Podcasts about Hospitality industry

What if the true path to restaurant profitability is rethinking our business model entirely?Close to a decade ago, today's guest changed the way I saw our industry forever and he's here to do the same for you. Today we sit down with Celebrity Chef Neal Fraser as he pulls back the curtain on how Redbird—a 50-seat dining room attached to a cathedral—became one of LA's most dynamic and profitable hospitality businesses. He shares how focusing on events over covers gave him control, stability, and scale. We get into the systems he built, the mindset shift that made it possible, and why too many operators are white-knuckling restaurants that no longer serve them.This is for operators tired of hoping for Wednesday walk-ins—and ready to take back control of their business.To learn more about Redbird, visit https://redbird.la._________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.In this episode, I break down why discounting is one of the biggest traps in the restaurant industry and how it can actually hurt your brand long term. I explain how to build real value through storytelling and emotional connection instead of cutting prices. You'll learn how to create scarcity, meaning, and loyalty that drive both profit and trust—without relying on discounts to fill your seats.  TakeawaysDiscounting attracts deal seekers, not true believers.Sell meaning, not math; value is a feeling.Scarcity builds desire, while discounting builds doubt.A full room doesn't equate to a full bank account.Profit is the cure; busy is just a drug.Kill blanket discounts for a week to assess impact.Highlight the story behind high-margin items.Replace discounts with scarcity plays.Track margin instead of traffic for better insights.Rewrite marketing messages to focus on meaning.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Marketing Strategies01:50 The Dangers of Discounting05:39 Building Value Through Meaning and ScarcityIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.

What if chasing prestige meant sacrificing everything else?For Jeff Bell, managing partner at the iconic PDT in NYC, bartending has never just been about cocktails—it's about culture, connection, and the quiet cost of longevity.In this episode, he shares what 15 years inside one of the world's most celebrated bars has taught him about endurance, humility, and the evolution of hospitality. We get into why bartending is both beautiful and brutal, how alcohol amplifies more than it numbs, and what makes a bar truly last. This isn't about kitschy phone booths or speakeasy gimmicks—it's about the discipline and heart behind enduring relevance.If you've ever wondered what it really takes to build something timeless, this is that conversation.To learn more about PDT and their award-winning cocktail program, visit pdtnyc.com._________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

A Gluten Free Podcast Episode 204 My guest on today's episode is founder of Nonie's Bakery, Nonie Dwyer. We'll talk about Nonie's coeliac disease diagnosis and upbringing, her time in hospitality, becoming a chef and what led to her creating a well-loved artisan gluten free bakery.  What we'll cover: * Introducing Nonie and how we found each other* Defining Nonie's and their mission * How Nonie's operates in three different areas: providing breads for cafes and restaurants, wholesale and local farmer's markets * Nonie's coeliac disease diagnosis * Nonie's background and growing up in the Southern Highlands * Nonie's transition to gluten free life and the options available at the time * Nonie's struggles with dining out with coeliac disease * How Nonie came to work in hospitality * Nonie's experience working at River Cottage in the UK * How the River Cottage experience inspired Nonie to bake bread * Making gluten free loaves for a friend made Nonie curious to improve her recipes * Nonie returning to Australia to looking after her Mum and struggling with the direction of her hospitality career* Early days of Nonie's Bakery * Education process when cafes and restaurants stock Nonie's bread * Nonie's range of products * Ingredients in Nonie's breads and why the bread is frozen on the day it's baked * How Nonie balances quality over quantity when scaling her business * Nonie's bread packaging and designs * Food Expo in Melbourne * Nonie's expansion and scale of the business model* Where Nonie is currently stocking and where she will expand * Recent experience with a customer in Nonie's store * Where to purchase Nonie's Links Nonie's website - https://noniesfood.com.au/Follow Nonie's on InstagramFollow Nonie's on Facebook Join A Gluten Free Podcast Facebook Group 

What if trying to control everything is the very thing holding your business back? Most operators think control means being everywhere at once. Today's guest thinks that mindset is killing your business.After opening 100+ stores, managing $100M in revenue, and building teams across international brands, Won Jeong realized the real goal isn't knowing everything—it's building systems so you don't have to.In this episode, we unpack how training becomes a growth engine, not a time suck. Won shares how AI is transforming onboarding from guesswork to guided execution, why memorizing SOPs is a waste of leadership potential, and the real ROI of training that makes your team independent—not dependent.If you're ready to stop firefighting and start scaling, this episode is your blueprint.To learn more about Smart Trainer and the future of restaurant training, visit SmartTrainerApp.com._________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.In this episode, I dive into what it really takes to scale a restaurant successfully—and why opening a second location isn't always the right next step. I break down how to strengthen your systems, master your financials, and get your house in order before expanding. I share the key lessons I've learned about maximizing one restaurant's potential first, so growth becomes sustainable, not stressful.  TakeawaysExpansion isn't a milestone; it's a multiplier.A second location doubles your overhead, not your skill.Scaling inside one location is smarter, cheaper, and faster.Most operators have 30 to 40% more revenue potential in their existing location.If you can't take a two-week vacation without issues, you're not ready to multiply.Expansion is math, not momentum.You need a minimum of 18% net profit margin before expanding.Having a cash cushion of six months of operational costs is crucial.You should have a leadership team that can clone themselves.Focus on maximizing current revenue before considering a second location.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Success01:51 The Myths of Expansion05:40 Preparing for Expansion07:07 Actionable Steps for GrowthIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.

What if AI could make your restaurant more human, not less?That's the bold idea Devana Bhargava is betting on. As a product leader at Yelp, she's rethinking restaurant tech from the inside out—building tools that support staff instead of replacing them.In this episode, we dig into the design philosophy behind Yelp Host, why your Yelp page converts better than your Instagram, and how Devana's team builds with operators, not just for them. She shares the questions that unlock real insights, the AI features that are actually working, and why independents are outpacing the big guys with smarter tech.This one's for every operator who's tired of tech that gets in the way—and ready for tools that finally get it right.To learn more about how Yelp is supporting restaurants with human-first tools, visit restaurants.yelp.com._________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

