#7 Sustainable Success: Inside Gather’s 15-Year Journey with Eric Fenster

10/07/24 • 39 min

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

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

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

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

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

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

Previous Episode

#4 The Rise of Larks Entertainment: How Curt Skallerup is Revolutionizing Family Fun

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

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

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

Next Episode

#8 Troy Hooper on Scaling Smart, Building Winning Teams, and Mastering the Restaurant Game 🎙️

In this episode, Sebastian Stahl sits down with Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palette America and the driving force behind Pepper Lunch’s expansion in North America. With 30 years in hospitality, Troy shares his hard-earned insights on what it really takes to build successful restaurant brands.

From transforming distressed assets to leading high-growth franchises, Troy breaks down his approach to leadership, team-building, and scaling without losing control of your business. This conversation is packed with practical strategies for restaurant owners looking to grow their operations while maintaining quality and culture.

🔥 What you’ll learn: