
Running Restaurants
Running Restaurants is a podcast dedicated to helping restaurant owners improve their businesses. It offers actionable tips, valuable resources, and insights on making food ventures more profitable and appealing. The show features discussions with industry experts, business gurus, and food professionals. Topics cover various restaurant types, from casual dining to fine dining and food bars.
Episodes

From Franchisee to Franchisor: Aaron Anderson on Building Sunrise Social
In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, host Jaime Oikle interviews Aaron Anderson, founder of Sunrise Social. Aaron shares his restaurant journey, from buying franchises like The Original Hot Dog Factory (which opened during COVID-19) to experimenting with ghost kitchens. He discusses creating his own breakfast, brunch, and lunch concept, Sunrise Social, now operating two franchise lo

Bootstrapped: Brianna Keefe on Toastique's Path to 65+ Locations
In this episode, host Jaime Oikle interviews Brianna Keefe, founder and CEO of Toastique, a fast casual wellness cafe with over 65 locations across 25 states. Brianna shares how her background as a college athlete inspired the concept, how she bootstrapped the first location in Washington D.C., and how organic customer demand led to franchising. The conversation covers franchise partner selection,

Scrappy, Smart and Data-Driven: Inside the Growth of Teriyaki Madness With CMO Jodi Boyce
In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, host Jaime Oikle interviews Jodi Boyce, CMO of Teriyaki Madness. Jodi shares her unique career journey, from driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to leading marketing at major restaurant brands. She discusses Teriyaki Madness's rapid growth to 215 locations across 41 states, their data-driven marketing approach, and loyalty program of 1.2 million

From Failure to Eight Restaurants: What Dan Simons Learned Building Founding Farmers
Dan Simons, co-founder of Founding Farmers, a farmer-owned restaurant group generating $100 million in annual sales across eight locations, joins Jaime Oikle, show host and RunningRestaurants.com founder. Dan candidly shares his journey from early failures, bankruptcy, and mental health struggles to building a thriving, values-driven business. He discusses Founding Farmers' unique farmer-equity mo

Why Restaurant Employees Stay - and Why They Leave: With Rushi Patel
Rushi Patel, co-founder of Homebase joins Running Restaurants founder & show host, Jaime Oikle, to talk about managing restaurant staff effectively. Drawing from a workplace survey of over 3.5 million hourly workers, Rushi reveals that while pay attracts employees, community, culture, and strong management drive retention. He highlights how AI is increasingly helping operators streamline sched

Lessons on Leadership, Growth and the Exit: Darren Spicer of 110 Ventures
RunningRestaurants.com founder and podcast host Jaime Oikle interviews Darren Spicer, founder of Clutch Coffee Bar and 110 Ventures. Darren shares his journey from working at Dutch Bros at 18 to building and selling Clutch Coffee Bar back to Dutch Bros. Through seven impactful quotes from Kobe Bryant, Mark Cuban, Simon Sinek, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Ray Lewis, Darren discusses leadership, work ethic,

What Restaurant Employees Really Want in 2026 - With Jordan Boesch
We welcome back Jordan Boesch, CEO of 7Shifts, to discuss their 2026 report "What Restaurant Employees Want". Key findings reveal that understaffing remains the top employee stressor, great coworkers matter more than pay, and offered benefits often mismatch what employees actually value. Jordan emphasizes the power of manager recognition and strong team culture in driving retention. The conversati

Strategies to Strengthen Your Restaurant Leadership Team
In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, host Jaime Oikle sits down with Alison Anne (Restaurant Revolution) and Darren Denington (Service with Style), co-presenters of the Restaurant Management 201 and 301 workshop series. Together, they share practical strategies for strengthening restaurant leadership teams, including building clear org charts, defining roles and responsibilities, es

The New Era of Restaurant Marketing Is Built on Hospitality, AI, and Guest Data
Guest Brett Linkletter, CEO of Dishio speaks with RunningRestaurants.com founder Jaime Oikle about how AI and data-driven marketing are transforming the restaurant industry. Brett explains how restaurants can prove marketing ROI using Google and Meta advertising, collect first-party customer data through QR codes, and leverage automation for personalized outreach. He also discusses Dishio's upcomi

