Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore

Chris Schultz joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on April 6th, 2026 at 11AM EST.

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Chris Schultz is the CEO of Velvet Taco, a fast-casual taco brand known for its globally inspired, chef-driven tacos and cult-favorite Weekly Taco Feature program. He brings more than 30 years of restaurant leadership experience to the role and is focused on leading Velvet Taco through its next phase of domestic and international growth while protecting the brand’s bold, creative, and unapologetically original culture.

Before joining Velvet Taco, Chris served as CEO of Voodoo Doughnut, where he helped guide the brand into new markets and strengthen its cult following. Prior to that, he spent nine years as senior vice president of operations at MOD Pizza, helping grow the concept from a single shop to more than 350 locations across the U.S. He began his restaurant career with a 13-year run at Starbucks, working in operations and development during a period of rapid national and global expansion.

Today, Chris is leveraging that Starbucks, MOD Pizza, and Voodoo Doughnut playbook to scale Velvet Taco’s 50-plus restaurants across eight states and into new markets, including its first international location in London, all while doubling down on innovation, guest experience, and a highly distinctive brand identity.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof. Call (281) 888-2413 and mention Restaurant Unstoppable to get 20% off your first month of service.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up? 

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

  • Email: chris.schultz@velvettaco.com

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

Direct download: 1259_Chris_Shultz_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Jo Irizarry and Skeeter Miller join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 23rd, 2026 at 11AM EST.

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Jo Irizarry is an investor and mentor in the modern Texas barbecue scene, best known for backing nationally acclaimed concepts like Barbs-B-Q and butcher shop and restaurant Thorn & Bred. As an early believer in Barbs-B-Q, Jo helped support pitmaster Chuck Charnichart and the team as they transformed a bold, pop-culture-infused vision for barbecue into one of the most talked‑about restaurants in Texas, earning national accolades and a James Beard nomination along the way. At Thorn & Bred, Jo brings that same mix of business savvy and heart for hospitality to a new generation of chefs and makers, focusing on spaces that celebrate community, creativity, and the evolving story of Texas food.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof. Call (281) 888-2413 and mention Restaurant Unstoppable to get 20% off your first month of service.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

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

Direct download: 1258_Jo_Irizarri_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

John Russ and Kim Beechner join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 30th, 2026 at 11AM EST. 

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Chef John Russ is the chef-owner of Clementine, a celebrated neighborhood restaurant in San Antonio known for its seasonally driven menus and warm, family-centered hospitality. A New Orleans native and 2023 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Texas, Russ trained at Delgado Culinary and refined his craft in fine dining kitchens at the Ritz-Carlton and The Capella Group before putting down roots in San Antonio in 2012. Alongside his wife and pastry chef, Elise, he launched a series of pop-up dinners that evolved into the Clementine restaurant group, where the couple has helped reshape the city’s culinary landscape with their acclaimed “Feed Me” tasting experience and thoughtful approach to service and work–life balance. Beyond the stove, Russ advocates for better food sourcing, sustainability, and commonsense immigration reform within the restaurant industry, working with state and national organizations while mentoring the next generation of chefs.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

  • Website: https://www.clementine-sa.com
  • Instagram: @clementine.sanantonio
  • Email: hello@clementine-sa.com

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

Direct download: 1257_John_Russ_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Kim Beechner joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 30th, 2026 at 11AM EST. 

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Kim Beechner is the CEO and founder of Embark Marketing, a boutique digital agency specializing in the food and beverage and hospitality industries. Drawing on more than a decade in marketing and many years in the restaurant and bar world, she helps restaurants, bars, and food and beverage brands tell their stories, attract loyal guests, and grow revenue through strategy, social media, PR, and content. Since launching Embark Marketing in 2010, Kim and her team have partnered with concepts across Texas and the U.S., earning recognition from organizations such as PRSA, the American Marketing Association, Yelp’s Advertising Partner Awards, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. She holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of the Incarnate Word, with a focus on international business, marketing, and communications, which informs her consumer-first, storytelling-driven approach to brand building.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

  • Website: https://www.embark-marketing.com/

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

Direct download: 1256_Kim_Beechner_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Skeeter Miller joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 23rd, 2026 at 11AM EST.

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Don “Skeeter” Miller is the longtime owner and president of The County Line, the iconic Texas barbecue institution he helped launch in Austin in 1975.

Starting as the restaurant’s first dishwasher, he worked every job in the house before being invited into partnership and eventually leading the brand’s growth into a multi-location barbecue operation spanning several states. Under his leadership, The County Line has become known for its hilltop and lakeside locations, its laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere, and its famously generous platters of ribs and brisket.​

A hands-on operator and industry advocate, Skeeter has served as president of County Line Incorporated and has been deeply involved with restaurant associations and legislative advocacy on behalf of independent restaurateurs, earning multiple honors for his contributions to Texas’s hospitality community. On this episode, Skeeter shares the story of how he went from washing dishes to building a beloved barbecue brand, what he’s learned from nearly five decades in the business, and why he believes in supporting local food and community above all.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof. Call (281) 888-2413 and mention Restaurant Unstoppable to get 20% off your first month of service.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

  • Website: https://www.countyline.com/

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

Direct download: 1255_Skeeter_Miller_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Sarah Heard joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 23rd, 2026 at 11AM EST.

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Chef Sarah Heard is the co-owner and co-chef of Austin’s acclaimed Foreign & Domestic, where she’s known for boldly flavored, from-scratch cooking and a deep respect for every ingredient. Raised in Conroe, Texas, she learned early from her mother and grandmother to use every part of what you cook, a philosophy she now applies through whole-animal utilization and a focus on sustainability. After working her way up from banquet server to executive sous chef at The Mansion at Judges’ Hill, and later leading kitchens at venues like The Winfield Inn and other Austin restaurants, she and her partner, chef Nathan Lemley, purchased Foreign & Domestic in 2017 and later opened Commerce Café in Lockhart in 2020. Today, Sarah is celebrated for pairing comfort and creativity on the plate, championing local farms and producers, and mentoring the next generation of cooks in Austin’s tight-knit North Loop neighborhood.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof. Call (281) 888-2413 and mention Restaurant Unstoppable to get 20% off your first month of service.

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

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

Direct download: 1254_Sarah_Heard_PODCAST_2_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Taylor Swenning joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 16th, 2026 at 11AM EST.

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Taylor Swenning is the creative force and owner behind Darlin’s Diner, a modern small-town spot known for its nostalgic charm and scratch-made comfort food. A Texas A&M graduate who studied Construction Science, Taylor first tested her entrepreneurial chops with a food trailer called Donut Darlin’ before growing it into the full-fledged diner brand locals love today. From managing build-outs and menus to cultivating community events and partnerships, she blends a hands-on work ethic with a genuine heart for hospitality. On this episode, Taylor shares her journey from student side hustle to restaurant ownership, the lessons she’s learned building Darlin’s Diner, and what it really takes to create a place people want to come back to again and again. 

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

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

Direct download: 1253_Taylor_Swenning_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Jody Fiess is the COO of Cerboni Financial Services, HQ'd in Houston, Texas. Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Cerboni Services was formed in 2017 to help independent restaurants manage their financials and lower costs through performance based metrics. Today, Cerboni helps around 800 restaurants nationwide. 

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

  • Website: https://cerboniservices.com

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

Direct download: 1252_Jody_Fiess_PODCAST_2_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Pete Mora joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 16th, 2026 at 11AM EST.

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Pedro “Pete” Mora is the founder and CEO of Fajita Pete’s, a Houston-based Tex-Mex concept built around catering, delivery, and a streamlined fajita-focused menu. Born in Colombia and raised with an entrepreneurial push from his family, he opened his first full-service Mexican restaurant, Poblano’s, at age 23 in 2002, discovering that guests were most excited about fajitas and off-premise catering. In 2008 he closed that restaurant and launched Fajita Pete’s, reimagining the business as a compact, catering first brand that delivers fresh fajitas, tacos, and flautas directly to homes, offices, and events.

A graduate of the University of Houston’s entrepreneurship program, Mora has grown Fajita Pete’s from a single Houston location into a fast-growing franchise recognized on lists of top emerging franchise brands, all while keeping the model intentionally simple and hospitality-driven. On this episode, Pete shares how he went from crafting tables in his garage to building a scalable restaurant system, why he believes hospitality matters more than square footage, and what he’s learned about grit, franchising, and “achieving the American dream one fajita at a time.”

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof. Call (281) 888-2413 and mention Restaurant Unstoppable to get 20% off your first month of service.

