Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore

Hilary Abell is a co-founder of Project Equity, currently focused on demonstrating and expanding impact and fueling public policy to support broad-based employee ownership, driving racial and economic equity. Project Equity is a nonprofit that builds economic resiliency with low-income communities by demonstrating and replicating strategies that increase worker ownership. Since its launch in 2014, Project Equity has grown to work with small business clients around the country on employee ownership transitions and is raising awareness and building the ecosystem of support for this powerful business model nationwide.

Carolyn Berke is the Founder of Niles Pie Company, which has retail sales, classes, dinners and catering, and is a unique presence for local artisanal food in Union City and, as of July 2017, is the first cooperative on the 880 corridor. The owner, Carolyn Berke, sees the coop conversion as a way to to bring job stability and growth to the business, as well as a way to provide staff with profit sharing and ownership. It is also a way for her to eventually retire from the business, and she will continue to build it with her 8 employees for the coming years.

Check out 845 with Corey Rosen as mentioned in today's episode!

Today’s feature affiliate: Bentobox. In need of a restaurant website? Click this link to find out why so many of my guests use Bentobox!

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favorite success quote or mantra:

  • "In a cooperative everyone can be a leader."
  • "Stress cannot exist in the presence of pie."

In this episode with Hilary Abel & Carolyn Berke we will discuss:

  • ESOPs and Co-ops
  • Brand-based employee ownership
  • Three models to explore:
    • ESOP - Employee Stock Ownership Plan
    • Cooperative - good for small to medium sized business
    • Employee Ownership Trust
  • What does the model do for culture?
  • The myths of co-op companies
  • Easier to scale in most cases

Today's sponsor:

At Popmenu, we know that in today’s world, a great hospitality experience usually begins onlineKeeping the conversation with guests going beyond the meal also requires simple, powerful, fun technology capable of expression through all kinds of channels. Our team takes pride in helping restaurants put their best foot forward digitally so they can focus on what they do best. We think PDF menus are super boring, we believe 3rd party platforms have had too much say in how consumers find their next dining experience and we deeply feel that sharing your beautiful menu doesn’t have to be so difficult, time-consuming and expensive. As a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive $100 off your first month of Popmenu!

7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free.

Real hospitality and restaurant industry veterans, the My Restaurant CFO team understands the daily frustrations restaurant owners experience managing their establishments. By partnering to create a custom solution, we streamline your flow of financial information, create a clear picture of your overall financial health, use your historical data to forecast your financial needs, and suggest ways to cut costs and increase revenue.

My Restaurant CFO - Let us help you achieve your goals.

Contact info:

Website: project-equity.org

Hilary's email: hilary@project-equity.org

Website: nilespie.com

Carolyn's email: carolyn@nilespie.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 Hilary Abel & Carolyn Berke 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!
Direct download: HA_and_CB_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

With excitement allow me to introduce today's guest, Founder, and CEO of Hungry House, Kristen Barnett. Hungry House is an 'anti-ghost kitchen' connecting patrons digitally and in person at their two brick-and-mortar locations. Before founding Hungry House, Kristen graduated from Cornell University where she studied Applied Economics and Management as well as International Development and Food Policy. Early in her career, Kristen worked as an associate with The Boston Consulting Group before joining New York City-based Dig, where Kristen held multiple titles including Leadership Development, Head of Supply Chain and Menu Development, Director of Strategic Operations, and GM of Room Service by Dig Inn. Kristen's final stop before founding Hungry House was at Zuul, a ghost kitchen operations and technology company, where Kristen served as Director of Strategy and Chief Operations Officer during her 2-year tenure.

Check out episode 837 with Corey Manicone as mentioned in today's episode!

Today’s feature affiliate: Bentobox. In need of a restaurant website? Click this link to find out why so many of my guests use Bentobox!

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favorite success quote or mantra:

  • "Hungry for more, hungry to be better."

In this episode with Kristen Barnette we will discuss:

  • Using diet as medicine
  • Living with Lime Disease
  • Raw vegan diets
  • Repeat customers
  • Food distribution
  • Ghost kitchen
  • Convenient food made sustainably
  • Tech stack

Today's sponsor:

At Popmenu, we know that in today’s world, a great hospitality experience usually begins onlineKeeping the conversation with guests going beyond the meal also requires simple, powerful, fun technology capable of expression through all kinds of channels. Our team takes pride in helping restaurants put their best foot forward digitally so they can focus on what they do best. We think PDF menus are super boring, we believe 3rd party platforms have had too much say in how consumers find their next dining experience and we deeply feel that sharing your beautiful menu doesn’t have to be so difficult, time-consuming and expensive. As a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive $100 off your first month of Popmenu!

7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free.

Real hospitality and restaurant industry veterans, the My Restaurant CFO team understands the daily frustrations restaurant owners experience managing their establishments. By partnering to create a custom solution, we streamline your flow of financial information, create a clear picture of your overall financial health, use your historical data to forecast your financial needs, and suggest ways to cut costs and increase revenue.

My Restaurant CFO - Let us help you achieve your goals.

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Work ethic
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Working on too many things at once
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Inherent drive to go above and beyond
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Prioritizing
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Look around for a way to help your team member
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Proactively engage with customers coming to the store front
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
  8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
  9. Name one service you've hired.
    • Outsource the creation of recipes
  10. What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough
    • Finding ways to scalable delicate their task so they can have the time to be better leaders
  11. 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?
    • Take care of yourself
    • Raise your hand for opportunities
    • You can't do everything alone

Contact info:

Website: https://www.orderhungryhouse.com

Instagram: @orderhungryhouse

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 Kristen Barnette 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!
Direct download: Kristen_Barnette_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

Jonathan Sherman is the Founder, and CEO of Sticky's The Finger Joint. Jonathan is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he studied Industrial and Operations Engineering. He'd go on to pursue a career in finance working with both JP Morgan and Bridgewater Associates, where he focused on investing and macroeconomic research. Before long data analysis, and research got stale and the entrepreneurial bug started to bite at Jonathan's heels. in. In 2011, Jonathan partnered with a friend to open Sticky's finger joint. Sticky's was an instant hit and has since scaled to 13 locations throughout NYC.

Today’s feature affiliate: Bentobox. In need of a restaurant website? Click this link to find out why so many of my guests use Bentobox!

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favorite success quote or mantra:

  • "What's making me feel unstoppable right now is my team."

In this episode with Jonathan Sherman we will discuss:

  • Working in finance
  • Engineering backgrounds in the restaurant industry
  • Building out systems
  • Why chicken fingers?
  • Data management tech
  • Doing everything from scratch
  • Finances of opening the restaurant
  • Determining your target market
  • Location woes, especially in a big city
  • Menu engineering and costing
  • Training
  • Hiring

Today's sponsor:

At Popmenu, we know that in today’s world, a great hospitality experience usually begins onlineKeeping the conversation with guests going beyond the meal also requires simple, powerful, fun technology capable of expression through all kinds of channels. Our team takes pride in helping restaurants put their best foot forward digitally so they can focus on what they do best. We think PDF menus are super boring, we believe 3rd party platforms have had too much say in how consumers find their next dining experience and we deeply feel that sharing your beautiful menu doesn’t have to be so difficult, time-consuming and expensive. As a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive $100 off your first month of Popmenu!

7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free.

Real hospitality and restaurant industry veterans, the My Restaurant CFO team understands the daily frustrations restaurant owners experience managing their establishments. By partnering to create a custom solution, we streamline your flow of financial information, create a clear picture of your overall financial health, use your historical data to forecast your financial needs, and suggest ways to cut costs and increase revenue.

My Restaurant CFO - Let us help you achieve your goals.

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Determination
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Trying to do too many things
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • An understanding of what it's going to take to do the job and a willingness to do it
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Labor, hire better and train better
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Communication is the backbone of every relationship and sets us up for success
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Make sure every guest loves their food and understand what they are getting
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
  8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
  9. Name one service you've hired.
  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?
    • Empower your people
    • Make delicious food
    • Have fun doing it

Contact info:

Website: https://stickys.com

Email: jon@stickys.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 Jonathan Sherman 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!
Direct download: Jonathan_Sherman_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

Liz Solomon Dwyer is the Founder and CEO od King David Tacos. Known for Austin-style breakfast tacos at carts and cafes across the city, King David Tacos was founded by Austin, TX native Liz Solomon Dwyer. She applied her decade of experience in advertising to launch King David Tacos in 2016—inspired by her Austin upbringing, Jewish heritage and her late father, fondly known as “King David”—and she leads the business full-time. King David Tacos recently launched its first brick + mortar location and headquarters at 611 Bergen St in Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights, enabling its network of over 80 cafe retailers around the city; newly sustainable, zero-emissions  taco + coffee carts (now Powered by Blank Street); as well as its recent launch into select NYC area Whole Foods Markets in the prepared foods section.

Today’s feature affiliate: Bentobox. In need of a restaurant website? Click this link to find out why so many of my guests use Bentobox!

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favorite success quote or mantra:

  • "If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."

In this episode with Liz Solomon Dwyer we will discuss:

  • Marketing and advertising
  • Trust and partnerships
  • Dealing with difficult people and situations
  • Social and emotional intelligence
  • Establishing an LLC
  • Pop ups and catering
  • How to name your restaurant/branding
  • Scaling and growth
  • Consulting, mentorship
  • Food carts
  • Retail
  • Wholesale

Today's sponsor:

At Popmenu, we know that in today’s world, a great hospitality experience usually begins onlineKeeping the conversation with guests going beyond the meal also requires simple, powerful, fun technology capable of expression through all kinds of channels. Our team takes pride in helping restaurants put their best foot forward digitally so they can focus on what they do best. We think PDF menus are super boring, we believe 3rd party platforms have had too much say in how consumers find their next dining experience and we deeply feel that sharing your beautiful menu doesn’t have to be so difficult, time-consuming and expensive. As a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive $100 off your first month of Popmenu!

 

7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free.

Real hospitality and restaurant industry veterans, the My Restaurant CFO team understands the daily frustrations restaurant owners experience managing their establishments. By partnering to create a custom solution, we streamline your flow of financial information, create a clear picture of your overall financial health, use your historical data to forecast your financial needs, and suggest ways to cut costs and increase revenue.

My Restaurant CFO - Let us help you achieve your goals.

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • I don't accept the status quo
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Impatience
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • The desire to make things better and not accept the status quo
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Figuring out how to get out of my own way
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Treat others how you'd like to be treated
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Recognizing regulars, have conversations with guests
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
  8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
  9. Name one service you've hired.
  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?
    • Take time off
    • Eat good food
    • Don't be too hard on yourself

Contact info:

Instagram: @kingdavidtacos

Website: http://kingdavidtacos.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 Liz Solomon Dwyer 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!
Direct download: Liz_Solomon_Dwyer_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

Greg Provance is the owner of GP Hospitality Partners LLC,. GP Hospitality Partners LLC is a full-service restaurant hospitality consulting firm. In addition to being a consulting partner of Everbowl, Southern Californias Fastest growing fast-casual chain, Greg owns serval restaurants in the San Diego area and serves as a principal consultant and advisor for restaurants across the country. His career began as a professional actor, where he landed numerous roles fro film and television including Dawson's Creek, Homicide Life on the Streets, Charmed, Days of Our Lives, Fox Family, Showtime, and various independent films, as well as hosting a Emmy winning series for NASA an PBS. He now employs the skills he learned in entertainment to drive his passion for hospitality and personal and business development.

Check out episode 895 with Roger Beaudoin as mentioned in today's episode.

Check out episode 722 with Jeff Fenster as mentioned in today's episode.

