Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore

Chef Chris Viaud is owner and executive chef of Greenleaf Millford and sister restaurant, Culture, both residing in Milford, NH. Originally from Randolph, MA, Chris and his parents, who had immigrated from Haiti, moved to Londonderry, N.H. where, post-high school graduation, he attended Johnson & Wales University, receiving his bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts & Food Service Management.​Post culinary school, Chris came back to Boston where he spent three years at Deuxave, a true culinary landmark for modern French cuisine in the city, where he gained experience working alongside chef and owner Chris Coombs, Adrienne Mosie, and acclaimed chef Stefanie Bui. Since his time at Deuxave, he has been an essential part of four restaurant openings in the Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In the spring of 2019, Chris opened Greenleaf in what was the Souhegan National Bank building in Milford, NH. Chris' approach to food is rustic yet refined by classic techniques and his menus are driven by locally grown seasonal products. His strength and motivation build from the support of his family, friends, and staff and he continues to push himself every day. Check out episode 742 with Keith Sarasin as mentioned in today's episode. Check out VOLT ink. Recipes, Stories, Brothers by Bryan and Michael Voltaggio as recommended by Chris in today's episode. Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mantra: "Live life, eat , work, and play like there's no tomorrow." In today's episode with Chris Viaud we will discuss: Race perceptions in modern America Mentors at Johnson & Whales Culinary school advice The importance of culture and how to efficiently implement it Popups Becoming a master of time management Learning from the corporate food world Lessons learned from opening a restaurant for the first time What a trip to Europe taught Chris about food relations A chaotic, highly anticipated opening Budgeting an opening Partnerships with friends Breaking up a partnership The importance of lawyers in business creation Leaning on tech when you need it Today's sponsor: Ovation: Recently voted the #1 guest feedback platform in a nationwide RestaurantOwner.com survey, Ovation uses a SMS-based survey as a "digital table touch" that has redefined guest feedback. Through frictionless integrations with online ordering platforms and other tools, Ovation allows you to easily collect guest feedback, resolve concerns in real-time, get more 5-star reviews, and uncover insights to improve brand-wide. As a listener of Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive 2,000 FREE text messages - contact our team! Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue. Ecolab: Streamline your clean with Ecolab's new EPA-registered 2-in-1 solution, Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer. It will help reduce risk, simplify your procedures and help ensure compliance. This solution cleans and sanitizes hard non-porous surfaces with a single product, eliminates the rinse step and equips your staff to clean more efficiently. Clean simplified, confidence delivered. Knowledge bombs Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success? Personable What is your biggest weakness? Getting in my own head What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview? What do you like to do on your off-time? Want to relate to a future employee What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it? Structure and scheduling for myself Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team. Treat others the way you would like to be treated What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff? Our guests are part of our family so we try to relate to them on a personal level What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? Yes Chef: A Memoir by Marcus Samuelson GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough? Relate to your staff Name one service you've hired. Ethos And Ables Creative for marketing What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influenced operations? Google Drive plugins If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be? Family comes before everything Treat others with love and respect Live, love, and share your culture Contact info: Email: chris@greenleafmilford.com Social Media: @chefchrisviaud Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Chris Viaud for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

With Excitement Allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Founder and CEO of Ovation, Zack Oates. Zack Oates is an author, husband, father, entrepreneur, and hot tub aficionado (but not in that order, necessarily). He was voted Top 100 Entrepreneurs, rang the NASDAQ bell, won the world's biggest business competition, and started 3 companies. He went on over 1,000 dates before he got married and wrote a book, Dating Never Works...Until it Does. He currently is Founder and CEO of Ovation, an actionable guest feedback platform for restaurants that specializes in text communication. Check out Zack's previous episode right here! Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mantra: "Choose to live an extraordinary life for an ordinary one will always waiting." In today's episode with Zack Oates we will discuss: Growing up in the hospitality industry Mormonism Why Zack created Ovation What Ovation can provide to your business Today's sponsor: Ecolab: Streamline your clean with Ecolab's new EPA-registered 2-in-1 solution, Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer. It will help reduce risk, simplify your procedures and help ensure compliance. This solution cleans and sanitizes hard non-porous surfaces with a single product, eliminates the rinse step and equips your staff to clean more efficiently. Clean simplified, confidence delivered. Ovation: Recently voted the #1 guest feedback platform in a nationwide RestaurantOwner.com survey, Ovation uses a SMS-based survey as a "digital table touch" that has redefined guest feedback. Through frictionless integrations with online ordering platforms and other tools, Ovation allows you to easily collect guest feedback, resolve concerns in real-time, get more 5-star reviews, and uncover insights to improve brand-wide. As a listener of Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive 2,000 FREE text messages - contact our team! Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue. Contact info: Email: zack@ovationup.com www.ovationup.com/unstoppable Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Zack Oates for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

Owner and founder of Talula's Table, and Co-owner and founder of Talula's Garden, Talula's Daily, The Love, Aimee Olexy. One of the pioneering forces behind the farm to table movement, Aimee is Chef/Owner of Talula's Table, a hybrid gourmet café and BYOB in Kennett Square, PA that hosts nightly 12-person tastings, so incredibly coveted that it has been dubbed it "The Toughest Table in America." Aimee is also chef and co-owner (in collaboration with STARR Restaurants) of several of Philadelphia's most notable restaurants: Talula's Garden, Talula's Daily and The Love. Check out Tock as mentioned in today's episode. Check out Google Chrome's Momentum as mentioned in today's episode. Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mantra: "My body is not a temple." The restaurant industry is hard. Embrace it. In today's episode with Aimee Olexy we will discuss: Learning EVERY station An interest in small, independant businesses Risk taking in the industry; it's a good thing Learning from corporate hotels Don't serve experiments, serve refined dishes/experiences Hard lessons from opening your first restaurant Selling a business and a concept Documenting and tracking Partnerships Today's sponsor: Ovation: Recently voted the #1 guest feedback platform in a nationwide RestaurantOwner.com survey, Ovation uses a SMS-based survey as a "digital table touch" that has redefined guest feedback. Through frictionless integrations with online ordering platforms and other tools, Ovation allows you to easily collect guest feedback, resolve concerns in real-time, get more 5-star reviews, and uncover insights to improve brand-wide. As a listener of Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive 2,000 FREE text messages - contact our team! Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue. Ecolab: Streamline your clean with Ecolab's new EPA-registered 2-in-1 solution, Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer. It will help reduce risk, simplify your procedures and help ensure compliance. This solution cleans and sanitizes hard non-porous surfaces with a single product, eliminates the rinse step and equips your staff to clean more efficiently. Clean simplified, confidence delivered. Knowledge bombs Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success? Super energized, never tired What is your biggest weakness? Slow to make change What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview? Do you go the extra mile? What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it? Commuting, parking, urban issues Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team. Smile, be positive What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff? If a guest looks unhappy, we approach them and stay ahead of their needs What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? Keeping Sharp by Sanjay Gupta GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM Name one service you've hired. Publicist - Nicole Cashman - Cashman and Associates What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influenced operations? Taylor Company - drink machines/blenders If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be? Be kind Be generous Be curious Who should be my next Guest Mentor? Steven Starr Contact info: Instagram: @talulastable www.talulastable.com Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Aimee Olexy for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

With excitement allow me to intro owner-operator Acorn Grill Restaurant Brandon Knoepfle. Check out episode 782 with Ryan Gromfin as mentioned in today's episode. Brandon recommends Hireme - hiring software for restaurants! Brandon also recommends Ovation - Restaurant Unstoppable hosted an Ovation workshop in the restaurant Unstoppable Network and you can check that out right here. Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mantra: "Patience and persistence makes for an unbeatable combination for success." In today's episode with Brandon Knoepfle we will discuss: Growing up in restaurants Working at Applebee's and finding mentors there Going to prison Living with addiction The power of writing/journaling Bootstrapping and building out a gutted restaurant Learning how to build a restaurant through audio books Branding and marketing Learning marketing through app development Creating a name for your restaurant and your concept Consumer-first marketing approach The hiring process Creating checklists Using profit first Partnerships Today's sponsor: Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue. Ecolab: Streamline your clean with Ecolab's new EPA-registered 2-in-1 solution, Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer. It will help reduce risk, simplify your procedures and help ensure compliance. This solution cleans and sanitizes hard non-porous surfaces with a single product, eliminates the rinse step and equips your staff to clean more efficiently. Clean simplified, confidence delivered. Ovation: Recently voted the #1 guest feedback platform in a nationwide RestaurantOwner.com survey, Ovation uses a SMS-based survey as a "digital table touch" that has redefined guest feedback. Through frictionless integrations with online ordering platforms and other tools, Ovation allows you to easily collect guest feedback, resolve concerns in real-time, get more 5-star reviews, and uncover insights to improve brand-wide. As a listener of Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive 2,000 FREE text messages - contact our team! Knowledge bombs Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success? Work ethic What is your biggest weakness? The negative side of my personality What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview? A genuine smile What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it? My lack of skills. Always learning and absorbing Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team. Run a tight ship. What you do outside work is your business, but at the restaurant, you're here to work What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff? Find a way to deeply connect with your staff and customers What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? Never Split The Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough? Putting themselves first. Letting their family go by the wayside Name one service you've hired. Sweetly Simplified Solutions for social media marketing What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations? 7Shifts If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be? Don't stop trying Be willing to say yes Be mindful Contact info: www.acorngrill.com Instagram: @acorngrill_ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Brandon Knoepfle for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

