FULL COMP: The Voice of the Restaurant Industry Revolution

Most of us don’t own a luxury hotel or a three star Michelin restaurant but that doesn’t mean that we’re not able to incorporate elements of luxury into our brands and our customer service experience. Today we chat with Chris Adams of the Ellis Adams Group, a luxury lifestyle consulting group that specializes in making folks feel special. In our conversation, Chris unpacks the small but important elements that make our guests feel seen and special.  That’s Chris Adams. For more information on the Ellis Adams Group, visit https://www.ellisadamsgroup.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

Pastry Chef and restaurateur Karen Krasne has defied the odds. Her concept, Extraordinary Desserts, has had a line out the door perpetually for more than a decade–but that’s not the most interesting part. Extraordinary Desserts has built a cult-like following in the San Diego area without following trends, receiving media attention, or going viral on social media. Today we discuss how keeping it simple can have extraordinary results.  That’s Chef Karen Krasne. For more information on Extraordinary Desserts, visit https://extraordinarydesserts.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

Today’s episode is a continuation of our last episode, delving into actionable advice on how to build a restaurant in today’s difficult market. We pick up where we left off which Michael Benson, Mike Hatch, and Will Knox discussing how to open a restaurant successfully, how to maintain the investment, and, when the time comes, how to maximize the value we get when selling it.  Today’s panel includes: Michael Benson, founder of Southern California Restaurant Design Group, a company specializing in back of house design, equipment, and installation. Mike Hatch, principal at Hatch Design Group, a company specializing in restaurant design and branding.  Will Knox, founder of the Knox Company, specializing in restaurant real estate and concept development.  That’s Michael, Mike, and Will. For more information on these gentlemen and their businesses, please check out the links in the show notes.  SoCal Restaurant Design Group Hatch Design Group The Knox Company ____________________________________________________________ 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

So many of our listeners have reached out asking for actionable advice on how to build a restaurant in today’s difficult market. In response, I’ve cobbled together three industry experts to walk us through all facets of the process including best practices and mistakes to avoid.  Today’s panel includes: Michael Benson, founder of Southern California Restaurant Design Group, a company specializing in back of house design, equipment, and installation. Mike Hatch, principal at Hatch Design Group, a company specializing in restaurant design and branding.  Will Knox, founder of the Knox Company, specializing in restaurant real estate and concept development.  In part one of our conversation we’re tackling restaurant concept creation, choosing the right location, and beginning your buildout on the right foot.  That’s Michael, Mike, and Will. For more information on these gentlemen and their businesses, please check out the links in the show notes.  SoCal Restaurant Design Group Hatch Design Group The Knox Company _________________________________________________________ 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

What does a truly holistic model for a restaurant look like? Today we chat with Chef D. Brandon Walker to find out. The chef has turned his latest concept, The Art Room, into a working social experiment. He serves fast casual and fine dining fare. It’s a completely indoor and outdoor concept with a high end art gallery nestled in the middle. If that wasn’t enough, he’s implemented universal tipping across the board and has cross trained the entire staff. He’s doing things differently and has come by the show to discuss what’s working, what hasn’t, and what’s next.  For more information on the chef and his restaurant, visit https://www.theartroomdtla.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

Jesse Cole is not an restaurateur, but, like so many of us, he is an entertainer at heart. I’ve brought him on the show to discuss his baseball team, the Savannah Bananas, and how they’ve redefined what it means to attend a professional baseball game. This is a masterclass on exceeding customer expectations, building an unforgettable experience, and staying true to the mission of your brand.  For more information on Jesse and his books, visit https://findyouryellowtux.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

Pizza is hard. Most of us know we’re in a commodity business but I feel like the pizza industry feels it more than most. So how do you stand out from the crowd? Today we’re chatting with Kevin King of Donatos Pizza. This chain has scaled massively over the years by successfully differentiating itself through culture, community, and an excellent product. In our conversation, Kevin shares what it took to get the franchise model off the ground and his plan to turn a pizza parlor into a financial rocketship.  For more information on Donatos Pizza, visit https://donatos.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

It seems like Kurt Zdesar can’t stop winning. He got his start at McDonalds and, in a matter of years, became the person in charge of Nobu’s European launch and expansion. He parlayed that success into his own brands, expanding from Europe into the American market and has thrived globally. In our conversation today, we discuss what led to Nobu’s success and how he leveraged that formula to build his own blockbuster brands. For more on Chotto Matte, visit https://chotto-matte.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

How in the world is Gregg Majewski not a household name? He was mentored by Dave Thomas of Wendys, grew Jimmy Johns from three to three hundred locations, and has acquired and scaled some of the most famous fast casual restaurants in the country. Today we sit down to discuss his formula for repeatable success and his commitment to mentoring others for the betterment of our entire industry.  For more information on Craveable Brands, visit https://www.craveablebrands.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

If the labor crisis has only taught us one thing, it’s that there’s a new generation of restaurant worker who sees the world differently than we do. It’s not up to them to mold themselves to our old ideal, it’s up to us to find a way to connect in a way that resonates with them. In this world of social media and bite sized content, Jason Berkowitz may have found the solution. After helping to scale some of the most prolific restaurant brands around the country, Jason has taken on the mission of educating everyone’s team. Today we discuss what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the future of onboarding and education.  For more information on Arrow Up, visit https://arrowuptraining.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