How a Mutiny Transformed My Leadership With Geoffrey Toffetti
RR host Jaime Oikle sits down with Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group, to explore seven impactful quotes shaping his leadership philosophy. Jeffrey shares insights from his career in hospitality, discussing themes of loyalty, commitment, trust, and long-term thinking. He reflects on early career struggles, including a team mutiny that transformed his leadership approach. The con

AI, Ordering, and Customer Relationships: Tips for Restaurant Operators
Running Restaurants Founder Jaime Oikle speaks with Stephen Klein, co-founder and CEO of Saivory, about how AI is transforming the restaurant industry. Stephen explains how Saivory helps restaurants reduce reliance on costly third-party platforms like DoorDash by improving first-party ordering experiences through natural language AI prompts. The conversation covers the importance of owning custome

Roger Beaudoin: Seven Leadership & Life Lessons
Jaime interviews Roger Beaudoin, a veteran hospitality entrepreneur and host of the podcast Restaurant Rockstars. The conversation explores Roger's journey from aspiring pilot to restaurant leader, focusing on seven quotes that shaped his life and leadership. Roger shares personal stories about overcoming setbacks, embracing risk, empowering teams, and balancing work with family and passions. The

A Key to Winning Repeat Restaurant Customers
Jaime gets with secret shopping expert Darren Denington of Service With Style in this short snippet to discuss the growing problem of mediocre dining experiences. With rising meal costs, they emphasize that restaurants must deliver exceptional service to justify prices. Both Jaime & Darren share recent personal dining experience that fell flat due to missing small but impactful gestures like f

Quick Peak on How AI is Starting to Revolutionize Restaurants
In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, Jaime Oikle and Roger Beaudoin explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the restaurant industry. They discuss AI's role in tackling labor shortages, cutting costs, optimizing inventory, and enhancing menu engineering. Real-world examples illustrate how AI boosts efficiency and profitability, while creative menu descriptions and

5 Ways to Lower Your Restaurant's Prime Cost
In this episode, Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars explains the crucial concept of prime cost in the restaurant industry (the combined percentage of food, beverage, and labor costs relative to sales). He discusses strategies for managing prime cost, such as accurate menu costing, promoting high-profit "cash cow" items, enforcing portion control, boosting alcohol sales, and efficient labor sch

Trackable Marketing And Boosting Guest Frequency For Your Restaurant With Roger Beaudoin
More than social media influencers and online reviews, your most important marketing resource is your loyal guests. Through trackable marketing, you can ensure they will keep coming back and will talk about you even beyond the table. Jaime Oikle sits down with Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars to discuss how to keep track of your marketing strategies and boost guest frequency. They discuss ho

How Restaurants Can Stay Relevant And Keep Guests Coming Back With Samantha Flynn
Restaurants have to go the extra mile and go beyond food if they want to stay relevant and keep their seats filled at all times. Through the right content creation strategies, you can use social media to your advantage and keep guests coming back. Jaime Oikle sits down with Samantha Flynn, founder of Junipr Public Relations, who breaks down practical tips to market your restaurant in the vast onli

Mentoring, Shadowing & Sales Training at Your Restaurant
In this Running Restaurants Podcast episode, Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars shares practical strategies for training restaurant staff. The discussion covers mentoring and shadowing multiple top performers, cross-training for versatility, and the value of daily pre-shift huddles focused on sales and guest experience. Roger also describes engaging role-playing exercises, like "How to Turn $1

Managing Four Restaurant Concepts With Leo Moura
Managing one restaurant is already challenging. How crazy would it be to manage not one but four different restaurant concepts? This is exactly the life of Leo Moura, a seasoned restaurant owner and operator in the Atlanta marketplace. He joins Jaime Oikle to share his experiences and strategies in handling American, French, and Italian cuisine – and even a pizzeria. Leo breaks down his approach t

