Running Restaurants

The everyday and long-term success of your restaurant hinges greatly not just on hiring the most talented people but also on building the right culture. Jaime Oikle sits down with David Friedman, founder of CultureWise, to break down how to create the ideal restaurant culture and environment. He talks about the right way to cultivate positivity within your team by constantly showing that you care...

Your restaurant finances and taxes will always be your restaurant's most complicated and overwhelming aspects. Streamlining operations is the way to go if you want these to become much more manageable. Jaime Oikle sits down with returning guest Matthew Patrick to take a deep dive into the financial aspect of the restaurant industry. Together, they share valuable tips on menu engineering, tax compl...

Restaurant goers will certainly remember good food bundled with good customer service. By creating a point of differentiation in these areas, you can make your place not only commendable but also memorable. Chris Tripoli of The Restaurant Clinic discusses why a personalized and specialized approach is the rising trend every restaurant should take advantage of in this age when so many food choices...

Your restaurant’s marketing and branding are not only about turning heads and getting everyone’s attention. Most importantly, it is about turning your target market into loyal customers. Joe Haubenhofer, owner of The Plaid Penguin, discusses the right way to do this to improve and elevate how your restaurant is received by the public. He shares practical tips on creating effective logos, designing...

Dive headfirst into the data revolution sweeping the restaurant industry! In this episode, host Jaime Oikle dives deep into the world of restaurant customer data analytics with Abhinav Kapur , co-founder and CEO of Bikky. Abhinav shares his journey from identifying the data gap in the hospitality industry to creating a powerful tool that helps restaurants understand and leverage customer insights....

Tipping is an important element in running a restaurant. Employees often receive several tips in a single dinner service, and sometimes keeping up with it is quite overwhelming and confusing. Kirk Grogan is here to discuss how automation can ease the burden of this particular task. Joining Jaime Oikle, the Co-Founder & COO at TipHaus shares the many benefits of using an automated process in co...

The 2025 Restaurant Business Report was recently released, and it is full of curious yet enlightening information for the industry’s future. Jaime Oikle explores its contents with Bryan Solar, Chief Product Officer at SpotOn. Together, they discuss how restaurants should navigate today’s rising economic pressures, which involve increased costs, labor issues, and supply chain volatility. They expla...

Understanding the intricacies of restaurant accounting is paramount for any owner looking to thrive in today's competitive market. In this episode, we dive into the crucial world of restaurant accounting and finances with Marta Grumberg of Grumberg Accounting. Jaime Oikle sits down with Marta to explore the biggest financial challenges restaurant owners face—shrinking margins, rising food costs, a...

Running a restaurant is tough – managing orders, executing marketing campaigns, and maintaining high customer engagement can quickly become overwhelming. Thankfully, AI has been changing the game and is now helping owners automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks. In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Carl Turner , CEO of SWIPEBY, to discuss how AI-driven tools can streamline marketing, onlin...

David DeLorenzo returns to the podcast to join Jaime Oikle once again, this time to talk about his new book, Just Getting Started . He shares life wisdom and business insights on finding balance and fulfillment in life. David explores how to create a productive daily schedule, the essence of embracing positive habits and hobbies, as well as the right way to get off the grind and relax. He also tal...

In this episode, Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com interviews Ashley Bray about the Bar and Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas this upcoming March 24-26. 2025. They discuss the expo's events, education, exhibit floor, and networking parties. Ashley highlights several trends along the way. The expo promises great industry educational and networking opportunities -- don't miss it! Use code: MONEY to s...

In a rapid age of technology where businesses are all about scaling and expansion, the beauty of keeping everything localized is still a strong strategy in the restaurant industry. Christian J. Fischer, the Disruptive Chef, joins Jaime Oikle in discussing the beauty and uniqueness of running hyperlocal restaurants. They share why focusing on certain food specializations can boost your restaurant’s...

Building a successful restaurant requires more than just good food. It also demands a strong team driven by the right ownership mindset. In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Alison Anne about cultivating and maintaining a thriving restaurant culture. Alison emphasizes the importance of genuine connections with your staff and what it takes to move beyond the main character syndrome to understand...

