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by Roger Beaudoin
Tips, tools & resources to help restaurant owners and managers Rock Their Restaurant! Engaging conversations with industry leaders and fellow restaurateurs.
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In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, Roger sits down with Kyle Peters, co-owner of Sexy Pizza, to discuss the operational systems that help independent restaurants reduce turnover, improve profitability and build stronger teams. From employee retention and leadership to KPIs, inventory, labor management, marketing and community engagement, Kyle shares practical strategies that operators can implement immediately. Learn why checklists create accountability, how tracking the right numbers protects margins, and why investing in your people often delivers a bigger return than constantly hiring new ones. In this episode you'll discover: • Why retention beats constant hiring • The restaurant KPIs every operator should track • How checklists improve accountability and consistency • Ways to reduce labor leakage and protect profits • Community marketing that builds loyal guests • Loyalty ideas that keep customers coming back • Why strong vendor relationships improve your bottom line Whether you operate one restaurant or multiple locations, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you build a stronger team, improve operations and increase profitability. 🎙 Restaurant Rockstars Podcast: https://www.restaurantrockstars.com/podcasts Helping independent restaurant owners build more profitable restaurants through better leadership, systems and operations. ⭐️ The Profitable Operator Restaurant Academy: Practical systems and operational strategies designed to help independent restaurant operators improve profitability, performance, and control. https://www.restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy 🔥 FREE 5 DAY RESTAURANT MENU MARGIN MAKEOVER CHALLENGE: https://www.restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge Connect with our guest 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sexypizza Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexypizza/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sexypizzaco?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sexypizza/ https://sexy.pizza
What separates great restaurant operators from everyone else? According to Firebirds Wood Fired Grill CEO Steve Kislow, it starts with leadership. In this episode of Restaurant Rockstars, Steve shares the leadership principles, accountability systems, and operational disciplines that helped grow Firebirds from just three restaurants to 70 locations across 23 states. Roger and Steve discuss hiring great leaders, creating a culture of meaningful feedback, improving employee retention, tracking the KPIs that matter most, protecting restaurant profits, using technology wisely, and delivering memorable guest experiences without losing the human side of hospitality. Whether you own a single independent restaurant or manage multiple locations, you'll walk away with practical ideas you can implement immediately. ▶️ Watch the Episode: https://restaurantrockstars.com/audio/497-restaurant-leadership-profits/ In this episode: • Hiring leaders who build winning teams • Creating accountability through feedback • Why employee retention is a critical KPI • Protecting profits without sacrificing hospitality • Restaurant systems that drive consistency • Using AI and technology the right way • Creating value that keeps guests coming back Connect with our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kislow/ https://firebirdsrestaurants.com 🔥 If you're serious about building a more profitable restaurant, the Restaurant Rockstars Academy is for you. Inside, you'll learn Roger's proven systems for leadership, profitability, menu engineering, marketing, labor control, and building a restaurant that runs smoothly, even when you're not there. Learn more at restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy. ⭐️ Thanks to our podcast sponsor – PosterMyWall PosterMyWall is the AI-powered marketing platform built for restaurants. Create social media posts, email campaigns, event promotions, automatic reminders, and event calendars, all from one easy-to-use platform. With millions of professionally designed templates and built-in AI, you can create high-quality marketing in minutes, no design skills or agency required. Visit postermywall.com and use promo code RESTAURANT30 to save 30% on a Premium subscription.
What keeps guests coming back again and again? In this episode, Roger sits down with Brian Toll, co-founder of h.wood Group, to discuss the leadership, culture, and hospitality strategies behind one of the industry's fastest-growing restaurant groups. You'll learn: Why "wow" experiences create loyal guests How to hire and retain exceptional employees The leadership habits that build winning restaurant cultures The KPIs every operator should monitor Creative ways to increase traffic on slower nights Lessons learned from growing multiple successful restaurant concepts Learn more about h.wood Group: https://www.hwoodgroup.com Thanks to Our Sponsors Owner.com helps restaurants increase direct online orders with automated marketing campaigns and a branded mobile app. 👉 https://www.owner.com/rockstars Smithfield Culinary helps restaurants save time and labor while serving premium-quality proteins guests love. 👉 https://www.smithfieldselect.com Join the Restaurant Rockstars Academy Ready to build a more profitable restaurant? 👉 https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy
What separates an average restaurant manager from a truly great general manager? In this episode, Roger sits down with Andrew Roy, General Manager of Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, to discuss the leadership habits, systems, and financial discipline that drive successful restaurants. From hiring and accountability to labor management, guest recovery, online reviews, inventory, prime cost, and profitability, Andrew shares practical strategies every restaurant owner, operator, and GM can put to work immediately. Whether you're leading one restaurant or a growing team, this episode is packed with real-world advice to help you build stronger people, deliver better hospitality, and run a more profitable operation. ▶️ Watch now: https://restaurantrockstars.com/audio/495-restaurant-general-manager-secrets/ 👉 Want to build a more profitable restaurant? Join the Restaurant Rockstars Academy for proven systems, practical training, and expert coaching: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy Thank You to our Sponsors: ⭐️ Smithfield Culinary serves up perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart like Smithfield’s new ready to eat select bacon, Its premium, ready to cook bacon that will elevate your menu and your bottom line. Smithfield Select saves you time, labor and back of house costs all while satisfying your guests. When you partner with Smithfield, you serve what you love and your guests will love what you serve. To order or more information go to: https://www.smithfieldselect.com ⭐️ Owner.com: Owner.com runs automated marketing campaigns for your restaurant that send personalized offers, order reminders, promotions, and new menu announcements automatically to your guests. So your marketing works for you every single day.And here’s the real power move: Owner.com gives your restaurant your own branded app. Go to https://www.owner.com/rockstars
If you're looking for restaurant growth strategies that increase sales without relying on constant discounts, this episode is for you. Roger sits down with Dog Haus CEO Mike Montagano to discuss how one of the industry's fastest-growing brands is building customer loyalty, protecting margins, and growing sales through memorable guest experiences, smart marketing, AI, menu innovation, and operational excellence. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why competing on price is a losing strategy • How loyalty programs drive repeat business • Restaurant marketing ideas that keep your brand relevant • How AI is improving restaurant operations • Why a strong bar program can become a major profit center • Menu engineering strategies that improve profitability • The KPIs every restaurant owner should monitor • How to create an experience that keeps guests coming back Whether you operate a single independent restaurant or a growing restaurant group, you'll walk away with practical ideas you can implement immediately to grow sales and protect your profits. 👇 Take the FREE Restaurant Menu Makeover Challenge! https://restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/ Thanks to our Sponsors ⭐️ Owner.com: Owner.com runs automated marketing campaigns for your restaurant that send personalized offers, order reminders, promotions, and new menu announcements automatically to your guests. So your marketing works for you every single day.And here’s the real power move: Owner.com gives your restaurant your own branded app. Go to https://www.owner.com/rockstars ⭐️ Smithfield Culinary serves up perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart like Smithfield’s new ready to eat select bacon, Its premium, ready to cook bacon that will elevate your menu and your bottom line. Smithfield Select saves you time, labor and back of house costs all while satisfying your guests. When you partner with Smithfield, you serve what you love and your guests will love what you serve. To order or more information. Go to: https://www.smithfieldselect.com 🎙️ Subscribe for new Restaurant Rockstars episodes every week featuring proven strategies to increase restaurant sales, improve profitability, build stronger teams, and create exceptional guest experiences.
What if one employee mistake could cost your restaurant $100,000...or more? In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, Roger sits down with employment attorney and former chef Doug Plass to discuss the restaurant labor law mistakes that create the biggest risks for owners and operators. From wage and hour violations, overtime rules, and tip pooling compliance to discrimination claims, workplace investigations, wrongful termination concerns, and child labor laws, Doug shares practical guidance every restaurant leader should understand. Drawing from both his hospitality background and legal expertise, Doug explains where restaurants commonly get into trouble, how costly violations can become, and the policies, documentation, and procedures that can help protect your people, profits, and business. If you employ people, manage labor, or oversee restaurant operations, this episode is packed with actionable advice that could save you from expensive mistakes and legal headaches down the road. In this episode you'll learn: ⚡️ Common restaurant labor law violations ⚡️ Wage and hour compliance essentials ⚡️ Overtime and employee classification rules ⚡️ Tip pooling and tip-sharing best practices ⚡️ Hiring and interviewing do's and don'ts ⚡️ Employee complaint investigation procedures ⚡️ Wrongful termination risk reduction ⚡️ Child labor laws and compliance requirements ⚡️ How to build stronger workplace policies and documentation Whether you're an independent operator, multi-unit owner, general manager, or hospitality leader, this episode will help you better understand the legal responsibilities that come with managing employees in today's restaurant industry. Thanks to our Sponsors ⭐️ Smithfield Culinary serves up perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart like Smithfield’s new ready to eat select bacon, Its premium, ready to cook bacon that will elevate your menu and your bottom line. Smithfield Select saves you time, labor and back of house costs all while satisfying your guests. When you partner with Smithfield, you serve what you love and your guests will love what you serve. To order or more information go to: https://www.smithfieldselect.com ⭐️ ZivZo Marketing, Advertising & Video Production: ZivZo is not only a full service marketing agency, but restaurant industry pros specializing in animation and video production that brings your restaurant to life. Go to https://www.zivzo.com ⭐️ Owner.com: Owner.com runs automated marketing campaigns for your restaurant that send personalized offers, order reminders, promotions, and new menu announcements automatically to your guests. So your marketing works for you every single day.And here’s the real power move: Owner.com gives your restaurant your own branded app. Go to https://www.owner.com/rockstars
The response to the first two episodes in this series was incredible, so we're back with Part 3. In this episode, Roger shares exactly what he'd focus on if he owned your restaurant today. From labor controls and inventory systems to menu profitability, recruiting, marketing, catering, mug clubs, and daily break-even analysis, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help operators protect margins and increase profits. You'll learn: • Why busy restaurants still struggle with profitability • How to identify hidden profit leaks • Labor management strategies that control costs • Inventory systems that keep food costs in line • The menu engineering mistakes that cost operators thousands • Why recruiting beats hiring • Marketing tactics that deliver measurable ROI • How catering, events, and strategic partnerships can drive revenue If you're working hard but not seeing the profits you deserve, this episode is for you. Thanks to Our Sponsors Owner.com Owner.com runs automated marketing campaigns for your restaurant that send personalized offers, order reminders, promotions, and new menu announcements automatically to your guests—so your marketing works for you every single day. Even better, Owner.com gives your restaurant its own branded app, helping you increase repeat business, loyalty, and direct online orders. Learn more at owner.com/rockstars Smithfield Culinary Smithfield Culinary serves up perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart, including Smithfield's new Ready-to-Eat Select Bacon. It's premium, ready-to-cook bacon that saves labor, reduces back-of-house costs, and delivers the quality your guests expect. Learn more at smithfieldselect.com ZivZo Marketing, Advertising & Video Production ZivZo is a full-service marketing agency specializing in restaurants. From advertising and digital marketing to animation and video production, ZivZo helps bring restaurant brands to life and drive measurable results. Learn more at zivzo.com Restaurant Rockstars Podcast RestaurantRockstars.com
What does it take to grow a restaurant from a single location to an 8-unit operation while maintaining profitability, culture, and consistency? In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, we sit down with Enga Stanfield, owner of Mattenga's Pizzeria in San Antonio, Texas. Enga shares the restaurant KPIs her team tracks daily, including labor per hour, sales per hour, inventory, and prime cost, and explains how systems, leadership development, accountability, and cross-training have helped fuel sustainable growth. We also discuss recruiting and retaining great employees, creating advancement paths for team members, controlling costs in an inflationary environment, leveraging technology, and using email, SMS, SEO, loyalty programs, and customer reviews to drive repeat business. If you're looking to improve restaurant profitability, build stronger teams, and scale your operation with confidence, this episode is packed with practical, real-world strategies you can put to work immediately. In This Episode: • Restaurant KPIs every operator should track • Labor cost and prime cost management • Daily inventory systems • Leadership and employee retention • Cross-training and accountability • Restaurant recruiting strategies • Email and SMS marketing • Customer loyalty and online reviews • SEO and direct online ordering • Scaling restaurant operations Episode Sponsors ⭐️ Owner.com: Owner.com runs automated marketing campaigns for your restaurant that send personalized offers, order reminders, promotions, and new menu announcements automatically to your guests. So your marketing works for you every single day.And here’s the real power move: Owner.com gives your restaurant your own branded app. Go to https://www.owner.com/rockstars ⭐️ Smithfield Culinary: serves up perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart like Smithfield’s new ready to eat select bacon, Its premium, ready to cook bacon that will elevate your menu and your bottom line. Smithfield Select saves you time, labor and back of house costs all while satisfying your guests. When you partner with Smithfield, you serve what you love and your guests will love what you serve. To order or more information go to: https://www.smithfieldselect.com ⭐️ ZivZo Marketing, Advertising & Video Production: ZivZo is not only a full service marketing agency, but restaurant industry pros specializing in animation and video production that brings your restaurant to life. Go to https://www.zivzo.com #RestaurantKPIs #RestaurantManagement #RestaurantLeadership #RestaurantProfitability #RestaurantMarketing #RestaurantOperations #RestaurantOwner #RestaurantGrowth #PrimeCost #LaborCostManagement
Tips, tools & resources to help restaurant owners and managers Rock Their Restaurant! Engaging conversations with industry leaders and fellow restaurateurs.
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