Tab Commerce

The Restaurant Finance Podcast

Business EN ↓ 31 episodes

James Tice, Head of Growth at Tab Commerce, takes on restaurant finance with a human voice. As an operator-obsessed host, James drops you into real conversations already in motion, uncovering the stories, lessons, and hard-won insights that reveal the true heartbeat of restaurant finance. The show cuts through jargon, defines terms in plain English, and features candid talks with CFOs, founders, and operators about cash flow, funding, growth, and the leadership decisions that keep restaurants thriving. Each episode aims to make finance feel approachable and not intimidating, giving listeners t...

Author

Tab Commerce

Episodes

Time To Franchise? Convo w/ Jason Sobocinski & Etkin Tekin, co-founders of Haven Hot Chicken 14.01.2026 28:10

What has to be true inside a restaurant brand before franchising even becomes an option? Jason Sobocinski and Etkin Tekin, co-founders of Haven Hot Chicken, sit down with James Tice to explain why values, management quality, and operational discipline must come before growth tactics. They share how founder involvement shapes culture at scale, why consistency is built through people rather than pla...

The ROI of Great Restaurant Culture. Convo with Steve Oldham & Joe Heeb, of Tucanos Brazilian Grill. 07.01.2026 14:29

Just how important is culture to the growth of your restaurant? Steve Oldham and Joe Heeb, co-founders of Tucanos Brazilian Grill, sit down with James Tice to explore what long-term restaurant investment really looks like beyond growth for growth’s sake. From rebuilding teams after COVID to recommitting to training, shared values, and brand consistency, they explain why culture has always been the...

Scaling an Icon Without Cutting Corners. Convo with Dominic Alessandrini from Magnolia Bakery 31.12.2025 13:15

What does it take to scale an iconic restaurant brand without losing the people and systems that made it successful in the first place? Dominic Alessandrini, Chief Operating Officer of Magnolia Bakery, joins Ty Wilson and James Tice to chat about what sustainable growth really looks like behind the scenes of a globally recognized brand. From working every position on the line to leading a multi-ch...

How Strong Brands Stay Consistent. Convo with Omar Kasim. Owner of Plomo Quesadillas 24.12.2025 31:39

What does it take to build a restaurant brand people love without trying to be everything to everyone? Omar Kasim, Founder of Plomo Quesadillas, sits down with Ty Wilson and James Tice to share what intentional growth really looks like for an emerging brand. From designing restaurants that match the menu to resisting the temptation of endless side quests, Omar explains why focus, consistency, and...

The Hidden Work Behind Franchise Growth. Convo with Troy Hooper. The CEO of Hot Palette America 17.12.2025 23:40

What does it take to scale a restaurant brand across hundreds of locations and multiple countries without sacrificing quality, consistency, or brand integrity? Troy Hooper sits down with Ty Wilson and James Tice to break down what sustainable restaurant growth really requires behind the scenes. Drawing on more than three decades in hospitality and his leadership role helping scale Pepper Lunch glo...

How Great Restaurants Scale. Convo w/ Shaz Khan and Antonio Gambino of Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks 09.12.2025 22:14

What does it take to grow a restaurant brand from a single shop to a fast-scaling multi-unit operation without losing the culture that made it special in the first place? Shaz Khan and Antonio Gambino sit down with James Tice to talk about the decisions that drive sustainable restaurant growth. They look at how culture shapes financial outcomes, how leaders balance immediate business needs with lo...