Best Restaurant Rockstars Podcasts (2024)

1
400. Secrets to Restaurant Longevity: A 44-Year Family Legacy - Pops 40:21

17m ago40:21

40:21

I’m speaking with Kacie Dancy, daughter of the Founder and V.P. of Operations at Pop’s Beef, a 17-location company that’s loved by its guests, employees and communities that it serves. Listen as Kacie tells us the secrets to restaurant longevity including: • Her key-lessons learned from growing up in this family restaurant• All the pieces that have…

1
[Greatest Hits] Turning a Hobby into a Career with Jim Turner and Steve Sidelnyk 39:55

1h ago39:55

39:55

In this ‘Greatest Hits’ episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta is joined by Steve Sidelnyk, highly accomplished session drummer and music programmer, and Jim Turner, an experienced entertainment industry professional. Join them as they discuss the importance of standing out in a competitive industry, the importance of curiosity and learning…

1
The Importance of Empathy in Sales Management: Insights from Alan Versteeg, Global Chief Revenue Officer at Growth Matters 33:14

1d ago33:14

33:14

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Alan Versteeg, Global Chief Revenue Officer at Growth Matters. Join them as they discuss conveying customer value, the use of generative AI, and the role of empathy in sales. Alan also touches on the future of sales, and the role of sales managers. Alan Versteeg is an engineer turned sa…

1
399. A Restaurant Operation that’s Killing It! - Mike Bausch 52:26

7d ago52:26

52:26

Today on the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Mike Bausch, the co-founder and visionary behind Antolini’s Worldwide Hospitality Group with 7 concepts in 12 locations.Learn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/Rock Your Restaurant - Enroll Your Team in the Restaurant Academy:…

1
[Greatest Hits] How Twitter Changed the Branding Game with Brandon Rhoten, CMO at GroundTruth 42:29

8d ago42:29

42:29

In this ‘Greatest Hits’ episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta is joined by Brandon Rhoten, Chief Marketing Officer at GroundTruth. Join them as they discuss the impact of social media in humanizing brands, why digital marketing channels should be seen as tools to solve specific brand problems, and leveraging customer insights beyond surfac…

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398. Why You Should Be OBSESSED With Restaurant Training - Rachael Nemeth 55:46

9d ago55:46

55:46

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I speak with restaurant training guru Rachael Nemeth.Learn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits/Rock Your Restaurant - Enroll Your Team in the Restaurant Academy:We will train your entire team to up level your business, maximize sales an…

1
Disruptive Innovation in the Restaurant Industry: Insights from Steve Bigari, EVP, AI for Restaurants at Soundhound 33:35

15d ago33:35

33:35

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Steve Bigari, the EVP, AI for Restaurants at Soundhound. Join them as they discuss how technology, particularly AI, can enhance the restaurant experience, the mindset needed to be a disruptor in the industry, and the importance of removing friction from the customer's life. Steve also s…

1
397. Delivery Driver to CEO - Gregg Majewski 59:06

18d ago59:06

59:06

Today on the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Gregg Majewski, the former CEO of Jimmy Johns, who’s now growing Craveworthy Brand’s multiple concepts in 24 states and counting. The Restaurant Profit Maximizer will show you proven ways to BOOST your restaurant bottom line. https://restaurantrockstars.com/profitmaximizer Connect with us…

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[Greatest Hits] Exploring the Power of the Subconscious with Shalini Josh Yamdagni of EFT Thailand 47:56

26d ago47:56

47:56

In this ‘Greatest Hits’ episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta is joined by Shalini Joshi Yamdagni, Chronic Pain Relief Expert at EFT Thailand. Join them as they explore helping people with chronic pain find relief through alternative approaches, the power of emotions in influencing physical wellbeing, and the use of Emotional Freedom Techn…

1
396. From Internship to Ownership - Reed Adelson 42:40

30d ago42:40

42:40

In this episode of the Restaurant Rock Stars podcast, Roger chats with Reed Adelson, founder of Virginia's in New York City. Listen to Reed's inspiring founder's story, his navigation through family traditions, the fierce competition of NYC's restaurant scene, and overcoming various challenges. Gain insights on onboarding, staff training, marketing…

