The restaurant podcast for aspiring and established restaurateurs who want to rock their dreams AND profits
Real-life business journeys
Expert guests who don’t hold back
Honest accounts of failure and success
Tips, tricks, and strategies for your dream business
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Latest Episodes
Episode #344 Want to Sell Your Restaurant?!
This week on the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Robin Gagnon, the Co-Founder & CEO of “We Sell Restaurants”. With tremendous industry knowledge and an amazing track record of successful sales, Robin shares with us what you need to know and do before you sell your restaurant.
#343 Amazing Leadership As The Key To Restaurant Success
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Antonio McBroom, the CEO of Primo Partners. Primo is a leading franchisor of two of the hottest “best of brands” in their categories (Ben & Jerry’s & Starbucks). There are powerful leadership lessons here for your own restaurant success!
Episode #342 How To Exceed Expectations with Restaurant Hospitality
We all define hospitality in our own way, and it’s a foundational element in your business. In this week’s episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Alfio Celia, VP of Food & Beverage for Crescent Restaurant Group. He shares his definition of hospitality and how to exceed guest’s expectations.
Episode #341 This Intriguing Restaurant Concept is Out of The Box
This week on the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Austin Capoferi, the President of Franchising and Development for “Beef-A-Roo”, a 56-year-old brand known for its wild west restaurant concept and homestyle family values. They are here to share some real out of the “box” thinking!
Episode #340 How to Maximize Restaurant Profit – An Operator’s Journey
This episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast is all about what it takes to maximize restaurant profit, to build your “dream team” staff, and to create a powerful brand and a legacy business.
Episode #339 Problem Customers, Staff Management & Trends
I’m speaking with Adam Evans long-time bar owner, entertainment promoter and restaurant GM about problem customers, trends & managing staff.
Episode #338 How to Run a Great Restaurant Kitchen – A Chef’s Journey
In today’s episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I speak with Chef Grace Goudie of Scratchboard Kitchen. This episode is all about what it takes to run a great restaurant kitchen and great restaurant concept.
Episode #337 Restaurant Strategy Shifts in The Digital Era
You can either have a restaurant strategy or keep putting out daily fires. Having a strategy is pro-active and moves your business forward.
In this week’s episode of the podcast, I am speaking with restaurant strategy experts Carl Orsbourn and Meredith Sandland.
#336 How To Simplify & Systemize Restaurant Tip Reporting
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Leif Magnussen of TipHaus, a platform that automates the entire restaurant tip reporting process.
Episode #335 How to Run Great Restaurants
in this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast. I’m speaking with Michelle Corry who has a true passion for great restaurants. She cut her teeth under a master at “The French Laundry”, one of the world’s most illustrious. Michelle along with her husband, chef & partner has taken that critical foundation, her own talents and inspiration to create truly great restaurants in one of the country’s biggest and most competitive “foodie” towns.
Episode #334 This 40-Year Restaurateur Shares Actionable Wisdom
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with restaurateur Mani Bhushan of Taco Ocho in Dallas. A 40 year restaurant veteran, at 70+ he is still running circles around the competition!
Episode #333 Restaurant Concepts, Experiments & Crazy Misadventures
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I speak with Travis Talbot, a global restaurant concept developer, hospitality impresario, cookbook author & restaurant coach.
Episode #332 Lessons Learned from Secret Shopping Breweries
In this week’s episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Andrew Coplon, the founder of secret shopping for breweries. Whether you love and serve beer or not, it’s important to put yourself in your guest’s shoes to find out what they experience in your operation.
Episode #331 How to Elevate Your Bar Business
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Andy Rodriguez who has a true passion for sharing his knowledge of all thing’s spirits, bar business and the fine points of mixology.
Episode #330 How to Succeed in the Restaurant Business
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I speak with Andrew Pudalov, the CEO of Rush Bowls. Andrew successfully pivoted from a high-flying finance career to the restaurant business.
