Want to listen to the latest Restaurant Rockstars podcast episodes?

Episode #115 Your Recipe For Success Fails Without This ONE Ingredient

Give this episode a listen.  I’m talking about the perfect synergy between building your brand, fostering an unstoppable company culture AND, the power of both combined.   I believe there’s one “Key” element to this magic formula.  E M P O W E R M E N T!    Train your people well, give them autonomy and THEN let them loose.

Details

Episode #114 Stay Relevant or Become the Next Restaurant Statistic!

The restaurant business is difficult and getting harder every day. But its not just about survival, its about creating and sustaining a lasting legacy. Doing that means building a powerful brand, but more importantly staying relevant in a changing industry and changing world of fickle consumers. Take a listen to this episode, hear about some surprising statistics and I hope this inspires, motivates and re-energizes your entire team.

Details

Episode #113 Launching a New Concept – Mr Bing On Fire in NYC!

Inspiration and Opportunity are always around the next corner.  Imagine you’re living in a foreign country and suddenly the lightbulb goes off.  “I love this food, everyone loves this food… I could sell this anywhere”!In this episode, I’m speaking with Brian Goldberg of “Mr. Bing” who’d doing just that… delivering an appealing product he discovered in the far east, growing a business and seeing how far it can go.   

Details

Episode #111 Where else can you get $250,000 in 10 Minutes?

Whether you see a significant expansion, need new equipment, want to hire a manager or key-staffer or just some money to get you over a temporary hump, you need to know about Kabbage.   Listen as Victoria explains the simple application, lighting-fast approval, flexibility and ease of getting the cash your restaurant or hospitality operation needs.

 

Details

Episode #108 Build Your Brand with Ideas For Holidays & Big Events

One of the most powerful brand-builders I know (not to mention staff pleasers) is creating several “Big Events” throughout the year around holidays and big sports events.   Give this episode a listen as I take you through many of the key-holidays and big events that will drive new and repeat business and make your place more money several times a year!..

 

Details

Episode #107 Last Minute Tax Advice from an Industry Expert

Listen to my guest Mr. Tony Perricelli.  He’s a CPA and Tax Expert with many restaurant and hospitality clients.  He knows the restaurant business and is a tremendous resource and wealth of information. We discuss last minute tips for 2017, big changes from the Trump Administration for 2018 that can be a real benefit to your business and much more.  Also, learn what you need to do throughout the year to put your business in the best tax position before you file. 

Details

Episode #106 Marketing Firepower Starts With Your Brand!

We’ve all been to those rockin restaurants that have the triple combination of food, service and ambiance.  You know, you can feel the magic going on and usually there’s a long wait for a table no matter what day it is.   All three of those elements are important to real success and most of the time I say that service is a true competitive advantage, but lets focus on the ambiance.  Check out this episode as Thea and I riff on what it means to build a brand.  Give a listen, you just might get your next big idea that inspires your success.

Details

Episode #105 Why We Love That Old Staff Magic!

We all been to those restaurants that are just firing on all cylinders… the place is alive, fun and staff are shining.  Let’s call this staff magic.  You’ll know you’ve arrived when your team are having more fun and making more money and your customers are having more fun and spending more money. So give this episode a listen where Thea and I share what that staff magic is all about, how to create team chemistry and most important how to build a culture of hospitality, family and fun. 

Details

Episode #104 So You Think You Want To Start A Restaurant

So today’s episode is all about the different reasons people start restaurants, their varying “zones of excellence” and degree of knowledge that is either advantage or hindrance.  Where they might excel and where they’ll run into trouble without the necessary expertise.  Stay tuned as Thea (Restaurant Rockstars Co-Founder, V.P. and My Wife) and I offer opinion and fact.  As always, food for thought…

Details

Episode #103 Build Your House On This Foundation!

In my book, there are three “Foundational Fundamentals” to running a successful, highly profitable restaurant or hospitality enterprise. Much like the foundation of a building, they are each supportive and reliant upon each other for maximum strength.  Listen to today’s episode as the numerous ideas Jaime Oikle (runningrestaurants.com) and I discuss will be a new foundation to greater success for your business. 

Details

Episode #102 Can Your Operation Use a Makeover?

Restaurateurs can be somewhat biased about their operation, thinking “I’ve got this”!  To be honest, I was like that too for many years, but came around to fresh thinking.  That is, taking a big step back from the place and seeing what the guest sees.  This is the first step in building and sustaining a powerful brand!  Give this episode a listen, then sit down with your team and discuss fresh ideas.  From mild to wild, change is good,  You can be sure your customer will notice and spread the word.

Details

Episode #101 In The Age Of Online Reviews This Is Dangerous Thinking

This past weekend, my young daughters and I traveled to Jackson Hole, WY where we experienced far differing service and value at many different types of businesses, restaurants and hotels included.  Granted this is a high-traffic year-round tourist destination, and certain businesses may mistakenly believe that repeat business is not as essential as it is in any-town USA, but in the age of on-line reviews this is dangerous thinking.  In two of our experiences, these blatant “misses” were so obvious that even my kids were surprised. They had words to say both to me and in online review sites for these businesses.   

Details

Episode #100 Key Learnings from a Global Hospitality Entrepreneur

I have known Mr. Fred Forsley for over 20 years and have watched in awe and admiration as he has built a hospitality empire, from restaurants, to brewery operations, partnerships with the biggest names in beer, to inns and real estate projects on a national and international level.   You’ll hear his early inspirations and success, major deals gone awry, optimism for future projects and how he maintains direction with his partners and hundreds of employees across numerous operations.

Details

Episode #97 Inventory in Half the Time, No Kidding!

For nearly two decades, I got used to doing bar inventory the hard way.  This is how most of us take inventory.  My guest in this episode is Dave Allred from barpatrol.net.   He’s invented a cracker-jack “APP”, that’s the absolute easiest way to take  both your food & drink inventory.  Its a system made simple that will free your time for the thousand other important details of running your place.  

Details