Check out episode 437 with David Scott Peters as mentioned in today's episode.

Today’s feature affiliate: Bentobox. In need of a restaurant website? Click this link to find out why so many of my guests use Bentobox!

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favorite success quote or mantra:

  • "People won't remember what you said or what you did, but how you made them feel."

In this episode with Greg Provance we will discuss:

  • Exploring other vocations before landing on hospitality
  • Working in the entertainment industry
  • Substance abuse in the restaurant industry
  • Honing your skills at an established, successfully hospitality group
  • Creating a niche for yourself
  • Training
  • Inventory
  • Recipe costing
  • Labor cost
  • Social media marketing
  • Recovering guests
  • Promotions that actually drive sales

Today's sponsor:

At Popmenu, we know that in today’s world, a great hospitality experience usually begins onlineKeeping the conversation with guests going beyond the meal also requires simple, powerful, fun technology capable of expression through all kinds of channels. Our team takes pride in helping restaurants put their best foot forward digitally so they can focus on what they do best. We think PDF menus are super boring, we believe 3rd party platforms have had too much say in how consumers find their next dining experience and we deeply feel that sharing your beautiful menu doesn’t have to be so difficult, time-consuming and expensive. As a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive $100 off your first month of Popmenu!

7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free.

Real hospitality and restaurant industry veterans, the My Restaurant CFO team understands the daily frustrations restaurant owners experience managing their establishments. By partnering to create a custom solution, we streamline your flow of financial information, create a clear picture of your overall financial health, use your historical data to forecast your financial needs, and suggest ways to cut costs and increase revenue. My Restaurant CFO - Let us help you achieve your goals.

Contact info:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregprovance

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 Greg Provance 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!
Direct download: Greg_Provance_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Sue Bette. Sue Bette is the founder and head coach of Bluebird Hospitality, a Vermont-based company focused on creating community and joy through food and gathering experiences. Founded in 2009, Bluebird Hospitality has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, with Bluebird Tavern nominated as one of the Best New Restaurants in 2010, and the Food Network, with Bluebird Barbecue, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. In her current role, Sue is involved in crafting the company culture, shaping the design and artistic direction, and innovating for future growth opportunities.

Today’s feature affiliate: Bentobox. In need of a restaurant website? Click this link to find out why so many of my guests use Bentobox!

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favorite success quote or mantra:

  • Let go of the oars

In this episode with Sue Bette we will discuss:

  • History
  • Education/coaching
  • Learning what "health food" actually means
  • Restaurant reviews
  • Educating through food
  • Restaurant accolades
  • Vulnerable leadership

Today's sponsor:

At Popmenu, we know that in today’s world, a great hospitality experience usually begins onlineKeeping the conversation with guests going beyond the meal also requires simple, powerful, fun technology capable of expression through all kinds of channels. Our team takes pride in helping restaurants put their best foot forward digitally so they can focus on what they do best. We think PDF menus are super boring, we believe 3rd party platforms have had too much say in how consumers find their next dining experience and we deeply feel that sharing your beautiful menu doesn’t have to be so difficult, time-consuming and expensive. As a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive $100 off your first month of Popmenu!

7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free.

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Focus on the good
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Trying to please everyone
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Is this person oriented to be helpful to others
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Rebuilding after the pandemic
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Courtesy, please, thank you
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Don't point, bring people top where they are trying to go
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
  8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
  9. What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough?
    • Take time to take care of themselves
  10. Name one service you've hired.
  11. 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?
    • Have more fun
    • Stay to the center
    • Fill your life with awesome relationships that support you

Contact info:

Website: https://www.bluebirdbbq.com

Instagram: @sue.bette @bluebirdbbq

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 Sue Bette 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!
Direct download: Sue_Bette_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

With excitement, allow me introduce today's guest, Founder/Partner at Blackstone, 30Hop, Tin Roost, Tribute, and The Iowa Athletic Club- Erik Shewmaker. After graduating from The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business with a focus in Finance, Management, and Entrepreneurship, Erik spent the first year out of college as a Customer Relationship Manager for Great America Leasing before re-connecting with long-time from Matt Swift about opening a restaurant. That restaurant Blackstone opened in 2007. 15 years later Erik is now a partner in 6 different restaurants and running his own landscaping and edging company, Essential Edging.

Check out episode 898 with Ben Smart as mentioned in today's episode!

Check out episode 900 with Matt Swift as mentioned in today's episode!

Check out episode 889 with Jake Brewer, CFO of Miso Robotics as mentioned in today's episode!

Today’s feature affiliate: Bentobox. In need of a restaurant website? Click this link to find out why so many of my guests use Bentobox!

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favorite success quote or mantra:

  • "Little things make big things happen."

In this episode with Erik Shewmaker we will discuss:

  • Focus on finance
  • Partnerships
  • Bartending
  • Opening a restaurant
  • Taking over a failing restaurant
  • Building several restaurants within one mile of eachother
  • Training
  • The importance of the pre-shift
  • Establishing culture
  • Ego and humility

Today's sponsor:

At Popmenu, we know that in today’s world, a great hospitality experience usually begins onlineKeeping the conversation with guests going beyond the meal also requires simple, powerful, fun technology capable of expression through all kinds of channels. Our team takes pride in helping restaurants put their best foot forward digitally so they can focus on what they do best. We think PDF menus are super boring, we believe 3rd party platforms have had too much say in how consumers find their next dining experience and we deeply feel that sharing your beautiful menu doesn’t have to be so difficult, time-consuming and expensive. As a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive $100 off your first month of Popmenu!

7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free.

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Attention to detail
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Taking things too personally
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Adopt a conversational tone and then flip it to a technical question to see their reaction
    • Looking for people that we want to hang out with because what we do is fun
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Evolving our structure to facilitate growth
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Everything we do is for the guest
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Attention to detail
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
  8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
  9. What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough?
    • Don't ask for help
  10. Name one service you've hired.
    • Bookkeeping - Deb Standard at Iowa Business Services
  11. 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?
    • Treating others how you want to be treating
    • Celebrate even the tiniest wins
    • Surround yourself with good people

Contact info:

Website: www.30hop.com

Email: erik@30hop.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 Erik Shewmaker 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!
Direct download: Erik_Shewmaker_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

Nick Tillinghast is the Founder of DMDT Hospitality and Lifestyle. Nick has an untraditional pathway into the hospitality industry. Prior to founding the DMDT Hospitality and Lifestyle Group with partners Ryan Hutchinson and Kyle McClain, Nick had a career in PR. Enamored by the extreme restaurant design and architecture found in Las Vegas, where he worked as a Hospitality PR Specialist, Nick wanted to bring that same shock and awe experience to the nightlife of his home city, Des Moines. In 2016 he willed into existence DMDT Hospitality and Lifestyle. Today, Nick serves as the sole proprietor of DMDT, and his portfolio includes: Hello Margorie, Good News Darling, and Secret Admirer.

https://www.parkonfremont.com

Today’s feature affiliate: Bentobox. In need of a restaurant website? Click this link to find out why so many of my guests use Bentobox!

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favorite success quote or mantra:

  • "Do cool shit."

In this episode with Nick Tillinghast we will discuss:

  • Interior restaurant design
  • Private club hospitality
  • PR
  • Las Vegas hospitality
  • Proper leadership
  • Bar service
  • Pop ups

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Creativity
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Delegation
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Are you passionate about cocktails?
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Making sure that we build a team of people who are passionate
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Be respectful always
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Detail and experience
  7. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
  8. What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough?
    • Piecing everything together: cocktails, music, environment
  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?
    • Be kind
    • Take risks
    • Do what makes you happy

Contact info:

Email: Heey@dmdoesthings.com

Instagram: @hellomargeriedm @goodnewsdarling @secretadmirerdm

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 Tillinghast 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!
Direct download: Nick_Tillinghast_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

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