Episode #329 Launching a New Restaurant Concept
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Chef Brandon Buck of a new restaurant concept called “Crush Yard”.
Episode #328 How to Start a Restaurant and Rock It to Several
Childhood friends had an idea to start a restaurant with the goal of “just staying open”! Now they have grown to 19 restaurants and are opening more. Jonathan shares his best advice!
Episode #327 The Keys to Total Restaurant Success
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Scott SirLouis about achieving true restaurant success. He is a veteran operator, franchise team builder and all-around restaurant guy.
Episode #326 Using Current Trends To Rock Your Restaurant Concept
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Brady Lee, the President of Graze Craze. Brady is building a restaurant concept based on grazing and the food board trend.
Episode #325 How to Deliver True Restaurant Hospitality
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars podcast, I am speaking with Steve Turk, Founder and CEO of Turk Hospitality Ventures which specializes in executing stand-out food & beverage programs in restaurants and hotels.
Episode #324 How Build a Restaurant Empire
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with John Meadow, Founder and President of LDV Hospitality who is truly building a global restaurant empire one concept at a time.
Episode #323 How to Run a Strong Restaurant Kitchen
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast I’m speaking with Chef Mike Harvey about building a strong restaurant kitchen. These determine our guest satisfaction, online reviews, a ringing cash register and repeat business.
Episode #322 How this Restaurant Franchise Rocks After 100 Years
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with John Palumbo, Sr. Director of Restaurant Franchise Development for the famous A & W chain.
Episode #321 Get BIG Money Back from your Payroll Taxes via ERTC
In case you haven’t heard, your restaurant can claim lots of money without paying it back. This is money you’ve already paid in payroll taxes, and the IRS will pay it back to you. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Mike Schaeffer of Whirks, an accounting firm specializing in payroll taxes and the ERTC.
Episode #320 Restaurant Profit – How to Move the Needle
When I owned multiple concepts, I was obsessed with my Restaurant Profit. Now I work with other operators….and I am obsessed with their restaurant profit! With rising costs beyond your control, there is nothing as important as having a feel for your restaurant’s critical numbers, your restaurant profit or where you might be losing money.
Episode #319 A Great Approach to the Restaurant Labor Crisis
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Chuck Kline of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. In order to grow to 71 concepts and locations, this group had to solve their own restaurant labor crisis and effect a different approach to leading and growing their team. Their approach is now their advantage.
Episode #318 Restaurant Catering as a Profit Center
One of the biggest needle movers to increased sales and profit is restaurant catering. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Michael Attias, the CEO of Caterzen.
Episode #317 Restaurant Insurance – Potential Pitfalls to Your Coverage
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Clay Ogden of Strategic Risk Alternatives, a risk management expert who helps us understand restaurant insurance and potential pitfalls to your coverage.
Episode #316 How to Feel Good About Food Waste
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Jack Rasmussen an inspired guy with a solution to the restaurant food waste crisis.
Episode #315 Innovative Solution to the Labor Crisis
Everyone in hospitality has been hit hard by the labor crisis. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars podcast, I am speaking with Chef and Partner Jamie Lynch of The 5th Street Group who has some very innovative solutions to this Labor Crisis.
Episode #314 How to Simplify Your Restaurant Accounts Payable
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Barrett Boston, the CEO of Plate IQ who shows us how to simplify your restaurant’s accounts payable. This accounts payable system is like a fully automated, paperless filing cabinet!
Episode #313 Awesome Guest Experiences Build Your Restaurant Brand
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Bob Andersen of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, a fast-growing franchise focused on building a restaurant brand that delivers a guest experience authentic to Greek lifestyle and culture.
Episode #312 How to Grow a Restaurant Chain With Culture
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking all about the power of culture and growing a restaurant chain with Michael Mabry, President of Famous Toastery.
Episode #311 How to Provide True Hospitality + Get Raving Fans
Hospitality drives our business and is the foundation that great guest service is built upon. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Greg Provance of GP Hospitality Partners, a true kindred restaurant spirit and expert on the fine points of hospitality.