Restaurant Digital Marketing That Actually Drives Results With David "Rev" Ciancio
In today’s highly digital world, maintaining a strong online visibility is a must if you want your business to thrive. But in the restaurant industry, hospitality marketing executive David "Rev" Ciancio has noted one alarming truth: many are not doing even the fundamentals of digital marketing. He joins Jaime Oikle to point out what restaurant owners and operators are missing out on if they refuse

Music For Restaurants: Build Your Brand & Boost Profits with Ola Sars of Soundtrack
Choosing the right music for restaurants may not seem important from the get-go, but it is definitely a crucial aspect of your business that you must never set aside. Jaime Oikle emphasizes how your chosen playlist can make or break your restaurant environment with Ola Sars, founder and CEO of Soundtrack. He shares how they serve as a one-stop shop for businesses that want to secure the right musi

Creating Shareable Experiences In Your Restaurant With Michael Tronn
A good restaurant is beloved not just because of its delicious food, but most importantly the lasting shareable experiences it offers to every single customer. Jaime Oikle sits down with Michael Tronn of 3 Hospitality and TIMBR to discuss the right way to deliver a complete restaurant experience anyone will love and remember. He explains how to perfectly combine good food, flawless service, and im

What It Takes To Be A Good Restaurant Manager With Darren Denington And Alison Anne
Having a good restaurant manager is essential in securing success in the world of hospitality. What characteristics and leadership styles should they possess? Jaime Oikle explores the eight traits of an effective manager with Darren Denington and Alison Anne. They discuss how managers must do the inner work to elevate themselves as impactful leaders and the best ways to build thriving relationship

Tips For Building Culture For Restaurant Owners & Managers With David Friedman (Ep 250)
The everyday and long-term success of your restaurant hinges greatly not just on hiring the most talented people but also on building the right culture. Jaime Oikle sits down with David Friedman, founder of CultureWise, to break down how to create the ideal restaurant culture and environment. He talks about the right way to cultivate positivity within your team by constantly showing that you care

Streamlining Operations In Your Restaurant With Matthew Patrick (Ep 249)
Your restaurant finances and taxes will always be your restaurant's most complicated and overwhelming aspects. Streamlining operations is the way to go if you want these to become much more manageable. Jaime Oikle sits down with returning guest Matthew Patrick to take a deep dive into the financial aspect of the restaurant industry. Together, they share valuable tips on menu engineering, tax compl

Creating Memorable Customer Service at Your Restaurant with Chris Tripoli (Ep 248)
Restaurant goers will certainly remember good food bundled with good customer service. By creating a point of differentiation in these areas, you can make your place not only commendable but also memorable. Chris Tripoli of The Restaurant Clinic discusses why a personalized and specialized approach is the rising trend every restaurant should take advantage of in this age when so many food choices

Restaurant Marketing and Branding 101 With Joe Haubenhofer (Ep 247)
Your restaurant’s marketing and branding are not only about turning heads and getting everyone’s attention. Most importantly, it is about turning your target market into loyal customers. Joe Haubenhofer, owner of The Plaid Penguin, discusses the right way to do this to improve and elevate how your restaurant is received by the public. He shares practical tips on creating effective logos, designing

Driving Restaurant Sales: A Guide to Customer Data Analytics & Loyalty with Abhinav Kapur (Ep 246)
Dive headfirst into the data revolution sweeping the restaurant industry! In this episode, host Jaime Oikle dives deep into the world of restaurant customer data analytics with Abhinav Kapur, co-founder and CEO of Bikky. Abhinav shares his journey from identifying the data gap in the hospitality industry to creating a powerful tool that helps restaurants understand and leverage customer insights.

