Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore

Jordan Hudgens is the Founder and CTO of DashTrack. DashTrack is a restaurant and bar website & app platform. The service has been around for 7 years and in this episode we will discuss all that it has to offer and how/why it was developed. 

Favorite success quote/mantra: "Just because something is hard, doesn't mean it's impossible."

In this episode we will discuss: 

  • SEO
  • Restaurant-specific website design
  • AI implementations
  • Marketing
  • AND MORE!

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

MarginEdge: Boost your efficiency and profitability without adding labor costs. MarginEdge is a complete restaurant management software that allows you to seamlessly manage all aspects of your business from one central location. Track food costs in real time, make inventory faster and less tedious, easily cost out your recipes, and get a daily P&L so you always know where you stand. See how it works at marginedge.com/unstopabble.

Meez: Are you a chef, owner, operator, or manage recipes in professional kitchens? meez is built just for you. Organize, share, prep, and scale recipes like never before. Plus, engineer your menu in real-time and get accurate food costs. Sign up for free today and get 2 FREE months of invoice processing as a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast. Visit getmeez.com/unstoppable to learn more.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

  • Website: https://dashtrack.com

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable

Direct download: Jordan_Hudgens_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Donald Burns is an author, speaker, coach, podcast host, and consultant. He was previously featured on Restaurant Unstoppable for episodes 63 and 265. He is the author of four books; Your Restaurant Sucks (2017), Your Restaurant Still Sucks (2019), Your Restaurant Culture Sucks (2022), and Savage Restaurant Success (2024). He has a new book releasing this year, called Ingredients

Favorite success quote/mantra: "You can have everything you want in life, you just have to help others get what they want." AND "If everything seems to be going fine, you're just not going fast enough."

In this episode we will discuss: 

  • Process
  • People
  • Promotion
  • Personal Growth
  • AND MORE!

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

MarginEdge: Boost your efficiency and profitability without adding labor costs. MarginEdge is a complete restaurant management software that allows you to seamlessly manage all aspects of your business from one central location. Track food costs in real time, make inventory faster and less tedious, easily cost out your recipes, and get a daily P&L so you always know where you stand. See how it works at marginedge.com/unstopabble.

Meez: Are you a chef, owner, operator, or manage recipes in professional kitchens? meez is built just for you. Organize, share, prep, and scale recipes like never before. Plus, engineer your menu in real-time and get accurate food costs. Sign up for free today and get 2 FREE months of invoice processing as a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast. Visit getmeez.com/unstoppable to learn more.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable

Direct download: Donald_Burns_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Aaron DeFeo is the Owner/Operator of Little Rituals, along with past guest (episode 1090) Ross Simon. Aaron also owns his own consulting company, Solid Sipping, and he a partner in Arizona Cocktail Weekend. He also owns Stable, which is a juice alternative for making cocktails. 

Favorite success quote/mantra: "Act with purpose."

In this episode we will discuss: 

  • Tech stack
  • Partnerships
  • Cocktail culture
  • Fundrasing
  • The importance of contracts with ownership
  • Opening hardships
  • AND MORE!

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

National Council for Mental Health and Wellbeing -  Create healthier, more engaged employees with Mental Health First Aid at Work for Restaurants. This training teaches employees how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges. It’s trusted by leading companies, offers flexible training options to adapt to the often- unpredictable restaurant and food services environments, and it’s developed and delivered by experts. Visit MentalHealthFirstAid.org/Restaurants to learn more OR use this link: CLICK HERE

Meez: Are you a chef, owner, operator, or manage recipes in professional kitchens? meez is built just for you. Organize, share, prep, and scale recipes like never before. Plus, engineer your menu in real-time and get accurate food costs. Sign up for free today and get 2 FREE months of invoice processing as a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast. Visit getmeez.com/unstoppable to learn more.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable

Direct download: Aaron_Defeo_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:36am EDT

Mandy Heflin and Hogan Jamison are Co-Owners of Chula Seafood, based in Phoenix, AZ. Mandy moved from Seattle to Phoenix when she was 18 and missed the seafood culture from her hometown. Her husband's (and co-owner of Chula) family operated a sustainable fishing boat out of San Diego, and so they decided to bring an incredible seafood market and restaurant to Phoenix. They sold seafood in Phoenix from 2014 until 2016 when they opened the first Chula Seafood location, and in 2019 they opened a second. Hogan has been in the restaurant industry for over 25 years, 12 of which were with Fox Restaurant Concepts. He joined Chula during the very first opening and has been with them since. The third Chula location opened in 2022. 

Favorite success quote/mantra: Mandy... "Start with kindness." Hogan... "Growth mindset."

In this episode we will discuss: 

  • Sustainable seafood
  • Marketing
  • Educating your employees and customers best practices
  • Scaling and opening
  • Training and orientation best practices
  • Tech stack
  • AND MORE!

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

MarginEdge: Boost your efficiency and profitability without adding labor costs. MarginEdge is a complete restaurant management software that allows you to seamlessly manage all aspects of your business from one central location. Track food costs in real time, make inventory faster and less tedious, easily cost out your recipes, and get a daily P&L so you always know where you stand. See how it works at marginedge.com/unstopabble.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

  • Instagram: @chula_seafood
  • Website: https://www.chulaseafood.com/

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable

Direct download: Mandy_and_Hogan_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Tanya Gagnon is the Principle and Creative Director of Miss Details, based in Phoenix, AZ. Tanya got her degree in design and got her start in the design industry with big companies like Disney, Starbucks, and California Pizza Company. She created her own branding/design company, Miss Details, 20 years ago after moving from large companies to weddings and events, and now focusing primarily on businesses of varying sizes. 

Listeners get 20% off at the Miss Details shop for DIY branding tools. Enter promotional code Unstoppable20 to save 20% at checkout!

Favorite success quote/mantra: "Details matter, work hard, be kind."

In this episode we will discuss: 

  • The 5 steps to building an UNSTOPPABLE brand!
  • AND MORE!

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

MarginEdge: Boost your efficiency and profitability without adding labor costs. MarginEdge is a complete restaurant management software that allows you to seamlessly manage all aspects of your business from one central location. Track food costs in real time, make inventory faster and less tedious, easily cost out your recipes, and get a daily P&L so you always know where you stand. See how it works at marginedge.com/unstopabble.

Meez: Are you a chef, owner, operator, or manage recipes in professional kitchens? meez is built just for you. Organize, share, prep, and scale recipes like never before. Plus, engineer your menu in real-time and get accurate food costs. Sign up for free today and get 2 FREE months of invoice processing as a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast. Visit getmeez.com/unstoppable to learn more.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable

Direct download: Tanya_Gagnon_ADS_NEW_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Ross Simon is the Owner of Drink Better Cocktails, Little Rituals, and Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour all in Phoenix, AZ. Ross is from Scotland but really found his groove in the bar/cocktail world when he began managing a 3-story bar in London, called The Old Crown. He left that establishment to work and learn at the best bar he could find: LAB BAR in London. He worked there from 199-2005 and then moved to America, establishing himself in Phoenix, and looked to open his own bar. He opened his first location, Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour in 2014 and Little Rituals 5 years later.

Favorite success quote/mantra: "Moving in a direction with intention."

In this episode we will discuss: 

  • Cocktails
  • Wholesale
  • Raising funds
  • Investors
  • Consumers
  • Food cost
  • Awards culture
  • Cancel culture
  • AND MORE!

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

Meez: Are you a chef, owner, operator, or manage recipes in professional kitchens? meez is built just for you. Organize, share, prep, and scale recipes like never before. Plus, engineer your menu in real-time and get accurate food costs. Sign up for free today and get 2 FREE months of invoice processing as a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast. Visit getmeez.com/unstoppable to learn more.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

  • On the web: https://drinkbettercocktails.com

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable

Direct download: Ross_Simon_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Jonathan Buford is the Co-Founder and CEO of Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. Jonathan moved to Phoenix in 2002 at the age of 19. When the brewery industry blew up, he decided to learn how to brew and opened a brewery. Once his brewery opened and was succesful, he realized the food had to be just as good as the beer. He and his team made that happen, and today there are 3 locations with a fourth currently under construction.

Favorite success quote/mantra: "Restaurateurs should learn the difference between enthusiasm and passion. Passion will kill, burn, and hurt. Enthusiasm will uplift, embolden, and create a clear pathway."

In this episode we will discuss: 

  • Breweries
  • Branding
  • Sustainability
  • Culture vs. Profit
  • Sobriety
  • AND MORE!

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

National Council for Mental Health and Wellbeing -  Create healthier, more engaged employees with Mental Health First Aid at Work for Restaurants. This training teaches employees how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges. It’s trusted by leading companies, offers flexible training options to adapt to the often- unpredictable restaurant and food services environments, and it’s developed and delivered by experts. Visit MentalHealthFirstAid.org/Restaurants to learn more OR use this link: CLICK HERE

Meez: Are you a chef, owner, operator, or manage recipes in professional kitchens? meez is built just for you. Organize, share, prep, and scale recipes like never before. Plus, engineer your menu in real-time and get accurate food costs. Sign up for free today and get 2 FREE months of invoice processing as a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast. Visit getmeez.com/unstoppable to learn more.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable

Direct download: John_Buford_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Mat Snapp is the Executive VP of Operations at Barter & Shake in Phoenix. Mat began his career in the restaurant industry as a teenager delivering pizzas. Later, Mat went to school for writing and became a professional writer/copywriter. He soon found himself leaving his writing career to work with Sam Fox Restaurant Concepts where, starting in 2004, he helped the organization open 95 restaurants. He left that company in 2021 and began his journey with Barter & Shake. Barter & Shake has over 90 cocktails on its menu.

Favorite success quote/mantra: "Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong."

In this episode we will discuss: 

  • Operations
  • Mentors
  • Cocktails
  • Cocktail menu engineering
  • AND MORE!

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

MarginEdge: Boost your efficiency and profitability without adding labor costs. MarginEdge is a complete restaurant management software that allows you to seamlessly manage all aspects of your business from one central location. Track food costs in real time, make inventory faster and less tedious, easily cost out your recipes, and get a daily P&L so you always know where you stand. See how it works at marginedge.com/unstopabble.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable

Direct download: Matt_Snapp_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

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