Restaurant Rockstars Podcast

What does it take to grow a restaurant from a single location to an 8-unit operation while maintaining profitability, culture, and consistency? In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, we sit down with Enga Stanfield, owner of Mattenga's Pizzeria in San Antonio, Texas. Enga shares the restaurant KPIs her team tracks daily, including labor per hour, sales per hour, inventory, and prime cost, and explains how systems, leadership development, accountability, and cross-training have helped fuel sustainable growth. We also discuss recruiting and retaining great employees, creating advancement paths for team members, controlling costs in an inflationary environment, leveraging technology, and using email, SMS, SEO, loyalty programs, and customer reviews to drive repeat business. If you're looking to improve restaurant profitability, build stronger teams, and scale your operation with confidence, this episode is packed with practical, real-world strategies you can put to work immediately. In This Episode: • Restaurant KPIs every operator should track • Labor cost and prime cost management • Daily inventory systems • Leadership and employee retention • Cross-training and accountability • Restaurant recruiting strategies • Email and SMS marketing • Customer loyalty and online reviews • SEO and direct online ordering • Scaling restaurant operations Episode Sponsors ⭐️ Owner.com: Owner.com runs automated marketing campaigns for your restaurant that send personalized offers, order reminders, promotions, and new menu announcements automatically to your guests. So your marketing works for you every single day.And here’s the real power move: Owner.com gives your restaurant your own branded app. Go to https://www.owner.com/rockstars ⭐️ Smithfield Culinary: serves up perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart like Smithfield’s new ready to eat select bacon, Its premium, ready to cook bacon that will elevate your menu and your bottom line. Smithfield Select saves you time, labor and back of house costs all while satisfying your guests. 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://www.smithfieldselect.com ⭐️ ZivZo Marketing, Advertising & Video Production: ZivZo is not only a full service marketing agency, but restaurant industry pros specializing in animation and video production that brings your restaurant to life. Go to https://www.zivzo.com #RestaurantKPIs #RestaurantManagement #RestaurantLeadership #RestaurantProfitability #RestaurantMarketing #RestaurantOperations #RestaurantOwner #RestaurantGrowth #PrimeCost #LaborCostManagement

Are your kids menus helping drive family revenue…or just checking a box? In this episode of Restaurant Rockstars, Roger sits down with Mick Carr, founder of GrubLab, to explore a new approach to family dining that turns the traditional kids menu into an interactive experience. Using augmented reality, licensed sports and entertainment brands, and rotating collectible content, GrubLab helps restaurants engage kids, improve the guest experience, and create stronger loyalty with families. Roger and Mick discuss why kids often influence where families dine, how experience impacts repeat business and online reviews, and why restaurants that create memorable family moments have a competitive advantage. They also tackle hospitality, service culture, and the balance between table turns and guest experience. If you operate a family-friendly restaurant and want fresh ideas to increase revenue, loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing, this episode is packed with practical insight and inspiration. Our audience Now gets 1st Month Free membership and 100 Free Kids Menus. https://www.grublab.co/rockstars ⭐️ 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: 🔥 Grub Lab: Grub Lab completely reinvented the kids' menu. Imagine NBA, NFL, and Hollywood brands in augmented reality that brings characters to life right at the table, and collectible menus with your look and logo that rotate every couple of months, so there's always something new. Our audience Now gets 1st Month Free membership and 100 Free Kids Menus. Turn your kids' menu into a real loyalty driver at https://www.grublab.co/rockstars to get started. 🔥 Smithfield Culinary: serves up perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart like Smithfield’s new ready to eat select bacon, Its premium, ready to cook bacon that will elevate your menu and your bottom line. Smithfield Select saves you time, labor and back of house costs all while satisfying your guests. 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://www.smithfieldselect.com 🔥 Owner.com: Owner.com runs automated marketing campaigns for your restaurant that send personalized offers, order reminders, promotions, and new menu announcements automatically to your guests. So your marketing works for you every single day.And here’s the real power move: Owner.com gives your restaurant your own branded app. Go to https://www.owner.com/rockstars 🔥 ZivZo Marketing, Advertising & Video Production: ZivZo is not only a full service marketing agency, but restaurant industry pros specializing in animation and video production that brings your restaurant to life. Go to https://www.zivzo.com

