Best Schedulefly Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 622: 28 Inches of Simple: How PIE.ZAA Scales by Doing Less 1:02:19

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6d ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Wil hosts Tyler Kotch, founder of PIE.ZAA (Asheville & Charlotte), for a candid chat about spotting late-night demand, building a hyper-focused high-margin pizza concept (five-item menu, 28" pies or 12" slices), surviving COVID, navigating a painful partner split, and scaling methodically toward franchising. Tyler shares lessons on location strateg…

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Episode 621: Lean, Profitable, and Operator-First: The GoTab Way with CEO Tim McLaughlin 1:36:20

7d ago1:36:20

1:36:20

Wil sits down in-person with Tim McLaughlin, technologist-turned-operator who founded GoTab after opening two Caboose breweries and confronting real service-model pain (giant spaces, staffing constraints). Years before COVID, Tim taped QRs to tables and proved guests will change behavior to avoid pain (lines), which pushed GoTab to build not just o…

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Episode 620: Raise the Bar: Heidi Whitcomb's Mission to Bring Heart Back to Hospitality 50:10

10d ago50:10

50:10

Episode Summary In this heartfelt episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, host Wil chats with Heidi Whitcomb a passionate and deeply committed independent restaurant owner in Florida. With nearly 40 years in hospitality, Heidi embodies service, gratitude, and resilience. She shares her journey from early jobs at Subway and Kmart to bartending, truck…

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Episode 619: Restaurants Save People: The Jeffrey Boland Story 1:15:57

15d ago1:15:57

1:15:57

Wil talks to Jeffrey Boland, Director of Operations at Mac’s Hospitality Group (home of Mac’s Speed Shop and South 48/Southbound concepts). Jeff shares an intensely honest journey—from addiction and getting fired in construction to finding belonging in restaurants, achieving sobriety at 22, and transforming into a purpose-driven leader. He explains…

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Episode 618: Brewello: Simple Tech That Helps Independent Cafés Thrive 50:56

18d ago50:56

50:56

Wil sits down with Tim Wittman, a Denver-based developer and founder of Brewello, a white-label mobile app built for independent cafés and bakeries. Rooted in the same “simple tool + legendary support” ethos as Schedulefly, Brewello integrates directly with Square to enable order-ahead, loyalty, and push notifications—without the complexity or high…

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Episode 617: Food That Feels as Good as It Tastes: The Village Juice & Kitchen Story with Lonnie Atkinson & Clyde Harris 49:47

19d ago49:47

49:47

Summary On this Restaurant Owners Uncorked episode, Wil talks with Village Juice & Kitchen cofounders Clyde Harris and Lonnie Atkinson about building a clean-food concept that’s as craveable as it is good for you. Born from Lonnie’s California-shaped passion for fresh, minimally processed ingredients—and reinforced by Clyde’s cancer journey—the bra…

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Episode 616: Building Community, One Table at a Time: Ken Stemke, Main Street Social, Libertyville, IL 54:36

24d ago54:36

54:36

Wil welcomes guest Ken Stemke, owner of Main Street Social in Libertyville, IL, an upscale Italian-American restaurant with its own wine label. Ken traces his hospitality spark to bussing tables in high school, then a 35-year career in banking that armed him with the financial discipline many restaurants lack. He shares how a seasoned team, empower…

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Episode 615: From Red Tape to Real Help: Emily Williams Knight of the Texas Restaurant Association on Fixing the Squeeze 52:49

26d ago52:49

52:49

Wil sits down with Emily Williams Knight, CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), which represents 58,000 restaurants, 1.4M employees, and nearly $137B in annual sales. Emily explains how the TRA protects a pro-business regulatory environment so operators can focus on guests and teams, not red tape. She shares a pandemic origin story: brand-…

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Episode 614: Built from Scratch: Chris Moran on How Bullet Grill House Became a Lake-Town Anchor 57:08

1M ago57:08

57:08

Wil sits down with Chris Moran, owner of Bullet Grill House in Point Blank, Texas—an hour north of Houston by Lake Livingston. Chris traces a winding path from teenage shifts at Big Boy to Pizza Hut GM postings across the Midwest, a pivot into automotive/oil & gas, and a “nights-and-weekends” stint at Ted’s Montana Grill that rekindled his hospital…

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Episode 613: From Door Hangers to Franchise Owners: Edward & My’s Pizza Guys Playbook 46:52