How Automated Tip Management Is Transforming Restaurant Operations - With Kirk Grogan (Ep 245)
Tipping is an important element in running a restaurant. Employees often receive several tips in a single dinner service, and sometimes keeping up with it is quite overwhelming and confusing. Kirk Grogan is here to discuss how automation can ease the burden of this particular task. Joining Jaime Oikle, the Co-Founder & COO at TipHaus shares the many benefits of using an automated process in co

Exploring The 2025 Restaurant Business Report with Bryan Solar (Ep 244)
The 2025 Restaurant Business Report was recently released, and it is full of curious yet enlightening information for the industry’s future. Jaime Oikle explores its contents with Bryan Solar, Chief Product Officer at SpotOn. Together, they discuss how restaurants should navigate today’s rising economic pressures, which involve increased costs, labor issues, and supply chain volatility. They expla

Restaurant Accounting: Fixing Your Finances and Boosting Margins with Marta Grumberg (Ep 243)
Understanding the intricacies of restaurant accounting is paramount for any owner looking to thrive in today's competitive market. In this episode, we dive into the crucial world of restaurant accounting and finances with Marta Grumberg of Grumberg Accounting. Jaime Oikle sits down with Marta to explore the biggest financial challenges restaurant owners face—shrinking margins, rising food costs, a

Boosting Restaurant Profits Using AI With Carl Turner (Ep 242)
Running a restaurant is tough – managing orders, executing marketing campaigns, and maintaining high customer engagement can quickly become overwhelming. Thankfully, AI has been changing the game and is now helping owners automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks. In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Carl Turner, CEO of SWIPEBY, to discuss how AI-driven tools can streamline marketing, online

Just Getting Started - Life Wisdom & Business Insights with David DeLorenzo (ep 241)
David DeLorenzo returns to the podcast to join Jaime Oikle once again, this time to talk about his new book, Just Getting Started. He shares life wisdom and business insights on finding balance and fulfillment in life. David explores how to create a productive daily schedule, the essence of embracing positive habits and hobbies, as well as the right way to get off the grind and relax. He also talk

Preview: 2025 Bar and Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas (Ep 240)
In this episode, Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com interviews Ashley Bray about the Bar and Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas this upcoming March 24-26. 2025. They discuss the expo's events, education, exhibit floor, and networking parties. Ashley highlights several trends along the way. The expo promises great industry educational and networking opportunities -- don't miss it! Use code: MONEY to s

The Secret Sauce To Restaurant Success: Service, Storytelling, And Disruptive Thinking With Christian J. Fischer (Ep 239)
In a rapid age of technology where businesses are all about scaling and expansion, the beauty of keeping everything localized is still a strong strategy in the restaurant industry. Christian J. Fischer, the Disruptive Chef, joins Jaime Oikle in discussing the beauty and uniqueness of running hyperlocal restaurants. They share why focusing on certain food specializations can boost your restaurant’s

Cultivating The Right Ownership Mindset With Alison Anne (Ep 238)
Building a successful restaurant requires more than just good food. It also demands a strong team driven by the right ownership mindset. In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Alison Anne about cultivating and maintaining a thriving restaurant culture. Alison emphasizes the importance of genuine connections with your staff and what it takes to move beyond the main character syndrome to understand

How To Streamline Kitchen Operations With Simon Zatyrka (Ep 237)
Many restaurants are so focused on offering good food that they fall short of providing a great experience to their own employees. Simon Zatyrka, the Culinary Mechanic, joins Jaime Oikle to discuss how chefs and restaurant owners should streamline their kitchen operations and bring them to the next level. Together, they discuss how to master the nuts and bolts of running a restaurant, the most imp

Recruiting & Team Building in the Restaurant Industry with Roger Beaudoin (Ep 236)
Running a successful restaurant starts with team building, and Jaime Oikle dives deep into this crucial topic with Roger Beaudoin in this episode. They discuss practical strategies for identifying top talent, empowering employees, and fostering a strong workplace culture that drives results. Roger shares his proven methods for recruiting, training, and retaining top-tier staff while creating a mot

Building The Right Restaurant Leadership Team With Darren Denington (Ep 235)
Restaurants require a well-rounded and high-performing leadership team to ensure it operates flawlessly and effectively. With so many moving parts, owners must learn how to hire the right people who can work together in a fast-paced environment. Jaime Oikle explains how this can be done with Darren Dennington, founder of Service With Style. Together, they discuss the right way to write job descrip