Episode #310 Fill Your Restaurant Seats Using Birthday Marketing
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast I’m speaking with Dyson Barnett of FanCONNECT & The Birthday Club. Dyson is a former restaurant owner/ operator and knows a thing or two about reaching your customers and getting new ones in the door using birthday marketing.
Episode #309 Illustrious Restaurant Industry Disruptor
In this episode, I’m speaking with Stratis Morfogen, a restaurateur’s restaurateur and a restaurant industry disruptor. He tells about playing by his own rules, having a driving vision, creating luck, and achieving destiny.
Episode #308 Killer Advice from a Restaurant Lease Expert
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Dale Willerton an expert in restaurant leases, aka “The Lease Coach”. It has been said that “You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate”! To come out on top, takes experience and the right approach.
Episode #307 Do You Have a Restaurant Strategy?
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I speak with Martha Lucius, who specializes in restaurant strategy. She is a kindred hospitality spirit who was inspired by experiencing great food & drink around the globe.
Episode #306 Restaurant Marketing with a Mission
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I speak with Austin Samuelson of Tacos 4 Life. They are using mission based restaurant marketing to give back in a big way!
Episode #305 Restaurant Success by Service First
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast. I’m speaking with family operators of the Blue Collar Restaurant Group. Hitting all the marks is a continual challenge, but my guests today aren’t missing a beat! Well-earned restaurant success, they have 9 concepts and growing!
Episode #304 What To Know About Investing in Restaurants
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I speak with Anthony Ackil about investing in restaurants. He co-founded and grew a 70+ unit restaurant chain, then exited to become the Founder of Streetlight Ventures.
Episode #303 A Possible Labor Solution for Restaurants
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Sam Zeitz, CEO of Grubbrr who offers a labor solution with their self-ordering technology and digital restaurant kiosks.
Episode #302 How To Build An Amazing Company Culture
In this week’s episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Mark Setterington, the Co-Founder and CEO of Island Fin Poke Co. Mark is a 35-year industry veteran who has managed some of the world’s leading restaurant brands. He knows the importance of an amazing company culture.
Episode #301 The Magic Restaurant Formula
Restaurant Rockstars Episode 301The Magic Restaurant Formula with Eric ShefferLISTEN HERE OR ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLAYERPrefer to watch the interview?Click the video below.A 20+ year run in this business holds hard-won experience and many stories! In this episode...
Episode #300 Incentives May Help Solve your Restaurant Labor Challenge
With the restaurant labor challenge, it’s more important than ever to keep your good people happy and create a culture that attracts new team-players. I had great success by incentivizing my entire team to strive for maximum performance and guest service. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Andrew Duffy, the CEO and Co-Founder of SparkPlug, the world’s first Incentive Management Platform for restaurants.
Episode #299 How to Increase Restaurant Sales & Dazzle Customers
These are crazy times for all of us, and now more than ever it’s up to you to deliver dining experiences that WOW your guest, make them forget their daily routine and give them a memorable escape. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Bob Ray, the C.O.O. of Margaritas a 25 location Mexican concept that really knows how to dazzle its patrons.
Episode #293 The Essence of Hospitality
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Chris Adams, CEO and Founder of the Ellis Adams Group, an international hospitality consulting firm that works with some of the leading hospitality brands around the globe.
Episode #265 Restaurant Marketing That Really Works
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Matt Plapp, the founder of Americas Best Restaurants and author of the new book “Restaurant Marketing That Works; Before, During and After the Pandemic”!
Episode #259 Celebrity Chef Beats Addiction + Rises to New Heights
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I speak with Michael Chernow, a former addict turned restaurateur, celebrity chef, author, fitness guru and business impresario.
Episode #258 How to Turn First Time Guests into Restaurant Regulars
In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Brendan Sweeney, Co-Founder and CEO of Popmenu. We discuss what restaurant technology is most important to serve your guest and turn customers into restaurant regulars.