1M ago46:52

46:52

Edward (26) and Myi (27) went from hanging door flyers and delivering pies in high school to owning two Pizza Guys franchises in California’s Inland Empire. They share how a decade of on-the-line learning beat any business textbook, why the right partner matters, and what it took to pioneer a NorCal brand in SoCal—leases, permits, delays, and all. …

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Episode 612: Discipline, Storytelling, Failure, and the Fibonacci Sequence: Inside Chef Sam Hart's Vision 1:13:22

1M ago1:13:22

1:13:22

Sam Hart's journey into hospitality is a story of resilience, risk-taking, and reinvention. After dropping out of college multiple times and living out of his car, he discovered a passion for cooking while scraping by on cheap pasta and tomato sauce. That spark led him back to Charlotte, where he left a lucrative advertising career to attend culina…

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Episode 611: Buying the Past, Serving the Future: Saving Legacy Restaurants, Anthony Hamilton, Icon Group Hospitality 50:18

1M ago50:18

50:18

Wil talks with Anthony Hamilton of Icon Group Hospitality about building people-first restaurant businesses that last. They riff on digital minimalism (Wil’s flip phone!), presence with family, and the hard edges of hospitality—burnout, 24/7 crises, substance abuse—then pivot to how thoughtful leadership, balance, and systems can make the work sust…

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Episode 610: New Series: What Independent Restaurant Owners Are Doing Right in 2025 11:30

1M ago11:30

11:30

Part I: People-First Leadership → Culture Over Everything

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Episode 609: Drive-Thru Hospitality: CEO & Co-Founder Darren Spicer on How Clutch Coffee Wins with Service 44:04

1M ago44:04

44:04

In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, Wil welcomes Darren Spicer, co-founder and CEO of Clutch Coffee Bar, a fast-growing drive-thru coffee concept with 17 locations across the Carolinas. Darren shares his journey from bagging groceries to working at Dutch Bros, then taking a leap from a successful medical sales career to build Clutch Coff…

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Episode 608: From Burnout to Breakthrough: Josh Kopel’s Restaurant Journey 41:19

2M ago41:19

41:19

In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, Wil talks with restaurateur-turned-coach Josh Kopel about his journey from running highly successful, Michelin-rated restaurants in Los Angeles to how he ultimately transitioned to teaching profitability and marketing. Kopel emphasizes that hospitality is fundamentally about people, not products, and t…

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Episode 607: Welcome Home: Tom and Amy Johnson on Building B-Side the Tracks Brewing Co. 1:00:57

2M ago1:00:57

1:00:57

Tom and Amy Johnson are turning a years-long dream into B-Side the Tracks Brewing Company in Conyers, GA. Amy, a 30-year finance pro turned American Brewers Guild grad, will helm the brewhouse. Tom will run front-of-house and a small distillery (bourbon, whiskey, vodka; rum later). Their vision is a true “third place” with standout hospitality, piz…

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Episode 606: From Franchisee to CPA: Nick Patel’s Restaurant Accounting Journey 1:26:59

2M ago1:26:59

1:26:59

In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, Wil sits down with Nick Patel, a CPA who left corporate accounting to become a multi-unit franchise restaurant owner before pivoting back into accounting, this time with a focus on helping restaurant operators. Patel shares his personal journey from owning restaurants in Florida, the challenges of part…

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Episode 605: Relentless Growth: The Story of Award-Winning Chef, Consultant and Leadership Expert Franck Desplechin 1:02:51

2M ago1:02:51

1:02:51

In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, Wil sits down with Chef Franck Desplechin, a French-born chef, pastry chef, and hospitality leader with over 26 years of global industry experience. Franck shares his journey from growing up in Brittany, France, to working in Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels, and now stepping into authors…

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Episode 604: From Credit Card Cash Advance to Muli-Unit Restaurant Owner: The Story of Restaurant Owner Pat Fowler 1:04:33

2M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Wil speaks with longtime Schedulefly customer and Chicago restaurateur Pat Fowler. The conversation covers Pat’s unexpected path into hospitality, the risks he took to buy his first restaurant, and the challenges and opportunities facing independent restaurants today. They discuss economic pressures like rising costs, changing consumer habits, and …

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Episode 603: Sprints Within the Marathon: Life in Restaurants with Ross Davis of REV Mex in OKC 1:07:26

