Restaurant Rockstars Podcast

385. Restaurant Success – The Key to Thriving in This Business - Jim Collins

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Jim Collins, the owner of Town Kitchen and Grill in California. Jim wasn’...

384. Huge Restaurant Concept Will Bowl You Over - Dale Schwartz

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This business is all about “SHOW BIZ! Guests don’t just come into a restaurant for food & drink, they’re looking for an experience. In this ep...

383. A Deep Dive Into Restaurant Equipment - Howard Task and John Eberhart

16 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Restaurant Profit Maximizer mini-course teaches you how to boost profit in your restaurant. ONLY $7 https://restaurantrockstars.com/sp/restaurant-prof...

382. Chef Shares Great Restaurant Kitchen Success - Chef Jarad McCarroll

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Leading a great restaurant kitchen is difficult. It takes experience, skill, the desire to teach, patience, calm under pressure and the right chops....

381. Empower + Inspire Your Restaurant Team - Marc Haine

02 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Marc Haine, a true operator’s operator, about leading and inspiring a resta...

380. Great Restaurant Marketing Advice From The Trenches - Kelly Hoyman

25 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Kelly Hoyman, Vice President of Marketing for an 85-unit concept called Wings...

379. Excellent Tips Get Your Restaurant Taxes In Order - Mirissa Harrison

17 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I get that running your restaurant is a total commitment, and business challenges never stop. Tax time is upon us, April is looming and Restaurant Tax...

378. Stocked & Stirred: How To Master Restaurant Inventory - Victoria Mosley and John Nanney

10 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your restaurant inventory represents thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars of food and beverage sitting in your business at any given time. Wi...

377. How To Increase Restaurant Sales & Build Guest Loyalty - Matt Tucker

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every owner and leader wants and needs to increase restaurant sales. Success here requires many things… efficiency, systems, excellent service, bu...

376. What’s With Today’s Restaurant Employees Anyway? - Scott Greenberg

27 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I hear it time and time again. “My employees don’t do what I expect... they call out on shifts, or they don’t show up at all”! Since the pan...

375. Using Restaurant Technology to 10X your Business - Tony Roy and Brendan Sweeney

20 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As a restaurateur, you can’t afford to ignore technology. Since the pandemic, operators of every size have had to adapt to platforms and tools tha...

374. Spreading the Legacy: An Authentic Journey of Neapolitan Pizza - Francesco Zimone

13 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t miss this episode, get my FREE “Top 3 Ways You’re Killing Your Restaurant Profits and a bonus at www.restaurantrockstars.com/profits then ...

373. Cracking The Hospitality Code the Journey of Abraham and his Restaurants - Abraham Merchant

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars ...

372. All Successful Restaurants have a Secret Formula - Doug Stritzel

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ All successful restaurants have a secret for...

371. Love them or Hate them, Restaurant Finances are Vital to your Success - Tom Rutledge

09 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ SHOW NOTES: https://restaurantrockstars.com/...

370. Scaling a Restaurant Brand – Josh Luger

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars ...

369. Juggling Multiple Restaurants and Concepts - Ty & Karen Raju

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ Join The Restaurant Academy: Train your enti...

368. Extreme Hardship to Restaurant Success - Chef Ahu

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ Join The Restaurant Academy: Train your enti...

367. Tax Tips and Tricks for Restaurants - JT Pells CPA

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/ Join The Restaurant Academy: Train your enti...

366. Growing a Single Restaurant to a Global Brand - Blas Escarcega

29 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every restaurant has its unique story. Many of these are family run restaurants with recipes passed down from generations. Some find success with one ...

365. How to Succeed in the Restaurant Business Without Experience - Chad & Lauren Coulter

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Show Notes: https://restaurantrockstars.com/audio/episode-365-restaurant-business-no-experience/ Thank you to our sponsors: The Restaurant Academy: E...

364. How to Lead a Great Restaurant Kitchen - Chef Anthony Bucco

14 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Any great kitchen is the “Heart of House”. Honoring this house requires creating a culture of passion, pride, and commitment to consistent qual...

363. How to Grow a Great Restaurant Company - Tom Krouse

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The restaurant business is one of relationships. If we consider our team, our suppliers, and guest’s partners and friends instead of employees, ven...

362. A Restaurant with Fantastic Hooks – Collin Benyo

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Restaurants are all about people coming together, celebrating good times & life events. Doing this well requires: • a strong company culture. • ...

361. Business Failure – When to Call It Quits - Kelly Meyer

23 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As these challenging times continue, many of us are experiencing the dilemma of possible business failure. Even with the best of intentions, when thin...

360. How to Dominate Your Hospitality Competition - Keith Benjamin

16 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s one thing to run a restaurant, bar, or club and quite another to run a business and dominate the competition. It takes vision, strategy, hospi...

359. How To Get Powerful Restaurant PR - Mickie Kennedy

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Marketing is super important for your operation, but few owners or leaders think about the power of restaurant PR. Maybe that’s because many operat...

358. Delivering Hospitality at the Highest Level - Sofia Crokos

02 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Delivering true hospitality at the highest level takes strategy, detailed planning, an experienced and engaging team, and the ability to create trust ...

357. These Savvy Operators are Rocking Their Restaurant Brand - Daniel DeLeon

27 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are those operators running a restaurant and those who are running a business and those are two very different approaches. In this episode of t...

356. How to Deliver Epic Hospitality with Epic Leadership - Jeff Caldwell

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Jeff Caldwell, V.P. of Operations for the Encore Boston Harbor Hotel. Jeff ...

355. This Growing Pizza Chain Has All the “Hooks” - Casey Biehl

12 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve always said, you can’t have too many “hooks” for your restaurant. Anything interesting, unique, or powerful that catches the guest’s...

354. A Restaurateur’s Inspired Journey + A Happy Accident Gets Trademarked! – Gregoire Jacquet

05 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us have a dream to become a restaurateur. For some of us that dream was fulfilled with a restaurant concept or location. For others, that dre...

353. Expert Tips on Restaurant Finances from a CFO - Jonathan Rosa

29 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you really want to move the needle on your business, you need to run a business and not a restaurant. This means working “ON” your business now...

352. Insider Tips on Restaurant Insurance - John Cassetta

23 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is a high-risk business and the unexpected really could be around the next corner. You need to cover your business with proper restaurant insura...

351. EPIC Advice from Bar Rescue Celebrity - Jon Taffer!!

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Jon Taffer, television personality behind the hit show “Bar Rescue”, indu...

350. Killer Advice on Restaurant Finances - Russ Spencer

08 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I’m obsessed with restaurant finances, marketing and hospitality and you should be as well. As a forward-thinking operator, you can learn new thing...

349. Restaurant Startup Success Story - Dan Londono + Dan Sobsey

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all have a restaurant startup story. Maybe, you had great recipes, or possibly you just saw a couldn’t turn up opportunity. Many of you had pr...

348. 31 Amazing Years of Hospitality Excellence - Tina Hewett-Gordon

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Management is the old way of running your business. Leadership and delivering hospitality excellence is the way forward. During this time of labor ch...

347. How Stellar Leadership Builds Epic Company Culture - Joe Kahn + Chris Artinian

17 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many details create a successful growing business, but most important will always be your people. It’s one thing to be a manager, but quite another...

346. Powerful Restaurant Marketing & Brand Building - Carolyn Walker

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Restaurant Marketing is so important, but few operators are also expert marketers. What most operators tend to do is experiment by trying this and tr...

345. Designer Turns Operator, A Restaurant Startup Story - Kevin Cimini

04 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all bring passion and talents to this business and sometimes those talents become our competitive advantage. In this episode of the Restaurant ...

344. Want to Sell Your Restaurant? - Robin Gagnon

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You might be thinking it’s time to sell your restaurant. Whether you wish to retire, start another business, have more time for family or you’re...

343. Restaurant Success Through Amazing Leadership - Antonio McBroom

21 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all seek restaurant success but during these challenging times, you might be thinking “Is it all worth it” and “If we can’t be successful a...

342. Exceeding Expectations in Restaurant Hospitality - Alfio Celia

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all define hospitality in our own way, and it’s a foundational element in your business. Ensure that your staff is trained on what hospitality me...

341. This Restaurant Concept is Out of The Box - Austin Capoferi

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us started with a dream and an idea for a great restaurant concept. It’s always so interesting to me to see how restaurant concepts evolve ...

340. How to Maximize Restaurant Profit – An Operator’s Journey

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast is all about what it takes to maximize restaurant profit, to build your “dream team” staff, and t...

339. Problem Customers, Staff Management & Trends – Adam Evans

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are all trying to stay ahead of the trends, maintain a loyal staff and effectively handle problem customers. How you manage your staff plays a h...

338. Running a Great Restaurant Kitchen, A Chef's Journey - Chef Grace Goudie

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is all about what it takes to run a great restaurant kitchen and a chef's journey to success! There are so many nuggets and key-takeaways...

337. Restaurant Strategy Shifts in The Digital Era - Carl Orsbourn and Meredith Sandland

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I coach my clients all the time to stop running a restaurant and start running a business. You can either have a restaurant strategy or keep putting...

336. How to Simplify & Systemize Restaurant Tip Reporting - Leif Magnussen

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this business of 1000 details, your primary focus is on pleasing your guests and putting out great food & drink. Some of the other necessary admin...