Roger sits down with Omar from Talkin' Tacos to unpack the systems, leadership, and operational discipline that fueled their growth. This is not a story about luck. It's about building repeatable systems, protecting culture, developing teams, and creating an operation that can scale without sacrificing quality or guest experience. Show Notes: https://restaurantrockstars.com/audio/488-restaurant-operations/ Do the 5-Day Menu Margin Makeover Challenge and turn one item into a repeatable profit driver. 👉 https://restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/ The Profitable Operator Academy: Run a Smarter, More Profitable Restaurant. Discover the proven systems & solutions that drive sales, train staff, and maximize your margins. 1:1 Coaching Option Now Available. Join The Restaurant Academy now: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy Thank you to our sponsors: Owner.com Owner.com runs automated marketing campaigns for your restaurant that send personalized offers, order reminders, promotions and new menu announcements automatically to your guests. So your marketing works for you every single day. And here's the real power move: Owner.com gives your restaurant your own branded app. Go to https://www.owner.com/rockstars Grub Lab Grub Lab completely reinvented the kids' menu. Imagine NBA, NFL and Hollywood brands in augmented reality that bring characters to life right at the table, plus collectible menus with your look and logo that rotate every couple of months so there's always something new. Families stay longer, spend more and come back more often. Turn your kids' menu into a real loyalty driver at https://www.grublab.co Smithfield Culinary Smithfield Culinary serves up perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart like Smithfield's new ready-to-eat select bacon. It's premium, ready-to-cook bacon that saves time, labor and back-of-house costs while helping elevate your menu and bottom line. When you partner with Smithfield, you serve what you love and your guests will love what you serve. Learn more at https://www.smithfieldselect.com ZivZo Marketing, Advertising & Video Production ZivZo is not only a full-service marketing agency but restaurant industry pros specializing in animation and video production that brings your restaurant to life. Learn more at https://www.zivzo.com

Restaurant veteran Ben Fischer joins Roger to share 45+ years of hard-earned restaurant operations lessons on leadership, staffing, labor management, pricing, systems, marketing and what actually makes restaurants successful long term. From opening and selling restaurants to building a restaurant-focused marketing agency, Ben has seen every side of the business. This episode is packed with practical advice independent restaurant operators can apply immediately. In this episode: • Restaurant operations systems • Leadership & staffing strategies • Labor cost control • Restaurant marketing insights • Pricing & guest perception • Loyalty programs & discounts • Building operational freedom Connect with Ben Fischer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bensonfischer/ https://www.facebook.com/ZivZoVideos/ https://www.instagram.com/zivzovideos/ https://zivzo.com/ https://bensonfischerrestaurantmarketing.com/ Thank you to our sponsors: Grub Lab Grub Lab reinvented the kids’ menu with licensed NBA, NFL and Hollywood brands in augmented reality that bring characters to life right at the table. Families stay longer, spend more and come back more often. https://www.grublab.co Smithfield Culinary Smithfield Culinary serves up premium ready-to-cook bacon that saves labor, improves consistency and elevates guest experience. https://www.smithfieldselect.com ZivZo Marketing ZivZo is a full-service marketing, advertising and video production agency specializing in restaurants and hospitality brands. https://www.zivzo.com Rally Catering Simplify catering orders, reduce chaos and grow your catering profit center with Rally Catering. https://rallycatering.com/rockstars

Independent restaurant operators are facing rising labor costs, shrinking margins, inconsistent team performance, and growing pressure to deliver value while maintaining hospitality. In this episode, Roger sits down with Chad Offerdahl, CEO of Big Biscuit, to break down the operational systems helping their rapidly growing restaurant brand scale successfully across 30+ locations. Chad shares practical strategies around: • Restaurant leadership and accountability • Team training and onboarding systems • Labor management and retention • KPIs and operational transparency • Building strong restaurant culture • Menu simplicity and operational efficiency • Community-driven marketing • Increasing guest loyalty and repeat business • Using AI to improve restaurant operations without losing hospitality This episode is packed with actionable ideas independent restaurant owners and small restaurant groups can apply immediately to improve team performance, consistency, and profitability. Thank you to our sponsors: Grub Lab Grub Lab completely reinvented the kids’ menu with licensed NBA, NFL, and Hollywood brands in augmented reality that bring characters to life right at the table. Their collectible menus rotate regularly, helping families stay longer, spend more, and come back more often. http://grublab.co Rally Catering Rally Catering helps restaurants streamline catering orders with online ordering, kitchen-ready production sheets, packing forms, and organized workflows that eliminate chaos and help grow catering sales. https://rallycatering.com/rockstars The Operator Inner Circle Mastermind Join a curated group of restaurant operators focused on labor, leadership, marketing, margins, accountability, and operational excellence. Meet twice monthly to share best practices and solve real restaurant challenges together. https://restaurantrockstars.com/mastermind