1
Exploring the World: A Journey of Aha! Moments with Heath Tredell of Bablake House Limited 39:57

29d ago39:57

39:57

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Heath Tredell, the Managing Director of Bablake House Limited. Join them as they discuss formative Aha! moments, retiring early, and prioritizing experiences over possessions. Heath Tredell is the Managing Director of Bablake House Limited, a family-owned residential home that offers ho…

1
395. Restaurant Signs that Drive Business - David Rycyna 46:31

1M ago46:31

46:31

In this engaging episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, host Roger Beaudoin is joined by David Rycyna, CEO of Cirrus, to discuss the transformative power of digital signage for restaurants. They delve into the importance of visibility, guest engagement, and brand building, emphasizing how customizable LED signs can set a restaurant apart from…

1
[Greatest Hits] Mastering Influencer Marketing for Business Growth with Prateek Panda, VP of Marketing at Phyllo 44:39

1M ago44:39

44:39

In this ‘Greatest Hits’ episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta is joined by Prateek Panda, VP of Marketing at Phyllo. join them as they explore the importance of customer insights, the importance of authenticity, and the future of the industry. Prateek also shares valuable insights and advice for businesses looking to leverage influencers f…

1
394. Emerging Trends in Hospitality - Mathew Focht 52:11

1M ago52:11

52:11

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars podcast, host Roger Beaudoin chats with Mathew, a seasoned expert in the hospitality industry. Mathew shares his journey from a small town in Ohio to becoming a strategic leader in national restaurant operations.[FREE] Learn the Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers and how to fix them: https://restaurantrockst…

1
Misconceptions and Realities: Exploring Performance Enhancement with Dustin Elliott of the Vitamin Shoppe 43:00

1M ago43:00

43:00

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Dustin Elliott, the Senior Brand Manager at The Vitamin Shoppe. Join them as they explore misconceptions about performance enhancement, the impact of gut health on overall wellbeing, emerging trends in the supplements industry, and the future of nutrition and healthcare. Dustin Elliott …

1
393. Effective Restaurant Marketing & Loyalty Programs - Court Allam 48:04

2M ago48:04

48:04

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars podcast, Roger welcomes Court, a seasoned restaurant marketing guru and coach. They delve into various strategies for effective restaurant marketing, from building a lead generation database and managing time effectively to creating captivating social media content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. …

1
[Greatest Hits] Experiences Beyond the Product with Experiential Designer, Xuan Xu 52:06

2M ago52:06

52:06

In this ‘Greatest Hits’ episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta was joined by Xuan Xu, Managing Director of Xuan Xu Experiences. Together they explore why the accessibility of commodities and the rise of digitalization means consumers seek unique and memorable experiences, as well as the challenges faced by experiential designers. Xuan also discu…

1
392. How to Save 30-40% on Your Restaurant Costs - Larry Levine 33:24

2M ago33:24

33:24

In this episode of The Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, Roger chats with Larry, of P3 Cost Analysts, about how restaurants and hospitality businesses can save significant amounts of money on non-payroll expenses. Larry explains that P3 Cost Analysts specializes in reducing costs for telecom, utilities, waste management, and more—achieving savings from…

1
Building Brands through Creative Storytelling: Lessons from Matt Swieca of The Martin Agency 30:36

2M ago30:36

30:36

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Matt Swieca, Executive Producer/Program Director at The Martin Agency. Join them as they discuss the importance of customer insights, storytelling, and adapting to the evolving landscape of digital marketing and advertising. Matt shares valuable insights into the industry and the strate…

1
391. The Secret Sauce to Scaling Up in The Restaurant Business - Debbie Roxarzade 43:42

2M ago43:42

43:42

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I speak with Debbie Roxarzade, the Founder of Rachel’s Kitchen. Debbie built seven successful restaurants in Los Angeles and then decided to move her restaurant business to Las Vegas. What’s her secret sauce?Listen as Debbie speaks about restaurant business success including: • Key-learnings that…

