Triplets Jessica, Jill, and Jennifer Emich came into this world, in that order, by way of New Jersey. All three would go on to attend the University of Nevada- Los Vegas. Two of the sisters got degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management while Jennifer focused on Elementry ed. Eventually, the sisters found their way to Boulder, CO. In 2000 they opened their first restaurant Trilogy Wine Bar, which had a successful 9-year run before they sold in 2009. After 3 years away from the industry, the sisters decided it was time to open their second restaurant, Shine Restaurant & Potion Bar, also in Boulder, CO. On top of this, the sisters have opened their own beer brewery, herbal beverage company (Shine Potions) written cookbooks, and they curate special events under the shine sisters brand.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Tap into your magic."

In today's episode with Jessica, Jill, and Jennifer Emich we will discuss:

• What we learn from our parents
• Importance of will power
• Traveling abroad to gain perspective
• Lessons learned from opening quickly
• Choosing the right city for your concept
• Open-mindedness
• Let go of expectations
• Going into business with friends/family/spouses
• Partnerships
• Hiring staff that propel your message and culture with you

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant’s website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more.

CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue.

Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Authenticity and letting things evolve on their own
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Taking things personally sometimes
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • Passion and where do you want to be in 5 years?
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • You never know how many seats will be filled each day
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Respect each other and be kind
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Be able to read your customer get them to open up
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer
   • Eat Drink Shine: Inspiration from Our Kitchen: Gluten-Free and Paleo Friendly Recipes From the Blissful Sisters. 
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Take care of yourself and balance
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • Open Table
10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    • Connection and community
    • Tap into your magic
    • Feed people to their heart

Contact info:

Website: ShineBoulder.com

email: sisters@shineboulder.com

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Jessica, Jill, and Jennifer Emich for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

As the founder of Rudy Miick consulting group, Rudy has thirty years and more than 1,600 successful projects under his belt. Rudy’s focus is on leadership development, sales building, and profitability. His methodology is driven by the creation of vibrant, values-based business cultures, no matter the industry. Today we're here to discuss the inevitability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how you can choose to react to it. 

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Work with a sense of purpose. Be well" 

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant’s website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more.

CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue.

Contact info:

Miick.com

Rudy@Miick.com

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Rudy Miick for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

Chef Steve Redzikoski caught the industry bug slinging pies in New York's Long Island. After graduating from culinary school, Redzikoski got to work in some of NYC's best restaurants before making the move west for an opportunity at Little Nell, in Aspen, CO.

He spent the next 4 years further refining his skills at Frasca Food & Wine in Boulder, CO, as well as Cyrus Restaurant, in Napa Valley, CA, before returning back to Little Nell in 2010, but this time as the Executive Sous Chef.

In 2010 Redzikowski joined forces with Bryan Dayton to open Oak in Boulder, CO. Oak was followed in 2015 with Acorn, located in Denver, CO, and not long after Brider opened, also located in Denver, CO.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "Treat it like it's yours and someday it will be."

In today's episode with Steve Redzikowski we will discuss:

• Do it right the first time
• Staying organized
• Ambition
• Surround yourself with the best
• Make mistakes once and never again
• Learning standards
• Learning for the best early on in your career
• Doing stages
• Networking
• Standards
• Teaching
• Scaling
• Partnerships
• Insurance

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant’s website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more.

CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue.

Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Determination
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Technology
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • Great attitude
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Finding people with the great attitude
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Lead by example
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Respecting each other in the workplace
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
   • Culinary Artistry by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page
   • The Flavor Bible by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page
     GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Don't spend enough time with their employees
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • Schedule Fly
10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    • Treat people with respect
    • Treat other how you want to be treated
    • Lead by example

Contact info:

Email: steven@oakatfourteenth.com

Instagram: @steverino1234

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Steve Redzikowski for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!r

Albuquerque native, Tanya Sanchez, developed a passion for food at a young age while cooking with her father. Her dreams of becoming a restaurant owner began to bubble up during her years as a college student working in both corporate and independent restaurant settings.

Fast forward through 10 years in marketing, design, and as a small landscaping business owner, and it was time for Sanchez to take action on her dreams of being a restaurant owner. In 2015 the process leading into what would become Brixens started.

It's been nearly a 5 years uphill battle for Sanchez, overcoming one hurdle after another. Her hard work and dedication are finally paying off as Brixens is rapidly becoming a staple in Albuquerque's dining scene.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "If you settle for good you will never have the courage or the motivation to be great."