Running 35 restaurants takes more than systems. It takes real restaurant operations. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I sit down with Alex Sadowski, Vice President of Training, Culinary, and Beverage at Ojos Locos Sports Cantina, a growing 35-unit brand. We go inside how a multi-unit restaurant actually operates, from hiring and training to culture, accountability, and managing margins in today’s environment. Alex shares how they hire for attitude over experience, build long-term teams, and create real paths for growth from server to leadership. We also get into the realities of running a scratch kitchen at scale, keeping menus tight for efficiency, and maintaining consistency across multiple locations. We break down the numbers that matter, including prime cost, labor, and food cost, and how their team is working toward more real-time visibility to make better decisions faster. This is not theory or a list of systems. It’s a real look at restaurant operations inside a multi-unit brand that’s growing while staying true to its culture. Listen to the full episode: https://restaurantrockstars.com/audio/restaurant-operations-35-unit-brand/ Connect with our Guest: @ojoslocossportscantina https://ojoslocos.com Thank you to our sponsors: 🔘 The Operator Inner Circle Mastermind: Join a select group of restaurateurs seeking solutions to labor, increasing margins, leadership, proven marketing, staying ahead of the competition and today’s most pressing operating challenges. We get together brainstorm and share best practices 2 X/ month. Uplevel your restaurant with like-minded peers and industry experts. https://restaurantrockstars.com/mastermind 🔘 Rally Catering: Catering is an excellent added profit center for your restaurant, but it’s all in the details. With Rally Catering, customers browse your packages and pricing to order instantly. Orders arrive complete and ready to approve, with kitchen-ready production sheets and packing forms. Grow your catering business without missing a beat and without the chaos! https://rallycatering.com/rockstars Busy doesn’t equal profitable. More sales won’t fix weak margins; smarter menu decisions will. Do the 5-Day Menu Margin Makeover Challenge and turn one item into a repeatable profit driver.👉 https://restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/ 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 LinkedIn Roger Beaudoin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantrockstars/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantrockstars X: https://x.com/RestaurantRock1

Turn catering into a profit machine. In this episode, Roger sits down with Elias from Rally Catering to talk about how the right restaurant catering system can help operators simplify the ordering process, reduce chaos, and turn catering into a repeatable revenue stream. They break down the biggest mistakes restaurants make with catering, the systems needed to streamline operations, and how easy online ordering can lead to more orders and more repeat business. If your catering process is still being managed through calls, emails, and manual follow-up, this episode will show you how to make it easier for your team and your customers, while building a stronger profit center for your business. Want to simplify your catering and stop missing revenue opportunities? Get a free demo at rallycatering.com/rockstars Want more restaurant profit strategies? Join the 5-Day Menu Margin Makeover Challenge at restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/

Most restaurant owners are stuck chasing food costs. The real opportunity is building systems that scale profit. In this episode, Roger sits down with Jessica Zouaoui, Co-Founder of Oakwell Beer Spa, a fully booked, multi-location concept built without investors. She shares how systems, team culture, and experience-driven strategy created a business that runs without burnout. You’ll learn how to scale, improve margins, and build a business that works without you. Join the Menu Margin Makeover Challenge: https://restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/ Sponsored by Restaurant Rockstars Coaching. Get expert guidance to increase profits and build systems: https://restaurantrockstars.com Sponsored by TouchBistro, the all-in-one restaurant POS: https://touchbistro.com Connect with Jessica Zouaoui and Oakwell Beer Spa: Website: https://oakwell.com/ Franchise: https://oakwellfranchise.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oakwell-beer-spa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakwellBeerSpa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakwellbeerspa/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OakwellBeerSpa TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oakwellbeerspa

If your restaurant is busy but not making money, your systems, not your effort, are the problem. In this episode, Roger breaks down exactly what he would do if he took over your restaurant today. From menu costing and prime cost to labor control, leadership, and marketing, this is a complete restaurant systems playbook designed to increase profit and give you back control of your business. These are the same strategies used to uncover tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in hidden profit across independent restaurants and multi-location operators. If you want stronger margins, a more accountable team, and a restaurant that runs without you being there 24/7…start here. 🎧 Learn more and get resources: https://restaurantrockstars.com 🤝 This episode is brought to you by TouchBistro, the all-in-one restaurant POS and management system that helps you track sales, control costs, and run a more profitable operation. Learn more: https://www.touchbistro.com/

If you think great food and service are enough to grow your restaurant… think again. In this episode, marketing powerhouse Shawn Walchef breaks down the restaurant marketing strategies that actually work today—and why “if you build it, they won’t come” is one of the biggest myths in this business. We dive into: • Why your digital front door matters more than ever • How storytelling drives real traffic and loyalty • The shift from ads to “Be the Show, Not the Commercial” • How AI is changing how guests discover restaurants • Why consistency—not perfection—is the key to winning If you want more guests, stronger brand loyalty, and marketing that actually delivers results, this episode is your playbook. 🔥 Ready to Increase Your Margins? 👉 Join the 5-Day Menu Margin Makeover Challenge One Menu Item. Five Days. Stronger Margins. https://restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/ 🚀 Work with Roger 1:1 👉 Restaurant Rockstars Coaching Increase your profit, build a dream team staff, and execute marketing strategies that work. https://restaurantrockstars.com/consulting/ 🙌 Thanks to Our Sponsors 👉 Ajinomoto Foods Save time, cut labor, and protect profits with incredible, easy-to-prepare Asian menu items backed by 100+ years of expertise. https://ajinomotofoodservice.com 👉 TouchBistro POS An all-in-one restaurant management system built specifically for operators. Get started with savings for a limited time (U.S. & Canada): https://www.touchbistro.com/restaurantrockstars If you’re serious about running a more profitable, efficient restaurant… you’re in the right place. 👉 Subscribe, share, and keep tuning in to Restaurant Rockstars.

Rising costs are squeezing profits across the industry, but the smartest operators are adapting fast...and winning. In this episode, Roger sits down with Samir Zabaneh to break down the real strategies restaurants are using right now to protect and grow their restaurant margins. From operational efficiencies to smarter marketing and menu optimization, Samir shares practical insights and real-world experience that operators can apply immediately to improve profitability and performance. If you're feeling the pressure of labor, food costs, or inconsistent profits, this episode delivers clear, actionable strategies you can put to work right away. Ready to take action? Join the 5-Day Menu Margin Makeover Challenge and fix the profit leaks in your operation: https://restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/ Thank you to our sponsors: Smithfield Culinary serves up perfect proteins for every dish, every daypart—from Smithfield’s new ready-to-eat select bacon to new ground chorizo and the broadest portfolio of pork. When you partner with Smithfield, you serve what you love and your guests will love what you serve. Learn more: https://smithfieldculinary.com/smithfield Restaurant Rockstars Coaching helps you increase profit, build a dream team staff, and execute trackable marketing strategies that work. If you’re ready to up-level your operation, Roger can help you dial it in, maximize opportunities, and get your peace of mind back. Learn more: https://restaurantrockstars.com/consulting/ TouchBistro is an all-in-one, cloud-based POS and restaurant management system designed exclusively for restaurants. It connects front of house, back of house, and guest engagement into one easy-to-use platform. For operators in the U.S. or Canada, TouchBistro is offering savings on upfront costs for a limited time. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more: https://www.touchbistro.com/restaurantrockstars Ajinomoto Foods delivers fast, easy-to-prep frozen Asian products that look homemade and taste incredible. With over 100 years of culinary expertise, Ajinomoto helps you save time, reduce labor, and protect profits without compromising quality. Learn more: https://ajinomotofoodservice.com