Matt Plapp is an AVID Marketer, CrossFitter, Author, Speaker, Consultant & Business Coach. He's owned his marketing firm since 2008 and since then he has helped hundreds of companies market with a purpose, that purpose is ROI! Since 2016 they've changed their focus to restaurants and today they help restaurants all over the world with their ROI Engine marketing platform. Matt's two books in the restaurant marketing field are, "Don't 86 Your Restaurant Sales" & "Sell More Slices" and his third book comes out next week, titled "Restaurant Marketing That Works." Today we're here to talk about using marking to build a customer database. Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mantra: "The hardest part of writing your own story is knowing you are worth the ink." Today's sponsor: Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue. Ecolab: Streamline your clean with Ecolab's new EPA-registered 2-in-1 solution, Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer. It will help reduce risk, simplify your procedures and help ensure compliance. This solution cleans and sanitizes hard non-porous surfaces with a single product, eliminates the rinse step and equips your staff to clean more efficiently. Clean simplified, confidence delivered. Ovation: Recently voted the #1 guest feedback platform in a nationwide RestaurantOwner.com survey, Ovation uses a SMS-based survey as a "digital table touch" that has redefined guest feedback. Through frictionless integrations with online ordering platforms and other tools, Ovation allows you to easily collect guest feedback, resolve concerns in real-time, get more 5-star reviews, and uncover insights to improve brand-wide. As a listener of Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive 2,000 FREE text messages - contact our team! Contact info: www.mattplapp.com Email: matt@mattplapp.com Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Matt Plapp for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

With Excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Owner of two 17st BBQ locations, The Warehouse event Center, OnCue Consulting and Co-author of Peace, Love and Barbecue and Praise the Lard, Amy Mills. Barbecue heiress Amy Mills, daughter of barbecue legend Mike Mills, is considered the industry's go-to girl for all things barbecue. She is the James Beard Award-nominated author of Peace, Love and Barbecue, a television personality, and a branding, marketing and PR pro. Her company, OnCue Consulting, offers premiere barbecue industry education and she consults with restaurants and barbecuers world-wide. Amy divides her time between Boston, Southern Illinois and barbecue destinations across the country. She always wanted to be a glamorous heiress. Little did she dream her fortune would lie in barbecue. Check out Start With Why by Simon Sinek as mentioned in today's episode! Check out Shopify and Goldbelly as mentioned in today's episode. Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mantra: "Generosity is a recipe for success." In today's episode with Amy Mills we will discuss: BBQ in Missouri BBQ competitions Food competitions in your town will boost the entire community's economy Good marketing Hiring best practice Advice on writing and publishing a book Retail and merchandise Multiple channels of revenue Visual branding Today's sponsor: Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one, restaurant-specific accounting and back-office platform that seamlessly integrates with POS systems, payroll providers, food and beverage vendors. It generates accurate real-time reporting and analysis in user-friendly dashboards, facilitating immediate, data-driven decision making. Restaurant365 eliminates manual, error-prone processes and is designed to help restaurant businesses grow with functionality that helps optimize labor costs, reduce food costs and increase revenue. Ecolab: Streamline your clean with Ecolab's new EPA-registered 2-in-1 solution, Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer. It will help reduce risk, simplify your procedures and help ensure compliance. This solution cleans and sanitizes hard non-porous surfaces with a single product, eliminates the rinse step and equips your staff to clean more efficiently. Clean simplified, confidence delivered. Ovation: Recently voted the #1 guest feedback platform in a nationwide RestaurantOwner.com survey, Ovation uses a SMS-based survey as a "digital table touch" that has redefined guest feedback. Through frictionless integrations with online ordering platforms and other tools, Ovation allows you to easily collect guest feedback, resolve concerns in real-time, get more 5-star reviews, and uncover insights to improve brand-wide. As a listener of Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive 2,000 FREE text messages - contact our team! Knowledge bombs Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success? Cheerfully flexible What is your biggest weakness? Holding grudges What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview? The servant heart; the giver, not the taker.. How will you recover when dealing with a difficult guest What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it? Recovering from the pandemic, findingnstaif and keeping team members happy through staff shortages Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team. All for the team What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff? The greeting and the goodbye. Make people feel seen and thanked. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? This Is Marketing by Seth Godin Atomic Habits by James Clear GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough? Pay attention to food cost Name one service you've hired. Robin Insley - Communication and Branding Meridith Paulhus - Graphic Design and Food Styling Arthur Agency in Carbondale, Illinois - Graphic Design What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations? Toast 7Shifts If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be? BBQ is a culture not a concept Shine a light on your region Create a legacy and loyalty in a community Contact info: Instagram: 17thstreetbbq Email: amy@17bbq.com Website: 17bbq.com Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Amy Mills for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

With Excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Owner/Operator of Found Kitchen And Social House, The Barn Steakhouse, PATTY2, and Stolp Island Social, Amy Morton. Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mantra: "Give the guest what they want." "Always say yes." "Think outside the box." "Do what is right." In today's episode with Amy Morton we will discuss: 4th (or 5th) generation restaurateur The Playboy organization The margins Tipping causes an unfair distribution of earnings Paying more to cooking staff is essential Tracking and watching the numbers is how you stay open Payroll is our biggest and most controllable number Reverse engineering your numbers Have a SINGULAR vision Industry rebellion Creativity without pressure The value of a dollar Integrating your identity into your work Restaurateurs spend too much money on the build-out Opening mistakes Finding a chef The host position Advice on partnerships Communications, intentionality, and ego Today's sponsor: 7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free. BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant's website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more. Ecolab: Streamline your clean with Ecolab's new EPA-registered 2-in-1 solution, Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer. It will help reduce risk, simplify your procedures and help ensure compliance. This solution cleans and sanitizes hard non-porous surfaces with a single product, eliminates the rinse step and equips your staff to clean more efficiently. Clean simplified, confidence delivered. Knowledge bombs Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success? My personality What is your biggest weakness? Feeling a need for others to buy in What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview? What's your dream position? What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it? Making sure the restaurants make moneyBe hands-on and efficient. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team. Genuine What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff? Give back What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? Setting The Table by Danny Meyer Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough? Make people feel at home Name one service you've hired. Chris Hesterberg - Midwest Hospitality Controls Group What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations? Bentobox If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be? Do what you love Be honest Love eachother Contact info: Email: amy@foundkitchen.com Instagram: personal: @amythemort Found Kitchen: @foundkitchen The Barn Steakhouse: @barnevanston Stolp Island Social: @stolpislandsocial Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Amy Morton for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Founder and CEO of Restaurant365, Tony Smith. Tony Smith is Chief Executive Officer and a Co-founder of Restaurant365. Tony's career has centered on using software to solve business issues across various industries. Prior to starting Restaurant365 he was Director of Services at Dynamic Methods, a software consulting company focused primarily on designing and implementing accounting and operations software solutions. From the beginning at Restaurant365 he spent the majority of his time designing and creating an innovative product that would move the restaurant industry forward. Today he primarily focuses on company vision, culture, growth and long-term strategy. He earned his bachelor's degree in business management and information systems, magna cum laude, from Brigham Young University. Tony enjoys life while trying out new restaurants, spending time with his girls – wife and 4 daughters, singing and watching college football. Check out episode 776 with Jeff Dixon as mentioned in today's episode! Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mantra: "It's suppose to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would be doing it." In today's workshop with Tony smith we will discuss: Similarities between software and restaurant startup business Restaurant365 and what it can provide for your business Today's sponsor: 7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free. BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant's website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more. Ecolab: Streamline your clean with Ecolab's new EPA-registered 2-in-1 solution, Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer. It will help reduce risk, simplify your procedures and help ensure compliance. This solution cleans and sanitizes hard non-porous surfaces with a single product, eliminates the rinse step and equips your staff to clean more efficiently. Clean simplified, confidence delivered. Contact info: restaurant365.com Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Tony Smith for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

With excitement allow me to introduce today's guest, owner and executive Chef of Virtue Restaurant, Erick Williams. A Chicago native with a formidable career, Williams' foray and eventual establishment in the culinary scene began at mk The Restaurant working alongside admired chef Michael Kornick. His home for nearly two decades, Williams held the position of Executive Chef at mk, where he was extolled for his farm-to-fork, seasonal approach. During his tenure, the restaurant amassed fiercely loyal patronage while consistently receiving accolades from coast to coast. The expertise Williams built over the years is reflected at Virtue with his precise sense of timing, immaculate presentation, deeply considered menu and a mantra of leading every guest experience with kindness. Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mantra: "Every guest and team member who walks into the restaurant is walking into an extension of my home. Every farmer and product is intentionally and consciously sourced. These things help guests, staff, and the environment. All of these things equate to high moral standards in the restaurant." In today's episode with Erick Williams we will discuss: "Falling" into the industry Specific costs that chefs don't naturally think about Empower your people Being "trainable" Real Estate! What Erick learned from MK People often need reinsurance/reinforcement Supporting team members who are stressed out Closing MK/what did Erick learn? Intricacies of owner/chef Today's sponsor: 7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free. BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant's website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more. Ecolab: Streamline your clean with Ecolab's new EPA-registered 2-in-1 solution, Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer. It will help reduce risk, simplify your procedures and help ensure compliance. This solution cleans and sanitizes hard non-porous surfaces with a single product, eliminates the rinse step and equips your staff to clean more efficiently. Clean simplified, confidence delivered. Knowledge bombs Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success? Commitment What is your biggest weakness? Obsessive What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview? Asking indirect questions looking for: trainability and loyalty. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it? Finding balance. Justifying the means. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team. Honesty What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff? Kindness What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough? Catching people doing things right. Society would be better served If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be? Family first Live with purpose Have as much patience with you mate as you do with your friends Contact info: Instagram: @cheferickwilliams Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Erick Williams for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

With Excitement allow me to introduce today's guest Co-founder Korgen Hospitality Group and Author of The Surprise Restaurant Manager, Ken McGarrie. Ken is also the author of the book The Surprise Restaurant Manager. Ken McGarrie is the cofounder of Korgen Hospitality, a nationwide consulting firm dedicated to helping restauranteurs reach their absolute potential with effective leadership and maximum profitability. For the past two decades, he has helmed many successful restaurants, bars, and entertainment-based venues with a relentless focus on anticipatory service, staff empowerment, and attentive hospitality. He has helped launch new concepts and train hospitality leaders throughout the U.S. and Canada. After failing to start an exceptional college band with only average talent, Ken worked as a server/bartender while writing for magazines and newspapers. He started in management the same way that many people do – by surprise. When his GM asked if he would take a set of keys and open the restaurant on occasion, he was suddenly promoted to manager with no training or preparation, like so many others in the industry. Ken went on to open and manage numerous successful restaurants and entertainment venues. With Korgen Hospitality, he has an exceptional client list, including helping open over a dozen restaurants with Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani nationwide. Check out Angel's Envy distillery as mentioned in today's episode. Shoutout to The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group inChicago for hosting this interview! Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join with a 30-day trial Restaurant Unstoppable Network and connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favorite success quote or mantra: "Enjoy the ride." In today's episode with Ken McGarrie we will discuss: Past experiences influencing you today Lobbying to be manager right out of the gate Working in nightclubs/as a bouncer Language Apathy Training/empowerment The host position Regrets Membership models? The Five G's Today's sponsor: Ecolab: Streamline your clean with Ecolab's new EPA-registered 2-in-1 solution, Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer. It will help reduce risk, simplify your procedures and help ensure compliance. This solution cleans and sanitizes hard non-porous surfaces with a single product, eliminates the rinse step and equips your staff to clean more efficiently. Clean simplified, confidence delivered. 7shifts is a modern labor management platform, designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs. Effectively labor management is more important than ever to ensure profitability and restaurant success. Trusted by over 400,000 restaurant professionals, 7shifts gives you the tools you need to streamline labor operations, communicate with your team, and retain your talent. Best of all 7shifts integrates with the POS and Payroll systems you already use and trust (like Toast!) turning labor into a competitive advantage for your business. Restaurant Unstoppable members get 3 months, absolutely free. BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant's website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 5,000 restaurants worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern, Lilia and more. Knowledge bombs Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success? Obsession What is your biggest weakness? Rumination What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview? Preparation "Who not to hire" Chapter 2 pg 11 From Ken's book What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it? Second guessing myself Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team. If you are comped in a restaurant, tip the original amount, not the discounted amount What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff? The guest is usually wrong What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough? Anyone who works for you could work anywhere for anyone Name one service you've hired. Talent Distinctions based in LA for HR What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations? BevSpot If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be? My book Bill Hicks standup special "Revelations" Fish Bone album titled Truth and Soul Contact info: www.korganhospitality.com Find Ken's book right here. Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Ken McGarrie for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!