Building Iconic Restaurant Brands with Arjun Sen

02/25/25 • 43 min

What makes a restaurant truly unforgettable? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged , Arjun Sen—former VP of Marketing at Papa John’s and branding expert—reveals the secret to making your restaurant a one-of-one brand. From his journey through iconic brands like Pizza Hut, Boston Market, and Einstein Bros. Bagels to founding Zen Mango, Arjun shares invaluable insights on customer experience, leadership, and marketing strategies that create lasting success.

Discover how to craft a brand that stands out, engage customers on an emotional level, and build a culture that drives loyalty. Plus, Arjun shares personal lessons from his book Unquit Forever and how challenges have shaped his approach to business and life.

🎧 Don't miss this game-changing conversation!

Connect with our guest:
📌 His website: https://unquit.com/

📌 Social media:https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenmangoarjunsen/

https://www.instagram.com/arjunsen.brandzen/?hl=en

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!

🎧 Don't miss this game-changing conversation!

Connect with our guest:
📌 His website: https://unquit.com/

📌 Social media:https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenmangoarjunsen/

https://www.instagram.com/arjunsen.brandzen/?hl=en

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

Mastering Restaurant Profit & Leadership with Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars

Is your restaurant leaving money on the table? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged , I sit down with Roger Beaudoin, founder of Restaurant Rockstars, to uncover proven strategies for boosting restaurant profitability, improving leadership, and creating a winning guest experience.

💡 What you'll learn in this episode:
✔️ The key difference between management vs. leadership – and why it matters
✔️ Menu profit strategies: How to maximize margins without losing customers
✔️ Labor & staffing solutions: The secret to hiring, training, and retaining top talent
✔️ How to create accountability systems that transform restaurant operations
✔️ The biggest marketing mistakes restaurant owners make (and how to fix them)
✔️ Technology in hospitality – what enhances the guest experience vs. what hurts it

With over 30 years of experience, Roger has helped countless restaurants streamline operations, cut costs, and scale profitably. Whether you’re a new restaurateur or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you run a more successful business.

🎧 Tune in now and take your restaurant to the next level!

👇 Connect with Roger Beaudoin:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin-21590016/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantrockstars/
🌍 Website: https://restaurantrockstars.com/
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RestaurantRockstars

🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review and subscribe for more expert insights!

#RestaurantLeadership #RestaurantProfit #RestaurantRockstars #HospitalitySuccess #RestaurantMarketing

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

Leadership Without Hierarchy: Brian Nasajon’s Recipe for Restaurant Success

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged , Brian Nasajon, chef and restaurateur, shares his journey from a philosophy student to the helm of Beaker & Gray, and now Avenue Gray. Discover his leadership philosophy, the importance of humility in running a restaurant, and why he believes in leading without hierarchy. Brian also discusses the future of the restaurant industry, key mistakes owners make, and what it takes to create a sustainable business in today’s challenging market.

Connect with our guest:
🔹 Website: https://avenuegray.com/
🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannasajon/

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!

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged - Building Iconic Restaurant Brands with Arjun Sen

Transcript

(0:00 - 1:01)

One of one is very important. If you are one of many, you get ignored. If you're one of few, you're noticed and still ignored.

One of one is that one place, restaurant, that in your mind stays forever. It's fear for missing out. Welcome to the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged podcast, where real talks with restaurant leaders take center stage.

Discover the challenges and victories that define success in the