335. How to Run Great Restaurants - Michelle Corry

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is a magic formula to running a great restaurant. For some this comes easy, for others it’s elusive. What makes a truly great restaurant – ...

334. This 40-Year Restaurateur Shares Actionable Wisdom! - Mani Bhushan

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all know that being a restaurateur can be greatly fulfilling, but also incredibly challenging. During these times, running restaurants can certai...

333. Restaurant Concepts, Experiments & Crazy Misadventures - Travis Talbot

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone has a restaurant concept. Maybe your concept rocks, or maybe it could use a refresh and/or pivot! In this episode of the Restaurant Rocksta...

332. Lessons Learned from Secret Shopping Breweries - Andrew Coplon

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This country has gone crazy about breweries, and a strong beer program is highly profitable for every restaurant! Whether you love and serve beer or n...

331. How to Elevate Your Bar Business - Andy Rodriguez

25 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If your operation sells alcohol, you know that hour by hour bar business and profit often far exceeds that of food. But it’s not just about bar pro...

330. How to Succeed in the Restaurant Business - Andrew Pudalov

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the magic formula to succeeding in the restaurant business? It’s Food, Service, Ambiance and Brand Building! You’ll find it all if you ...

329. Launching a New Restaurant Concept - Brandon Buck

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Arguably, starting a new restaurant concept is one of the hardest things you can do! This is one of the most competitive of all industries, and the...

328. How to Start a Restaurant and Rock It to Several - Jonathan Weathington

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us had a dream to start a restaurant. How many of you started your restaurant with just a dream and no experience? How many of you want ...

327. The Keys to Total Restaurant Success - Scott SirLouis

28 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is a magic formula to true restaurant success, and it’s all in this episode. Settle in, take notes, execute and then watch your guest counts ...

326. Using Current Trends to Rock Your Restaurant Concept - Brady Lee

21 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are a lot of restaurant concepts out there. To build a strong growing brand, you need to create something that catches the public’s attention!...

325. How to Deliver True Restaurant Hospitality - Steve Turk

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If your entire team understands and practices authentic restaurant hospitality, you have a competitive advantage and happy returning guests. In this ...

324. How to Build a Restaurant Empire - John Meadow

07 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you have a single restaurant or multiple restaurant concepts in the great cities around the world, we all share a vision and a passion for hos...

323. How to Run a Strong Restaurant Kitchen - Chef Mike Harvey

17 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Restaurant kitchens are the “heart” of our house and our people, recipes, food quality and presentations are our lifeblood. These determine our g...

322. How this Restaurant Franchise Rocks After 100 Years - John Palumbo A&W

10 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What other restaurant franchise is still successful after 100 years? Fifty years ago, my family would drive in, the car hop would attach a tray to o...

321. Get BIG Money Back from your Payroll Taxes via ERTC

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nothing you do today is more important! This episode may be the last Hail Mary you receive from the government due to Covid 19. In case you haven’...

320. Restaurant Profit – How to Move the Needle w/Roger

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When I owned multiple concepts, I was obsessed with my Restaurant Profit. Now I work with other operators....and I am obsessed with their restaurant p...

319. A Great Approach to the Restaurant Labor Crisis - Chuck Kline

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To stay ahead of your competition and succeed during this restaurant labor crisis, you must keep both your staff and guests happy. Times have changed ...

318. Catering as a lucrative profit center - Michael Attias

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s a Fact… You can’t have too many Profit Centers in your operation! Most operators think they sell food & drinks. Instead, we should be s...

317. Restaurant Insurance – Potential Pitfalls to Your Coverage - Clay Ogden

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

No one could have anticipated the business risk that was the Covid pandemic. As a restaurant owner at the time, my first thought was that it would ...

316. How to Feel Good About Food Waste - Jack Rasmussen

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For all the love we put into our business and the joy we provide our guests, unfortunately, one of the downsides is food waste. This bothered me when...

315. Innovative Solution To The Labor Crisis – Jamie Lynch

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone in hospitality has been hit hard by the labor crisis. It continues to affect morale, our guest experience, open days and hours and online re...

314. Simplify Your Accounts Payable - Barrett Boston

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve got a thousand details on your plate and more important things to do than worry about your Accounts Payable. Yeah, I know it’s gotta be don...

313. Your Guest Experience & Building Your Restaurant Brand - Bob Andersen

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this business, you can either run a restaurant or create a powerful Brand! There is a big difference between the two. The image your team & resta...

312. How to Grow a Restaurant Chain - Michael Mabry

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a huge difference between a restaurant’s Culture and their Mission. Most restaurants have a Mission Statement, but once it’s put on th...

311. How to Provide True Hospitality + Get Raving Fans - Greg Provance

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hospitality drives our business and is the foundation that great guest service is built upon. Your restaurant’s success and competitive advantage w...

310. Fill Your Seats Using Birthday Marketing - Dyson Barnett

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I’m obsessed with Marketing, but few operators are great restaurant marketers or have the time. On top of that, few marketing ideas are fully track...

309. Illustrious Restaurateur Disrupts NYC - Stratis Morfogen

03 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This can be a crazy business and we all have crazy restaurant stories! In this episode, I’m speaking with Stratis Morfogen, a restaurateur’s rest...

308. Advice from a Restaurant Lease Expert - Dale Willerton

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us lease space for our restaurants. Those looking to expand or open a new business need to evaluate many space options and then negotiate the...

307. Does your Restaurant Have a Strategy? Martha Lucius

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of restaurants have opened their doors and hoped for the best. Those that truly Rock their restaurants have a Strategy - a game plan that become...

306. Restaurant Marketing with a Mission - Tacos 4 Life

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Not every first restaurant succeeds. Many of us have opened concepts with the best of ideas and intentions only to see the dream fade. But those who ...

305. Restaurant Success by Service First - BCRG

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You know a really great restaurant the minute you walk in the door. It’s attention to detail, the way you’re greeted and made to feel comfortable,...

304. An Investor’s Look at Great Restaurants - Anthony Ackil

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pride and passion run deep in the restaurant business no matter the size of the organization. Some may be fulfilled running a single independent resta...

303. One Solution to Today’s Restaurant Labor Challenges - Sam Zeitz

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone is searching for solutions to today’s restaurant “big issues” ie: labor, prices, shortages… In this episode of the Restaurant Rockst...

302. How to Build an AMAZING Company Culture - Mark Setterington

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To build a great business, it takes not only a clear vision but a relentless pursuit to stay ahead of your competition. As restaurateurs, we are comp...

301. The Magic Restaurant Formula - Eric Scheffer

10 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A 20+ year run in this business holds hard-won experience and many stories! In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with...

300. Incentives May Solve your Labor Challenge - Andrew Duffy

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I had great success by incentivizing my entire team to strive for maximum performance and guest service. You might say it was my “secret weapon” f...

299. How to Increase Sales & Dazzle Customers - Bob Ray

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

These are crazy times for all of us, and now more than ever it’s up to you to deliver dining experiences that WOW your guest, make them forget their...

298. Advice after 1,500 Restaurants - Kevin King

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine the know-how and experience you would have after building 1,500 restaurants. Would you then have the Golden Touch? In this episode of the Res...

297. A Front of House Perspective on Training & Leadership - Zaylan Jacobsen

11 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An “A-Player” is someone with great personality, stellar product knowledge, a true understanding of service and a strong desire to please the gues...

296. Chef, Host & Food Critic Dishes on Restaurants - Joe Ricchio

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is a FUN episode. I’m speaking with a food writer, podcast/ television host and all-around colorful guy Chef Joe Ricchio. He is a big persona...

295. Scale and Develop Your Restaurant Leadership - Matt Rolfe

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a restaurant leader, your employees need confidence in your post-pandemic plan and to know what their role is in it. During these challenging time...

294. Success of An Inspired Chef - Chef Brandon Boudet

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chefs are the “Heart” of the Heart of the House. They run our kitchens, nurture, and develop the skills of prep and line cooks, and most important...

293. The Essence of Hospitality - Chris Adams

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hospitality defines our business and delivering amazing guest experiences is the name of the game. It’s about leveraging a true competitive advanta...

292. The James Beard Foundation Awards - Dawn Padmore & Tanya Holland

07 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chefs are the heart of our kitchens. They work with passion under the most challenging of conditions, heat, and pressure. They certainly deserve ou...

291. Lisa Dahl Triumphant Chef, Author, and Restaurateur

30 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pride and passion run deep for all of us in this business. but rising from a deep personal tragedy to open multiple successful concepts takes somethin...

290. Trackable Marketing that Delivers ROI - Dave Fink

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I’ll bet restaurants spend and lose billions of dollars on marketing that just doesn’t work. They try this campaign and try that, all on a hope an...

289. A Visionary Leader with Big Dreams for His Customers and The Planet - T.K. Pillan

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I’m always impressed by visionary leaders who innovate and transform our industry. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speak...

288. Hands-On Leadership in World-Class Restaurants - Titan Hospitality

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Success in the Hospitality industry requires passion, drive, commitment, and innovation. To stay relevant, you must also have a forward-thinking stra...

287. You Can Forget Your Restaurant Sales Tax - Davo

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are things you love about your restaurant, but I’ll bet Sales Tax is not one of them. It’s one of those things you must do each month, but ...

286. The Secret Sauce of a Dynamic Restaurant Brand - Daddy's Chicken Shack

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What do a classically trained chef, entertainer and Wall Street trader have in common? A fast-growing restaurant concept born from humble beginnings...