Many restaurants are so focused on offering good food that they fall short of providing a great experience to their own employees. Simon Zatyrka , the Culinary Mechanic , joins Jaime Oikle to discuss how chefs and restaurant owners should streamline their kitchen operations and bring them to the next level. Together, they discuss how to master the nuts and bolts of running a restaurant, the most i...

Running a successful restaurant starts with team building, and Jaime Oikle dives deep into this crucial topic with Roger Beaudoin in this episode. They discuss practical strategies for identifying top talent, empowering employees, and fostering a strong workplace culture that drives results. Roger shares his proven methods for recruiting, training, and retaining top-tier staff while creating a mot...

Restaurants require a well-rounded and high-performing leadership team to ensure it operates flawlessly and effectively. With so many moving parts, owners must learn how to hire the right people who can work together in a fast-paced environment. Jaime Oikle explains how this can be done with Darren Dennington, founder of Service With Style . Together, they discuss the right way to write job descri...

2025 Restaurant Workforce Management Report . Sitting down with Jaime Oikle, they explore the collective feedback of more than 900 restaurant managers about employee needs, wages, and retention. Discover how to overcome the biggest hiring challenges, keep up with the continuous growth of QSR dining over full-service dining, and navigate the ever-evolving culture of tipping. Jordan also shares insi...

Cost controls are paramount in maximizing restaurant profitability, and Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars joins Jaime Oikle in this episode to emphasize their critical importance. Roger breaks down essential systems for managing food, beverage, and labor costs, including accurate inventory tracking and menu cost analysis. He provides valuable insights on calculating true usage, understanding...

Peter Yang, co-founder of Pokeworks , shares the inspiring story of building a successful restaurant franchise from the ground up. Discover how Pokeworks went from a single location in New York City to a nationwide sensation with over 70 locations. Jaime Oikle and Peter Yang discuss the unique aspects of the Pokeworks franchising model, including their focus on small footprints, efficient operatio...

Empowering restaurants to thrive in the digital age, Checkmate offers a suite of innovative solutions. In this episode, Jaime Oikle chats with Vishal Agarwal , the founder and CEO of Checkmate, a tech game-changer for restaurants. Initially focused on simplifying payment processes, Vishal discovered restaurant operators' deeper challenges with managing orders from multiple platforms. That's when t...

I'm a book aficionado so I loved puting this together -- Twenty absolutely solid book recommendations from a stellar collection of restaurant industry execs and insiders. Be sure to add some of these to your library or wish list... The Who... Jordan Boesch of 7shifts Tony Smith of Restaurant365 Michel Falcon of Brasa Peruvian Rushi Patel of Homebase Alex Sambvani of Slang.ai Vishal Agarwal of Chec...

How can AI revolutionize your restaurant’s guest experience? In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Alex Sambvani from Slang.ai about how their voice-powered AI technology is helping restaurants improve efficiency and customer service. From handling reservations to answering common questions, Slang.ai’s solution allows restaurants to automate over 50% of their phone calls while enhancing the gues...

Jaime Oikle sits down with Angelo Esposito of Wisk.ai to dive deep into the world of cost management for restaurants. From tracking cost of goods sold to automating invoices, they explore practical ways to boost profitability and streamline operations. Angelo shares key insights on inventory management, recipe cost tracking, and how AI can simplify the most tedious tasks. Tune in for valuable less...

With its innovative menu and commitment to quality, Bun Mee has quickly become a beloved destination for foodies seeking a taste of Vietnam. In this episode, Jaime Oikle sits down with Denise Tran , founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Vietnamese sandwich eatery Bun Mee. Denise recounts her journey of bringing authentic bánh mì into the mainstream, transitioning from a legal career to pursuing h...

Restaurant design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about crafting a memorable and immersive experience. Join Jaime Oikle and //3877 co-founder David Shove-Brown as they explore restaurant design, highlighting how to create unique dining experiences that blend architecture, branding, and hospitality. David talks about the evolution of his firm, the significance of understanding client visions, an...