2M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

Wil has a great conversation with Ross Davis, a longtime restaurant professional and operator in Oklahoma City. Ross shares his 29-year journey in restaurants, from waiting tables to management, and reflects on the evolution of restaurant culture, from high-stress, Gordon Ramsay–style management to today’s more intentional, people-centered leadersh…

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Episode 602: From $300 to 12 Restaurants: Chopped Season 61 Champion Kasem “Pop” Saengsawang 1:09:52

2M ago1:09:52

1:09:52

Summary In this inspiring episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, Pop, a Thai-born entrepreneur, shares his remarkable journey from arriving in the U.S. in 2005 with only $300 and dreams of becoming the next Bill Gates, to building a 12-restaurant hospitality empire. Initially working in restaurants to pay the bills, he discovered his true calling a…

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Episode 601: From Vegan Chef to Cattle Rancher: Molly Engelhart’s Radical Food Awakening 1:00:58

3M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

Summary: This episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked features Molly Engelhart, a former Los Angeles vegan chef turned Texas cattle rancher and author of “Debunked by Nature: How a Vegan-Chef-Turned-Regenerative-Farmer Discovered that Mother Nature Is a Conservative.” Molly shares her journey from operating five vegan restaurants to running a regener…

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Episode 600: People-First Hospitality in a Tech-Driven World with Or Peleg, Tel Aviv Restaurant Group 47:37

3M ago47:37

47:37

In this Restaurant Owners Uncorked episode, Wil speaks with Or Peleg of Tel Aviv Restaurant Group in Los Angeles about his journey from aspiring lawyer to restaurateur, his group’s six kosher restaurants, and the realities of running hospitality businesses in a challenging post-COVID LA environment. Or shares insights on balancing high service stan…

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Episode 599: Hospitality Meets Investment: How Branded Hospitality Built a Bridge Between Restaurants and Tech 1:04:24

3M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

In this lively and entertaining episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, Wil Brawley sits down in the famed Branded Hospitality studio with Michael “Schatzy” Schatzberg and Jimmy Frischling, the duo behind Branded Hospitality Group. What begins as a nostalgic look back at their individual paths into hospitality, Schatzy from dishwashing at a bagel sh…

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Episode 598: Real Food, Real Service, and the Reality of Running Restaurants: A Conversation with 33-Year Restaurant Owner Drew Moore 51:57

3M ago51:57

51:57

In this episode, Wil chats with longtime friend and restaurateur Drew Moore of Carrboro, NC. Drew shares updates on his ventures, including Venable Bistro, B-Side Lounge, Auto Strada Pizza & Panini, Auto Strada Gelato & Coffee, and the upcoming House of Gatewood Chop House in Hillsborough. He explains how a 2022 trip to France and Italy inspired Au…

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Episode 597: Risk, Storytelling, and Building a Brand: The Passerine Story 1:03:09

3M ago1:03:09

1:03:09

In this episode, Wil sits down with Maneesh Goyal and Alvina Patel Buxani, the co-founders of Passerine, a neighborhood-focused Indian restaurant in New York City. What emerges is a conversation about risk as a path to fulfillment, the power of storytelling in hospitality, and the intentional way they’ve built a brand that’s as much about people an…

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Episode 596: From Baseball Dreams to Pizza & Purpose: The Story of Sean Marsiglia 1:46:57

3M ago1:46:57

1:46:57

Episode Summary: In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, Wil interviews Sean Marsiglia, an entrepreneur who owns several restaurants in Tampa, including Three Brothers Pizza, and other ventures such as a bagel shop and a baseball facility. Sean shares his journey from a promising baseball career cut short by injury to working at Chili’s, bec…

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Episode 595: The Dough That Keeps Rising: The 53-Year Story of Barry Bagels 1:11:34

3M ago1:11:34

1:11:34

In this engaging episode, Wil B chats with Mark Greenblatt, President of Barry Bagels, and Jim Nussbaum, CEO. They share the remarkable 53-year journey of Barry Bagels, from its founding by Mark’s father in 1972 to its expansion to 84 total stores (open or under development) across five states. Mark and Jim delve into the evolution of the brand’s i…

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Episode 594: The Awesome Story of The Distillery of Modern Art: Seth Watson, Atlanta, GA 51:07