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

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

Direct download: 1251_Pete_Mora_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Joshua Santana is the co-founder of Cerboni Services, an outsourced accounting and financial consulting firm dedicated to helping restaurant and hospitality operators turn numbers into smarter decisions. A Houston native and graduate of the University of Houston with a degree in Accounting, Joshua has spent more than 15 years specializing in tax strategy, compliance, and financial planning for both individuals and businesses through his work with Santana & Associates, Cerboni’s sister tax firm. At Cerboni, he combines deep tax expertise with industry-specific financial insight to build forecasting, budgeting, and reporting systems that help owners improve profitability, control costs, and reach their long-term growth goals. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Joshua partners closely with operators nationwide to demystify their financials and give them the clarity and confidence to run more resilient, profitable restaurants.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof. Call (281) 888-2413 and mention Restaurant Unstoppable to get 20% off your first month of service.

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

  • Website: https://cerboniservices.com
  • Email: joshua@cerboniservices.com

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

Direct download: 1250_Joshua_Sanatana_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Sam Caucci joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 9th, 2026 at 11AM EST.

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Sam Caucci is the founder and CEO of 1Huddle, a workforce technology company that helps organizations find, train, and retain workers using science-backed, quick-burst mobile games. A global keynote speaker, workforce policy advisor, and bestselling author, Sam has helped hundreds of brands—from the U.S. Air Force and UEFA to Loews Hotels, ESPN, Audible, Novartis, and Madison Square Garden—rethink how they onboard and upskill their people. His work on employee engagement and the future of work has been featured in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, CNN, CNBC, Fox Business, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, Forbes, and The Huffington Post.

On the policy side, Sam has served on workforce innovation and economic policy committees, including for the Biden-Harris Presidential Campaign and the City of Newark’s Workforce Development Board, bringing a frontline worker perspective into national and local conversations about jobs and skills. He is the author of the forthcoming book Wasted Talent: How the Promise of the Future of Work Failed Workers and a Plan to Fix It, where he lays out a roadmap to fix broken training systems and ensure every worker has a fair shot.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

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

Direct download: 1249_Sam_Caucci_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Alec Bauer joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 2nd, 2026 at 11AM EST.

To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's guest, head over to restaurantunstoppable.com/cwe and we will get you a link to join that specific event for FREE!

Alec Bauer is the Principal and Creative Director of Kitchen, Restaurant & Bar Specialists (KRBS), a Burlington, Vermont-based foodservice design consultancy.

A graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, he honed his skills as a chef in renowned kitchens like The Ryland Inn, Auberge du Soleil, Maison Blanche in Paris, and The Four Seasons San Francisco.

Bauer transitioned to foodservice consulting and design in 2005, founding KRBS—initially from his San Francisco Bay Area garage—now headquartered at 36 Locust St. in Burlington, where he lives with his family and rescue coonhound, Beazy.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

  • Website: https://www.krbspecialists.com/

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

Direct download: 1248_Alec_Baur_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Chris Goss is the Director of Hospitality, Operations, and Human Resources at Heirloom Hospitality in Vermont, where he oversees people, culture, and guest experience across the organization. With more than four years in this role, and over 30 years of restaurant hospitality experience before that, Chris blends strategic HR leadership with hands-on operational expertise to help build engaged teams and memorable hospitality experiences.

Passionate about “awakened” hospitality, he focuses on values-driven leadership, staff development, and creating workplaces where people feel seen, supported, and able to do their best work. On this episode, Chris shares lessons from a career spent at the intersection of service, operations, and human connection—and how thoughtful HR can transform both employee and guest journeys.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

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

Direct download: 1247_Chris_Goss_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Jordan Ware and Cindi Kozak are the chef-and-general manager team behind Frankie’s in Burlington, Vermont, a 70-seat, seafood-forward, farm-to-table restaurant in the former Penny Cluse Café space that has quickly become one of the most talked-about new spots in the country. After years working together at Hen of the Wood—Jordan as executive chef and Cindi as general manager and wine buyer—they struck out on their first solo venture, building a warm, “fine but friendly” dining room that bridges casual and special-occasion hospitality while spotlighting New England farms, fisheries, and producers. Jordan, a Culinary Institute of America graduate originally from Bennington, Vermont, leads an ever-changing, adventurous menu that works directly with local farmers and a small fishmonger to keep the food deeply tied to place, while Cindi, who came to Burlington for Champlain College, curates the wine and cocktail programs with an emphasis on sustainable, personality-driven bottles and classic-but-not-stuffy drinks. Together they see Frankie’s as a civic investment in downtown Burlington and a joyful, community-driven “day-to-day place,” where the next generation of Vermont hospitality can experiment with new ideas, support producers, and still feel like a neighborhood restaurant.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Today's guest recommends:

Guest contact info: 

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

Direct download: 1246_Jordan_and_Cindi_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Eric Scheffer is the Founder and CEO of The Scheffer Group, based in Asheville, North Carolina. Eric comes from a family that worked in the entertainment business in NYC and LA and he too joined them in that business at a young age. Eventually, he decided to pivot to restaurateur. Eric opened his first restaurant in Asheville in 2000 and has owned 7 concepts in the city since then. Today, The Scheffer Group consists of 2 Vinnie's neighborhood Italian locations, 1 Jettie Rea's Oyster House location, and 1 Gan Shan Neighborhood Asian location. 

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Today's guest recommends:

Guest contact info: 

  • Email: eric@thescheffergroup.com

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

Direct download: 1245_Eric_Sceffer_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Philip Bollhoefer is the Vice President of Food & Beverage at Parks Hospitality Group based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Starting in 2008, Parks Hospitality Group opens, owns, and operates hotels in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. When Philip joined in 2016 they owned 6 hotels and today they own 12. 

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Make running your foodservice operation easier and more efficient with solutions from US Foods®. Utilize a suite of digital tools, like the all-in-one foodservice app MOXē®, and enjoy exclusive access to quality Exclusive Brands products. Learn how partnering with US Foods helps you get more out of your business by visiting www.usfoods.com/expectmore

-

Guest contact info: 

  • Website: https://parkshotels.com

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

Direct download: 1244_Philip_Bollhoefer_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Elizabeth Tilton is the Founder and CEO of Oyster Sunday and OS BENEFiTS. Based in both New Orleans and NYC and founded in 2019, Oyster Sunday is a hospitality consulting agency for independent F&B businesses. Consider them your thought partner or an extension of your in-house team, whether you're launching a business or currently operating one. The company is currently rolling out their Oyster Sunday HR department. OS BENEFiTS seeks to  help your team get affordable health insurance and wellness benefits built for hospitality companies and organizations.

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Make running your foodservice operation easier and more efficient with solutions from US Foods®. Utilize a suite of digital tools, like the all-in-one foodservice app MOXē®, and enjoy exclusive access to quality Exclusive Brands products. Learn how partnering with US Foods helps you get more out of your business by visiting www.usfoods.com/expectmore

-

Guest contact info: 

  • Email: elizabeth@oystersunday.com
  • Oyster Sunday website: https://www.oystersunday.com
  • OS Benefits website: https://osbenefits.co

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

Direct download: 1243_Elizabeth_Tilton_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Leonard Botello is the owner and Pit Master of Truth BBQ, which currently has two locations in Houston and Brenham, TX. Leonard grew up in restaurants with his family and went on to study Biology at A&M. He pivoted to BBQ when he had his first real eye-opening experience with craft BBQ. In 2015 he opened the first Truth BBQ in Brenham, Texas and in 2019 he opened the second location in Houston. 

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof.

-

US Foods®. Make running your foodservice operation easier and more efficient with solutions from US Foods®. Utilize a suite of digital tools, like the all-in-one foodservice app MOXē®, and enjoy exclusive access to quality Exclusive Brands products. Learn how partnering with US Foods helps you get more out of your business by visiting www.usfoods.com/expectmore

-

Today's guest recommends:

Guest contact info: 

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

Direct download: 1242_Leonard_Botello_PODCAST_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

Ope Amosu is the chef/owner of ChòpnBlọk located in Houston, Texas. Ope began his career working in oil and gas all over the globe. The son of Nigerian parents, Ope found that no matter where he travelled, it was difficult to get Nigerian food and find the local Nigerian culture. So, in 2017 he decided he should open a West African/Nigerian food restaurant in Houston. He began with private dinners and then held "restaurant takeovers" and in 2018 opened up in a food hall to great success. In 2022, the first standalone ChòpnBlọk opened. 

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Cerboni - Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Reliable tax preparation & Business incorporation. Seamless Payroll and compliance report. Strategic CFO Services That Drive Business Growth. Detailed, custom reporting for complete financial clarity. Dedicated support for restaurants & Multi-location businesses. End-to-end financial management under one roof.

-

US Foods®. Make running your foodservice operation easier and more efficient with solutions from US Foods®. Utilize a suite of digital tools, like the all-in-one foodservice app MOXē®, and enjoy exclusive access to quality Exclusive Brands products. Learn how partnering with US Foods helps you get more out of your business by visiting www.usfoods.com/expectmore

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let’s make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

Today's guest recommends:

Guest contact info: 

  • Instagram: @o.amosu
  • Website: https://chopnblok.co

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

Direct download: 1241_Ope_Amosu_POODCAST_2_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EDT

1