2025 Restaurant Workforce Management Report Overview with Jordan Boesch (Ep 234)
2025 Restaurant Workforce Management Report. Sitting down with Jaime Oikle, they explore the collective feedback of more than 900 restaurant managers about employee needs, wages, and retention. Discover how to overcome the biggest hiring challenges, keep up with the continuous growth of QSR dining over full-service dining, and navigate the ever-evolving culture of tipping. Jordan also shares insig

Mastering Cost Controls for Restaurants with Roger Beaudoin (Ep 233)
Cost controls are paramount in maximizing restaurant profitability, and Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars joins Jaime Oikle in this episode to emphasize their critical importance. Roger breaks down essential systems for managing food, beverage, and labor costs, including accurate inventory tracking and menu cost analysis. He provides valuable insights on calculating true usage, understanding

The Pokeworks Success Story: Franchise Growth & Expansion with Peter Yang (Ep 232)
Peter Yang, co-founder of Pokeworks, shares the inspiring story of building a successful restaurant franchise from the ground up. Discover how Pokeworks went from a single location in New York City to a nationwide sensation with over 70 locations. Jaime Oikle and Peter Yang discuss the unique aspects of the Pokeworks franchising model, including their focus on small footprints, efficient operation

Checkmate: Redefining Restaurant Technology With Vishal Agarwal (Ep 231)
Empowering restaurants to thrive in the digital age, Checkmate offers a suite of innovative solutions. In this episode, Jaime Oikle chats with Vishal Agarwal, the founder and CEO of Checkmate, a tech game-changer for restaurants. Initially focused on simplifying payment processes, Vishal discovered restaurant operators' deeper challenges with managing orders from multiple platforms. That's when th

20 Book Recommendations from Restaurant Industry Execs and Insiders (Ep 230)
I'm a book aficionado so I loved puting this together -- Twenty absolutely solid book recommendations from a stellar collection of restaurant industry execs and insiders. Be sure to add some of these to your library or wish list...The Who...Jordan Boesch of 7shiftsTony Smith of Restaurant365Michel Falcon of Brasa PeruvianRushi Patel of HomebaseAlex Sambvani of Slang.aiVishal Agarwal of CheckmateAn

Transforming Restaurants With AI: Enhancing the Guest Experience with Alex Sambvani (Ep 229)
How can AI revolutionize your restaurant’s guest experience? In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Alex Sambvani from Slang.ai about how their voice-powered AI technology is helping restaurants improve efficiency and customer service. From handling reservations to answering common questions, Slang.ai’s solution allows restaurants to automate over 50% of their phone calls while enhancing the gues

Cost Management Hacks For Restaurants With Angelo Esposito (Ep 228)
Jaime Oikle sits down with Angelo Esposito of Wisk.ai to dive deep into the world of cost management for restaurants. From tracking cost of goods sold to automating invoices, they explore practical ways to boost profitability and streamline operations. Angelo shares key insights on inventory management, recipe cost tracking, and how AI can simplify the most tedious tasks. Tune in for valuable less

Bun Mee: Bringing Vietnamese Street Food to the Mainstream with Denise Tran (Ep 227)
With its innovative menu and commitment to quality, Bun Mee has quickly become a beloved destination for foodies seeking a taste of Vietnam. In this episode, Jaime Oikle sits down with Denise Tran, founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Vietnamese sandwich eatery Bun Mee. Denise recounts her journey of bringing authentic bánh mì into the mainstream, transitioning from a legal career to pursuing he

Restaurant Design: Crafting Unique Culinary Experiences With David Shove-Brown (Ep 226)
Restaurant design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about crafting a memorable and immersive experience. Join Jaime Oikle and //3877 co-founder David Shove-Brown as they explore restaurant design, highlighting how to create unique dining experiences that blend architecture, branding, and hospitality. David talks about the evolution of his firm, the significance of understanding client visions, an