1
[Greatest Hits] The Philosophy of Unleadership with Steve Krull, CEO and Co-Founder of Be Found Online 43:33

2M ago43:33

43:33

In this ‘Greatest Hits’ episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta is joined by Steve Krull, CEO and co-founder of Be Found Online, a strategy-driven, people-focused digital marketing agency that connects brands and humans in innovative ways. Join them as they explore Steve’s journey to starting Be Found Online, why hiring should be based on cu…

1
390. Why Artificial Intelligence (AI) is important in your Restaurant - Parsa Riahi 40:02

2M ago40:02

40:02

For just $7, The Restaurant Profit Maximizer course will show you proven ways to boost profit in your restaurant. Check it out - https://restaurantrockstars.com/profitmaximizerThe Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinac…

1
Insights and Empathy: Building Meaningful Customer Relationships with Alex Genov, Head of Customer Research and Marketing Insights at Zappos 38:06

2M ago38:06

38:06

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Alex Genov, the Head of Customer Research and Marketing Insights at Zappos. Join them as they discuss the importance of customer insights and empathy in creating remarkable products and services, and explore misconceptions about data reliance, channel optimization, and hospitality. Alex…

1
389. The Power of a Brand in Building Your Business - Steve Shlemon 54:45

3M ago54:45

54:45

The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/👉 Show Notes: https://bit.ly/E389RRPThis episode of the Restaurant Rockstars podcast features an in-depth conversation with Steve Shlemon, the President of and a key figu…

1
[Greatest Hits] Handling Challenging Interactions with Haider Aabidi, Chief Marketing Officer at Country Chicken Co. 30:02

3M ago30:02

30:02

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Haider Aabidi, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of D2C at Country Chicken Co. Together, we delve into why you should always surround yourself with people who are smarter than you; what it means to take a calculated risk in entrepreneurship; and why you need to respect your…

1
388. Restaurant Pricing Strategies and Tipping - Jean-Manuel Izaret 53:51

3M ago53:51

53:51

The Restaurant Profit Maximizer course will show you proven ways to boost profit in your restaurant: https://restaurantrockstars.com/sp/restaurant-profitsThe Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/This episode of …

1
Debunking Nutrition Myths: Taking a Balanced Approach with Ross Franklin, Founder of Pure Green 33:04

3M ago33:04

33:04

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Ross Franklin, the founder of Pure Green and CEO of Pure Green Franchise. Join them as they discuss challenges in the fitness industry, the misconceptions surrounding nutrition, and Ross’ creation of Pure Green, a juice bar franchise focused on high-performance superfoods. Ross also dis…

1
387. The Power of an Effective Restaurant Leader - Jason Brooks 46:08

3M ago46:08

46:08

In this episode Jason Brooks and I discuss the importance of hospitality, leadership, and company culture in the restaurant industry.Jason emphasizes the role of accountability, the significance of onboarding, and the power of coaching in building effective teams and delivering exceptional guest experiences. They also touch on the challenges faced …

1
[Greatest Hits] Switching Mindsets: Engineering to Marketing with Pavangopal A, Chief Marketing Officer at Nandu’s 33:13

3M ago33:13

33:13

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Pavangopal A, CMO at Nandu’s, to discuss how engineers and marketers could learn from each other; why marketing is really all about objectivity; and why you should focus on yourself, not just on the competitors! Pavangopal is the Chief Marketing Officer at Nandu’s, one of …

1
386. Tragedy to Triumph: Perseverance, Leadership & Restaurant Success - Anne Beiler 1:07:55

3M ago1:07:55

1:07:55

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Anne Beiler, the founder of international restaurant success story “Auntie Anne’s Pretzels”. Anne learned the meaning of hard work, integrity, and persistence at an early age, but had many moments of doubt and lack of confidence. Despite all odds and immense personal tragedy, An…

1
Constant Innovation, Fearlessness, and Humor: Lessons from Mary Crafts, the founder of Utah’s Largest Off-Site Caterer 43:10

3M ago43:10

43:10

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Mary Crafts, CEO of Mary Crafts, Inc, and founder of Culinary Crafts. Join them as they explore Mary’s experience of starting a multimillion-dollar catering company, overcoming the fear of failure, and the importance of vulnerability when connecting with others. Mary also talks about th…

1
385. Restaurant Success – The Key to Thriving in This Business - Jim Collins 1:03:00

3M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Jim Collins, the owner of Town Kitchen and Grill in California. Jim wasn’t born from the restaurant business, but he certainly has a way with running a successful restaurant and leading his employees to greatness!Listen as Jim shares his story, failures, successes, and his philo…

1
[Greatest Hits] Find Simplicity to Find Your Aha! With Monish Debnath, CMO of WickedGüd 33:36

4M ago33:36

33:36

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Monish Debnath, CMO and Founding Team Member of WickedGüd, to discuss the fascinating world of consumer insights. They delve into how culture impacts consumer behavior; why simple moments are the biggest aha moments; and why taste is the number one consideration for brands…

1
384. Huge Restaurant Concept Will Bowl You Over - Dale Schwartz 54:44

4M ago54:44

54:44

This business is all about “SHOW BIZ! Guests don’t just come into a restaurant for food & drink, they’re looking for an experience. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Dale Schwartz, CEO & Co-Founder of Pinstripes, which is a restaurant concept that boasts giant spaces for bowling, bocce, delicious bistro dining, …

1
The Power of Customer Insights: Uncovering Why Customers Do What They Do with Vashte Johnson of Slidedesignr 54:46

4M ago54:46

54:46

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Vashte Johnson, the Founder of Slidedesignr. Join them as they discuss the importance of customer insights, Vashte’s insights accelerator model for creating powerful deliverables, as well as the importance of storytelling, clarity, and emotional engagement in visualizations. Vashte John…

1
383. A Deep Dive Into Restaurant Equipment - Howard Task and John Eberhart 57:40

4M ago57:40

57:40

Restaurant Profit Maximizer mini-course teaches you how to boost profit in your restaurant. ONLY $7 https://restaurantrockstars.com/sp/restaurant-profitsThat’s right, boost your restaurant profit for less than the cost of a fancy beer – Get it today then go Rock YOUR Profits and YOUR Restaurant!EPISODE NOTES:In this episode of the Restaurant Rockst…

1
[Greatest Hits] Is Passion Enough to Succeed in Business? With Karthikeyan Selvaraj, Founder & CEO of Dunkel Kitchen 30:29

4M ago30:29

30:29

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Karthikeyan Selvaraj, Founder & CEO of Dunkel Kitchen, a successful cloud kitchen chain! They delve into why passion and business are two different but essential things in your entrepreneurial journey and why you should always find different ways to succeed, as well as out…

1
382. Chef Shares Great Restaurant Kitchen Success - Chef Jarad McCarroll 49:58

4M ago49:58

49:58

Leading a great restaurant kitchen is difficult. It takes experience, skill, the desire to teach, patience, calm under pressure and the right chops. Most of all it takes a passion for food, people, and new experiences. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Chef Jarad McConnell of Ocean Club St. Barths. He rose from …

1
The Significance of Customer Insights for Business Success with Arnold Lee of CFO Growth Advisors 50:09

4M ago50:09

50:09

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Arnold Lee, CFO and Managing Director of CFO Growth Advisors. Join them as they explore the need for companies to understand why customers behave the way they do, the challenges faced by startups, and the formula of finance, strategy, and customer insights as the key to success. Arnold …

1
381. Empower + Inspire Your Restaurant Team - Marc Haine 1:01:36

4M ago1:01:36

1:01:36

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Marc Haine, a true operator’s operator, about leading and inspiring a restaurant team.As a young dishwasher Marc went on to master the kitchen. He never lost the hospitality bug and later ran three restaurants, became a Food & Beverage Director. Marc also founded a hospitality c…

1
[Greatest Hits] Seeing the Future with the Help of Consumer Insights with Danielle Blugrind, Senior Consumer Manager at Roku 34:12

5M ago34:12

34:12

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Danielle Blugrind, Senior Consumer Manager at Roku. They discuss Danielle’s aha! journey; why you shouldn’t try to reinvent the wheel with your product; how insights can help you see into the future and figure out who your customers are; the importance of keeping your prod…

1
380. Great Restaurant Marketing Advice From The Trenches - Kelly Hoyman 55:44

5M ago55:44

55:44

In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I’m speaking with Kelly Hoyman, Vice President of Marketing for an 85-unit concept called Wings and Rings. Kelly brings 30 years of proven restaurant marketing expertise to this episode.Listen as Kelly shares all things restaurant marketing including: • Lessons learned from 17 years in restaurant…

1
From Lawyer to Creative Director: Journeying into Insights and Storytelling with Kory Grushka 47:16

5M ago47:16

47:16

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Kory Grushka, Founder and Creative Director of Stories Bureau. Together, they delve into the interaction of Kory’s creative and legal career paths; explore the founding of Stories Bureau; and examine the impact of AI on storytelling. Kory Grushka is an entrepreneur and creative director…

1
379. Excellent Tips Get Your Restaurant Taxes In Order - Mirissa Harrison 47:53

5M ago47:53

47:53

I get that running your restaurant is a total commitment, and business challenges never stop. Tax time is upon us, April is looming and Restaurant Taxes are due. No worries, I’ve got your back.Know that now is the time to get your financial house in order before you send the books to your tax preparer. It’s not too late to clean things up for your …

1
[Greatest Hits] All Insights Are About Building a Connection with Lynn Adelmund, Senior VP of Market Research at Trifecta Research 25:43

5M ago25:43

25:43

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Lynn Adelmund, Senior VP of Market Research at Trifecta Research, a leading research and advisory firm serving Fortune 1000 companies and agencies. They discuss some of Lynn’s Aha! moments; how technology has impacted the world of consumer insights; how insight professiona…

1
378. Stocked & Stirred: How To Master Restaurant Inventory - Victoria Mosley and John Nanney 49:30

5M ago49:30

49:30

Your restaurant inventory represents thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars of food and beverage sitting in your business at any given time. With so much opportunity for waste, spoilage, or loss, you really need to understand and manage all that value. When I coach restaurants, I tell them Not taking inventory is like leaving hundred-dollar …

1
Differentiation and Authenticity in Marketing with Alex Montas of BENlabs 29:54

5M ago29:54

29:54

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Alex Montas, Head of Marketing at BENlabs. They discuss Alex’s background and entrepreneurial mindset, the importance of differentiation, the need to maintain humanity and connection in the digital landscape, the evolution of AI in marketing, and the importance of taking risks and learn…

1
377. How To Increase Restaurant Sales & Build Guest Loyalty - Matt Tucker 1:01:05

5M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

Every owner and leader wants and needs to increase restaurant sales. Success here requires many things… efficiency, systems, excellent service, but most of all engaged loyal guests. Here’s where all the power lies.Guests want to be recognized, acknowledged, and served. Providing this at a high level requires a well-trained staff and seamless techno…

1
[Greatest Hits] How AI Helps You Better Understand Your Consumer with Alex Charlton 32:44

5M ago32:44

32:44

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Alex Charlton as they unveil the importance of harnessing the power of customer insights to drive business success and the potential of AI in improving research processes and running effective marketing strategies. They also touch on the balance between human intelligence …

1
376. What’s With Today’s Restaurant Employees Anyway? - Scott Greenberg 58:13

6M ago58:13

58:13

I hear it time and time again. “My employees don’t do what I expect... they call out on shifts, or they don’t show up at all”!Since the pandemic; finding, keeping, and motivating restaurant employees has just gotten harder. They seem to have a different mindset... their work ethic doesn’t meet expectations... What to do?In this episode of the Resta…

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Restaurant Rockstars Podcasts

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