Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore

1100: Alex Koons, Co-Owner of Purgatory Pizza, Founder of Hot Tongue Pizza, Podcast host

Jul 15, 2024

Entrepreneur Alex Koons shares insights on partnerships, operations, culture, and the tech stack in the restaurant industry. He discusses the challenges of opening a restaurant, the importance of social media, and the impact of technology. Alex emphasizes creating a positive work environment for employees and guests.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 5min

Navigating Miscommunication and Personal Growth

04:43 • 15min

Embracing the Entrepreneurial Hustle and Willingness to Do Any Task

20:09 • 4min

Navigating Trust and Challenges in Business Partnerships

24:15 • 10min

Evolution of Leadership and Business Ownership in the Restaurant Industry

34:06 • 19min

Efforts, Service, and Systems in Restaurant Operations

53:07 • 4min

Challenges and Successes of Restaurant Ownership

57:31 • 11min

Navigating Branding Challenges in Opening a New Restaurant

01:08:37 • 14min

Prioritizing Team over Customers in the Restaurant Industry

01:22:50 • 13min

Challenges and Reflections of Running a Vegan Pizzeria

01:36:19 • 12min

Growth, Challenges, and Success of a Pizza Business

01:48:34 • 5min

Exploring Marketing Strategies and Customer Surveys

01:53:32 • 3min

Debating the Role of Automation in the Restaurant Industry

01:56:30 • 2min

The Influence and Importance of Food in Restaurants

01:58:29 • 15min

Alex Koons is the Co-Owner of Purgatory Pizza, the Founder of Hot Tongue Pizza, and the host of the Pie 2 Pie Podcast. Alex moved to LA in the early 2000s to become a musician and record producer. After doing that for a few years, he got a job at Purgatory Pizza and went from delivery driver to manager in just a short while. He eventually purchased equity in the business and is Co-Owner today. He also a few years later opened up Hot Tongue Pizza and stepped away during the pandemic. He has since re-entered his restaurants to focus on creating the best possible culture for his employees and guests. Alex is also the host of Pie 2 Pie Podcast!

Favorite success quote/mantra: "Don't assume anything."

In this episode we will discuss:

Partnerships
Operations
Culture
Opening a restaurant
Tech stack
Social media
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:

Instagram: @pie.2.pie

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

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable