Episodi

  • 473. Low Labor, High Margins: The Thinking Most Restaurant Owners Miss - Lawrence Brown
    Jan 20 2026
    Labor costs are squeezing restaurant owners harder than ever but some restaurants are quietly winning. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, Roger Beaudoin sits down with Lawrence from Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard to break down the thinking behind low-labor, high-margin restaurant models. This conversation isn’t about copying a walk-up counter concept, it’s about understanding the fundamentals that drive profitability, efficiency, and longevity in today’s restaurant economy. We talk about why simpler operations often outperform complex ones, how smarter labor decisions protect margins, and why long-lasting restaurant brands stay deeply connected to their communities. Whether you run full service, fast casual, or multiple locations, the insights in this episode will challenge how you think about staffing, systems, and sustainable growth. If you’re tired of working harder while margins keep shrinking, this episode will help you rethink what actually drives restaurant success. Learn more about Restaurant Rockstars and the Academy: 👉 https://restaurantrockstars.com 👉 https://restaurantrockstars.com/podcast Connect with Our Guest: https://www.ritasice.com https://www.instagram.com/ritasice/ https://www.facebook.com/RitasItalianIceCompany/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/rita's-italian-ice/
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    30 min
  • 472. Inside the Mind of a Global Hospitality Leader : The Thinking Behind Profitable Restaurants - Marvin Alballi
    Jan 14 2026
    A global hospitality leader breaks down what really drives profitable restaurants. In this episode, Roger sits down with Marvin Alballi to unpack the thinking behind high standards, smart training, menu discipline, and guest-first leadership and why getting the fundamentals right is the most strategic move a restaurant operator can make. Restaurant Rockstars Academy Built for restaurant owners who want better margins, trained teams, and systems that actually work. 👉 https://restaurantrockstars.com Restaurant Coaching & Consulting Work directly with us to fix margins, improve execution, and build a restaurant that runs without chaos. 👉 https://restaurantrockstars.com/consulting 🎙 About the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast Real conversations with operators, chefs, and hospitality leaders on what actually drives profitable restaurants...not theory, not trends. Thank you to our sponsors: • AtlasNova: AtlasNova is like having an AI CMO and COO built into one platform. It connects your POS and marketing data, tells you exactly what matters, and then actually helps execute: campaigns, insights, next best actions, all without adding headcount. Less guessing. Less busywork. Better results. If you want your business to run smarter, not harder, check out AtlasNova at https://www.atlasnova.ai/rockstars and Get 20% off using the code Rockstars20 • Smithfield Culinary serves up perfect proteins for every dish, every daypart like Smithfield’s new ready to eat select bacon, new ground chorizo or the broadest portfolio of pork. When you partner with Smithfield, you serve what you love and your guests will love what you serve. To order or more information go to: https://smithfieldculinary.com/smithfield
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    38 min
  • 471. If I Owned Your Restaurant in 2026, Here’s What I’d Fix First
    Jan 6 2026
    If I owned your restaurant in 2026, here’s exactly what I’d fix first—and why it matters now more than ever. In this episode, I break down the Restaurant Operator Playbook for the year ahead, focusing on the systems, leadership, and profit drivers that separate struggling restaurants from those that thrive. We cover how to stand out in a crowded market, build true leaders instead of babysitting managers, hire and retain A-players, tighten labor and prime costs, and stop the silent profit leaks hiding in your menu, portions, and daily operations. I also share proven strategies for increasing check averages, creating raving fans, and adding new cashflow streams without adding more stress or labor. This isn’t theory. These are the exact systems I used to build profitable restaurants—and what I’d put in place immediately if I were running yours today. If you want clarity, control, and stronger margins in 2026, this episode is your starting point. Run a Smarter, More Profitable Restaurant. Discover the proven systems & solutions that drive sales, train staff, and maximize your margins. Join The Restaurant Academy now: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy Thank you to our sponsors: • The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ • Smithfield Culinary serves up perfect proteins for every dish, every daypart like Smithfield’s new ready to eat select bacon, new ground chorizo or the broadest portfolio of pork. When you partner with Smithfield, you serve what you love and your guests will love what you serve. To order or more information go to: https://smithfieldculinary.com/smithfield • AtlasNova: AtlasNova is like having an AI CMO and COO built into one platform. It connects your POS and marketing data, tells you exactly what matters, and then actually helps execute: campaigns, insights, next best actions, all without adding headcount. Less guessing. Less busywork. Better results. If you want your business to run smarter, not harder, check out AtlasNova at https://www.atlasnova.ai/rockstars and Get 20% off using the code Rockstars20
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    42 min
  • 470. This Is What Real Hospitality Looks Like with Bob Campana
    Dec 15 2025
    What separates unforgettable restaurants from forgettable ones? In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, Roger talks with Bob Campana, a serial entrepreneur and restaurateur who shares what real hospitality actually looks like in practice. Bob breaks down how intentional design, human connection, and team culture create guest experiences that keep people coming back. From building dining rooms designed for conversation to leading teams with respect and purpose, this conversation challenges conventional thinking about hospitality. Perfect for restaurant owners, operators, and hospitality leaders who want to elevate their guest experience and build a restaurant their community loves. Restaurant Rockstars Podcast Actionable insights on leadership, culture, and profitability for restaurant owners and hospitality professionals. 🎧 Available wherever you listen to podcasts The Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers & How To Fix Them Fast (Free Video Training): https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits An Important Message for Restaurant Owners: www.restaurantacademy.online/get-free-training-owners Thank you to our sponsors: The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ Menufy: uplevels your SEO, takes direct online orders, markets to your guests & manages your online reputation. You get a custom branded SEO optimized website, data you control without losing 30% to 3rd parties, automated customer feedback, loyalty programs, built in chargeback protection and 24/7 support. https://restaurant.menufy.com/
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    33 min
  • 469. Restaurant Leadership Burnout: 3 Ways to Stop It - Mike Messerof
    Dec 9 2025
    The hospitality industry is burning out its best leaders…but it doesn’t have to. In this eye-opening conversation, Roger and coach Mike Messerof dig into the hidden pressures behind burnout, the mental health struggles no one talks about, and the simple practices that help restaurant owners lead without losing themselves. A raw, powerful, honest look at what it really takes to thrive in this business. 🔥 An Important Message for Restaurant Owners: www.restaurantacademy.online/get-free-training-owners Restaurant Profit Maximizer Mini-Masterclass: Learn how just a few tweaks in the way you run your restaurant can hugely impact your profits. https://restaurantrockstars.com/sp/restaurant-profits Run a Smarter, More Profitable Restaurant. Discover the proven systems & solutions that drive sales, train staff, and maximize your margins. Join The Restaurant Academy now: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy Connect with Restaurant Rockstars on Social Media: LinkedIn Roger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin-21590016 LinkedIn Restaurant Rockstars: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restaurant-rockstars Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantrockstars/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantrockstars X: https://x.com/RestaurantRock1 Connect with our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemesseroff/ https://www.mikemesseroff.com/ https://www.thecircleoffreethinkers.com/ Thank you to our sponsors: 🔥 The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ 🔥 Menufy: uplevels your SEO, takes direct online orders, markets to your guests & manages your online reputation. You get a custom branded SEO optimized website, data you control without losing 30% to 3rd parties, automated customer feedback, loyalty programs, built in chargeback protection and 24/7 support. https://restaurant.menufy.com/
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    46 min
  • 468. How Top Operators Master Systems, KPIs & Leadership - Kristin Albert
    Dec 2 2025
    The systems, KPIs, and leadership habits top operators use to run high-performing restaurants without constant chaos. Learn how top restaurant operators create proactive systems, master the KPIs that matter, and lead teams that deliver five-star guest experiences consistently. In this episode, Kristin from Craveworthy Brands breaks down the operational playbook behind 20+ concepts — including how to hire the right people, develop leaders, manage sales/COGS/labor, build a strong culture, and stop running your restaurant by putting out fires. If you want a smoother operation, better profitability, and a team that actually shows up and performs, this conversation lays out exactly where to start. Watch Free Restaurant Video Training: www.restaurantacademy.online/get-free-training-owners Thank you to our sponsors: The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ Menufy: uplevels your SEO, takes direct online orders, markets to your guests & manages your online reputation. You get a custom branded SEO optimized website, data you control without losing 30% to 3rd parties, automated customer feedback, loyalty programs, built in chargeback protection and 24/7 support. https://restaurant.menufy.com/
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    30 min
  • 467. Restaurant Operator Systems: Inventory Control, Prime Cost, Labor Tracking & Menu Profit Guide
    Nov 23 2025
    In this Hot Seat episode, Roger breaks down the restaurant operator training systems every owner needs to control costs and increase profit. Learn how to master inventory, prime cost, labor tracking, menu profitability, and team leadership so you can run a more efficient, more profitable restaurant. 🔥 Run a Smarter, More Profitable Restaurant. Discover the proven systems & solutions that drive sales, train staff, and maximize your margins. Join The Restaurant Academy now: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy Thank You To Our Sponsors: • Menufy: uplevels your SEO, takes direct online orders, markets to your guests & manages your online reputation. You get a custom branded SEO optimized website, data you control without losing 30% to 3rd parties, automated customer feedback, loyalty programs, built in chargeback protection and 24/7 support. https://restaurant.menufy.com/ • MenuTiger: Seamless QR menus, ordering and payment right from a guest’s phone made simple. It’s about efficiency and guest convenience. See how much smoother your restaurant can run at https://www.menutiger.com
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    26 min
  • 466. How Crust Pizza Scaled from 1 to 30 Stores and the Systems Powering 200+ Growth - Carl Comeaux
    Nov 16 2025
    Crust Pizza CEO Carl Comeaux joins the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast to share how he helped grow one local pizza shop into a 30+ location franchise - with goals to hit 200 and beyond. Learn how his team bootstrapped growth, built their own tech stack, and kept culture, consistency, and profitability at the heart of their success. Listen for insights on: • Scaling a franchise without private equity • Building leadership from within • Prime cost control and KPIs • Custom POS and loyalty innovation • Training through “Crust Pizza University” 🎧 Listen now: restaurantrockstars.com/audio/366-scaling-systems Thank you to our sponsors: 🔥 MenuTiger: Seamless QR menus, ordering and payment right from a guest’s phone made simple. It’s about efficiency and guest convenience. See how much smoother your restaurant can run at https://www.menutiger.com 🔥 TerraSlate menus are waterproof, rip-proof, antimicrobial and easy to clean. They ship to every state and over a hundred countries with a fast 1 day turnaround and Free overnight shipping. Get your menus from TerraSlate at https://terraslate.com 🔥 The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/ 🔥 Menufy: uplevels your SEO, takes direct online orders, markets to your guests & manages your online reputation. You get a custom branded SEO optimized website, data you control without losing 30% to 3rd parties, automated customer feedback, loyalty programs, built in chargeback protection and 24/7 support. https://restaurant.menufy.com/ Run a Smarter, More Profitable Restaurant. Discover the proven systems & solutions that drive sales, train staff, and maximize your margins. Join The Restaurant Academy now: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy
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    28 min