Nick Kokonas

In a compelling dialogue, Naval Ravikant, co-founder of AngelList, shares insights on startup investment criteria and the transformative power of sustainable habits. He emphasizes the significance of honesty and personal development. Nick Kokonas, co-founder of Alinea, discusses culinary innovation and the impact of behavioral economics on restaurant dynamics. He reveals how psychological ownership affects dining experiences. Their conversation navigates risk, decision-making, and the artistic elements of gastronomy, blending business acumen with creative passion.

Nick Kokonas, co-founder of iconic restaurants like Alinea and CEO of Tock, shares his transformative journey through the restaurant industry with a unique business lens. He discusses the importance of ownership and entrepreneurial mindset, especially within immigrant communities. Kokonas highlights innovative dining experiences and strategizes on revenue enhancements post-COVID-19, emphasizing effective customer engagement. His insights on navigating crises in the restaurant sector reveal resilience-driven adaptations and the value of authentic communication amidst challenges.

Nick Kokonas, co-founder of renowned restaurants Alinea, Next, and The Aviary, and CEO of Tock, shares his unique journey from philosophy major to hospitality innovator. He emphasizes the importance of truly knowing what you sell for business success. The discussion dives into creating joy through innovative dining experiences, the evolving economics of restaurants post-COVID, and the significance of understanding customers for effective communication. Throughout, he highlights kindness and gratitude as essential elements for lasting professional relationships.

Nick Kokonas (IG: @nkokonas, TW: @NickKokonas) is the co-owner and co-founder of The Alinea Group of restaurants, which includes Alinea, Next, The Aviary, Roister, and The Aviary NYC. He is also the founder and CEO of Tock, Inc, a reservations and CRM system for restaurants with more than 2.5M diners and clients in more than 20 countries.Alinea has been named the Best Restaurant in America and Best Restaurant in The World by organizations and lists as diverse as The James Beard Foundation, World's 50 Best, TripAdvisor, Yelp, Gourmet Magazine, and Elite Traveler. His restaurants have won nearly every accolade afforded to them.Nick has been a subversive entrepreneur and angel investor since 1996. He spent a decade as a derivatives trader, has co-written three books, and believes in radical transparency in markets and business. His latest effort is The Aviary Cocktail Book, which is perhaps the most gorgeous book I've ever seen. It is self-published, has already pre-sold nearly $1M in copies, and is being released and shipped in October of 2018.We've been trying to get this interview going ever since Nick was of immense help to me for The 4-Hour Chef, so I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. We talk about much more than the restaurant business, including philosophy, derivatives trading, favorite books, and how Nick tends to break every industry he enters in the most productive way possible! Enjoy! This episode is brought to you by 99designs, the global creative platform that makes it easy for designers and clients to work together. From logos to apps and packaging to books, 99designs is the go-to design resource for any budget.Right now, my listeners can get 50 dollars off a logo and brand identity package from 99designs, plus a free upgrade that lets you promote your project on the platform (an additional 99 dollar value), by visiting 99designs/Tim50.This episode is also brought to you by Charlotte's Web, which makes a CBD oil, a hemp extract, that has become one of my go-to tools. Charlotte's Web won't get you high, but it does have some pretty powerful benefits, and it works with your body's existing endocannabinoid system. Some of the most common uses are for relief from everyday stressors, help in supporting restful sleep, and to bring about a sense of calm and focus.Visit cwhemp.com/tim to take a quick quiz, which will determine the best product for your lifestyle. Charlotte's Web is also offering listeners of this podcast 10% off with discount code TIM.***If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Visit tim.blog/sponsor and fill out the form.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nick Kokonas, co-founder of the Alinea Group and former CEO of Tock, shares his innovative culinary journey. He discusses his transition from a Michelin-starred restaurant to exploring a new restaurant concept that combines dining with magical experiences. Nick reflects on personal challenges, including a family member's cancer diagnosis, and how fear has driven his entrepreneurial choices. He emphasizes the importance of creating memorable moments for diners while revealing insights into effective communication and the complexities of running a unique business.

Nick Kokonas, co-founder of the three-Michelin-star restaurant Alinea, shares his thrilling journey from trading to transforming the culinary scene. He discusses risk-taking strategies and his insights on the intertwined worlds of fine dining and golf. With humor, he dives into the importance of embracing discomfort for growth, explores creativity in restaurants versus sports, and offers ideas to reenergize the PGA Tour. Kokonas also reflects on psychological barriers in competitive environments, emphasizing the need for personal growth and accountability.

Nick Kokonas, co-owner of the renowned Alinea Group and CEO of Tock, shares his innovative approach to the restaurant industry. He discusses how Alinea thrived amid the pandemic by transitioning to a successful carry-out model. Kokonas dives into concepts like asymmetric risk and the importance of financial adaptability in challenging times. He emphasizes the need for creativity and emotional connection in dining experiences, while highlighting his journey as an entrepreneur eager to challenge norms in hospitality.

Guests Nick Kokonas and Charlie Mitchell discuss the history and impact of Michelin stars, the high costs involved in running a Michelin star restaurant, and the ambition and validation that comes with attaining three Michelin stars.

Nick Kokonas, founder of Tock and co-owner of the three-Michelin-star restaurant Alinea, discusses revolutionary approaches to the restaurant industry. He shares insights on improving operating leverage and the importance of digital experiences in hospitality. Kokonas argues for the replacement of tipping, delves into labor supply issues, and addresses inflation's impact on restaurants. Through his innovative reservation system, he highlights the need for sustainable business models that enhance customer commitment and tackle operational inefficiencies.

Nick Kokonas, CEO of Tock and co-founder of the Alinea Group, dives into the challenges independent restaurants face against giants like DoorDash and Uber Eats. He shares revolutionary strategies for restaurateurs, emphasizing the importance of owning customer data and innovative pricing models. Kokonas discusses groundbreaking ideas to reduce no-show rates with deposits and how Tock's adaptive strategies during the pandemic are reshaping customer experiences. His insights into blending technology with hospitality reveal a new era for the food industry.