Restaurant Leaders Unplugged

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged , we sit down with Chip Klose, a seasoned restaurant consultant and expert with over 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Chip shares valuable insights on how restaurant owners can tackle rising costs, enhance marketing strategies, and create sustainable business models. He discusses the importance of building customer loyalty without relying on discounts, navigating the challenges of increasing labor and food costs, and providing actionable tips on how to set your restaurant apart in a competitive market.

Chip also dives deep into leadership, sharing his thoughts on how owners can balance both leading and managing teams to ensure long-term success. Whether you're struggling with operational efficiency, customer retention, or pricing strategies, Chip offers practical advice to help your restaurant thrive in today’s ever-evolving landscape.

Connect with our guest:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipklose/
• Social Media Links: https://www.instagram.com/chipklosecoaching/
• Website: https://www.chipklose.com/

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Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

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Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

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Journey to Culinary Excellence: Jaime Pesaque's Road to the World's 50 Best

This episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged Podcast features Jaime Pesaque, renowned Peruvian chef and restaurateur. Host Sebastian Stahl delves into Jaime's 25-year journey in the culinary world, beginning with his education at Le Cordon Bleu, his training in Europe, and the eventual founding of his flagship restaurant, Mayta. Jaime discusses the challenges he faced in the early years, the importance of patience and consistency, and the crucial balance between creativity and entrepreneurship. He also shares the significant milestone of Mayta being recognized among the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Emphasizing the preservation and promotion of Peruvian culture through his cuisine, Jaime highlights the role of PR and marketing in his success and the value of teamwork and leadership. He offers insights on family life, managing stress, and the importance of enjoying the journey. The episode concludes with his aspirations for the future, focusing on forming new chefs and continuing to elevate Peruvian cuisine on the global stage.

00:00 The Early Struggles and Determination

00:24 Introduction to the Podcast

01:05 Jaime's Culinary Journey

03:05 Opening Mayta and Other Ventures

06:38 The Unique Concept of Mayta

10:18 The Role of PR and Marketing

11:34 Partnerships and Collaborations

24:36 Balancing Family and Career

28:38 Handling Stress and Learning from Mistakes

33:12 Future Goals and Legacy

35:44 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

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Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, host Sebastian Stahl sits down with Curt Skallerup, a leader in the family entertainment industry and the visionary behind Larks Entertainment. Curt’s transition from the corporate world to opening and managing over 100 entertainment centers across the U.S. is packed with lessons for aspiring business owners and seasoned entrepreneurs alike.

Join us as Curt discusses:

• His journey from corporate boardrooms to expanding multiple franchise concepts.
• The key to selecting the right franchise partners for long-term success.
• Why focusing on customer experience and volume can drive substantial business growth.
• Insights on leadership and how he motivates his team while scaling operations.
• The story behind Larks Entertainment, a modular franchise concept tailored to bring affordable family fun to communities nationwide.

Curt's experience in franchising, team leadership, and maintaining growth amidst challenges makes this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to expand their business. Learn from Curt’s approach to growth, leadership, and the future of family entertainment in this insightful conversation!

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Follow us on social media to stay updated:

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help other restaurant leaders find us!

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, join Sebastian Stahl as he interviews Eric Fenster, co-founder of Gather Restaurant in Berkeley, CA. Eric shares his journey from outdoor education to sustainable dining, discussing Gather's unique 50/50 vegan-omnivore menu balance, their award-winning vegan charcuterie, and navigating the challenges of the pandemic.

Learn how Gather's commitment to sustainability and community has driven its success for 15 years, and get a glimpse into Eric's exciting vision for the future of hospitality.

This episode offers invaluable insights for restaurateurs on menu innovation, sustainability, creating meaningful dining experiences, and building a resilient business through challenging times.

Chapters with Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction to Eric Fenster and Gather Restaurant

2:51 - Eric's journey from outdoor education to hospitality

5:36 - The concept and philosophy behind Gather Restaurant

9:52 - Balancing sustainability, creativity, and business success

15:29 - The story of Gather's award-winning vegan charcuterie

19:11 - Pandemic pivots: Creating an innovative outdoor dining space

22:02 - Overcoming challenges during the pandemic

26:30 - The current state of the restaurant industry and Gather's approach

28:43 - Eric's proudest moments with Gather

30:25 - Lessons learned from working with Highwind One Hospitality

32:47 - Future plans for Gather and community engagement

34:37 - Eric's vision for integrating hospitality, agriculture, and community

38:00 - Closing thoughts and the importance of bringing people together

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Follow us on social media to stay updated:

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help other restaurant leaders find us!

Mastering the Restaurant Game: Insights from Ryan Egozi | Restaurant Leaders Unplugged

Dive into the dynamic world of restaurant management with Ryan Egozi, a seasoned expert from Toast and former leader at Suviche Hospitality Group, as he shares invaluable insights on thriving in the modern restaurant industry. In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Ryan discusses the transition from hands-on restaurant operations to technology, the power of simplifying your approach, and the critical role of processes in achieving restaurant success.

🍴 What You’ll Learn:

• Quality of Life in Tech vs. Restaurant Operations: Discover how moving from restaurant floors to tech can change your work-life balance without losing the essence of hospitality.
• Simplicity in Operations: Ryan breaks down why focusing on happy guests, great food, and satisfied employees creates a foundation for success.
• Integrating Technology: Learn how tools like Toast can streamline operations while enhancing the customer experience, and where the line should be drawn to preserve the human touch.
• Adapting to Consumer Changes: Understand the challenges of rising commodity costs and how rapidly changing consumer preferences impact restaurant strategies.
• Marketing and Operations Synergy: Uncover the benefits of aligning marketing efforts with operational capabilities to ensure realistic and impactful promotions.

💡 Ryan shares stories and lessons that highlight the importance of balancing creativity with systematic processes, the role of technology in modern hospitality, and strategies for adapting to the ever-changing landscape of consumer demands.

Whether you're a budding restaurateur, a seasoned operator, or simply fascinated by the intersection of hospitality and technology, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and click the bell icon for more insights from industry leaders!

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Follow us on social media to stay updated:

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help other restaurant leaders find us!