 2023 14:06 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBThe restaurant business is one of relationships. If we consider our team, our suppliers, and guest’s partners and friends instead of employees, vendors, and customers, we have a true formula for success. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Tom Krouse, the CEO of Donatos Pizza, a dynamic restaurant concept leading its segment with 460 stores. It’s not the number of locations that counts, but the relationships they foster and the value proposition they offe...
362. A Restaurant Dining Experience to Remember – Collin Benyo
September 29, 2023 14:25 - 49 minutes - 39.5 MBRestaurants are all about people coming together, celebrating good times & life events. Doing this well requires: • a strong company culture. • training your team in hospitality & consistency • providing a unique product offering • a winning brand strategy. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Collin Benyo, Franchise Growth Strategist for a dynamic restaurant concept called “The Melting Pot”. This iconic restaurant brand is hitting all the bases. They a...
362. A Restaurant with Fantastic Hooks – Collin Benyo
September 29, 2023 14:25 - 49 minutes - 39.5 MBRestaurants are all about people coming together, celebrating good times & life events. Doing this well requires: • a strong company culture. • training your team in hospitality & consistency • providing a unique product offering • a winning brand strategy. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Collin Benyo, Franchise Growth Strategist for a dynamic restaurant concept called “The Melting Pot”. This iconic restaurant brand is hitting all the bases. They a...
362. A Restaurant Dining Experience with Hooks to Remember – Collin Benyo
September 29, 2023 14:25 - 49 minutes - 39.5 MBRestaurants are all about people coming together, celebrating good times & life events. Doing this well requires: • a strong company culture. • training your team in hospitality & consistency • providing a unique product offering • a winning brand strategy. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Collin Benyo, Franchise Growth Strategist for a dynamic restaurant concept called “The Melting Pot”. This iconic restaurant brand is hitting all the bases. They a...
361. Business Failure – When to Call It Quits - Kelly Meyer
September 23, 2023 00:41 - 53 minutes - 43.1 MBAs these challenging times continue, many of us are experiencing the dilemma of possible business failure. Even with the best of intentions, when things start to go sideways you need to know when and where is the point of no return! In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Kelly Meyer about business failure. Kelly is a former brewery founder/ operator, now author of the book “How Not to Start a Damn Brewery”. This episode is relevant to restaurants and hospi...
360. How to Dominate Your Hospitality Competition - Keith Benjamin
September 16, 2023 19:29 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBIt’s one thing to run a restaurant, bar, or club and quite another to run a business and dominate the competition. It takes vision, strategy, hospitality, and a powerful company culture. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Keith Benjamin of Uptown Hospitality Group and Eat, Drink & Be Merry, a dynamic restaurant, bar, and nightlife company with locations in NYC, Charleston, and Chicago. Keith started his career in college creating big hospitality events,...
359. How To Get Powerful Restaurant PR - Mickie Kennedy
September 08, 2023 21:13 - 56 minutes - 45.8 MBMarketing is super important for your operation, but few owners or leaders think about the power of restaurant PR. Maybe that’s because many operators think public relations is just not affordable, but my guest this week dispels that myth with a powerful restaurant PR strategy. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Mickie Kennedy of eReleases. Mickie is a PR expert, press release ninja and media relations networker with an effective crash course in using re...
358. Delivering Hospitality at the Highest Level - Sofia Crokos
September 02, 2023 00:29 - 58 minutes - 47.3 MBDelivering true hospitality at the highest level takes strategy, detailed planning, an experienced and engaging team, and the ability to create trust and rapport. Throw in celebrities and a most discerning clientele and the expectation grows. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast we are focusing on high level hospitality and I’m speaking with Sofia Crokos. Sofia is the founder of Sofia Crokos Events and Lifestyle, as well as the co-founder of Elaia Estiatorio, a restaurant she...
357. These Savvy Operators are Rocking Their Restaurant Brand - Daniel DeLeon
August 27, 2023 21:38 - 1 hour - 53.6 MBThere are those operators running a restaurant and those who are running a business and those are two very different approaches. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Dan DeLeon of Grumpy’s Restaurant Company, a full-service breakfast, lunch & brunch concept. This winning franchise starting with a tired restaurant that had a good name but had changed hands a few times and needed a complete makeover. Dan and his wife Morgan, who also happens to be V.P. of...
356. How to Deliver Epic Hospitality with Epic Leadership - Jeff Caldwell
August 18, 2023 20:39 - 1 hour - 48.7 MBIn this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Jeff Caldwell, V.P. of Operations for the Encore Boston Harbor Hotel. Jeff is a hospitality veteran who cut his teeth at Wynn Resorts; the company known for transforming the rebirth of Las Vegas into the world-class destination it is today. Listen as Jeff shares his passion for hospitality and Leadership including: - The importance of mentorship and inspiring others to their best performance - His career challenges a...
355. This Growing Pizza Chain Has All the “Hooks” - Casey Biehl
August 12, 2023 20:58 - 1 hour - 49.9 MBI’ve always said, you can’t have too many “hooks” for your restaurant. Anything interesting, unique, or powerful that catches the guest’s attention and leads to sales, reviews or buzz is free marketing! In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Casey Biehl, VP of Ops for Fat Boys. This growing pizza chain is company owned with locations in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Besides their unique hooks, much of Fat Boys success is due to company culture and ...
354. A Restaurateur’s Inspired Journey + A Happy Accident Gets Trademarked! – Gregoire Jacquet
August 05, 2023 10:36 - 1 hour - 55.2 MBMany of us have a dream to become a restaurateur. For some of us that dream was fulfilled with a restaurant concept or location. For others, that dream multiplied from one restaurant to several. And for some…that dream is an inspiration just waiting to be realized! In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with chef and restaurateur Gregoire Jacquet. He is the founder of Grégoire Restaurant , a passion project & “gourmet fast-casual” concept in the Bay area of San...