

FULL COMP: The Voice of the Restaurant Industry Revolution
Josh Kopel
What if I told you that the difference between struggling and thriving in the restaurant industry is just one conversation away?
I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur who’s spent decades building blockbuster brands across every tier of dining. I know the challenges you’re facing—because I’ve been there. That’s why I created FULL COMP.
Every week, I go one-on-one with the smartest minds in the game—restaurateurs, chefs, and industry insiders who’ve cracked the code. Together, we unpack their biggest wins, hardest lessons, and the strategies that changed everything.
No fluff, no filler—just actionable insights to help you boost profits, build your brand, and create the kind of restaurant you’ve always dreamed of.
So, if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start seeing results, hit subscribe.
I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur who’s spent decades building blockbuster brands across every tier of dining. I know the challenges you’re facing—because I’ve been there. That’s why I created FULL COMP.
Every week, I go one-on-one with the smartest minds in the game—restaurateurs, chefs, and industry insiders who’ve cracked the code. Together, we unpack their biggest wins, hardest lessons, and the strategies that changed everything.
No fluff, no filler—just actionable insights to help you boost profits, build your brand, and create the kind of restaurant you’ve always dreamed of.
So, if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start seeing results, hit subscribe.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 20, 2024 • 39min
Scott Greenberg on inspiring hourly workers
How do you motivate an employee that doesn’t want to work for you? For so many of our line level employees, a restaurant job is a pitstop on the way to their true destination and, as a result, most owners struggle with motivating and leading them. But it doesn’t have to be that way according to Scott Greenberg. Scott is a motivational speaker that turns phrases like culture and values into actionable information. We sit down today to discuss the tactics, tools, and strategies he’s perfected to turn underperformers into superstars.
For more information on Scott, visit https://scottgreenberg.com/.
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Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:
Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts
Restaurant expert videos & webinars

Feb 18, 2024 • 3min
The Power of a Little Something Extra
As you know, I've coached hundreds of restaurateurs to scale profitability through effective marketing and optimizing operations. These bonus episodes serve as mini-coaching sessions where I provide you with quick lessons to help you achieve the same amazing results without spending a dollar on marketing and advertising. Enjoy!
__________________________________________________________
Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:
Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts
Restaurant expert videos & webinars

Feb 16, 2024 • 35min
Travis Talbot on hacking chef life
Travis Talbot is a renaissance man who’s dedicated his life to learning and teaching. Far from the day to day grind of restaurant life, the chef travels the world, immersing himself in new cultures and cuisines for the benefit of his clients. We may not all aspire to be jetsetters but we are here to learn and Travis does not disappoint, sharing the tools and strategies he’s used to improve his life and the lives of restaurant owners globally.
For more information on the chef and his businesses, visit https://ttexperiment.com/.
__________________________________________________________
Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:
Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts
Restaurant expert videos & webinars

Feb 13, 2024 • 35min
Niko Karatassos on lessons learned from over 40 years in business
Everyone loves a mom and pop restaurant. For some families, it’s a direct path to generational wealth. For others, it can be an anchor, tying future generations to 100 hour weeks and a high stress lifestyle. Today we sit down with Niko Karatassos to share a success story. Niko’s father opened their first restaurant back in 1979 and many decades and restaurants later, the company is still thriving. Niko shares the path and the best practices that have led to his family's success.
For more on the family and their restaurant group, visit https://buckheadrestaurants.com/.
__________________________________________________________
Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:
Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts
Restaurant expert videos & webinars

Feb 11, 2024 • 3min
Passion As a Marketing Tool
As you know, I've coached hundreds of restaurateurs to scale profitability through effective marketing and optimizing operations. These bonus episodes serve as mini-coaching sessions where I provide you with quick lessons to help you achieve the same amazing results without spending a dollar on marketing and advertising. Enjoy!
__________________________________________________________
Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:
Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts
Restaurant expert videos & webinars

Feb 9, 2024 • 36min
Justin Kingsley Hall on chef life after restaurants
I met Justin Kingsley Hall in Whitefish, Montana of all places. We were both consulting on a gorgeous restaurant project there. He oversaw the culinary program and I was brought in to refine and optimize the front of house. A friendship evolved and I wanted to have him on the show to discuss the lessons he’s learned after decades of building out his own restaurants and fixing the restaurants of others. This is a glimpse into the life of a chef not bound to a restaurant.
For more information on the chef, visit https://kindlingculinary.com/.
__________________________________________________________
Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:
Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts
Restaurant expert videos & webinars

Feb 6, 2024 • 40min
Nicole Donnelly on marketing with AI
We’ve all heard a ton about AI over the last couple of years but, for the most part, it feels like a solution for someone else in another industry. I’m here to argue that AI might be the solution to every independent restaurant’s marketing problems. Today we sit down with Nicole Donnelly, a professional marketer and AI expert to discuss how we can leverage AI to run and market our businesses more effectively.
For more information on Nicole and her programs, visit https://aismartmarketing.com/.
__________________________________________________________
Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:
Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts
Restaurant expert videos & webinars

Feb 4, 2024 • 3min
Liquor Support
As you know, I've coached hundreds of restaurateurs to scale profitability through effective marketing and optimizing operations. These bonus episodes serve as mini-coaching sessions where I provide you with quick lessons to help you achieve the same amazing results without spending a dollar on marketing and advertising. Enjoy!
__________________________________________________________
Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:
Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts
Restaurant expert videos & webinars

Feb 2, 2024 • 32min
Michael Mina on how to scale in 2024
For over 30 years, Michael Mina has dominated the restaurant scene and today we sit down with the chef to find out how. In today’s conversation we dive deep into the tactics tools and strategies Michael has developed over decades to acquire talent, develop leaders, scale operations, and ensure profitability. This is a masterclass in restaurant ownership and operations.
For more information on the chef and his restaurant group, visit https://www.michaelmina.net/.
__________________________________________________________
Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:
Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts
Restaurant expert videos & webinars

Jan 30, 2024 • 38min
Amir Hemmat on the solution to our labor crisis
Today’s labor crisis stems from a labor shortage. There just aren’t enough people willing to work in restaurants anymore…or are there? Today we’re sitting down with Amir Hemmat of Welcome Tech to uncover the solution to our labor crisis. Amir and his company have access to literally millions of legal workers qualified and excited to work in our industry. Who are these folks and where do they come from? Tune in to find out.
For more information on Amir and Welcome Tech, visit https://welcome.tech/.
__________________________________________________________
Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time.
We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content:
Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts
Restaurant expert videos & webinars