In this special episode, recorded live at the Prosper Forum, the Hospitality Hangout shines a light on how hospitality leaders are tackling childhood hunger. Featuring Anne Filipic, CEO of Share Our Strength and leader of the No Kid Hungry campaign, along with industry experts Scott Boatwright of Chipotle, Noah Glass of Olo, and Kelly Esten of Toast, we explore the C.E.O. Pledge to End Summer Hunger. This initiative has expanded meal access from just 3 million to nearly 19 million children nationwide, showcasing how public-private partnerships are pivotal in combating food insecurity. We discuss the creativity of restaurant brands in fundraising and awareness, emphasizing how small actions—from rounding up at checkout to volunteering—can make a massive impact. Discover how tech-driven solutions and community engagement are building a stronger, more equitable America, reinforcing the message that we can't have a strong country with weak children. Tune in for hospitality stories and insider insights on making a difference in our communities! Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, JImmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Does the world really need another coffee shop?That's the question Darren Spicer had to answer before walking away from a six-figure career to start Clutch Coffee. The answer wasn't coffee—it was connection.In this episode, Darren breaks down why community, not caffeine, is his true product, what he learned from Dutch Bros, how he made it his own, and why being “Chick-fil-A for coffee” means never settling for average service.For every operator asking what business they're really in—this episode delivers clarity.To learn more about Clutch Coffee Bar and their work in the community, visit clutchcoffeebar.com._________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.In this episode, I dive into how to turn restaurant events into true profit centers instead of simple marketing stunts. I explain why events should be treated as products with clear margins and measurable results, and how that mindset shift can transform your bottom line. I walk through the systems I use to plan, price, and evaluate events so they drive both revenue and brand loyalty.  TakeawaysEvents should make money twice: at the ticket sale and through repeat customers.A great event is a product with a defined cost and profit margin.Hope is not a strategy; measurement is essential for success.Predictability in events leads to increased profitability.Full rooms do not guarantee profit; focus on fat margins instead.Every event should have a clear conversion goal.Delete 'awareness' from marketing vocabulary; prioritize revenue.Audit past events to understand profitability.Create a 12-month event calendar with repeatable, profitable events.Reprice events for margin, not just fill rate.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Marketing Strategies01:50 Transforming Events into Profit Centers05:44 Actionable Steps for Event ProfitabilityIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.

How do you define luxury? What if it isn't about white tablecloths—but about meeting every guest, every need, every time?Aaron Bludorn didn't just open a restaurant—he opened a new playbook for hospitality. After a business education under Daniel Boulud and Gavin Kaysen, Aaron took a massive bet: move to Houston, build a concept mid-pandemic, and serve a community he was still getting to know. And that gamble paid off.In this episode, he shares how Bludorn became a “Swiss army knife” of occasion—able to host everything from business dinners to caviar-and-burgers at the bar. He also shares how flexibility became a growth engine and how promoting from within turned his group into a magnet for top-tier talent.This is for operators who want to scale without losing soul—and win by design, not default.To explore his restaurant, visit bludornrestaurant.com _________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

Everyone says restaurants are about food, service, or scale. But what if it's really about emotional engineering?Yann didn't come from the kitchen. He came from the world of marketing and strategy. But when he opened Boqueria, he reimagined what a restaurant could be—vibe-forward, high-design, emotionally resonant, and built to scale.In this episode, Yann breaks down why restaurants are “weak link systems,” how to distill a concept to its essence, and why tension—not harmony—is the secret to a space that sings.If you've ever wanted to build something iconic without following industry dogma, this episode will challenge everything you've been told.To learn more about Boqueria, visit boqueriarestaurant.com____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.In this episode, I dive into how to market restaurants more effectively by treating each service as its own unique offering. I explain why lunch, dinner, and brunch each need clear promises and tailored marketing, and how productizing those services can transform customer acquisition. I break down the phased approach I use to launch them and the strategies that actually move the needle on performance. TakeawaysEach service is a standalone product with a single obvious promise.Lunch is not just food earlier; it's a promise of speed and certainty.Different services cater to different customer needs and experiences.Your website should route customers to the service they want.Marketing should focus on one service at a time for better results.Creating a clear offer and ritual for each service is essential.Measure the success of your marketing efforts consistently.Product market fit is crucial for customer acquisition.Awareness builds on the momentum of a strong service offering.Tailor your marketing message to fit into customers' lives.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Marketing Strategies01:49 Understanding Different Service Times05:39 Productizing Each Service for Success08:51 Implementing and Measuring Marketing StrategiesIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.

What happens when luxury design meets the wild?Award-winning designer, Graeme Labe, Managing Partner and Chief Design Officer at Luxury Frontiers, shares how he's redefining hospitality by crafting experiences that connect people deeply to nature, while championing sustainability and community. Graeme shares his journey from traditional hospitality design to founding Luxury Frontiers, which focuses on creating unique, luxurious experiences in remote locations. The conversation covers topics such as the importance of experiential hospitality, the challenges of working in remote environments, and the role of sustainability and community engagement in their projects. Graeme also discusses the innovation culture within his team, their participation in the Radical Innovation Award, and the significance of site-specific design.Takeaways: Focus on creating unique, immersive experiences that connect guests to their environment, rather than just providing traditional luxury.Design experiences that gently push guests out of their comfort zones, allowing them to grow while still feeling safe and cared for.Integrate sustainability into every aspect of your projects: from site selection and building materials to community engagement and ongoing operations.Foster a culture of innovation within your team. Set up internal labs or competitions to encourage experimentation with new materials and ideas.Use natural materials and let the surrounding environment take center stage in your designs. Break down barriers between indoors and outdoors to enhance biophilic experiences.Thoughtfully integrate technology to improve comfort and accessibility, but also create opportunities for guests to disconnect and fully immerse themselves in the experience.Treat logistical, regulatory, and environmental constraints as opportunities to innovate and improve your designs.Quote of the Show:“ It's those moments that take you out of your comfort zone, when you're truly immersed in a place, that change your life. That's the kind of experience we try to design for.” - Graeme LabeLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graeme-labe-a0332b19/ Website: https://www.luxury-frontiers.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxury_frontiers/ Shout Outs:1:16 - Radical Innovation https://www.radicalinnovation.io/ 1:53 - AHEAD Awards https://www.aheadawards.com/ 5:26 - The Lion King https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_King 7:08 - Orient Express Hotels https://www.orient-express.com/hotels 9:47 - Volkswagen https://www.vw.com/en.html 9:48 - Coleman https://www.coleman.com/ 22:16 - Luca Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-franco-5507b311/ 28:18 - Blue Sky Award https://www.blueskyawards.com/en/ 30:41 - Anomien Smith https://www.linkedin.com/in/anomien-smith-73917715/ 35:02 - The Crown https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crown_(TV_series) 35:05 - King George https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_III 35:09 - Queen Elizabeth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II 41:34 - Hirsch Bedner https://hba.com/ 41:45 - Michael Bedner https://hba.com/legacy/ 50:59 - Six Senses https://www.sixsenses.com/en/ 51:04 - Ritz Carlton https://www.ritzcarlton.com/ 51:06 - Marriott https://www.marriott.com/default.mi 51:07 - Four Seasons https://www.fourseasons.com/ 