Walking Through the Pain Points of the Restaurant Business with Matthew Wilson (Ep 225)
Restaurant owners who are having trouble improving their menu, operations efficiency, and team management are going to want to tune in as we dig into the pain points impacting restaurants. Matthew Wilson, owner of the restaurant and hospitality consulting business Mise En Place. joins for a conversation with Jaime Oikle of Running Restaurants as he shares how he guides owners in developing a highl

Transforming Team Management with Rushi Patel (Ep 224)
This episode features Rushi Patel, co-founder of Homebase, as he joins Jaime Oikle to share how the company transformed from a simple scheduling tool into a comprehensive platform for managing hourly workforces. From its humble beginnings, Homebase has expanded to offer communication tools, onboarding, and payroll services. Rushi recounts the journey of transforming Homebase to meet the needs of h

Building A People-First Culture In The Restaurant Industry (Ep 223)
In this episode, Jaime Oikle interviews Michel Falcon, a restaurant entrepreneur and author, to discuss the power of a people-first culture in business. Falcon shares his unique approach to building successful teams, cultivating engaged employees, and fostering a workplace that thrives on transparency. Discover how prioritizing people can drive top-line results, enhance customer experience, and cr

Dynamic Pricing For Restaurants With Gordon Paterson And Jose Albis (Ep 222)
AI-powered dynamic pricing is the key to maximizing your restaurant’s profits—are you ready to embrace it? In this episode, Jaime Oikle dives into the game-changing world of dynamic pricing with industry experts Gordon Paterson and Jose Albis from Dynpricing Technologies Inc. Learn how AI is revolutionizing third-party delivery platforms by adjusting prices during peak and off-peak hours, helping

MISTAKE: Not Recognizing & Rewarding Top Performers at Your Restaurant (Ep 221)
Gold, silver & platinum buried in the recognition treasure chest. Roger Beaudoin from Restaurant Rockstars tells you how to dole it out - Check out these tips for your restaurant...Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurantsSponsor Link: https://www.restaurantreport.com/jason

What Makes A Great Restaurant Culture With Jordan Boesch (Ep 220)
A restaurant is not simply shaped by the food it serves but also by the efficiency of the team behind it. In this episode, Jaime Oikle sits down with Jordan Boesch, CEO of 7shifts, to discuss what it takes to build a great restaurant culture. He breaks down the most common pain points faced by both owners and employees in the hospitality industry and restaurant management, as well as the right way

MISTAKE: Not Taking Inventory at Your Restaurant (Ep 219)
The fun stuff...counting inventory.... In this episode Jaime gets with Roger Beaudoin from Restaurant Rockstars to discuss why it is so important to get inventory right at your restaurant. Managing costs and driving profits all stem from effective inventory...check out these operational tips...Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.comSponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningre

Providing Great Restaurant Customer Service With Darren Denington (Ep 218)
In this episode, Jaime Oikle sits down with Darren Denington, the Founder of Service with Style, to delve into essential restaurant customer service tips that can elevate your dining establishment. With over 27 years of experience, Darren shares his insights on improving customer service through effective training, leadership, and secret shopping strategies. Whether you're a seasoned restaurateur

MISTAKE: Enabling Order Takers at Your Restaurant (Ep 217)
DON'T make this MISTAKE.... In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com gets with Roger Beaudoin from Restaurant Rockstars to discuss a huge flaw among many restaurants... Allowing your servers to just be "order takers." There's so much opportunity (and revenue & profits) in the "Land of the Sales Star" so stay tuned to how you can uplevel your staff to sell & serve bet

MISTAKE: Being a Manager Not a Leader at Your Restaurant (Ep 216)
We explore the crucial difference between management and leadership, emphasizing the need for true leadership that empowers employees. In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com discusses a common restaurant industry mistake with Roger Beaudoin from Restaurant Rockstars. The pair highlights the importance of clear job descriptions, performance reviews, and setting expectations to foster