Restaurant profits are under pressure, and many operators are unknowingly making mistakes that destroy their restaurant margins. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, Roger Beaudoin breaks down the five biggest profit-killing mistakes he sees in restaurants today, from poor menu engineering and rising food costs to labor inefficiencies and weak operational systems. Drawing on decades of operating highly profitable restaurants, Roger shares practical strategies you can use immediately to stop margin leaks and run a stronger, more profitable operation. If you're serious about improving profitability, this episode reveals simple changes that can dramatically protect and grow your restaurant margins. In this episode you'll learn: • The five most common mistakes destroying restaurant margins • Why menu engineering directly impacts profitability • How labor inefficiencies quietly erode profits • The systems profitable restaurants rely on • Simple operational changes that improve margins fast Free Resource for Restaurant Owners Want to quickly identify hidden profit leaks in your menu? Join Roger’s Free 5-Day Menu Margin Makeover Challenge and learn how to engineer your menu for stronger restaurant margins and profitability. https://restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/ Thank you to our sponsors Smithfield Culinary Smithfield Culinary serves up perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart—from Smithfield’s new ready-to-eat Select Bacon and new ground chorizo to the broadest portfolio of pork. When you partner with Smithfield, you serve what you love and your guests will love what you serve. https://smithfieldculinary.com/smithfield Restaurant Rockstars Coaching Increase your profit, create a dream team staff, and execute trackable marketing strategies that work. If you’re facing restaurant challenges and want to uplevel your operation, Roger can help dial in your systems, maximize opportunities, and give you back your peace of mind. https://restaurantrockstars.com/consulting/ TouchBistro TouchBistro is an all-in-one cloud-based POS and restaurant management system designed exclusively for restaurants. It connects front-of-house, back-of-house, and guest engagement into one powerful platform. Operators in the U.S. and Canada can get started for less with limited-time savings on upfront costs. Terms and conditions apply. https://www.touchbistro.com/restaurantrockstars Ajinomoto Foods Ajinomoto Foods delivers fast, easy-to-prep frozen Asian products that look homemade and taste incredible. With more than 100 years of Asian culinary expertise, Ajinomoto helps restaurants save time, reduce labor, and protect profits without compromising quality. https://ajinomotofoodservice.com

What does it take to build a multi-unit restaurant group starting with $70,000 during the Great Recession? In this episode of Restaurant Rockstars, Roger talks with Molly Irani, co-founder of Chai Pani Restaurant Group, about the leadership discipline and people-first culture that turned a bootstrap startup into a nationally recognized brand. This is a practical conversation about restaurant leadership and profitability — how culture drives retention, how operational leaks impact margins, and why scaling requires systems, not heroics. If you're navigating labor pressure, tighter margins, or growth decisions, this episode delivers real-world perspective you can apply immediately. In This Episode: • Launching during a recession • Building culture as a competitive advantage • Protecting margins through operational discipline • Retaining great people in a tough labor market • Scaling beyond the dining room Join the 5-Day Menu Margin Makeover Challenge Improve margins without guessing on price increases: 👉 https://restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/ Connect with Molly & Her Brands: Chai Pani: https://chaipani.com/ Spicewalla: https://www.spicewallabrand.com/ Instagram: @chaipanimom @chaipani @spicewalla Episode Sponsors Ajinomoto Foods https://www.ajinomotofoodservice.com/ TouchBistro https://www.touchbistro.com/ Smithfield Culinary https://www.smithfieldculinary.com/ Subscribe to Restaurant Rockstars for weekly insights on restaurant leadership, systems, and profit.

In Episode 478 of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, Roger sits down with hospitality futurist and author Carl Orsbourn to discuss AI for restaurants, smarter restaurant systems, and the leadership required to navigate a changing industry. Technology is everywhere right now. Every platform promises transformation. But most restaurant technology fails — not because it doesn’t work, but because it isn’t aligned with clear operational goals. In this episode, you’ll learn: • When AI actually makes sense for restaurants • Why most restaurant systems fail • How strong leadership drives successful tech adoption • The difference between management and true leadership • Why unified data matters before deploying AI • How standards, capabilities, and culture drive profitability This episode is about building smarter restaurant systems that support stronger leadership, improve guest experience, and drive long-term profit. Connect with Our Guest Carl Orsbourn Website: https://www.invisibletech.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlorssbourn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedigitalrestaurant/ X: https://x.com/carlorsbourn Thank You to Our Sponsors Smithfield Culinary – Premium proteins for every daypart. https://smithfieldculinary.com/smithfield TouchBistro – All-in-one cloud POS built specifically for restaurants. Exclusive savings: https://www.touchbistro.com/restaurantrockstars Ajinomoto Foodservice – Labor-saving Asian-inspired menu solutions. https://ajinomotofoodservice.com Restaurant Rockstars Coaching – Increase profit, build a stronger team, and run a smarter operation. https://restaurantrockstars.com/consulting/ Free Tools for Restaurant Owners 🔥 5-Day Menu Margin Makeover Challenge https://restaurantrockstars.com/the-5-day-menu-margin-makeover-challenge/ 🎓 Free Owner Training www.restaurantacademy.online/get-free-training-owners 🚀 The Restaurant Academy https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy

Restaurant Leadership is the difference between running a restaurant and leading one. In this episode, Roger sits down with a multi-unit operator to unpack the systems behind stronger leadership, tighter labor control, and better profitability. We cover: • Proactive labor management and forecasting • Building and developing A-level managers • Creating culture that drives accountability • Using KPIs and structure to protect profit • Scaling without losing standards Better systems lead to better profits. Connect with our guest: https://citizensallday.com https://www.instagram.com/citizen.allday/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-giuffrida-02187769/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/citizens-cafe-holdings/ https://wefunder.com/citizenscoffee Sponsors: Restaurant Rockstars Coaching – https://restaurantrockstars.com/consulting/ Ajinomoto Foods – https://ajinomotofoodservice.com TouchBistro – https://www.touchbistro.com/restaurantrockstars Smithfield Culinary – https://smithfieldculinary.com/smithfield

AI is everywhere, but what actually works inside a real restaurant? In this episode, Roger breaks down how restaurant owners are practically using AI to tackle today’s biggest challenges: rising labor costs, shrinking margins, inefficient systems, and marketing that doesn’t deliver ROI. You’ll learn how AI can support: • Inventory management and waste reduction • Menu engineering and pricing decisions • Smarter staff scheduling • Marketing that’s trackable and profitable This isn’t about hype or replacing people. It’s about using AI as a support system to tighten operations, protect profit, and help you run a better restaurant with less stress. Thank you to our sponsors: TouchBistro An all-in-one, cloud-based POS and restaurant management system built exclusively for restaurants. Front of house, back of house, and guest engagement—fully connected. U.S. and Canada operators can save on upfront costs for a limited time. 👉 https://www.touchbistro.com/restaurantrockstars Smithfield Culinary Perfect proteins for every plate and every daypart—from ready-to-eat bacon to ground chorizo and the industry’s broadest pork portfolio. Serve what you love, and your guests will love it too. 👉 https://smithfieldculinary.com/smithfield Restaurant Rockstars Coaching Increase profit, build a dream team, and execute marketing strategies that actually work. If you want to uplevel your operation and regain peace of mind, connect with Roger. 👉 https://restaurantrockstars.com/consulting/ Ajinomoto Foods Fast, easy-to-prep frozen Asian products that look homemade and taste incredible. Save time, cut labor, and protect profits—without compromising quality. 👉 https://ajinomotofoodservice.com

Running a profitable restaurant doesn’t mean doing more — it means making simpler, smarter decisions. In this episode of Restaurant Rockstars, Roger talks with Kelly of Hot Head Burritos about how focused menus, disciplined operations, and clearer decision-making lead to higher profit for independent restaurant owners. Learn how simplifying menus, labor, tech, and daily decisions improves execution, margins, and sanity — without adding complexity. Thank you to our sponsors: • Ajinomoto Foods – Fast, easy-to-prep Asian products that save labor and protect profit 👉 https://ajinomotofoodservice.com • Smithfield Culinary – Perfect proteins for every dish and every daypart 👉 https://smithfieldculinary.com/smithfield • AtlasNova – AI-powered insights for smarter restaurant decisions 👉 https://www.atlasnova.ai/rockstars Get 20% off with code Rockstars20 For restaurant training, coaching, consulting, and the Restaurant Rockstars Academy, visit: 👉 https://restaurantrockstars.com Connect with Our Guest Facebook: @HotHeadBurritos Instagram: @hotheadburritos X: @hotheadburritos Website: https://hotheadburritos.com

Most restaurant problems don’t come from a lack of effort, they come from a lack of systems. In this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, I break down the restaurant systems and SOPs that actually move the needle on profit, with a clear focus on prime cost, consistency, and control. We talk about why systems matter more than personalities, how the right SOPs protect your margins, and what happens when your restaurant can’t function without you constantly putting out fires. You’ll learn: ✔️ Which restaurant systems impact prime cost the most ✔️ Why SOPs create consistency even when staff changes ✔️ How to reduce labor and food cost without micromanaging ✔️ The difference between being busy and being profitable ✔️ How to build a restaurant that runs smoother and makes more money If you’re an independent restaurant owner who wants better margins, less chaos, and a business that runs consistently, this episode will give you a clear framework to think differently about operations. 👉 Learn more about proven restaurant systems inside the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com

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/

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