Want to listen to the latest Restaurant Rockstars podcast episodes?

Episode #278 From Dishwasher to Restaurant Franchise Founder

In this week’s episode of The Restaurant Rockstars Podcast my guest is Shawn Lalehzarian of www.theredchickz.com. He arrived in the US not speaking a word of English yet rose through the ranks from dishwasher to server to cook to manager. He then hopped on a plane, immersed himself in Nashville culture and came up with the magic formula for his chicken franchise!

Details

Episode #276 Short Staffed? Why Not a Restaurant Robot?

We’re all suffering from the Labor Shortage, and now that business is booming, your staff is exhausted and getting burnt out. What’s the answer? Well, you might consider getting a restaurant robot! In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast I’m speaking with Juan Higueros Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Bear Robotics, the creator of “Servi”, the restaurant robot.

Details

Episode #274 This Fast Casual Restaurant Crushed It During Covid

Any restaurant that increased sales 40% when the pandemic first hit, and then broke their all-time sales record for year-end 2020, deserves our attention! They were named “Top 500” Performing Chains by Nation’s Restaurant News. What are they doing? What can WE learn from them to be more successful in our own place?

Details

Episode #273 Fryer Oil is Skyrocketing. Here’s a Savings Solution!

in this week’s episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Jeremiah Chapman, a chemical engineer by trade who invented a product that can save your restaurant up to 25% on your Frying Costs. It’s an environmentally friendly plant-based “pod” that you simply put in your fryer baskets overnight.

Details

Episode #271 The Passion of a Legendary Restaurateur

Rarely do I find a man still working his restaurants 50 years on with the same energy, passion and creativity that led to 26 different restaurants. Imagine building these brands, developing the concepts, leading the teams and fostering the customer relationships. I’m speaking to the legend himself, Mr. Frank Guido. Now in his ‘70’s, Frank still works his four restaurants 7 days a week because as he puts it: “Your best customer is the one in the building”!

Details

Episode #269 Buying or Selling a Restaurant

Sooner or perhaps later you will think about selling your restaurant. Maybe you want to retire, start another business, spend more time with family or just get out from under your operation. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, fellow industry Pro Jaime Oikle and I will do a deep dive into the Ins & Outs of buying and selling restaurants.

Details

Episode #268 This Juice Bar is Really “Shaking” Things Up!

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I introduce Susan Taylor/ President & CEO along with Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme as Co-Owners of Juice It Up. The menu, vibe, store design and service make for a winning restaurant formula. Doing this in one location is hard… duplicating this into a fast-growing franchise, that’s another ballgame!

Details

Episode #266 Increase Sales & Profits with Online Restaurant Solutions

This pandemic has absolutely required your restaurant to adapt to the times and adopt new customer safe, friendly conveniences. This is more important now than ever as we emerge from the crisis. The good news is, these guest-friendly conveniences actually increase Sales and Profits. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Brian Cotlove, Chief Business Officer of Bentobox, an All-In-1 platform that delivers Online Ordering, Gift Cards, Event Tickets, Retail Merchandise sales, Restaurant Websites and more!

Details

Episode #264 Pride, Passion & Purpose Grows this Pizza Chain – Mountain Mike’s

Big or small; chain or indie, we can all learn from true success. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Co-Owner Chris Britt and Jim Metevier, President and C.O.O. of Mountain Mike’s Pizza. Their success following this formula has exceeded 200+ units and continues to grow with new franchise opportunities.

Details

Episode #263 Order Smart, Save Labor, Get Money Back – Warner Siebert of Cut+Dry

I don’t need to tell you that in most restaurants, the typical order and receiving process is inefficient. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Warner Siebert of Cut+Dry. He’s going to show us a simpler way to place & check-in your orders as well as track rebates and earn rewards. Listen on and see if this saves your operation time and money!

Details

Episode #262 Chef Joshua Karther – Experience, Cool Under Pressure, Inspired Leader

Nothing in this business is more important than laying a sold staff foundation, as your team represent both your brand and ultimate guest experiences. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Chef Joshua Karther of Water’s Edge at Hyatt Lodge in Chicago. Join us as we learn what hospitality truly means and how to be a highly effective leader.

Details

Episode #261 Increase Sales with a Virtual Kitchen – it’s Genius!

I’m a huge believer in new profit centers and revenue streams. Listen on and see if this may be your restaurant’s next Big Opportunity. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast I’m speaking with Alex Canter; a serial entrepreneur, the heir to the iconic Los Angeles eatery “Canter’s Deli” and the creator of NextBite. NextBite turns your existing operation into a virtual restaurant or ghost kitchen.

Details

Episode #257 Hot Pie Concept Serves Up Happiness, One Slice at a Time!

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Sean Brennan, the Founder of The Pie Hole. He’s worked just about every job in hospitality before coming up with this idea. The Pie Hole serves up a classic combination of delicious gourmet pie and organic coffee. I love speaking with founders and Sean’s passion for his people shines through. Take a slice of pie from Sean’s book and then go Rock YOUR Restaurant!

Details

Episode #256 5 Ways to TACKLE the Restaurant Labor Shortage!

The biggest restaurant challenge continues to be labor. How do you find, motivate, keep and get the best performance from your team? In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with fellow industry pro and friend Jaime Oikle of Running Restaurants. We’ll be dishing up “5 Ways to Incentivize your team to not only get you through this shortage, but we will give you a new approach to managing your operation through your staff.

Details