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Real conversations with the people transforming the restaurant industry—from the inside out. Restaurant Leaders Unplugged goes beyond the headlines to bring you raw, insightful, and inspiring interviews with the most respected founders, operators, and executives in hospitality. Hosted by Sebastian Stahl, former restaurant operator turned growth strategist and founder of Breadth Marketing, this podcast is where real operators get real about what it takes to build brands that last. If you're t ...
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Legendary Restaurateur Bob Sambol Shares 50 Years of Wisdom
45:37
45:37
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, I sit down with Bob Sambol, founder of Bob’s Steak & Chop House, to unpack his remarkable journey from working in his father’s bar to running one of the most respected steakhouses in the country. Bob shares hard-won lessons on leadership, building a loyal team, scaling with consistency, and the simpl…
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You Can't Do It Alone: Building Leadership That Lasts with Matt Rolfe
43:11
43:11
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Matt Rolfe, leadership expert, author, and coach to the hospitality industry's top performers. Matt shares his raw and powerful story—from growing up with a learning disability to becoming a sought-after leader helping restaurant operators prioritize personal growth, build resilient …
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How BarTaco Scaled to 35 Locations Without Losing Its Soul
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37:42
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Anthony Valletta, CEO of BarTaco, joins Restaurant Leaders Unplugged to share how his team built one of the most unique and people-first brands in casual dining today. From his early days washing dishes to leading a fast-growing concept with over 35 locations, Anthony talks about: Building culture at scale without becoming another big-box brand Cre…
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From Newsroom to Boardroom: Sam Oches on Tech, Talent & True Hospitality
45:27
45:27
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Journalist‑turned‑industry‑insider Sam Oches (Editorial Director, Nation’s Restaurant News & Restaurant Hospitality) unpacks the post‑2024 shake‑up—why value promos are wearing thin, how tariffs could rewrite your P&L, and where the next fast‑casual boom will actually come from. We dig into: The two marketing paths every brand must pick: “irreveren…
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From Combat to CRM: How Perfect Venue is Revolutionizing Restaurant Events
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36:50
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we’re joined by Luke Hutchison—Army veteran turned tech entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Perfect Venue. Luke shares his journey from the battlefield to the boardroom, and how his event management software is helping restaurants boost revenue, cut admin time, and simplify private event sales. We …
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Hospitality That Lasts: Tracy Rathbun on Building Restaurants That Stand the Test of Time
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40:27
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What does it really take to build restaurants that last? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Tracy Rathbun—restaurateur, co-founder of Dallas gems like Shinsei and Lover’s Seafood—joins host Sebastian Stahl for a raw and insightful conversation. With over 30 years of experience spanning hospitality, luxury automotive, and entrepreneuri…
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Leadership Without Hierarchy: Brian Nasajon’s Recipe for Restaurant Success
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40:49
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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 futu…
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Building Iconic Restaurant Brands with Arjun Sen
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43:46
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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, Arju…
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Mastering Restaurant Profit & Leadership with Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars
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50:37
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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…
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Chip Klose: Boosting Restaurant Profitability & Marketing | Restaurant Leaders Unplugged
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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…
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Master Restaurant Profitability with Kasey Anton of Spark Business Consulting
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45:23
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Are you ready to transform your restaurant's financial health? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Kasey Anton, founder of Spark Business Consulting and author of Profit First for Restaurants. Kasey shares her journey from restaurateur to financial consultant, revealing the strategies behind her Profit First system tha…
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From CPA to Michelin Stars: Leadership Lessons with Ignacio Garcia-Menocal
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40:26
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Ignacio Garcia-Menocal, Co-Founder and CEO of World Bay Hospitality Group, shares his remarkable journey from a CPA to leading a Michelin-starred restaurant group. Discover how he balances core values, innovation, and trust to build successful concepts like Stubborn Seed and navigate challenges in th…
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Balancing Passion and Leadership in the Restaurant Industry with Christy LoPresto
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29:45
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, host Sebastian Stahl chats with Christy LoPresto, a dynamic restaurateur and wellness entrepreneur redefining leadership in the hospitality industry. Christy takes us on a journey through her 20+ years in the restaurant business, sharing her evolution from server to owner of several acclaimed New Yor…
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Mastering the Steakhouse Business: 31 Years of Lessons with Randy Burks
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43:11
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, host Sebastian Stahl sits down with Randy Burks, the founder of Randy’s Steakhouse in Frisco, Texas. With over three decades of experience in the restaurant industry, Randy shares the journey of building his iconic steakhouse, navigating challenges like sky-high food costs, labor shortages, and even …
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Redefining Success in the Restaurant World: Lessons from Mathieu Giraud of Garçons de Café and L’Appart
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34:42
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Mathieu Giraud, the visionary owner of Garçons de Café and L’Appart in downtown Los Angeles. Mathieu shares his incredible journey from training in hospitality in France to managing world-class establishments in LA and eventually stepping into entrepreneurship. Discover Mathieu’s can…
