Podcasts about Restaurant management

DIRTEA isn't just another wellness brand selling mushroom powder. It's a behavioural-science masterclass — an experiment in habit formation, storytelling, and modern ritual.Founded by brothers Simon and Andrew Salter, DIRTEA turned ancient adaptogens into a luxury lifestyle — one that sits perfectly between neuroscience, self-optimisation, and social identity. Their rise wasn't built on ads or hype, but on behavioural insight — understanding how humans build rituals, seek belonging, and buy into meaning.===============

Espresso's are powered by our wonderful sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Book a meeting with Unleashed by just clicking here!♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

"The food is like almost the last piece of the puzzle." So says acclaimed chef Tom Brown, who joins us to peel back the layers of London's vibrant food scene and his own culinary philosophy. From his 'Willy Wonka' creative process at The Capital, where dishes like his crab custard defy expectation, Brown reveals that true restaurant success hinges on 'setting, service, food'  a lesson from Marco Pierre White. He shares his journey from Cornwall to making Hackney home with Cornerstone where he soaked up all the sage wisdom of legend Nathan Outlaw. Tom has always been driven by the belief that "if you do something good, people will come." He finds solace in solo dining at places like Shoreditch's Navy Clubs, emphasizes the "business of happiness," ensuring guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. He delves into his obsession with oysters, learning their 'terroir' from Irish farmers, and the art of fish butchery inspired by Josh Niland. This episode is a masterclass in relentless improvement, drawing parallels between culinary reinvention and the evolution of bands like Arctic Monkeys, all while navigating the tight margins and evolving landscape of modern hospitality. =============================================

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.

JOIN Our FREE Facebook Group today: https://www.facebook.com/groups/10075401142519206How to Get Your Restaurant staff to Follow the Cleaning Checklistou don't have a cleaning problem — you have a management problem.In this video, I break down why your team keeps ignoring the cleaning checklist, and how to fix it for good.We'll cover:Why checklists stop working after 3 daysHow to inspect what you expectThe system we use at Mattenga's to keep stores consistently cleanHow to build habits instead of headachesIf you're tired of repeating yourself, this will change how you manage your restaurant.

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.

Espresso's are powered by our wonderful sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Book a meeting with Unleashed by just clicking here!♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

This conversation with Seth Godin explores the difference between strategy and tactics, why most brands confuse the two, and how true marketing is about the product and story itself—not just promotion. Seth unpacks how systems shape behaviour, often invisibly, and how founders can break or reframe those systems to create new opportunities.The episode dives into the idea of customer traction and feedback loops—how the right audience, story, and channel can make or break a product. Seth illustrates with examples from Patagonia, Dyson, Apple, Prince Spaghetti, Tony's Chocolonely, Innocent Drinks, and Scharffen Berger Chocolate—showing how successful brands win by embedding meaning, status, and culture into their strategy, not just chasing tactics.Creativity and consistency are also central themes: Seth argues professionals “ship” every day, rather than waiting for inspiration, citing musicians and artists like Miles Davis, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Patti Smith. He frames origin stories as self-fulfilling—founders must choose a productive story that drives them forward.At its core, the episode is about seeing differently: spotting the hidden systems we operate in, distinguishing tactics from strategy, and building stories that compound over time. The conversation blends behavioural economics, culture change, and practical examples into a playbook for founders who want to grow brands that matter. ==============================================

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.

Espresso's are powered by our wonderful sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Book a meeting with Unleashed by just clicking here!♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

How do we ACTUALLY save restaurants from closing?The UK government aren't gonna save hospitality… but Marco Pierre White and Pan Koutlakis think they have the answer with Eat Club.Restaurants.It's easier than you think to save your restaurants.Are you going to be your neighbor?What's FUCKING MENTAL is most punters don't even know.This cataclysmic earthquake is brewing in the background.Behind the warm hug of hospitality hides the cold bite of fear.You revel in merriment, operators reel in morbid fear.Fear of closure. Fear of NI increase. Fear.In the dining room, your giggling gaggle laughs over languid luncheon.In the back room, the howling fantods scream up operators' bones.Think of your favourite restaurant for one second… do you realise how scary it is right now?ON THE MENU:From Cafe to Nightclub GM at 19: Eat Club's GenesisBehavioral Science & Social Proof in NightclubsVolume is Everything: Why Restaurant Capacity MattersReframing the Question: Growth vs. Cost-Cutting MindsetProduct Market Fit: Why Restaurants are Quiet Mid-WeekWhat is Eat Club? Dynamic Pricing for RestaurantsThe "Trough of Sorrow": Building Eat Club Through COVIDLessons from a Montenegrin Boss: Relentless Work EthicThe Challenge of Scaling: From 12 to 100+ EmployeesTech Insights for Restaurants: Customer Lifetime ValueDynamic Pricing Objections: Why People Don't Get ItDynamic Pricing & The Human Element in SalesMarco Pierre White: Early Investor & Eat Club AmbassadorMarco Pierre White on Brand vs. Business: Fill Those TablesArbitrary Pricing: Why Dynamic Pricing is Essential  Got empty tables? EatClub connects your restaurant with diners in real time, turning quiet hours into profit. Contact us: fillmytables@eatclub.co.uk

Espresso's are powered by our wonderful sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Book a meeting with Unleashed by just clicking here!♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

Ladies and laddies, Rory & Osh in one poddy.That is all.ON THE MENU:Scale Kills Magic: Why The Devonshire Will Never Open A Second SiteWhy Restaurants Must Think About “Cost of Entertainment Hour” + “why skint kids spend loads on video games”The Devonshire Hiring Strategy: Hire people who think like we think… “hiring your mates is an underrated hiring strategy”Broken Fork + Silent Irritants Rule: “Your Job is to ANNIHILATE Silent Irritants”Amazon Primeification of Pulling Pints: “…Marketing spends too much time amplifying positives vs. reducing negatives”What Standing in Queues teaches us about folly of consumer research… “if it's felt not thought, therefore it's not said”How Pub Seating Arrangements can improve Train Journeys… “you still feel seen and welcome if you're leaning on an edge”The Danger of The Internal Four Walls: “Use your eyes like you've never used them before”How to Make Your Pub Busy + Do Things That Don't Scale… “literally walk around your pub or restaurant and buy punters pints”How to create a BRANDQUAKE… “never forget the impact of human to human interactions”The Busy Rule: “If you can't be good when you're busy, you can't be good when you're not busy”Customer Acquisition vs. Customer Retention… “brands spend way to much time on customer acquisition vs. customer retention”Why Estate Agents don't let buyers speak to sellers + “why watering your garden plants increases the chance of selling your house”Waitrose's Inversion Communications Rule… “NEVER FORGET…what you don't do is also a form of communications”Tommy Hilfiger Bullshit Rule: “necessary level of bullshit for a necessary level of expenditure”Silent Irritants vs. Silent Pleasantries: how to use behavioural variability to make your customers incredibly happyDifferentiation requires something incredibly random… Rolls Royce Umbrellas in the car  ==============================================

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.

Espresso's are powered by our wonderful sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Book a meeting with Unleashed by just clicking here!♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

In this episode of the Hungry Podcast, Henrik Grim, co-founder of Mimo, sits down to share the lessons he's learned from scaling startups, investing in brands, and navigating the brutal realities of cash flow. From his early days at iZettle and Spotify to launching Mimo, Henrik traces the path that shaped his approach to building companies with purpose and resilience.He explains why cash flow is the make-or-break factor for consumer brands, how raising money is more of an art than a science, and why Sweden's cultural DNA — rooted in the “Law of Jante” and flat hierarchies — has influenced the way startups are built. Henrik dives into what sets apart the businesses that succeed, from customer obsession and competitive urgency to knowing when data is helpful — and when it just creates noise.Along the way, Henrik reflects on personal challenges: balancing founder obsession with family life, grappling with insecurities, and learning how to give ownership and responsibility to others. He draws sharp parallels between competitive sailing, his sport of choice growing up, and entrepreneurship — from reading the conditions to finding your own path rather than following competitors.This conversation is packed with insights on startup culture, fundraising, prioritization, customer focus, and leadership — all delivered with Henrik's mix of candor, humility, and hard-won experience. ==============================================

Espresso's are powered by our wonderful sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Book a meeting with Unleashed by just clicking here!♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

