Best Josh Kopel Podcasts (2025)

1
Josh Kopel on Mastering Marketing 1:08:34

13d ago1:08:34

1:08:34

#94. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Josh Kopel, restaurateur, consultant, speaker, and former President of the California Restaurant Association, whose story is one of transformation, from building a multimillion-dollar restaurant empire in Los Angeles to rethinking the way hospitality businesses are built and run. Kopel is best known f…

1
#296 Josh Kopel - Founder Restaurant Scaling System - From Burnout to Business Breakthrough 1:20:56

16d ago1:20:56

1:20:56

In this episode, Michael reconnects with guest Josh Kopel, a former restaurateur turned industry consultant, five years after their initial conversation. They discuss the significant transformations Josh has experienced since 2020, including selling his restaurant group due to burnout and launching the 'Full Comp' podcast. Josh shares insights into…

1
437. The Secret to Restaurant Success - Josh Kopel 46:32

25d ago46:32

46:32

Roger dives deep into the world of restaurant operations with hospitality impresario Josh Kopel. Josh, a Louisiana native who rose to prominence by transforming a Los Angeles dive bar into a Michelin star restaurant, shares his journey and insights. The discussion covers a wide range of topics vital to restaurateurs, including leadership, company c…

1
AI marketing strategies that boost restaurant revenue with Josh Kopel | 059 31:54

27d ago31:54

31:54

AI is changing the restaurant marketing game in ways that can save you time while boosting your revenue. In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, I chat with Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur who's truly mastered the marketing side of the business. Josh breaks down how restaurants of any size can use AI tools like ChatGPT to create bette…

1
440. Improving Restaurant Operations: A General Manager's Guide - Andrew Roy 30:00

5h ago30:00

30:00

Andrew shares what it takes to be a remarkable General Manager and his journey in the restaurant industry, offering valuable lessons for anyone looking to enhance their establishment's operations and culture. His experiences and insights offer valuable lessons for restaurant professionals aiming to refine their operations and build a robust company…

1
Culture Is Your Competitive Edge: Lisa Schultz on Eliminating Drama and Creating High-Performing Teams 37:21

3d ago37:21

37:21

Most restaurants accept drama and dysfunction as part of the business—but what if eliminating them was the key to higher profits and better retention? Lisa Schultz, Managing Partner of Zingerman’s Roadhouse, has spent the last 20 years proving that culture is the real secret to success. By implementing no-drama leadership, open-book finance, and em…

1
#297 Natalie Dunning CEO & Founder at Kitch - Building Community and Superfans in Hospitality 57:34

2d ago57:34

57:34

In this episode of the Hospitality Mavericks podcast, host Michael welcomes guest Natalie Dunning, who shares her journey of growing up in a hospitality family and building her agency, Kitch Social. They discuss the importance of creating super fans, engaging with communities, and the crucial role of maintaining a human connection in the hospitalit…

1
Office Hours: The 3 Keys to Escaping Day to Day Operations 8:33

4d ago8:33

8:33

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

1
The Principles of Profitability : David Scott Peters on The Art of Delegation 43:30

6d ago43:30

43:30

Most restaurants don’t make money. The ones that do, typically make very little. This is our reality and many of us have embraced it. But what about the group no one talks about: the restaurants that are making a killing, quietly and consistently. They all seem to be following the same formula and today we sit down with restaurant expert, David Sco…

1
Digital Hospitality Podcast: Food Cost & Recipe SAAS! How meez is Helping Restaurants Boost Profits & Cut Costs 37:03

6d ago37:03

37:03

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR1hMlmuFNA&t=1s Today, we’re highlighting Josh's appearance on a standout episode of Digital Hospitality with host Shawn Walchef. They explore the power of storytelling in business, the surprising ROI of podcasting, and the evolving world of restaurant tech. From menu engineering to system integration, the conversat…

1
439. Maximizing Menu Profit Through Effective Design and Strategy - Roger Beaudoin 32:29

5d ago32:29

32:29

In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most powerful — yet often overlooked — tools in your restaurant’s success: the menu. More than just a list of dishes, your menu is a marketing asset and a key part of your brand identity.Restaurant Profit Maximizer Mini-Masterclass: Learn how just a few tweaks in the way you run your business can hugely…

1
Episode 4: Designing the Future of Restaurants 25:43

5d ago25:43

25:43

With the fires wiping out entire restaurant districts, what does the future of restaurant design in LA look like? Renowned architect John Hamilton shares with Josh Kopel and Michael Benson what restaurant operators should be thinking about when rebuilding—from fire-resistant materials to more flexible layouts, outdoor dining strategies, and cost-ef…

1
Building Unbreakable Restaurants: Justin Cucci on Culture, Ownership, and the Future of Hospitality 37:23

10d ago37:23

37:23

Most restaurateurs build concepts around a menu or a chef. Justin Cucci built Edible Beats around a philosophy—one that’s challenged conventional wisdom and redefined what restaurant success looks like. From turning historic spaces into thriving concepts to pioneering an employee-owned business model, Justin has proven that restaurants can be both …

1
Office Hours: This is the one hack to scale word of mouth advertising 12:47

11d ago12:47

12:47

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

1
Building skills beyond the kitchen with Justin Khanna | 060 39:50

13d ago39:50

39:50

Want to build a restaurant career that doesn't leave you burnt out? In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we chat with Justin Khanna, a chef who's cooked at some of the world's best restaurants, before switching gears to become an educator and founder of Repertoire. Justin takes us behind the scenes of his days at Per Se and The French Laundry,…

1
Purpose Over Profit: Kim Malek’s Mission-Driven Path with Salt & Straw 38:45

13d ago38:45

38:45

Kim Malek, founder of Salt and Straw, discussing her journey from working at Starbucks to creating a unique ice cream brand that emphasizes community, culture, and innovative marketing strategies. Kim explores the importance of guest experience, building a strong company culture, navigating challenges during the pandemic, and the significance of pa…

