Running Restaurants

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...

Restaurant owners who are having trouble improving their menu, operations efficiency, and team management are going to want to tune in as we dig into the pain points impacting restaurants. Matthew Wilson, owner of the restaurant and hospitality consulting business Mise En Place . joins for a conversation with Jaime Oikle of Running Restaurants as he shares how he guides owners in developing a high...

This episode features Rushi Patel , co-founder of Homebase , as he joins Jaime Oikle to share how the company transformed from a simple scheduling tool into a comprehensive platform for managing hourly workforces. From its humble beginnings, Homebase has expanded to offer communication tools, onboarding, and payroll services. Rushi recounts the journey of transforming Homebase to meet the needs of...

In this episode, Jaime Oikle interviews Michel Falcon , a restaurant entrepreneur and author, to discuss the power of a people-first culture in business. Falcon shares his unique approach to building successful teams, cultivating engaged employees, and fostering a workplace that thrives on transparency. Discover how prioritizing people can drive top-line results, enhance customer experience, and c...

AI-powered dynamic pricing is the key to maximizing your restaurant’s profits—are you ready to embrace it? In this episode, Jaime Oikle dives into the game-changing world of dynamic pricing with industry experts Gordon Paterson and Jose Albis from Dynpricing Technologies Inc . Learn how AI is revolutionizing third-party delivery platforms by adjusting prices during peak and off-peak hours, helping...

Gold, silver & platinum buried in the recognition treasure chest. Roger Beaudoin from Restaurant Rockstars tells you how to dole it out - Check out these tips for your restaurant... Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants Sponsor Link: https://www.restaurantreport.com/jason

A restaurant is not simply shaped by the food it serves but also by the efficiency of the team behind it. In this episode, Jaime Oikle sits down with Jordan Boesch , CEO of 7shifts , to discuss what it takes to build a great restaurant culture. He breaks down the most common pain points faced by both owners and employees in the hospitality industry and restaurant management, as well as the right w...

The fun stuff...counting inventory.... In this episode Jaime gets with Roger Beaudoin from Restaurant Rockstars to discuss why it is so important to get inventory right at your restaurant. Managing costs and driving profits all stem from effective inventory...check out these operational tips... Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.com Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/running...

In this episode, Jaime Oikle sits down with Darren Denington , the Founder of Service with Style, to delve into essential restaurant customer service tips that can elevate your dining establishment. With over 27 years of experience, Darren shares his insights on improving customer service through effective training, leadership, and secret shopping strategies. Whether you're a seasoned restaurateur...

DON'T make this MISTAKE.... In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com gets with Roger Beaudoin from Restaurant Rockstars to discuss a huge flaw among many restaurants... Allowing your servers to just be "order takers." There's so much opportunity (and revenue & profits) in the "Land of the Sales Star" so stay tuned to how you can uplevel your staff to sell & serve bet...

We explore the crucial difference between management and leadership, emphasizing the need for true leadership that empowers employees. In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com discusses a common restaurant industry mistake with Roger Beaudoin from Restaurant Rockstars. The pair highlights the importance of clear job descriptions, performance reviews, and setting expectations to foster...

Thriving in this competitive restaurant landscape can be quite difficult. Imagine an Amazon experience specifically for local marketing vendors! Franchisees can browse a diverse marketplace, selecting the tactics that best target their audience. Join Jaime Oikle and Brett Campbell , the Co-Founder and CMO at Loma , to explore the challenges faced by restaurant marketing teams, particularly in the...