In this episode with Tanya Sanchez we will discuss:

• Parents as mentors
• Show guests you care
• Treat your team as well (or better) than your guests
• Lead by example
• Major differences between corporate and independent
• Importance of systems vs. heart
• Don't be afraid to take advice from your team
• The IMMENSE importance of lawyers
• Partnerships
• Labor and overtime management
• Budgeting
• POS systems and the best ones to utilize and why
• Inventory time management

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant’s website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more.

CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue.

Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Constant desire to learn and to get better.
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Take on too much and try to do too many things at once; prioritize.
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • The best servers walk with a sense of purpose so we have an exercise that tests that. Also test their ability to sell a food item.
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Labor
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Do whatever you can to blow the guest's mind
6. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Zingerman's Guide to Giving Great Service
     GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
7. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Appreciate your team and tell them so.
8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   1. Toast
   2. Open Table
   3. 7 shifts
   4. Foodager
   5. Tablee
9. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
   • Your actions matter
   • Keep getting better, don't be complacent
   • Let the people that you love know that you love them

Contact info:

Brixens website

Email: tanya@brixens.com

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Tanya Sanchez for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

French-born Damien Watel got his start in the restaurant industry at the age of 25 working for his uncle's two Dallas restaurants. In 1999 Chef Watel opened Bistro Vatel, which had an 18-year run and earned Watel recognition as one of the great chefs in the nation, before closing in 2017. Chef Watel's most recent project, Bistr09,  is the ninth restaurant project Chef Damien Watel has undertaken in the collaboration of his wife, Chef Lisa Astorga-Watel.  In addition, The Watels own and operate Bite in Southtown.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "It's not about the skills, it's about the character."

In today's episode with Damien Watel we will discuss:

• The right questions to ask in an interview looking for new team members
• Growing up in France
• Learning the passion of cooking from his father and visiting great restaurants in France
• Cooking school and training in Paris
• Humility
• Cell phones in the workplace
• Pleasing people is our business
• Risks of opening
• Balancing creativity with the business side of restaurant ownership
• Go where your target market is
• All Watel's restaurants leading up to Bistr09
• Dealing with partners
• Dealing within surrounding businesses that share your space

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant’s website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more.

CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue.

Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Calm and collected
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Numbers side of the business
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • What do you do on the weekends?
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • To realistically get where I want to be. "Soften the dream."
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Always think twice. Give people a second chance.
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Be close to your customers and understand what they individually want
7. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Meet with their friends and support each other
8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • Toast POS and reservation system
9. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
   • Life is too short so live it the way you intend to
   • More time for family and friends
   • More time for your passion

Contact info:

Bistr09 website

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Damien Watel for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Chef/Owner Lisa Astorga-Watel grew up in Santiago, Chile, before moving to Houston, Texas where she attended The Culinary Art Institute. Astorga-Watel's ambition started early wit the opening of her own catering business to cover her expenses while in school. Following her formal training, she served as a private chef for celebrity, Tommy Lee Jones. It was during this time in her career she was able to travel the world developing her pallet and culinary repertoire. It was also during this time she met her future husband and business partner Chef Damien Watel. Together the couple owns Bite and Bistr09

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Shoot for the moon. If you miss you'll hit a star." 

In this episode with Lisa Astorga-Watel, we discuss: 

• What took Lisa off the path of fashion and on a new culinary path. 
• Taking chances and risks early in your career to set yourself up with experience and opportunity
• How to deal with being a woman in a male-dominated industry. 
• The impact of a well-groomed, well-dressed staff. 
• Lisa's advice for progressing quicking within an organization. 
• How to become someone people want to network with. 
• The sacrifice that comes with being a personal chef for celebrities. 
• Other challenges of being a personal chef.
• What good communication with your business and life partner looks like. 
• Recognizing those who want it and giving them an opportunity. 
• Taking zoning into consideration when opening a restaurant. 
• Imprinting your personal identity onto your restaurant. 
• Maintaining your presence in a restaurant, even when you are absent. 
• Giving your staff a sense of ownership, and significance, especially in the eyes of your guest. 
• Always anticipate your opening taking longer than you think. 
• Opening restaurants in close proximity so you can compound on pre-established relationships. 

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant’s website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more.

CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue.

Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Patience
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Time away from her son.
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • Honesty
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Showing up today a better version than herself, yesterday. 
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Be on time. 
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • encourage your team to work together. 
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
   • Kitchen Confidential
   • The Alchemist
8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Consistency 
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • Toast POS
   • Yelp Reservations
10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    1. Be good.
    2. Be Kind.
    3. Be the best you can be. 

Contact info:

Websites:

Bite

Bistr09

Instagram: @lisa_astorga_watel

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Lisa Astorga-Watel for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

The Salt Lick has a story that dates back to the 1830s when Scott Robert's ancestors came to TX with Steven F Austin and moved to Driftwood, TX in the 1870s. Over the next 100 years, BBQ techniques were developed by Roberts family that would eventually be used in the original Salt Licks, which was established in 1967, by Scott Roberts' parents, Thurman and Hisako Roberts.

In 1985 the Business was passed from parents to son. In the proceeding 30 years, Scott has scaled the original footprint and has opened an additional 3 locations. Today The Salt Lick is continuously recognized as one of the best BBQ locations in America.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"If you want to be successful in this business you need to devote your life to it, you've got to put your soul in it, you've got to be friendly, and you've got to serve the best quality product you can."

In this episode with Scott Roberts we will discuss:

• Operating a 100-year-old restaurant
• Modernizing an old business
• Cash-only operation
• Inheriting a business from parents
• Consistency
• Quality control
• Systems, processes, and procedures
• Passing on a legacy to new generations
• The meaning of Texas BBQ to a community

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant’s website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more.

CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue.

Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Caring about people; customers and employees
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • An unpaved parking lot
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • Desire
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Finding people with desire
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Pick up trash when you see it; translates into quality everywhere else
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Smile and be respectful
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard
   • Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
     GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Care
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • Indeed.com
10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    • Family legacy passed on to my daughter
    • The look of the space
    • The feel, the experience

Contact info:

Salt Lick website contact page

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Scott Roberts for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

Israeli native, Ben Poremba moved to St. Louis to earn a BA in philosophy from the University of Missouri. He also attended University of Gastronomic Studies in Parma, Italy. Today Poremba is  Chef/Owner of Bengelina Hospitality Group, the St. Louis-based, award-winning operator of Nixta and Bar Limón, Elaia, Olio, La Patisserie Chouquette, and The Benevolent King. Poremba is a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist in the category of Best Chef-Midwest, and he continues taking the St. Louis dining scene by storm.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

• “Food of love for the love of food.”

In this episode with Ben Poremba we will discuss:

• Show Notes
• Think of every customer as family
• Restaurant as a social hub
• Learning from your parents
• Not following conventional restaurant rules
• The history of food
• The philosophy of food
• Failures
• Catering
• Networking
• Living and being intentional
• Finesse in the industry
• Long-term gain vs. short-term gain
• Political motives in building a restaurant
• Strong community roots and growth
• Finding the balance between caring enough without losing sight of “it’s just food”
• The importance of an identity
• Remove yourself from the restaurant

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant’s website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more.

CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue.

Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Words
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Words
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • What do you want to do or be?
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Having to physically be back in the kitchen.
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Do things with intention.
6. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   •  Maxims by La Rochfoucauld
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
7. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Authentic community outreach.
8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • Human Resources!
9. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
   • Commitment to people and NOT processes
   • Stay committed to a place
   • Creativity

Contact info:

Email: ben@bengelina.com

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Ben Poremba for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

After 16 years of working in the pizza biz from delivery driver to store manager, Nick Bogacz built the confidence to open his own pizza place in 2012. Today, Bogacz is the President and Founder of Caliente Pizza & Drafthouse. An inspiring leader and team builder, he has grown his company to nearly 200 employees and 5 locations in 7 years.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "Make it happen."

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant’s website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more.

CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable

Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue.

Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Law of attraction
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Time
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • A smile
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Smile
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Our draft list is above and beyond
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Stay true to who you are
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • The Pizza Equation: Slicing Up How To Run a Successful Pizza Enterprise by Nick Bogacz
   • Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson
   • Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
   • The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes
     GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Relax
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • THR!VE POS System
10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    • Make it happen attitude
    • Don't underestimate the importance of family
    • You NEED passion

Contact info:

Nick's book is available now: The Pizza Equation

Instagram: @caliente_pizza and @nickbogaczofficial

Email: pizzadrafthouse@gmail.com

Website: www.pizzadrafthouse.com

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Nick Bogacz for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!