Eric Bost built something remarkable in LA. Then, like so many, he lost it to the pandemic. But what came next wasn't a pivot. It was a complete reinvention.Today, Eric runs four thriving restaurants in a market many still underestimate—North County, San Diego. In this episode, he breaks down how he rebuilt his career by doubling down on team culture, operational clarity, and a commitment to place over prestige. If you've ever felt defined by a loss—this episode is your reset.To explore his work, visit restaurantlilo.com and thisiscampfire.com____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

In this episode, Pat and Tevo discuss the current state of the bar industry in Hoboken, exploring shifts in consumer behavior, the importance of signature dishes, and the challenges of cost management. They delve into innovative happy hour strategies, the impact of regulations on promotions, and the evolving drinking culture. Engaging with the audience for feedback and ideas is emphasized as a key component for bar owners to adapt and thrive in the changing landscape.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Bar Industry Landscape02:25 Shifts in Consumer Behavior and Spending04:40 The Importance of Signature Menu Items07:41 Pricing Strategies and Customer Expectations10:13 Navigating Legal Restrictions in Promotions12:55 Engaging Customers Through Unique Offers15:55 Understanding Pricing Dynamics in the Bar Business18:36 Creating an Elevated Bar Experience21:36 Feedback and Future Directions for Bars30:20 Understanding the Waiting Room Experience36:20 The Changing Demographics of Hoboken41:25 Adapting to Health Consciousness in Dining44:30 Engaging with the Community for Better Experiences51:23 The Social Aspect of Drinking55:06 Navigating Alcohol Regulations in the Industry

When Sarah Diehl's corporate HR role was eliminated, she called it “the best thing that could have happened.” Out of that setback came Empowered Hospitality, a consulting firm dedicated to helping restaurants and hotels build resilient, people-first teams. In this conversation with Dean Arun Upneja, Sarah shares her four-pillar framework for talent management and explains why culture, onboarding, and employee experience are the true engines of success, whether you're leading a small neighborhood restaurant or a billion-dollar resort. Her insights remind us that in hospitality, strategy isn't just about operations or service standards, it's about how you lead, how you listen, and how you create workplaces where people want to stay and grow. Email us at shadean@bu.eduThe “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. Host: Arun Upneja, DeanProducer: Mara Littman, Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate RelationsMarketing: Rachel Hamlin, Senior Marketing Manager Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

What if your next move isn't another location—it's owning a moment in your guest's life?Mark Rampolla built ZICO into a category and now backs founders with a $600M fund; his playbook is built for operators under pressure. We talk about the five-year reality of product-market fit, why velocity per store beats “more units,” and how owning a specific occasion (post-workout, post-shift, post-party) unlocks scale.Mark breaks down risk discipline—grow deep before wide—and what acquirers actually buy: a future customer and a missing occasion, not just a product.If you're tempted to expand because it feels like progress, this episode shows a sharper path: focus, proof, and traction that travels.To learn more, visit groundforcecapital.com ____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.In this episode, I dive into strategies for boosting restaurant profitability without raising prices. I explain why it's so important to see restaurants as providers of time slots rather than just food and beverage, and how that shift impacts service. I share why the first 20 minutes of the guest experience matter most, plus the tactics I use to improve pacing, satisfaction, and table turns.Takeaways:Most restaurant marketing fails because it's built on guesswork.Awareness doesn't pay the rent, behavior does.If it doesn't move a booking, a purchase or return visit, then it's just noise.We want to align with behavior, not alter it.Triggers turn offers into rituals.The fastest money you can make is in the list you already own.Stop chasing strangers while your regulars gather dust.Create experiences that use desire that already exists.If it wouldn't move you, it probably won't move them.Your marketing must move the needle in your business.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Success01:21 Reframing Restaurant Profitability02:51 Understanding Time as Inventory05:45 Optimizing Service for ProfitabilityIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.

What does it take to lead a hotel company through constant headwinds while still inspiring teams and delivering exceptional guest experiences?Today Dan interviews Scott Roby, President of Pacifica Hotels, to explore the state of the hospitality industry. They discuss the importance of focusing on controllable aspects of business, such as team and guest care, amid economic headwinds and legislative challenges in California. Scott shares insights on Pacifica's strategy of balancing ownership and third-party management, the value of maintaining a strong company culture, and the critical role of technology in the industry. The conversation also touches upon the future prospects and financial strategies for 2026 and beyond, emphasizing a meticulous approach to cost management and team accountability.Takeaways: Encourage team members to share where they're stuck or what could make their jobs better. Leaders should model vulnerability and ask focused questions like, “What's one thing I can do to make your job easier?”Embrace technology and AI to streamline operations and enhance guest experiences. Use tech to remove rote tasks, freeing up staff for more meaningful guest interactions.When working with third-party owners or management partners, ensure alignment in values and culture. Have honest conversations early to avoid misfits that can erode company culture.Monitor both macro and micro trends in your market. Be prepared to pivot operations, staffing, and capital allocation as needed to respond to changing conditions.Build a culture of accountability. Be direct, give open feedback, and focus on solutions. Transparency with owners and team members builds trust and drives better results.Offer opportunities for team members to advance within your organization, which helps with retention and creates a stronger, more flexible workforce.At its core, hospitality is about making people feel safe, seen, and heard. Whether with guests or team members, focus on building relationships and delivering care.Quote of the Show:“A hotel management company is its people. The quality of the company is first and foremost about the people that they have on their team and how they're leading and inspiring the hotel teams.” - Scott RobyLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottroby/ Website: https://www.pacificahotels.com/ Shout Outs:1:04 - Storyteller Hospitality https://storytellerhospitality.com/ 1:08 - Evolution Hospitality https://www.evolutionhospitality.com/ 2:52 - Independent Lodging Conference https://ilcongress.com/ 15:51 - The Serenity Prayer https://www.praywithme.com/serenity-prayer.html 17:27 - Tapestry Hotels https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/tapestry-collection/ 17:28 - Hilton https://www.hilton.com/en/ 20:01 - World Cup https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026 55:00 - Smith Travel https://smith.travel/ 55:01 - Hotel Data Conference https://www.hoteldataconference.com/event/89ca421c-aff8-4d2b-a772-c71c8d0bf627/home 

What if your factory was idling, your shelves were empty, and your business had just lost $15 million—and you still chose not to lay off a single person?That's the line Pepper Baumer drew. As the third-generation CEO of Crystal Hot Sauce, he inherited a 100-year-old legacy—and nearly watched it collapse under the weight of supply chain failure, market loss, and generational transition. But instead of shrinking, he stood firm.In this episode, we get into the decision that nearly cost him everything—and why he says it saved the company. Pepper shares why one $100K social media experiment rewired their marketing strategy and how he's introducing a century-old product to an entirely new generation.This one's for operators who believe legacy doesn't mean stuck—and that people come before profit, even when it hurts.To learn more about Crystal Hot Sauce, visit crystalhotsauce.com ____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

If your guests remember the night but forget the meal, did you succeed?Sara Fay Egan never planned to run restaurants—she built experiences. After a career in high-end event planning, she was thrust into leadership at Beale Street Blues Company after the sudden passing of her father. But instead of mimicking traditional models, she brought an outsider's eye—and a showrunner's instinct.In this conversation, we break down the strategy behind “improvisational hospitality,” the power of sensory immersion, and why giving your team the freedom to perform might be your strongest cultural move. If you've ever wondered how to make your place unforgettable—this is the playbook.To learn more about Beale Street Blues Company, visit bealestreetbluescompany.com ____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts

TALK TO ME, TEXT ITEver been blindsided by a strange charge on your restaurant bill? Imagine finishing a peaceful meal only to discover a 20% "quiet time surcharge" tacked on simply because you dined during off-peak hours. According to one customer's account, a restaurant justified this fee by comparing it to "flying private instead of commercial" – as if enjoying a less crowded dining room somehow warranted an extra cost!The hospitality industry seems to be finding increasingly creative ways to test customer boundaries. Beyond questionable restaurant charges, disturbing research from Germany suggests our favorite sodas might be doing more than expanding our waistlines – they could be contributing to depression. Scientists have discovered a link between soft drink consumption and increased levels of gut bacteria associated with depressive disorders, with women apparently facing higher risks than men. This adds another concerning dimension to the already well-documented health issues related to sugary beverages.Perhaps most troubling is the story of a family with a three-year-old child who were allegedly denied their Marriott hotel reservation in Las Vegas because the father didn't have his physical credit card present – despite the chain's heavily marketed digital check-in service. The family claims they were forced to spend the night in their car in the scorching Vegas heat, raising serious questions about corporate policies versus compassionate customer service. When confronted, the hotel management apparently doubled down on their position, prioritizing procedure over a family's wellbeing. What would you do if faced with these situations? Would you pay that unexpected surcharge, or would you stand your ground? These stories highlight the often frustrating disconnect between what businesses advertise and what customers actually experience. Share your thoughts or similar experiences – we'd love to hear how you navigate these hospitality industry challenges!Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREE Thanks for listening! Liberty Line each week on Sunday, look for topics on my X file @americanistblog and submit your 1-3 audio opinions to anamericanistblog@gmail.com and you'll be featured on the podcast. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREESupport the showTip Jar for coffee $ - Thanks Music by Alehandro Vodnik from Pixabay Blog - AnAmericanist.comX - @americanistblog

Send us a textWhat truly defines luxury in travel and events? In this engaging conversation, Joey Pinz sits down with award-winning event producer Cindy Nachman-Senders to explore how the hospitality industry is evolving — and what businesses must know to create unforgettable experiences.Cindy, a nationally respected leader with over 25 years in luxury hospitality and event design, pulls back the curtain on:✨ Why the meaning of “luxury” has shifted post-COVID — and how independent brands are filling the gap.✨ The hidden role of meeting planners and why the best events aren't about hotels, but about strategy, culture, and flawless execution.✨ How speakers, podcasters, and content extend an event's impact long after it ends.

Is EQ more important than IQ when it comes to hospitality?Today, Manish Puri, General Manager of the Regent Hotels and Resorts Bali, joins Dan to dive into key topics in the industry, such as sustainability, community, and leadership. They discuss the essence of hospitality, differentiating it from mere service, and delve into the concept of regenerative hospitality and sustainability. Manish shares insights from his career at prestigious hotel brands like Oberoi, Burj Al Arab, Six Senses, and Regent Bali. They explore how sustainability initiatives can transform the industry, turning cost centers into investment centers, and the importance of heartfelt service. The conversation also covers the challenges of opening and managing new hotels and the impact of leadership and open-heartedness in inspiring younger generations in the hospitality industry.Takeaways: Embrace regenerative practices by viewing waste as an opportunity to create value, turning sustainability efforts into investments rather than costs.Lead by example and integrity. Your actions are always being observed, so inspire others by consistently doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.Pay attention to the small details in your work. Excellence is built on thousands of thoughtful, consistent actions rather than a single grand gesture.Foster a culture of genuine care and positivity. Small acts of kindness and authentic smiles can create a powerful ripple effect throughout your organization.Design guest programs that encourage visitors to give back to the local community, such as volunteering or sharing their expertise, creating a positive impact beyond their stay.Treat sustainability initiatives as opportunities for investment and growth, not just as expenses. Find ways to turn environmental responsibility into tangible value.Quote of the Show:“ A luxury brand has to have that caring side of it. Caring for the environment, caring for all stakeholders, caring for the community. Without it, you are not a complete hotel.” - Manish PuriLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish-puri-36241231/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manpuri/ Website: https://www.ihg.com/regent/hotels/us/en/reservation Shout Outs:1:15 - Oberoi Hotels and Resorts https://www.oberoihotels.com/ 1:16 - Burj Al Arab https://www.jumeirah.com/en/Stay/Dubai/Burj-Al-Arab-Jumeirah 1:17 - Potato Head https://seminyak.potatohead.co/ 1:22 - Six Senses https://www.sixsenses.com/en/ 2:28 - IHG https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/reservation 2:30 - Kimpton https://www.ihg.com/kimptonhotels/hotels/us/en/reservation 2:33 - Intercontinental https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/reservation 5:10 - Beverly Wilshire https://www.fourseasons.com/beverlywilshire/ 5:12 - Pretty Woman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Woman 5:48 - Four Seasons https://www.fourseasons.com/ 5:49 - Jim Brown https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-brown-718240a/ 22:42 - TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/ 28:45 - Tom Cruise https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Cruise 28:52 - Grand Hyatt https://www.hyatt.com/grand-hyatt/en-US 28: 53 - Kempinski Palace https://www.kempinski.com/en/palace-portoroz 29:02 - University of Oxford https://www.ox.ac.uk/ 29:02 - Cornell University https://www.cornell.edu/ 

What if your restaurant's biggest threat isn't your competition—it's your own irrelevance?Jean-Pierre Lacroix has spent decades helping brands regain their footing after losing touch with what made them matter.In today's conversation, we unpack what's killing restaurant loyalty—and it's not what you think. Jean-Pierre argues that operators are over-indexing on price and efficiency, while starving their brand of emotional connection. We get into how to build a restaurant that creates memories, not just meals; why frequency is the new frontier of growth; and how to design an experience so strong, your customers do the marketing for you.This isn't about promotions. It's about staying relevant, meaningful, and unforgettable.To learn more about his work in brand transformation, visit sld.com ____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

Most restaurant owners think better food or better service will win the game. But Allan Dib has a different take: your product is not your problem—your marketing is.Allan is the best-selling author of The 1-Page Marketing Plan, and in this conversation, he dismantles the myths that keep restaurants stuck. We get into the high cost of bad positioning, why most marketing attracts the wrong customers, and the dangerous assumption that quality alone will drive sales.He shares how loyalty is about identity, not discounts—and why clarity, not complexity, is the real growth lever.This is for operators who are tired of being the best-kept secret and ready to market like they mean it.To learn more about his work and access free tools, visit https://allandib.com/____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.In this episode, I share effective strategies for restaurant marketing and team engagement. I talk about the importance of aligning team goals with personal motivations and introduce the GWC framework to evaluate whether team members truly understand their role, want to succeed in it, and have the capacity to deliver. I also highlight why consistency in training and communication is so critical for creating a productive environment and achieving lasting results. Takeaways:Most restaurant marketing fails because it's built on guesswork.Get the team excited about goals that move the needle in their lives.Meetings should enroll people in a game worth playing.Procedures don't move people; purpose does.Behavior changes without micromanagement when aligned with purpose.The GWC framework helps assess team alignment.Aligning outcomes with team members' goals fosters motivation.Consistency in training leads to lasting results.Daily reminders can turn ideas into habits.Track one behavior for seven days to see results.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Full Comp and Restaurant Marketing00:57 Engaging Teams with Meaningful Goals02:40 The GWC Framework for Team Alignment05:31 Implementing Consistency for Lasting ResultsIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.

What happens when a hotel developer moves from building Hampton Inns to creating lifestyle hotels with fire pits and Michelin-starred restaurants?Today's guest is a returning guest, Stephen Wendell, Co-Founder and CEO of Mountain Shore Properties. They explore the shift from select-service properties to luxury and lifestyle hotels, examining the business dynamics and guest experiences that differentiate these segments. Steven shares insights on building independent lifestyle hotels, dealing with construction challenges, financing, and the pivotal role of major brands and creative freedom. They also discuss the evolving demands of younger travelers and the potential for lifestyle hotels to serve as cultural hubs. The conversation touches on financing strategies, the impact of current economic conditions, and the balance between guest experience and profitability.Takeaways: The most successful hospitality projects prioritize unique, memorable experiences for guests, which can lead to long-term loyalty and word-of-mouth growth.Each project is a learning opportunity. Apply lessons from past mistakes to improve future outcomes and avoid repeating errors.Consider a mix of select service and lifestyle/boutique properties to balance stability with higher-reward opportunities.Affiliation with major brands can make financing easier and provide valuable marketing/distribution support, but weigh the costs and benefits carefully.The best hotels become hubs for both guests and locals. Create spaces and experiences that attract both groups.Younger travelers value experiences over points. Offer unique, local collaborations and experiences to attract and retain this demographic.Hospitality is a long-term business. Set expectations with investors and partners accordingly, and operate with a long-term mindset.Quote of the Show:“Some people quit in the messy middle. We've pushed through, and now we know what to do and how to do it.” - Stephen WendellLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-wendell-5417291a/ Website: https://mountainshoreproperties.com/ Shout Outs:1:18 - Philadelphia Eagles https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/ 2:00 - Camptown https://mountainshoreproperties.com/project/camptown-leeds-ny/ 3:56 - Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/ 4:14 - Hyatt https://www.hyatt.com/ 4:15 - Dream https://www.hyatt.com/dream-hotels 4:16 - The Standard https://www.hyatt.com/the-standard/en-US 4:17 - Bunkhouse https://www.hyatt.com/bunkhouse-hotels/en-US/explore 4:18 - Hilton https://www.hilton.com/en/ 4:19 - Graduate https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/graduate-hotels/ 4:22 - Nomad https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/nomad-hotels/ 4:23 - Marriott https://www.marriott.com/default.mi 5:09 - Courtyard https://courtyard.marriott.com/ 5:17 - Hotel Genevieve https://mountainshoreproperties.com/project/hotel-genevieve-louisville-ky/ 7:20 - Hampton Inn https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/hampton-by-hilton/ 13:00 - Gary Vaynerchuk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Vaynerchuk 13:50 - Steve Jobs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs 13:52 - Bill Gates https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates 13:53 - Jeff Bezos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Bezos 14:49 - James Beard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Beard 17:18 - AC Hotels https://ac-hotels.marriott.com/ 18:07 - Independent Lodging Congress https://ilcongress.com/ 18:18 - Deutsche Bank https://www.db.com/ 18:20 - Bank of America https://www.bankofamerica.com/ 22:31 - Vanguard https://investor.vanguard.com/ 22:32 - John Bogle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Bogle 23:09 - JDV https://www.hyatt.com/jdv-by-hyatt/en-US/explore 24:08 - IHG https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/reservation 24:12 - Vignette https://www.ihg.com/vignettecollection/hotels/us/en/reservation 25:29 - Waldorf Astoria https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/waldorf-astoria/ 34:40 - Ritz Carlton https://www.ritzcarlton.com/ 45:57 - Jerome Powell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Powell 52:26 - Paul Volcker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Volcker 54:59 - Costa Susana https://costasusana.com/en/ 56:20 - Hotel Saint Cecilia https://www.bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-saint-cecilia 56:47 - Regent Hotels https://www.ihg.com/regent/hotels/us/en/reservation 

Ahu Hettema didn't hedge her bets—she burned the boats. No Plan B. No safety net. Just a belief that betting everything on one restaurant could rewrite her life. And it did. But not through stubbornness. Through adaptation.In this episode, Ahu breaks down how listening—really listening—to her guests saved her concept, why comfort matters more than cuisine, and how leadership based on likability, not fear, created a team that shows up like it's opening night, every night.This is for every operator who's done the math and knows the numbers don't work unless the heart of the place does.For more on Istanbul Hawaii and her story, visit istanbulhawaii.com 

Chris Adams does. He's built a business on showing some of the biggest brands in the world how to make guests feel something—without faking it.In this episode, we dig into what defines modern luxury and why it has less to do with money and more to do with culture, people, and emotional precision. Chris shares how AI and tech can enhance—not replace—hospitality, why perceived value is the new battlefield, and what most operators get wrong about training.If you're still trying to out-system your staffing problems, this is your wake-up call. Luxury isn't about perks. It's about people. And Chris is here to show you how to invest in them the right way.To learn more about Ellis Adams Group and their work in luxury hospitality, visit ellisadamsgroup.com____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

“Design is subjective, but quality is objective.”Today, Spencer Levine, President of RAL Companies and Affiliates, joins Dan to dive into hospitality development. Spencer shares insights from his extensive career in architecture and landscape development. The conversation covers the importance of delivering tangible and thoughtful hospitality experiences, the significance of strategic partnerships, and the crucial role of creative problem-solving in the development process. Spencer also delves into his experiences during the 2008 financial crisis and how it shaped his company's approach to handling distressed projects. Additionally, he reflects on lessons from his father and the impact of company culture on successful project execution.Takeaways: Exceptional service can overcome shortcomings in physical spaces. Focus on delivering care and responsiveness to guests and clients.Approach challenges by seeking solutions, not dwelling on problems. Be proactive and creative, especially when facing constraints.Invest in relationships and develop a strong network, both internally and externally. Know who to call when you need expertise beyond your own.Strive for authenticity in design and experience. Make spaces and services reflect the unique character of their location and purpose.Take personal responsibility for your work and encourage accountability within your team. Share knowledge and support each other to achieve common goals.No task is beneath you. Be ready to do whatever it takes to deliver a project, from high-level strategy to hands-on work.Make decisions with intention and commit to them. Don't get stuck in indecision. Pivot if needed, but move forward with conviction.Quote of the Show:“Design is not necessarily just beautiful, it's making a decision and forging ahead with it.” - Spencer LevineLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-levine-665b1078/ Website: https://ralcompanies.com/ Shout Outs:0:45 - Mandarin Oriental Resorts and Residences https://ralcompanies.com/projects/mandarin-oriental/ 0:49 - Zero Irving https://ralcompanies.com/projects/14th-street/ 0:51 - Four Seasons Vail https://www.fourseasons.com/vail/ 0:54 - ULI New York https://newyork.uli.org/ 1:50 - Monty Python https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python 10:31 - Horst Schulze https://horstschulze.com/ 13:13 - Robert Levine https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-levine-65b60628/ 17:24 - Roan Steamboat https://www.steamboatsprings-realestate.com/roan/ 17:41 - The Madeline https://aubergeresorts.com/madeline/ 26:45 - Ironshore https://www.ironshorecayman.vip/ 28:22 - Hart Howerton https://www.harthowerton.com/ 28:32 - Meyer Davis https://www.meyerdavis.com/ 29:31 - Reda Amalou https://www.redaamalou.com/en/ 29:37 - Ocean House https://www.oceanhouseri.com/ 35:45 - Field of Dreams https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_of_Dreams 46:38 - Vincent Cangelosi https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-cangelosi-4053a23/ 47:24 - Steve Higgins https://www.canoehospitality.com/ 50:48 - Young President's Organization https://www.ypo.org/ 58:31 - Cornell University https://www.cornell.edu/ 59:10 - Harvard University https://www.harvard.edu/ 

Most people buy a restaurant and inherit someone else's problems. John Gelastopoulos bought a closed breakfast spot, maxed out his credit cards to keep it alive—and turned it into a 41-location powerhouse. The secret? Relentless persistence and an obsession with people.In this conversation, John shares how he went from washing dishes to franchising nationwide, why filling the dining room once can create a lasting ripple effect, and the systems that keep his culture intact across dozens of locations. We get into scaling without losing empathy, making smart pricing moves through economic swings, and focusing only on what you can control—no matter the competition.If you're ready to see how grit, relationships, and a well-timed Rolodex can build an empire, this episode delivers.To learn more about Broken Yolk Café and their franchise opportunities, visit www.thebrokenyolkcafe.com____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

In this episode, we explore how the merger of DigitalGuest and Chicostay is streamlining hotel operations with unified digital tools, while AI-powered scams on platforms like Airbnb are challenging trust and security in short-term rentals.Are you new and want to start your own hospitality business?Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Boostly and join the discussion:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to know more about us? Visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay informed and ahead of the curve with the latest insights and analysis.

On this episode of Paisa Vaisa, host Anupam Gupta sits down with Pankaj Parwanda, the co-founder of goStops Hostels, to explore the booming youth travel industry in India. Pankaj shares the fascinating story of how a backpacking trip in Europe led to the creation of goStops, a company that has become a leader in the youth travel and hostel market. We dive into the unique asset-light business model, disruptive strategies, and the surprising insights that have positioned goStops as a ₹200 Cr. business. This conversation is a deep dive into entrepreneurship, the future of hospitality, and the mindset of the modern Indian traveler. ✔Gen Z prefers hostels over hotels. ✔The business runs on a lean 0.4:1 manning ratio. ✔It offers hotel owners an impressive 8% ROI. ✔The company grew 25x during the pandemic. ✔Indian women are comfortable with mixed-gender dorms. ✔The brand operates with an asset-light model. ✔The business is built on a sharing economy concept. ✔They are targeting a ₹1,000 Cr. valuation.From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & moreWatch full episodes right here on YouTube Explore more at ivmpodcasts.comConnect with Anupam Gupta: Twitter: @b50 Instagram: @b_50 LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta Follow IVM Podcasts We’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 30 years with restaurant conglomerate Lettuce Entertain You, Geoff Alexander could teach a masterclass on building and scaling a restaurant brand. And that's exactly what he's done for us today. In this far reaching conversation we discuss the essential elements of leadership, how to build a brand from the ground up, turnaround strategies for struggling brands, and how to outsmart the competition. For more information on Wow Bao, visit https://www.wowbao.com/.____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.In this episode, I explore the critical role of signature dishes in restaurant marketing. I share why effective marketing is less about offering a large menu and more about creating standout items that truly resonate with guests. I walk through strategies for identifying, crafting, and promoting a signature dish so it becomes a magnet that draws customers in and keeps them coming back. I also highlight the importance of consistency in execution and show how building a brand story around that dish can strengthen engagement and loyalty. Takeaways:Most restaurant marketing fails because it's built on guesswork.Menus don't go viral. Heroes do.Create the thing the guests dream about.People don't remember lists, they remember legends.Your signature item sets expectations.Rituals turn signatures into traditions.It's a magnet and it functions like one.Give it an iconic name and a one-sentence story.In today's competitive landscape, it just isn't enough.If this conversation made you realize the gourmet you need to magnet.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Full Comp and Restaurant Marketing01:44 The Importance of a Signature Dish05:38 Operationalizing and Ritualizing Your Signature ItemIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.

The secret to a hotel's success isn't just great design; it's what guests don't see.Harzali Hashim, Complex Director of Engineering at Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts in Honolulu, joins Dan to discuss sustainability engineering within the hospitality industry. They discuss Harzali's extensive 20-year career in hotel and resort engineering, focusing on the importance of maintenance, design, and sustainability in creating memorable guest experiences. They explore the operational challenges of managing historic properties, the significance of green engineering, and the collaborative efforts across the industry to uphold high standards. The episode also touches on Harzali's leadership within the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association's Engineers Advisory Council and his proactive approach in mentoring and fostering sustainability initiatives.Takeaways: Focus on creating memorable experiences for guests, not just through amenities but also through attentive service and a welcoming environment.Regularly maintain both visible and behind-the-scenes infrastructure to ensure long-term property value and guest satisfaction.Implement sustainable practices, such as energy and water conservation, and educate both staff and guests on their importance.Build strong relationships with all stakeholders: designers, engineers, housekeeping, and ownership to ensure successful projects and renovations.Be willing to rethink traditional processes and adapt quickly to changing circumstances for more efficient project delivery.Maintain honest and open communication with all project stakeholders to reduce misunderstandings and accelerate progress.Engage in community service and industry events to strengthen local ties and contribute positively beyond your organization.Quote of the Show:“Sustainability has been part of me for a while. Being here in Hawaii, embracing the local community means being sustainable.” - Harzali HashimLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harzali-hashim-b6901540/ Website: https://www.kyoyahotelsandresorts.com/ Shout Outs:0:53 - Marriott https://www.marriott.com/default.mi 1:15 - Sheraton Waikiki https://www.kyoyahotelsandresorts.com/sheraton-waikiki/ 1:19 - Diamond Head https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/diamond-head-state-monument/ 1:31 - Moana Surfrider https://www.kyoyahotelsandresorts.com/moana-surfrider/ 2:56 - The Royal https://www.kyoyahotelsandresorts.com/the-royal-hawaiian/ 3:00 - The Palace https://www.kyoyahotelsandresorts.com/the-palace-hotel/ 6:48 - Halekulani https://www.halekulani.com/ 8:23 - John Staub https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-staub-a8486914/ 8:26 - Philpotts https://www.philpotts.net/ 10:55 - Starwood Hotels https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starwood_Hotels_and_Resorts 11:28 - Disney https://www.disney.com/ 23:23 - Engineers Advisory Council https://www.hawaiilodging.org/engineers-advisory-council.html 23:27 - Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association https://www.hawaiilodging.org/ 27:48 - Eileen Madigan https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileenamadiganasid/ 27:49 - Las Vegas Sands Corp https://www.sands.com/ 31:44 - Princess Kaiulani https://www.kyoyahotelsandresorts.com/princess-kaiulani/ 44:55 - Green Business Program https://greenbusiness.hawaii.gov/ 

Sometimes the only difference between those who succeed and those who fail is the decision to not give up. Today's guest, Chef Brad Wise, is a testament to the grit required to build something prolific in our industry. In our conversation we discuss how to overcome a slow start and how he turned a failed bar into the hottest steakhouse concept on the West Coast. For more on his restaurant concepts, visit https://www.trustrestaurantsd.com/____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

Chef Bruce Bromberg is not the typical restaurant magnate that comes to mind when you think of a national restaurant group. More than anything, he's a chef, leveraging the universal truths he's learned over the years in innovative ways. His ability to translate the fundamentals of cooking to the fundamentals of business has led to his meteoric success. Today we sit down to discuss the essential elements involved in building a successful brand and business that can last decades. For more information on the chef and his restaurant group, visit https://www.blueribbonrestaurants.com.____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.In this episode, I dive into the biggest mistakes operators make when it comes to restaurant marketing—and why most of us are focused on the wrong things. I break down the myth that awareness equals success and explain why understanding your customer's behavior matters more than visibility. We get into the strategies I've used to align with what guests already want, how to create urgency that drives action, and the systems that turn casual interest into consistent bookings.Takeaways:Most restaurant marketing fails because it's built on guesswork.Awareness doesn't pay the rent, behavior does.If it doesn't move a booking, a purchase or return visit, then it's just noise.We want to align with behavior, not alter it.Triggers turn offers into rituals.The fastest money you can make is in the list you already own.Stop chasing strangers while your regulars gather dust.Create experiences that use desire that already exists.If it wouldn't move you, it probably won't move them.Your marketing must move the needle in your business.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Marketing Challenges02:44 Understanding Customer Behavior and Marketing Effectiveness05:39 Strategies for Effective Restaurant MarketingIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.

What does it take to manage 420 apartments and create a million memorable moments? On this episode, host Dan Ryan sits down with Sebastián Torres-Calderón, the CEO of Stay U-nique, an award-winning short-term rental company in Spain. Sebastián shares his journey from customer journey intern to CEO and reveals how implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) helped his company not only survive the chaos of COVID but quadruple in size. The conversation dives deep into how Stay U-nique uses data and technology to create a frictionless guest experience, the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry, and the political headwinds facing the short-term rental market. Sebastián offers a unique perspective on the debate between prohibition and regulation and provides a powerful case for why collaboration between the private and public sectors is the key to solving housing inventory issues.Takeaways: Track key metrics (KPIs) across all departments, not just leadership, to identify and address recurring issues. Use data to drive improvements in guest experience, operations, and communication.Use frameworks such as the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to set clear goals, break them into manageable projects (“rocks”), and review progress regularly. Involve the entire team in the process for maximum impact.Don't be afraid to make mistakes, learn, and adapt. Regularly test new approaches, measure their impact, and iterate quickly. Use technology to streamline operations (e.g., remote locks, cleaning apps) and enhance the guest experience, but ensure it remains personal and responsive.Success takes time and consistent effort. Focus on long-term growth rather than immediate results.Empower every team member with ownership of projects and clear goals to drive company-wide improvement.Quote of the Show:“To take that time and make it something that they will remember forever, and get to do that every day, that's amazing.” - Sebastián Torres-CalderónLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebasti%C3%A1n-torres-calderon-serkovic-310044121/ Website: https://www.stay-u-nique.com/en/ Shout Outs:0:53 - World Travel Awards https://www.worldtravelawards.com/ 10:46 - EOS https://www.eosworldwide.com/ 12:02 - Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/ 13:43 - Traction https://amzn.to/4fEGOTZ 13:43 - Gino Wickman https://www.ginowickman.com/ 14:53 - Mitcham Rentals https://www.mitchamgrouprentals.com/ 16:23 - Enrique Alcántara https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-alc%C3%A1ntara-b9623b/ 24:28 - What the Heck is EOS? https://amzn.to/4fGGXGC 40:49 - Sonder https://www.sonder.com/ 40:56 - Marriott https://www.marriott.com/default.mi 

I always looked at the big restaurant groups out there with envy. How amazing must it be to own 6, 8, or more locations? At what point do you get rich? At what point do you go from backup dishwasher to brand evangelist. Chef Lisa Dahl has grasped the brass ring. Over the last two decades, she's built a restaurant empire. In today's conversation, we look back on what got her to where she is today and where she's headed next.For more information on the chef and her restaurant group, visit https://www.dahlrestaurantgroup.com/. ____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

What if a restaurant wasn't a business—but a way to rebuild a broken city?That's how Robért LeBlanc saw it after Hurricane Katrina. He didn't just open a venue—he created a space to reconnect a fractured community. In this episode, we go deep on how Robért has used hospitality to heal, unite, and inspire. From the ethos behind his post-Katrina nightclub to the values driving his now 350-person company, Robért shares how storytelling, humility, and a culture of ownership have become his ultimate competitive edge. We talk about failure, course correction, and what it really takes to build a team that gives a damn.This isn't just about restaurants. It's about using our work to serve something bigger and why that's never been more urgent.To learn more about his work, visit leblancandsmith.com.____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

I'm Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I've spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.In this episode, I discuss the common pitfalls in restaurant marketing and the importance of having solid systems in place for growth. I emphasize that successful scaling requires a business that can operate independently of the owner and a clear plan for replication. I also share how to test readiness for expansion and highlight the significance of understanding financial metrics before making growth decisions.Takeaways:Most restaurant marketing fails because it's built on guesswork.Growth isn't earned through vision, it's earned through replication.If you can't replicate your profit, you're just cloning chaos.The business must be leader-proof before it can be location-proof.Scaling isn't about momentum. It's about predictability.Walk away from the restaurant for three days and see what breaks.You're building a machine so that you can build your dream.If you don't know your math, then you're scaling fiction.Assign ownership, create documentation, and build your replacement strategy.Tell a friend who's thinking about opening another location.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Marketing Challenges02:44 The Importance of Systems for Growth05:38 Testing Readiness for ExpansionIf you've got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting https://joshkopel.com.

What does it mean to develop a host mindset?Today, Dan dives into the transformative principles of the 'host mindset' with Steve Fortunato, founder of roomforty and the Fig House. Steve shares his journey from a restaurateur and caterer to becoming an influential leadership facilitator, emphasizing the importance of making others feel valued. The conversation highlights the impact of hospitality in business, practical strategies to foster engagement, and the significance of personal growth and generosity-driven cultures. This episode is a deep exploration of how hospitality principles can enhance both personal and professional interactions, creating a kinder and collaborative environment.Takeaways: Approach every interaction, whether with clients, colleagues, or customers, with the intention to make others feel valued and cared for.Define a small set of practical, non-aspirational values that are deeply linked to your mission and vision. Integrate them into hiring, training, and daily operations.Seek out coaches, mentors, or peer groups who challenge you and help you grow. Stay open to learning and feedback.Give value first, without expecting immediate returns. Trust that value will come back to you through the virtuous cycle of generosity.Apply hospitality beyond the industry. Use these principles in any field or relationship.Even in gig-based or temporary workforces, make people feel important and included to inspire better performance and loyalty.Recognize that mastery is a journey, not a destination. Stay humble, coachable, and always strive to be better.Quote of the Show:“ I don't believe hospitality is an industry. I believe it's a virtue.” - Steve FortunatoLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-fortunato-3b990516/ Website: https://stevefortunato.com/ Book Link: https://amzn.to/45zaddw Shout Outs:0:38 - The Fig House https://www.fighousela.com/ 5:48 - Patina Group https://www.patinagroup.com/ 6:01 - Wolfgang Puck Catering https://wolfgangpuckcatering.com/ 14:49 - Bill Clinton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton 14:53 - Bob Hope https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Hope 24:39 - John F Kennedy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy 43:44 - Toyota https://www.toyota.com/ 57:28 - DC Structures https://dcstructures.com/ 

What if you could take the precision of fine dining and scale it to millions of people—without diluting the magic?That's the challenge John Karangis has spent a lifetime solving. From the kitchens of Paris and Gramercy Tavern to leading culinary innovation at Shake Shack, John has mastered the art of translating high-end experience into high-volume impact. In this episode, he reveals the playbook behind Shake Shack's wildly successful LTOs, why most “innovation” fails, and how he balances creativity with consistency in a system built for scale. We also explore the emotional drive behind his work—how fatherhood reshaped his leadership, and why humility may be the sharpest tool in his kitchen.For any operator looking to elevate their food without losing their soul, this one hits deep.To learn more about Shake Shack and their culinary innovation, visit shakeshack.com.____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

What if the best restaurant marketing isn't digital—it's emotional?Giancarlo Pagani has built some of the most talked-about restaurants in LA, not with ads or gimmicks, but with atmosphere.In this episode, we get into the blueprint behind Mother Wolf's success, why frequency—not first-timers—is the real metric to chase, and how to design concepts where guests don't just eat—they escape.This episode is a wake-up call for every operator chasing virality over loyalty.For more on his projects, visit https://motherwolfla.com.____________________________________________________________Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.comFull Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

What if the goal wasn't retirement—it was alignment?Derek Coburn spent decades helping high-net-worth clients chase the dream of early retirement. Today, Derek argues for a radical new philosophy: build a life so meaningful, you wouldn't want to retire from it.In this conversation, we dig into the emotional and financial toll of deferring joy, how rethinking retirement can restore time, money, and purpose, and why investing in your relationships, health, and energy yield the greatest ROI. Derek's not pitching escapism—he's showing us how to design a life with nothing to run from. To learn more about his book Let's Retire Retirement, visit https://www.derekcoburn.com/.____________________________________________________________Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars

What if the hardest part of change isn't strategy—it's psychology?Mark Politzer walked away from fine dining to lead Norms, a 76-year-old family-style chain deeply rooted in Southern California. Now he's balancing evolution with preservation, trying to modernize a beloved brand without breaking what makes it work. In this episode, we talk about how to lead legacy teams through change, why internal marketing might be your most important job, and how culture becomes competitive advantage when accountability and pride collide.This is for anyone navigating the tightrope of tradition and transformation.To learn more about Norms and their evolving story, visit https://www.norms.com.____________________________________________________________Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:Yelp for Restaurants PodcastsRestaurant expert videos & webinars