3M ago51:07

51:07

In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil Brawley talks with Seth Watson, the founder of Distillery of Modern Art in Atlanta. Seth shares his entrepreneurial journey, from launching a production and event design business out of a garage to eventually building a one-of-a-kind distillery that blends spirits, art, and community. H…

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Episode 593: The Journey of a Restaurant Owner: Ross Hester, Oxford, MS 41:06

4M ago41:06

41:06

Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil chats with Ross Hester, owner of Good Day Cafe and Bar Muse in Oxford, Mississippi. They discuss Ross's journey in the restaurant industry, the challenges of running a business, and the importance of leadership and team dynamics. Ross shares insights on the growth of his establi…

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Episode 592: The Man Behind Bohemian Bull: Chad Biel, Owner and Franchisor 1:01:00

4M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

Summary In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, host Wil Brawley engages with Chad Biel, a successful restaurateur and franchisor, discussing the intricacies of restaurant management, the importance of effective AI-phone answering software, and the challenges of finding the right franchisees. They explore the growth strategies for franchisin…

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Episode 591: TacoLu: An Iconic Restaurant Journey 56:26

4M ago56:26

56:26

Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil interviews Don Nicol from TacoLu, discussing the challenges faced in the restaurant industry, including rising costs and labor issues. Don shares insights on maintaining customer experience, navigating cash flow, and the importance of community engagement. He reflects on the imp…

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Episode 590: Be the Fire. Wish for the Wind. 4:45

5M ago4:45

4:45

In this quick, heartfelt episode, Wil delivers a philosophical and motivational message for independent hospitality business owners. Drawing from 18 years of experience serving restaurants and 12 years of podcasting, Wil reflects on the remarkable anti-fragility of this industry. Inspired by Nassim Nicholas Taleb's book Antifragile, Wil explains ho…

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Episode 589: Challenges Are Growth Opportunities: Dana Monfort, Town Pump Provisions, Denver, CO 1:07:24

5M ago1:07:24

1:07:24

Summary In this conversation, Dana Monfort shares her journey of opening a new restaurant concept, Town Pump, in Denver. She discusses her diverse background, the challenges of entering the restaurant industry, and her vision for creating a community-focused space that fills a void in the market. Dana emphasizes the importance of simplicity, intent…

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Episode 588: The Reality of Restaurant Ownership: Challenges and Triumphs w/ Jon Darby, Darby's American Cantina 41:59

6M ago41:59

41:59

Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Will interviews Jon Darby, owner of Darby's American Cantina. They discuss John's journey into the restaurant industry, the challenges of managing a restaurant, the impact of minimum wage laws, and the evolving trends in alcohol consumption. Jon shares insights on the importance of …

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Episode 587: The Quiet Strength of Great Hospitality Leadership - Simon Harris,Blau & Associates 12:17

6M ago12:17

12:17

Wil reads an incredible article by Simon Harris.

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Episode 586: Revolutionizing Restaurant Bookkeeping with Fixe: Ryan Handel, Founder 48:05

6M ago48:05

48:05

Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil interviews Ryan Handel, founder of Fixe, a bookkeeping service tailored for the restaurant industry. Ryan shares his journey from working in restaurants to founding his own, and ultimately creating Fixe to streamline bookkeeping for restaurant owners. The conversation covers the…

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Episode 585: Exploring the Art of Distilling with Chand Harlow of Wonderbird Spirits 55:06

6M ago55:06

55:06

Summary In this episode, Wil speaks with Chand Harlow, co-creator and owner of Wonderbird Spirits, a distillery in Mississippi. They discuss Chand's journey from finance to the world of hospitality and distilling, emphasizing the importance of a grain to glass philosophy. Chand shares insights into the unique process of crafting gin using Jasmine r…

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Episode 584: Legacy and Community: Greg Dulan, Owner, Dulan's on Crenshaw 53:56

7M ago53:56

53:56

Summary In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, Wil interviews Greg Dulan, owner of Dulan's on Crenshaw, celebrating 50 years in business. They discuss the importance of family legacy in hospitality, the challenges faced in the restaurant industry, and innovative strategies for revenue generation. Greg shares insights on building authentic c…

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Episode 583: The Heart of Hospitality: Authentic Connections - Simon Harris, Blau & Associates 57:55