1
Episode 3: Fast-Tracking A Restaurant Opening 22:39

13d ago22:39

22:39

In a crisis, every day your restaurant stays closed means lost revenue. Permitting and governmental expert Eddie Navarette reveals the fastest, most effective ways to cut through LA’s permitting maze, accelerate approvals, and avoid costly mistakes that slow down restaurant openings. This episode provides actionable insights for operators in any ci…

1
438. Brilliant Restaurant Branding Strategies - Elizabeth Brasch 39:06

13d ago39:06

39:06

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, we're diving into the art and science of restaurant branding with Elizabeth Brasch, a marketing and branding powerhouse at Mellow Mushroom. Tune in for a masterclass in restaurant branding from one of the pros behind a truly iconic name in the industry.Restaurant Profit Maximizer Mini-Masterclass…

1
Building a Business to Last : Mark Bitterman 36:32

17d ago36:32

36:32

We often have such a clear vision for what our lives and our businesses will look like before we open. And then the flood comes and we’re so busy trying to survive that we forget to thrive. We forget why we got into this to begin with. And that “why”, for most of us, was love. Love of community, love of food, and love of revelry. Meet Mark Bitterma…

1
Office Hours: This will scale your restaurant's revenue by 30% overnight 12:03

18d ago12:03

12:03

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

1
Steal These Systems: David Morton’s Proven Formula for Building Profitable Restaurants Anywhere 37:47

20d ago37:47

37:47

It’s one thing to grow a restaurant group. It’s another to grow one that thrives across categories, cities, and economies. David Morton has done exactly that—without taking on debt, overextending his team, or compromising his values. As co-founder of Episcope Restaurants, David has engineered a scalable system that pairs creative vision with financ…

1
Ben Leventhal on Bridging Old School Hospitality with New School Technology 50:26

20d ago50:26

50:26

#93. In this episode, we explore how hospitality is evolving at the intersection of tradition and technology—through the lens of one of the industry’s most influential entrepreneurs. Ben Leventhal, Co-Founder of Eater and Resy and now Founder of Blackbird Labs, shares his journey from media to tech and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He ref…

1
Episode 2: The Future of Restaurant Development 25:37

21d ago25:37

25:37

With neighborhoods devastated and operators forced to relocate, how will the fires reshape the restaurant landscape in Los Angeles? Development expert Jerry Prendergast has overseen hundreds of restaurant projects, and today, he unpacks the real estate shifts, leasing opportunities, and market trends emerging in LA’s hospitality scene. He also shar…

1
Living the Dream Now: Elliott Bisnow on Building a Business You Never Want to Exit 37:20

24d ago37:20

37:20

We’ve been sold the lie that freedom comes after the exit. But what if we built businesses we never wanted to leave? That’s exactly what Elliott Bisnow did. As co-founder of Summit and Powder Mountain, he’s created a movement, not just a company—one built on authenticity, community, and the belief that life and work should be equally inspiring. In …

1
Office Hours: How to use AI to effortlessly delegate and amplify your marketing efforts 11:36

25d ago11:36

11:36

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

1
Turning Pictures into Profits: Zaheer Bhyat & Ray Erickson on Food Photography That Sells 38:08

27d ago38:08

38:08

A picture might be worth a thousand words, but in the restaurant industry, the right picture is worth thousands of dollars. Zaheer Bhyat and Ray Erickson have built their careers mastering the art of visual storytelling—helping brands create food photography that doesn’t just look good, but actually drives sales. In this episode, we break down why …

1
Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna of Ample Hills 49:19

27d ago49:19

49:19

#92. We’re kicking off Season 3 of The meez Podcast with an inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and really good ice cream. In this episode, Josh sits down with Jackie Cuscuna and Brian Smith, the founders of Ample Hills Creamery. Jackie and Brian share candid insights on what it takes to start over in the food industry, the lesson…

1
Episode 1: Building Restaurants Faster, Smarter & Stronger 25:34

28d ago25:34

25:34

In this episode, Josh Kopel and Michael Benson sit down with Brad Block, a top restaurant builder who has worked on some of LA’s most high-profile hospitality projects. With countless operators now facing the challenge of rebuilding, Brad shares insider strategies on how to reopen faster, smarter, and stronger—without getting caught in costly delay…

1
Scaling Without Selling Out: Chris Schultz on Growing Iconic Brands While Keeping the Soul 38:17

1M ago38:17

38:17

How do you scale a brand without losing the magic that made it special in the first place? Chris Schultz has spent his career answering that question. From Starbucks to Mod Pizza to his current role as CEO of Voodoo Doughnut, Chris has helped transform cult brands into national powerhouses—all while keeping them authentic, quirky, and loved. In thi…

1
#295 Nick Miller Founder and CEO at Seed - The Future of Work and Performance Marketing 59:14

1M ago59:14

59:14

In this episode, we dive deep into the future of work and performance marketing with Nick Miller, founder of Seed, a Brighton-based marketing agency. We explore the intersection between innovative work cultures and effective marketing strategies, discussing how Nick's journey and values have shaped Seed over the last decade. Discover insights into …

1
Office Hours: Here's my fix for solving the labor shortage 12:45

1M ago12:45

12:45

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

1
436. Social Media Strategies For Restaurant Success- Matt DoRight 32:28

1M ago32:28

32:28

In this episode, Matt Doright shares how he bought and transformed a 70-year-old restaurant into a thriving business using social media. Matt discusses his journey from a young entrepreneur to a successful restaurateur, focusing on the power of everyday content creation and audience engagement. The conversation delves into his viral video strategie…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Josh Kopel Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen