Ep 46: Alex Adler is the Co-Founder and Taquero for Puesto, an upscale Mexican restaurant concept based in San Diego, California

If you're a little obsessed with Mexican food, like me, then no matter where you are in the U.S. you've probably heard of Puesto. With 120 different tequilas, 100 different mezcals, and fresh ingredients in all their mouthwatering – and most importantly, authentic – food, there's little surprise that this family-run restaurant is now in nine locations. But how does one market and manage a multi-locational restaurant business while staying true to your roots and all the offerings of Mexico City? In this episode, I'm talking to Alex Adler, co-founder, and taquero for Puesto, who says that they may be a multi-location business, but they are definitely not a chain. He talks us through all aspects of the business, from its inception in the family kitchen to digital feedback, and their journey with finding a coherent operating system. We get the rundown on the Puesto marketing and social media strategies, as well as delving into why certain social media platforms work better for this type of business. Adler also shares, with humility and a lot of passion, the special innovations that kept customers (and those in the industry) a little more connected to normality during COVID and drew them loyally into the Puesto community. Lastly, Adler shares some hard-won advice on when to pivot, and the crucial factor that got them where they are today – know what you want as a guest, and always putting that at the center of the experience. Press play and join in the conversation now!