7M ago57:55

57:55

Summary In this conversation, Simon Harris shares his extensive experience in the hospitality industry, discussing the importance of genuine connections in dining experiences. He reflects on the evolution of hospitality, emphasizing the need for authentic interactions over scripted service. The discussion also touches on the impact of technology an…

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Episode 582: What a Long Strange Trip It's Been: Justin Cucci, Chef & Founder, Edible Eats 55:27

7M ago55:27

55:27

Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil chats with Justin Cucci, a seasoned restaurateur from Denver. They discuss Justin's early experiences in hospitality, the importance of passion in the industry, and the distinction between hospitality and service. Justin shares insights on implementing an Employee Stock Ownershi…

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Episode 581: From Corporate to Entrepreneur: Jeff Galletly, Chairman and CEO, Brooklyn Dumpling Shop 1:05:05

7M ago1:05:05

1:05:05

Summary In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, host Wil Brawley speaks with Jeff Galletly, CEO of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, about his extensive journey in the hospitality industry. Jeff shares insights from his corporate background at PepsiCo and Restaurant Brands International, his transition to entrepreneurship, and the rapid growth of Broo…

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Episode 580: Empathy in Action: The True Meaning of Hospitality with Michael DePaolo, Square Roots Collective 39:15

7M ago39:15

39:15

Summary In this conversation, Wil and Michael DePaolo explore the essence of hospitality, emphasizing the importance of empathy, connection, and community impact. Michael shares his personal journey in the hospitality industry, from washing dishes to running a nonprofit hospitality vertical. They discuss the challenges faced by the restaurant indus…

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Episode 579: Twenty Years of Billy Bricks: A Family Business Journey with Billy Bricks CEO Ric Gruber 51:14

7M ago51:14

51:14

Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil talks with Rick Gruber, CEO of Billy Bricks Restaurant Group. Ric hares insights into the pizza industry, the challenges of running a family business, and the impact of online reviews on restaurants. He discusses the unique styles of pizza offered at Billy Bricks, the evolution …

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Episode 578: Building a Franchise Empire: Premium Loaves' Marc Largent and Jerome Hranka Aim for 300 Jimmy John's Locations by 2030 53:43

8M ago53:43

53:43

Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil interviews Jerome and Marc, the owners of Premium Loavess, the second largest Jimmy John's franchisee. They discuss their early experiences in hospitality, the unique culture of Jimmy John's, the challenges of scaling a business while maintaining that culture, and their journey …

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Episode 577: Lessons from the Trenches: Chef Brandon Sharp, Chapel Hill, NC 53:14

8M ago53:14

53:14

Summary Brandon and Wil discuss the intricacies of the restaurant industry, focusing on the challenges faced by aspiring restaurant owners, the importance of financial planning, and the role of hospitality in ensuring success. They delve into the concept behind 'The Industry Standard,' a platform aimed at sharing valuable insights and strategies fo…

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Episode 576: The Future of Hospitality: AI + Human Connection, Cameron Long, Virnika 1:01:10

8M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Summary In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, host Wil Brawley speaks with Cameron Long, co-founder of Virnika, about the challenges faced by restaurant owners, particularly regarding labor issues. They discuss how Virnika aims to leverage AI technology to improve operational efficiency in restaurants, allowing staff to focus on high-value…

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Episode 575: Unlocking Restaurant Profitability: Fred Langley, CEO, Restaurant Systems Pro 58:01

8M ago58:01

58:01

Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Will interviews Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro. They discuss the challenges faced by restaurant owners, the importance of profitability, and the role of effective management systems in achieving success. Fred shares his journey from being a restaurant owner to helping o…

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Episode 574: Building a Brand Through Community: David Stuck, CEO, Tin Kitchen 56:32

8M ago56:32

56:32

Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, host Wil Brawley interviews David Stuck, owner of Tin Kitchen, who shares his unique journey in the hospitality industry. David discusses his early experiences, the importance of customer service, and the challenges he faced while starting his food truck business. He emphasizes the …

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Episode 573: From Valet to Successful Restaurant Chain Owner: Joe Fontana, Owner & Founder, Fry the Coop 1:22:30

9M ago1:22:30

1:22:30

Summary In this engaging conversation, Joe Fontana, owner of Fry the Coop, shares his journey from working in hospitality as a valet and bartender to opening his own successful restaurant chain specializing in chicken sandwiches. He discusses the importance of finding one's purpose, the role of mentorship, and the challenges of starting a business.…