Franco Fubini was born in Argentina, raised in Italy, educated in America, and built his career in London.He's worked for Goldman Sachs, Apple, and luxury food brand Valderrama.But then came Natoora.Today, Franco is the founder of Natoora – the chef-obsessed fruit & veg supplier, serving Ottolenghi, Dan Barber, and Alain Ducasse.This episode is an eye-opener into food systems, supermarket power, and how our plates shape the planet.ON THE MENU:Growing up between Argentina, Italy & the U.S. – how culture shapes taste.The Goldman Sachs years – why Franco walked away from banking.Apple's obsession with perfection – and how it influenced Natoora.Alain Ducasse, Dan Barber & Ottolenghi – building trust with world-class chefs.Why supermarkets destroyed seasonality – and how Natoora fights back.The hidden cost of cheap fruit & veg – why “local” doesn't always mean good.How Natoora built a supply chain from scratch – and why it matters.Why chefs are the real gatekeepers of better farming.The problem with food labels, and why transparency beats marketing.Franco's long-term vision – a revolution in how we eat and farm.An honest, global, and deeply inspiring conversation with one of food's great challengers. ==============================================

Espresso's are powered by our wonderful sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Book a meeting with Unleashed by just clicking here!♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

Story is heart breakingAge 0 – prematurely born on an ants nest, roadside in Uganda his parents couldn't afford to get him to hospital in timeAge 4 – plagued with illness due to his premature birthAge 8 – his father mysteriously “dies” in the Ugandan Civil War His Mother, in so much pain, doesn't speak for 4 years.Age 12 – his beloved Mother passes away her final words “don't be scared, do what you need to do”Age 13 – he's up for adoption. Sitting in the room with 14 parents. No one raises their hand to take him. He's alone. Completely alone.Age 14 – he meets and lives with an 83 year old called WyWy. WyWy tells him: “if you're going to do it. DO IT. Don't rush. But, Don't wait” 3 weeks later, WyWy diesAge 16 – he's living alone. again. All alone again. Fixing water supplies in Uganda schools. Mowing lawns. Buying and selling cows. Hustling. Hustling. Hustling to fund his education.Age 17 – he meets a Texan reverend called Don Cripps. He becomes a Don Cripps translator. Don Cripps helps to him get to London.Age 18 – he defies his “fate”. moves to London. Studies law.Today, he's the founder of BLUE TURACO COFFEEWycliffe Sande is a LIVING LEGEND. THE definition of high agency.A poddy filled with tears, joy, apathy, empathy. Hope, so much hope. never giving in. never giving up. always smiling. always laughing.Total honour bro. ==============================================

Espresso's are powered by our wonderful sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Book a meeting with Unleashed by just clicking here!♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

Mark Palmer is a marketing genius, he's worked on the following brands Burger King, Nandos, Pret A Manger, Green & Blacks, Cawston PressHe's a total genius. You're going to love this episode!!!ON THE MENU:1. Tim Ferris Heuristic: “you are the sum of the difficult conversations you have with yourself”2. How To Have Hard Conversations with Sainsbury's, Tesco or Waitrose: Don't ignore the hard stuff, get straight to the point 3. How to Fire People Correctly: “Ruthless in decision making, generous in execution” 4. Pep Guardiola Brand Building Philosophy: Move your players around to fit the brand builders5. Green & Black Brand Building Strategy: Philosophy first, Product second, strategy third 6. Product before brand, you can layer a brand around a product 7. Seth Godin Positioning Rule: Competitors must become your colleagues 8. Anti-Fragile Customer Feedback: Why are you not buying us > Why are you buying us?9. Invest in creative UPSTREAM “get them to join the team, not just a freelancer”10. Biggest Challenger Brand Mistake: “Don't build a bad version of a corporate organisation”11. Byron Sharpe's Mental availability vs physical availability unpacked 12. Green & Blacks Scaffolding of Ideas: Niche Mainstream  ==============================================

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.

Espresso's are powered by our wonderful sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Book a meeting with Unleashed by just clicking here!♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