Maximizing Local Restaurant Marketing for Operators & Franchisees With Brett Campbell (Ep 215)
Thriving in this competitive restaurant landscape can be quite difficult. Imagine an Amazon experience specifically for local marketing vendors! Franchisees can browse a diverse marketplace, selecting the tactics that best target their audience. Join Jaime Oikle and Brett Campbell, the Co-Founder and CMO at Loma, to explore the challenges faced by restaurant marketing teams, particularly in the fa

Supercharge Your Restaurant's Marketing Game With Jackie Bebenroth Of Muse (Ep 214)
Are you ready to supercharge your restaurant's marketing game? In this episode, Jamie Oikle dives deep with marketing maestro Jackie Bebenroth, Principal at Muse, to uncover how strategic branding can skyrocket your restaurant's success. Jackie shares her expertise in brand strategy and content marketing, drawing from her vast experience working across the food system and her personal insights as

The Future Of Restaurant Insurance And Technology With David DeLorenzo (Ep 213)
Are you ready to turn up the heat in your restaurant business? In this episode, Jamie Oikle welcomes back David (The DELO) DeLorenzo, the mastermind behind Bar and Restaurant Insurance. But we’re diving deeper than just insurance today. Delo, who’s a seasoned player in the hospitality industry, shares his unique insights into the current landscape and reveals how he’s leveraging cutting-edge techn

Effective Digital Marketing Strategies For Restaurants With Brenton Thomas (Ep 212)
In this episode, we host Brenton Thomas, founder of Twibi, in a conversation about effective digital marketing strategies for restaurants. Brenton advises starting with Google and Facebook ads due to their high return potential and suggests focusing on conversion tracking and consistent messaging across platforms. He recommends search campaigns and performance max campaigns for targeting high-inte

Quick Hit: "Effective 1-on-1 Meetings" (Ep 211)
In this quick hit episode, Jason Brooks, Founder & CEO of HospiVation and author of the new book "Every Leader Needs Followers" provides a guide for conducting effective one-on-one meetings with team members. Brooks stresses the importance of listening over speaking, recommending a 35% speaking to 65% listening ratio for managers. Meeting should be divided into three parts: the first for the t

Quick Hit: "Building an Unbreakable Restaurant Culture" (Ep 210)
This is a short snippet from a recent webinar we hosted with Roger Beaudion of Restaurant Rockstars. Roger discusses how he used his "Difference Dollars" program to creating a culture of appreciation. Used in his restaurants for two decades, Difference Dollars rewarded employees for exceptional performance, fostering a positive culture. It encouraged a culture where excellence was recognized, mot

Transforming Restaurant Managers Into Leaders (Ep 209)
In this episode, RunningRestaurants.com founder Jaime Oikle hosts Jason Brooks, the founder and CEO of HospiVation, who shares his expertise on leadership in the restaurant industry from his book, Every Leader Needs Followers. Brooks discusses the importance of understanding KPIs, the benefits of systematic leadership, and the need for effective delegation. He emphasizes the va

Trends, Challenges & Opportunities: With Tony Smith Of Restaurant 365 (Ep 208)
In this episode RunningRestaurants.com, founder Jaime Oikle interviews Tony Smith, CEO and Co-founder of Restaurant365. They discuss the state of the restaurant industry, touching on concerns about a potential recession, the impact of inflation, and the ongoing labor challenges. They delve into the role of AI and data intelligence in restaurant management, including forecasting, inventory, and emp

Getting Job Descriptions Right at Your Restaurant (Ep 207)
This is a short snippet from a recent webinar we hosted with Roger Beaudion of Restaurant Rockstars. Roger discusses the vital role of job descriptions in the restaurant business.
He explains that clear, detailed job descriptions are crucial for setting expectations and ensuring employee accountability. Roger highlights the lack of comprehensive job descriptions in many restaurants, leading to em

The Formula for Getting Service Horribly Wrong (Ep 206)
This is a short snippet from a recent webinar we hosted with Roger Beaudion of Restaurant Rockstars. Roger tells an almost unbelievable story of poor service that should open any operator's eyes. The clip highlights the fact that what your employees say & do can absolutely sabotage your business - so hire and train accordingly... More from Roger & Jaime at https://restaurantrockstars.co

