Restaurant Rockstars Podcast

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 personality around the food scene in the state of Maine, as well as in the culinary world at large. Joe has written for Bon Appetit, The Food Network, The New York Times and has appeared on Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”. He is all about food trends, new...

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 times, it’s more important than ever to be cognizant of the difference between managing and leading. It’s also critical that you empower your staff versus delegate to them. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast I’m speaking with Matt Rolfe....

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 create and deliver the cuisines that bring guests to our restaurants. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Brandon Boudet, Co-owner and Executive Chef of Little Dom’s of Los Angeles and the new Little Dom’s Seafood in C...

Hospitality defines our business and delivering amazing guest experiences is the name of the game. It’s about leveraging a true competitive advantage. Why? Because you’re passionate and proud of your operation, your people and the products you serve. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Chris Adams, CEO and Founder of the Ellis Adams Group, an international hospit...

Chefs are the heart of our kitchens. They work with passion under the most challenging of conditions, heat, and pressure. They certainly deserve our thanks and our recognition. This episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast is all about the James Beard Foundation and most importantly, the famous awards each year. Our guests are Dawn Padmore and Tanya Holland who lead the awards committee. Listen...

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 something more. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Lisa Dahl, the CEO and Executive Chef of www.dahlrestaurantgroup.com Lisa found Sedona, Arizona to be an especially healing and inspiring place to build her concepts. She...

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 and a prayer. Unless you can track where your business is coming from, you’re wasting your time and precious marketing dollars. Have you tried Direct Mail? I know what you might be thinking... “that’s so old school” or “I tried that once and I didn’t reall...

I’m always impressed by visionary leaders who innovate and transform our industry. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with T.K. Pillan Founder and Executive Chairman of the largest, most influential vegan/vegetarian restaurant company in the U.S. His restaurants include The Veggie Grill, Mas Veggies Vegan Taqueria, and Stand Up Burgers. T.K.’s mission is to stop anim...

Success in the Hospitality industry requires passion, drive, commitment, and innovation. To stay relevant, you must also have a forward-thinking strategy. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with James J. King, the Founder, and CEO of Titan Hospitality. He has built a world-class operation that includes multiple concepts. His success is likely attributed to his focus...

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 if you forget, there are penalties. In these crazy times, your restaurant might not even have the cash to pay it when it's due. What’s a restaurant to do? Well in this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with David Joseph and Peter M...

What do a classically trained chef, entertainer and Wall Street trader have in common? A fast-growing restaurant concept born from humble beginnings, and a consistent commitment to simple high-quality ingredients that taste like a warm hug feels… In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast I'm speaking with Pace Webb & Chris Georgalas the founders of “Daddy’s Chicken Shack”. This concept o...

The industry continues its struggle with the labor crisis. Good people come and good people go, but maybe we’re looking in the wrong place. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Chef D. Brandon Walker (better known as Chef D) creator and owner of growing Los Angeles concepts. Before we get into that, let me tell you that Chef is uplifting the industry, his restaura...

This is perhaps the most revolutionary time in the restaurant world. With more available ready-to-go spaces and the food truck opportunity exploding, now may be the time to start your own business, to go boldly ahead with a dream, a strong vision, and people you may already know with talents to help make your vision a reality. This episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast is all about the entre...

Staying ahead of the curve and your competition is critical. As an independent restaurant, you need every advantage! Today now more than ever, the focus is on guest convenience and safety. What if you could add a virtual Drive-Thru to your business without adding an actual drive-thru lane and window? You Can! In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Carl and Javier wh...

I love talking shop with “in the trenches” operators. So much to learn, so much in common. We’ve covered quite a few fast-moving franchises lately, but this one stands out as my guest is not only a 20-year veteran operator of this concept, she’s also the C.E.O. Sit down with us in this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast as I speak with MJ Riva of www.pizzafactory.com She’s a down-to-earth...

Few restaurant operators are marketing geniuses. We think we’ve got it covered, but, we sometimes make poor decisions when it comes to marketing. We try this and try that, throw money out the window, and hope for the best, but the results are rarely there. Why? Because the bottom line is unless you can rock-solid track every ad and campaign you run, you’ll never know if it’s bringing in the busine...

With the continuing labor crisis, chances are you’re still struggling to staff your place, serve guests and keep the lights on! Costs are rising, the supply chain has limited your products and competition is heating up. With all this going on you’ve probably had to pivot more than once. Well, here’s a new idea. What if you could expand your restaurant’s marketing reach, reduce staff and lower over...

I am constantly amazed at what I learn from my guests, and the insights and knowledge they share with our audience. As a veteran operator myself, I believe it’s critical to keep your eye out for hooks that catch the public’s attention, as well as competitive advantages to set your place apart from the rest. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Trial Attorney and R...

I meet a lot of Rockstars on this podcast, but it’s rare to meet someone who rose from dishwasher to the founder of a fast-growing franchise. In this week’s episode of The Restaurant Rockstars Podcast my guest is Shawn Lalehzarian of The Red Chickz. He arrived in the US not speaking a word of English and rose through the ranks from dishwasher to server to cook to manager. He then hopped on a plane...

The last two years have been a roller coaster ride and pushed us all to our limit but – better days are ahead and fear not, 2022 may be your best year yet! During this most challenging labor crisis, now is more important than ever that you watch or listen to this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast. Some of our industry’s leading experts and operators give their best advice and practices o...

We’re all suffering from the Labor Shortage. Now that business is booming, your staff is exhausted and getting burnt out from picking up the slack. What’s the answer? Well, you might consider hiring 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 r...

The last two years have pushed us all to our limit, but know this – better days are ahead and fear not, 2022 may be your best year yet! Our biggest challenge as operators remains the labor crisis. Operating with restrictions, operating short-staffed, and keeping our operations OPEN has proven trying for even the best out there. Now it is more important than ever that you watch or listen to this ep...

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! What are they doing? What can WE learn from them to be more successful in our own place? Give a listen to this week’s Restaurant Rockstar’s Podcast. I’m speaking with Mark Finnegan of WaBa Grill, a 200 unit fast casual restaurant in California a...

Supply chain shortages and rising costs are on everyone’s mind, and its critical to find solutions to maintain already slim margins. One of the biggest cost increases is for fryer oil, something most restaurants can’t operate without. Over the past few months, we’ve seen oil prices double and even triple! What to do? Well in this week’s episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking wit...

The pandemic has permanently changed the restaurant landscape and the way we must do business in the future. As restaurateurs, we must stay relevant to our consumer and consistently deliver convenience, value, quality and service. Countless businesses and successful companies that once dominated their industries and didn’t evolve, no longer exist. Don’t let this happen to your operation. In this e...