how to build a £30m brand in 3 years…you have to think differently…to build £30m brand in 3 yearyou must ignore Stephen Bartlett's advice…to build a £30 million brand in 3 yearsBartlett says go after RedBullCreate an enemy.David vs. GoliathStand against something.Teddie disagrees.PerfectTed don't go after Red BullPerfectTed are contrarian and unique without slagging off competitorsTeddie's built Big Green Monster fuelled by matcha, grit and good vibesTotal honour to sit with Teddie at Bread & Jam couple weeks agoSOOO much fucking FIREEEEE in this BRO!!!the episode:£30m Brand Building Secrets Revealed in 46 Minutes - PerfectTed founderON THE MENU:Why Fast Growth is NOT clean. Embrace messy. Messy = Growth.Why business a series of missiles pointed at your head every single day. Embrace pain.Why Founders MUST be agile and persistent to the point of annoyance…”try literally everything and something will stick”REMEMBER: Grocery Sales doesn't happen from behind a computer screen… founders get in the Tesco basement nowYou may have the best marketing in the world… but if you don't spend 99.9% of your time in the basement of Tesco stores you'll failCustomer Feedback Inversion Rule: why did you NOT pick up our product > why you did pick up our productThe Subtle Art of Self Belief: Never underestimate the power of YOUWhy you need a big bold vision BUT you must tailor your pitch to each individual retailerJapanese Hidden Business Wisdom: why every team member should shake every person who ever walks into the officeWhy indies are waste of time for small brands… “back yourself and go for the big retailer from the jump”Eating the frog + never bury your head in the sand about people problems…”you'll do more damage to your business doing nothing”The Aldi Allergy: Why PerfecTed will never incentivise their sales team on commissionPerfectTed LinkedIn Strategy: Why Employee Generated Content (EGC) = MILLIONS of FREE impressions a monthThe RedBull Riddle: Never slag off your competitors… it looks so NAFFALWAYS hire 6 -12 months ahead of the curve…never be left thinking “I wish I hired that person sooner” ==============================================

Espresso's are powered by our wonderful sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Book a meeting with Unleashed by just clicking here!♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

should I put a bullet in my head?… Andrej thought as walked the lonely streets of Dusseldorf.He shackled in the corporate chains of hell.Depressed.Aint' Gettin' No Satisfaction.Andrej decided to escape. He simply had too.Called his Old Man“this isn't for me… I want, no, I need to cook”“…I am going to Paris… to Le Cordon Bleu, I'm training to be a chef”In Paris, dark lifts, lightness enters.Next,Andrej opens a successful Fish & Oyster restaurant Dusseldorf.becomes Europe's first Fish SommelierToday, Andrej is cooking every. single. fish in the world.I rocked up to record at 11.30amAndrej had a Spicy Martini locked & loaded.Yup. My kinda nut job.OFF_THE::*WALL conversation this one.episode:Europe's First Fish Sommelier, Finding Your Calling, Cooking Every Fish in The World - Andre Cooks FishON THE MENU:David Foster Wallace: “This Is Water” Speech and Sips of WisdomThe Difference between Passion and Love: Passion is unrequited, always follow your passion.How to Soldier On When Owning Your Own Restaurant: “be oblivious to the costs and pain of running a restaurant”Why “Luck” is the Greatest Business plan of all time + how to create your own luckHow to deal with pain of following your dream “It's a choice to choose your trauma or not?”Anthony Bourdain's “Kitchen Confidential” + The Nirvana of running your own restaurantWhy the best boss's admit when they don't know what they don't knowWhy Germany is a Culinary Waste Land and How London Became the Foodie Capital of The World ==============================================

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 critical aspects of profitability in the restaurant industry. I emphasize the importance of effective sales training that prioritizes emotional engagement over just product knowledge. I also share actionable strategies to help restaurant teams connect with guests and sell more effectively by using storytelling and developing a genuine belief in the food they serve.Takeaways:Most restaurant owners think they need more guests.Profit isn't random, it's engineered.Sales doesn't come from knowledge. It comes from conviction.Guests don't buy facts. They buy feelings.Selling isn't about pressure, it's about believing.The best servers are matchmakers.Curiosity builds connection. Emotion builds belief.Empower storytelling over scripting.If your team isn't trained to feel it, they'll never be able to sell it.Make what's working a daily conversation.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Hospitality Insights01:20 The Importance of Profitability Systems02:45 Transforming Team Sales Training05:42 Empowering Teams for Effective SellingIf 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.

Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

Rory Sutherlandtook a TOTALLY new angle to this conversationRory like you've never heard him before.ON THE MENU:Bottle Neck Theory: how brands can use Bottle Neck Theory to grow their brand, Bottle necks will moveThe 7th Law of Persuasion: “Confession works well in the church and well in the advertising room”Bryon Sharp: Mental Availability vs. Physical Availability: most brands struggle with one or the otherNassim Taleb, KFC Salads,Marketeers Need to think like M16 Detectives: We need more models, Cop DNA model you need different modelsNassim Taleb Predicatablity vs. Randomness in Brand Building: Exposure to natural variation in stimulus is healthy for humansWill Guidara Pursue Contradictory Goals “Excellence & Hospitality” + “Surprise & Consistency”How Couples Sexting in 1980'sChurchill's Marketing Secrets to win world war twoSmart answers lie in dumb questionsM16 and Bletchley Park Hiring tactics for Challenger Brands: Hire someone who's mentally unusual, then find a role for themJOB Descriptions are DUMB. Hire someone who's mentally unusual, then find a role for themA lot of people do nothing, some people do a lotJust because it makes sense, doesn't make it trueWe underestimate the power of randomness in Everyday lifeRick Rubin: You're measured on your outputs “Distraction is not procrastination”What are we trying to do here really?Exposure to natural variation in stimulus is healthy for humansHow this plays into branding, I.e. predictability vs randomnes.18.Engineering solutions are deterministic, Change behaviour it's cheaper, probabilistic19. The Disney Question: just because it makes sense, doesn't mean it's true.20. The Dunbar Number No One Can Make Meaningful Relationships Past 150 People Humans Can Only Have About 150 Friends Max ==============================================

Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

Barney believed a £50 million pound deal was on the table… but he was nervous.The year before he'd been stung.Stung sharp. Like vinegar and scratched in a paper cut.Barney got so close. Breathtakingly close. Frustratingly close.Fuel10k's Dream Exit.Big Poppa Dough. Life-changing coin.Fell through,last minute.Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.This time, Barney was serious.A balmy Spring evening. Italian restaurant. Belgravia.Over seafood spaghetti and red wineBarney looked deep into the white of his eyes.Unflinchingly, Barney said“Are Premier serious this time?”This timePremier were.October 2024, Barney got the big exit.Founders,Navigating the “exit” is perturbingly discombobulatingThe 2D map never predicts the 3D terrainBarney and I dive deep into nuances of the 3D exit terrainIt's Easier Than You Think To Exit Your Brand For Millions - Fuel10k FounderON THE MENU:Why premier foods almost pulled out of the deal? 95% of deals fall throughIt's ain't a deal, till the second deal is done, It ain't a thing until it's a thingPlan A vs Plan Bcarry on building the businessThinking about exit will disrupt the karma in your business10 million revenueStrong EBITDAHow do private equity 3x your businessRetrospective strategising is dangerousWhy will this person buy your business? Didn't have a breakfast range, protein lasting trendDo One Thing Well. Why Fuel10K owned breakfast first, then stretched to morningLanguage is the biggest barrier to communicationPersonalities: people buy from peopleFailure Porn vs Mistake Porn:Skunk Works: small companies and can move fastWhy would someone buy your brand?How much would this business multiply for?Do research on your buyerTwo characters into the same meetingInnocent: codify your values + Codify your values, very, very tightlyPeople vs PerspectiveBecome big one to one buyer: One occasion in the morning, you're going to dilute somewhereTidy yourself up as business to get a massive exit2D Map vs 3D Terrain:ALL IN. GO ALL IN. Necessity is the biggest motivator ==============================================

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 talked about why we need to rethink loyalty programs in the hospitality industry. To me, loyalty isn't about handing out discounts—it's about creating emotional connections with our guests. I shared how designing programs that reward status and access, rather than just transactions, can help restaurant owners build a real sense of belonging. I also touched on how important it is to involve our team in these programs and why they can serve as powerful marketing tools to boost both engagement and sales.Takeaways:Most restaurant owners think they need more guests.Profit isn't random, it's engineered.Loyalty isn't transactional. It's emotional.Discounts don't build loyalty, identity does.Your loyalty program should sell, not just retain.Engagement trumps size every day.Make loyalty a part of service, not a side hustle.Your team is the engine.Audit your current program.Reward it with a feeling of belonging.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Hospitality Insights01:20 Rethinking Loyalty Programs04:43 Building Emotional Connections with CustomersIf 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.

Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

what do you put in your deck to win a listing? what do you put in your deck to move from 100 stores to 500 to 1000 to 2000? How does your marketing change as you move from challenger a house hold brand? Is distribution just vanity metric for founders? Joy to sit down with CoOp Head of Buying Rebecca Oliver Mooney And Data Don Corleone, Kieran South For a challenger chinwagON THE MENU:Data tells, story sells - buyers still wanna feel the goosebumpsWill Stor Science of Storytelling - humans are homo-nagens, the story telling animalWhy Stories keep us safe but data is the comfort point for buyers Nassim Taleb Data = confidence, rationality = survival 3 questions to ask before every pitch What need are you fulfilling?What's the need ?Who has that need?Where are those that have the need?Shelves Are Not Stretchy: where is the gap and unmet need in the category?Hunter vs Farmer Mode: conversation moves from distribution to rate of sale, shelf, basket, homesThe Hidden Cap-Ex requirements for More Distribution Brands: Do the right thing for the shopper and do the right thing for the customers P&L DASH, Gym Kitchen, Wild Growth explained: understand where your shopper wants to move next? Brands, always ask: What's the most important message we want to land? Brands, always ask: what are the shopper barriers? Why distribution is just a vanity metric: penetration really builds house hold brands ==============================================

Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

If you ONLY do one thing next week. Do this.Scoff this conversation down your earlobesHANDS DOWN.One of the most important conversations I've EVER had.We dove deeper.deeper.deeperdeeper.Crossing the chasm from challenger “Thinking” to challenger “Being”.I've listened back 4 times.Scribbled copious scraggly notes.Still unearthing glistening pearls of pithy and profound wisdom.Totally honored to welcome David Hieatt to HUNGRY.David's career is challenger “Being”- worked at Saatchi & Saatchi and Saatchi, before founding howies in 1995 and selling to Timberland, a VF Company.- created The DO Lectures - voted one of the top 10 idea festivals in the world by The Guardian Over 150 million views online.- founded and building Hiut Denim Co.SO excited for you to listen to this.ON THE MENU:1. Why challenger brands must be a Speed boat not an Ocean liner - lean into being small, nimble, agile2. The way to the future is to get there before anybody else, Speedboats get there faster.3. Why scale kills magic - challenger brands must 10 x creativity vs. 10 x size.4. Why growth can be stressful - your company starts running YOU, don't climb the wrong mountain.5. Why "Busy, Shallow" is the most dangerous place for challenger brands - stay in the" Deep, Impact" zone.6. Why Creativity is NOT following - remember BIG ideas are often small7. Why challenger brands MUST find their voice, your voice is the difference between a blunt and sharp arrow.8. Fall in love with the dark days - people only ever remember the peaks9. Why your hope needs grit and don't turn your imagination into worry (this may be the best thing I've EVER heard)Every top food and drink founder reads our Newsletter - why wouldn't you?https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/Watch the full shabang on Youtube -  https://www.youtube.com/@HungryFMCG/videosLet's link up on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/Stalk me on Insta- https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/

Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

The UK Is The Most Obese Country in Europeone of the best poddy's I've EVER recordedHenry Dimbleby is an utter geniusFounder of LEON and “Ravenous” authorHenry takes gargantuan complex topicsEmingwayifies them down toludicrously lucid simplemy brain literally E-X-P-L-O-D-E-D with new ways of thinkingpithy aphorisms pix n' mixcuriosity treasure chestenjoy xON THE MENU:Ernest Hemingway: The Curse of Complexity & Brutal Simplicity of truth…”the first draft of everything is sh*t”Spiders On Speed: The Complications of System ThinkingRestaurants Ordering Lamb, Good & Bad Feedback Loops… “the system will always react to an intervention”Chocolate Pudding vs. Kale: Survival of The Fittest, the Amygdala and why we're sick and obeseThe Junk Food Cycle & CEO Incentives: “it's not the CEO's fault for selling bad food”“In Business you often don't actually understand what's working, don't risk changing what you've lucked upon”Escalating & Reinforcing feedback loops: always look for the big feedback loop and attack there.Finland, Mushroom Sausages & Nudging theory: “always attack the system from all angles”The Invisibility of Nature: why you can't count nature in your wallet or in cell E18Why “Starting a business is like looking into the abyss whilst chewing glass” - Elon MuskSystem Thinking = Competitive Advantage “Understand the system you're in, react faster than your competitors, win”LEON Menu Pictures & Nassim Taleb's Stochastic Tinkering “you don't know what's working, so try everything”3 Types of Founder Stress 1. Reality Lags Behind Vision 2. Internal Self Doubt 3. External StressLEON Brand Strategy “we always wanted to create McDonald's in Heaven”Winning Not Fighting by John Vincent + Why Leon Train Their Baristas with Heart rate MonitorsMartial Arts & Brand Building: “Don't rush into every fight, save your energy for the right fight”Excellence is The Ability to Withstand Pain - “Overtime your pain tolerance increases, Business gets easier as you get older”The Invisibility of Nature in Brand Building: Trust is something you can't measure, but it's EVERYTHING‘Embrace external stresses” because External Stress = excitement = creativityWhy Economics lives INSIDE nature not OUTSIDE natureWhy Business is a battle against entropy… “use your energy to turn chaos into order”

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 dig into something I wish I'd learned a lot sooner — how to build a profitable restaurant that doesn't eat you alive. Hustle alone won't cut it. I talk about what it really takes to break free from burnout: shifting your mindset and reconnecting with what genuinely fires you up. When we chase what excites us, we craft experiences our guests can't resist. I share how showing up authentically — in how we engage with folks and how we market our businesses — draws in the right people and keeps them coming back. Because at the end of the day, if you build a restaurant that feeds your soul, it'll feed your bank account too.Takeaways:Most restaurant owners think they need more guests.Profit isn't random, it's engineered.You need to change you and the way you see your restaurant.Design a restaurant that you love.Your best customers don't need a great reason to come back.Stop pushing lazy offers.Write marketing campaigns that would make you come in.Audit your menu and guest experience.Build a brand that you would fall in love with.Engage with customers authentically.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Full Comp and Profitability Masterclass01:37 Transforming Your Restaurant's Approach to Marketing05:04 Creating Irresistible Experiences for Guests07:41 Engaging with Customers AuthenticallyIf 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.

Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

“Flip the f*cking idea of normal on its head” - Tom Gozneysometimes a podcast slaps-ya-round-the-chopsOH! BOY! this conversation was one of those.Tom Gozney reveals his Strategy to Stratospherebuckle up. strap up. enjoy.ON THE MENU:Founder Mode: “Get out of bed, check your vision, check your plan, f*cking get after it”Nassim Taleb Self Belief Self Doubt Barbell: utilise both = Anti-FragileAncient Greeks Pathemata Mathemata: “guide your leanings through pain” - everyday expect 1 win and 5 losesRehab & Addiction Brand Building Lessons: humans crave identity + connection + statusStrategy to Stratosphere: three circles of vision = bigger vision = bigger vision outside of the bigger vission.Gozney Brand Building Contraction 1: Ancient History/Utopian DesignGozney Brand Building Contraction 2: Male/Female Target MarketsGozney Brand Building Contraction 3: Technology/NatureGozney Brand Building Contraction 4: Open Minded/ Close MindedGozney Design Principle: “An Architectural statement for a garden that doesn't take away from anything”Why Fire is a Creative Force: “When you build a fire you can be on your own but feel like you've got company”Question LITERALLY everything: “Flip the f*cking idea of normal on its head”ALWAYS build a brand ecosystem: everything must connect and flowWhy Gozney is NOT a piece of Hardware: “we use the nuances of design to connect emotionally”Business vs. Brand decisions: be radically open minded & close mindedNever look at your competitors, they give you NOTHING…instead look in totally random places for inspoHow Gozney crossed the adoption curvechasm: Some come now, more laterWhy Gozney lives by the brand value: “Respectfully Irreverent”Where Is Your Shopper? Obsess with understanding your consumers psychology + where they are?The Subtle Art of Hustle: Hustle is the ability to think 4 rungs ahead + move there faster with less resourceEmbrace Adversity: “Adversity gives you elevation, you become more professional”The Influence of Influencers Marketing Strategy: target tiny-super-connected influencers“If your vision isn't arrogant it's not big enough” + “there's something remarkable coming over the hill”GO MODE = Instinct is a series of data points + No one out there has all the answers“When you accept Business a serious of inbound missiles coming for your head, you start to enjoy it more.Growth = Problems. Solving problems = Cathartic. Enjoy your problemsYou want people to look at your product and think what the f*ck?Just put out fires: Bias for action, bias for problem solving ==============================================

Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

 Today's poddy is sponsored by Square. Square is the all-in-one restaurant tech platform designed to streamline operations and give hospitality business owners the time back to focus on growth. Square is Big In Restaurants - which is the name of its latest UK marketing campaign - offering everything you need for day-to-day service, including Square's payments, point of sale and reporting capabilities. Whether you're a single-location FSR, a multilocation QSR, a bar or a multi-concept restaurant, improve the flow of orders and find more ways to keep profit in your pocket. For more information visit 

Espresso's are powered by our brand new sponsor, Unleashed!1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!!2.  Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow.3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee4. Do yourself a favourGET YOURSELF 2 MONTHS FREE USING THIS magical link♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It'll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here

Discover restaurant management best practices with Chef Daniel's unique team-building philosophy. Learn how to build a strong, motivated kitchen and front-of-house team. The Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers & How To Fix Them Fast (Free Video Training): https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits Restaurant Profit Maximizer Mini-Masterclass: (Only $7 for limited time) Learn how just a few tweaks in the way you run your business can hugely impact your profits. https://restaurantrockstars.com/sp/restaurant-profits Connect with our guest: Chef Daniel - @chef.daniellugo Trova - @trovarestaurant Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort - @wyndhampalmas https://www.wyndhampalmas.com Thank you to our sponsors: MyEmployees: A happy team is a productive team. Boost morale, team-spirit and employee appreciation with impactful, consistent and genuine recognition programs. MyEmployees helps thousands of hospitality leaders uplevel performance, lower turnover and build winning teams. Go To: www.myemployees.com/hospitality Lilly's Fresh Pasta - Lilly's Fresh Pasta creates the finest fresh pastas from scratch using clean ingredients and old-world recipes passed down from mother to son. Lilly, the company matriarch and her son Antonio continue to follow the highest quality standards for their products. Ask your sales rep today or go to: https://lillysfreshpasta.com The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ TouchBistro: Touch Bistro helps speed up service, reduce errors and turn tables faster while loyalty programs, online ordering and contactless payments boost your bottom line. Plus real time analytics, inventory tracking and staff scheduling are game changers. Reach out to my friend becky, tell her I sent you and she will take good care of you! Her email is btartick@touchbistro.com or call her at 647-360-3994. Restaurant Technologies: takes care of your fry oil challenges. They handle everything end-to-end from delivering, filtering monitoring, collecting, and recycling your waste cooking oil. Restaurant Technologies customers save 10-15% on their insurance premiums and even get bonuses for any new customer referrals. https://www.rti-inc.com or call 866-399-3639 to get started today.

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'm tackling one of the biggest traps restaurant owners fall into—the idea that more locations automatically mean more profit. The truth? Scaling too soon can sink your business faster than a slow Tuesday night. I'll break down how to know if you're actually ready to expand, why strong leadership is non-negotiable, and how to squeeze every ounce of profit from your existing operation before even thinking about a second location. Plus, I'm sharing smart growth strategies—like diversifying revenue streams and testing new concepts—that can set you up for long-term success without unnecessary risk. Let's get into it.Takeaways80% of restaurants barely break even.You don't need more restaurants, you need better restaurants.Bad expansion kills more restaurants than bad food.More seats does not equal more money.Before you scale outward, scale upward.Audit your first location.Find your revenue leaks.Test first with pop-ups or ghost kitchens.Smart growth builds empires.Expand when you're ready, not just because you're impatient.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Profitability Challenges02:08 Understanding When to Expand Your Restaurant05:55 Strategies for Smart Growth and 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.

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'm breaking down one of the most important—and often overlooked—truths in the restaurant industry: profit has to come before hospitality. Without a sustainable business model, there's no way to deliver great guest experiences in the long run. I'll walk you through how to rethink your menu as a business model, why focusing on high-margin items is non-negotiable, and how to optimize profit per guest. Plus, I'm sharing practical, no-BS steps you can take right now to boost your profitability and set your restaurant up for long-term success.Takeaways80% of restaurants barely break even.Profit comes first, not guest experience.Hospitality is a luxury you can only afford when your fundamentals are rock solid.Your menu is a business model, not a list of dishes.Profit per guest is greater than revenue per shift.Audit your top 10 best-selling menu items.Set a profit per guest goal.Stop waiting for our accountants.You can't serve great hospitality if you can't afford to stay in business.This will change your business and it will change your life.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Profitability in Restaurants02:09 The Importance of Profit Over Hospitality04:06 Menu as a Business Model05:59 Maximizing Profit Per Guest07:53 Action Steps for Restaurant OwnersIf 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.