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Crafting Profitable Bar Programs: Ben Potts on the Secrets to Hospitality Success
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37:55
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What makes a profitable and unforgettable bar program? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, I sit down with Ben Potts, co-founder of Unfiltered Hospitality and co-owner of The Sylvester in Miami. Ben’s journey is a masterclass in persistence and innovation, from starting as a bar back to becoming one of the most sought-after beverage pr…
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#14 From $52K to 17 Locations: Rakesh Chandiramani’s Blueprint for Restaurant Success
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44:24
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Rakesh Chandiramani, Co-Founder & Owner of Vin sur Vingt Wine Bars, Jack’s Coffee, and Il Fiorista in NYC, shares how he transformed a $52,000 investment into 17 successful locations. From scaling with purpose to crafting unforgettable guest experiences, Rakesh dives deep into the challenges and triumphs of the restaurant industry. Learn why authen…
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#13 From Burnout to Breakthrough: Transformative Leadership Lessons with Christin Marvin
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33:22
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we’re thrilled to host Christin Marvin, influential leadership coach, author of The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap, and founder of Solutions by Christin. Christin opens up about her transformative journey in the hospitality industry—from her early days as a line cook to scaling restaurant groups, facin…
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#12 Unlocking Restaurant Success: The #1 Mistake Holding Owners Back & How to Fix It with David Scott Peters
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56:57
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we welcome restaurant expert and coach David Scott Peters, who shares his journey from working in his family’s restaurant to becoming a leading coach for independent operators across the U.S. David reveals the #1 mistake he sees in the industry—a lack of leadership—and explains how restaurant owners …
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#11 A Journey of Resilience with Victor Chan of SUteiShi in New York City
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33:07
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In this captivating episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we’re joined by Victor Chan, founder of Suteishi Japanese Restaurant in New York City. With a fascinating journey that began as an aircraft mechanic and led through cigar shops and cafés before opening his celebrated sushi restaurant, Victor’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and l…
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#10 Henry Roberts on Building Two Hands: Resilience, Brand Loyalty, and the Path to Restaurant Success"
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35:52
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we dive into the inspiring journey of Henry Roberts, founder of Two Hands, a thriving café and restaurant brand that started in New York City and has since expanded across the U.S. Henry shares the origins of his career in hospitality, driven by a love for community, culture, and high-quality, access…
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#9 Building Resilience and Community: Katie Rooney's Journey from Sushi Lounge to Success
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44:48
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In this episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged Podcast, host Sebastian Stahl sits down with Katie Rooney, co-owner of Sushi Lounge in San Diego. Katie shares her inspiring journey, from starting in the hospitality industry as a teenager to building a thriving sushi restaurant brand. She opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the im…
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#8 Troy Hooper on Scaling Smart, Building Winning Teams, and Mastering the Restaurant Game 🎙️
53:41
53:41
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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 f…
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#7 Sustainable Success: Inside Gather’s 15-Year Journey with Eric Fenster
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39:37
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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…
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#4 The Rise of Larks Entertainment: How Curt Skallerup is Revolutionizing Family Fun
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47:38
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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 busines…
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#5: Staying the Course: Chef Jaime Pesaque’s Journey Through Challenges to the World’s 50 Best
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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, …
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#3: Legacy and Innovation: Laura Padrino's Journey with Padrino's Restaurants
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39:09
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From Generation to Generation: Lauri's Journey in the Family Restaurant Business In this episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged podcast, Lauri shares her journey and deep-rooted passion for the hospitality industry. Growing up in a family-run restaurant, her transition from marketing to hospitality was a natural fit. She discusses the multi-ge…
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#6 Reimagining Restaurant Operations: Andrei Stern, CFO and Co-founder of Suviche Hospitality Group, on Efficiency and Profitability
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57:57
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Navigating Change and Innovation in the Restaurant Industry: A Conversation with Andrei from Suviche Hospitality In this episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged podcast, host Sebastian Stahl sits down with Andrei from Suviche Hospitality to discuss the evolution and current challenges of the restaurant industry. They delve into the impact of re…
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#2: Mastering the Restaurant Game: Insights from Ryan Egozi
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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 Leader…
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#1: Strategic Leadership in Hospitality: Insights from Matias Pesce, CEO of V&E Group
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45:36
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In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Matias Pesce, the CEO of V&E Hospitality Group, to explore his unique journey from the oil and gas industry to leading one of the most dynamic hospitality groups in the United States. Matias shares how his background in corporate governance and strategy enabled him to transform V&E f…
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