Preview: 2024 Bar and Restaurant Expo - Plus Hot Trends (Ep 205)
In this episode of the Running Restaurants.com podcast Jaime Oikle interviews Ashley Bray about the Bar and Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas this upcoming March. They discuss the expo's events, education, exhibit floor, and networking parties. Ashley highlights several trends including: culinary cocktails with savory and functional ingredients, the rise of non-alcoholic beverages for wellness, as well

Financial Tips For Restaurant Owners (Ep 204)
In this episode of the Running Restaurants.com podcast Jaime Oikle interviews Jonathan Rosa, president at Moura CFO. Jonathan shares his experience growing up in a restaurant family and working at Burger King headquarters. He discusses the financial challenges restaurant owners face and offers strategies to improve profitability, such as reviewing financial reports, managing costs, and calculating

Effective Strategies For Maximizing Restaurant Profits (Ep 203)
In this episode of the podcast, Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com interviews Tom Rutledge, Managing Partner at RDMS Group. Tom is a former chef turned restaurant consultant. They discuss the challenges of restaurant management, including balancing costs, utilizing data, and adapting to the digital world. Rutledge emphasizes the importance of prime cost management, effective use of data, and cr

The Inspiring Journey Of Balance Grille (Fast Casual Asian Fusion) (Ep 202)
In this episode of the podcast, Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com speaks with Ho Chan Jang (CJ), the Co-Founder and Exec Chef of Balance Grille.In this fast-paced episode, the two bounce around to a number of key restaurant operations topics, including:The backstory and journey of Balance GrilleChallenging the stigma surrounding Asian food and offering affordable optionsFinancial cha

The Surprise Way To Drive Sales & Profits At Your Restaurant With Zack Oates (Ep 201)
Join Jaime Oikle from RunningRestaurants.com as he speaks with Zack Oates, the Founder and CEO of Ovation. Zack's energy, enthusiasm, and passion are off the charts in this episode. So, what's the answer to the question posed, "What is the surprise way to drive sales and profits for restaurants?" It all starts with FEEDBACK says Zack.Listen in as we dig deep into:● &nb

Why Management Systems are Crucial for Restaurant Success With Darren Denington & Alison Anne (Ep 200)
In this episode, Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com dives into the importance of implementing effective management systems in restaurants with Darren Denington and Alison Anne from the Restaurant Management 201 Workshop. They highlight the significance of trust, open communication, and accountability in building a successful management team. Darren breaks down different categories of syste

Life & Restaurant Lessons With Adenah Bayoh Of Brick City Vegan (Ep 199)
In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com has the pleasure of hosting Adenah Bayoh, the founder of Brick City Vegan, who shared her inspiring journey from Liberia to Newark, New Jersey, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Adenah's passion for providing great vegan food and options for urban communities drives her vision for the restaurant. We also discuss how Adenah communicat

Aloha Spirit And Burgers: A Recipe for Success At Seven Brothers (Ep 198)
In this episode of the podcast Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com welcomes Seek Hannemann, the owner of Seven Brothers Burgers. Seek shares the story of how his family started the business in Hawaii and discusses their emphasis on the concept of aloha and creating a family-like atmosphere for customers. The two hit on various topics and shared a number of insights and lessons including...
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Enhancing Food Safety in Restaurants: How PathSpot's Technology is Changing the Game (Ep 197)
In this episode of the podcast Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com interviews Christine Shindler, the co-founder and CEO of PathSpot, a health and safety operating system for restaurants. Christine shares her background in biomedical engineering and how she became interested in improving hand hygiene in the restaurant industry as well as the future of food safety. Be sure to check out the episo

Mastering the Art of Restaurant Management: Leadership, Systems, and Team Building (Ep 196)
In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com delves into the secrets of effective restaurant management with Darren Denington & Alison Anne and what it takes to develop strong leadership at your restaurant. They talk about the crucial traits and skills needed for success in the restaurant industry. You'll discover the power of effective leadership in creating a positive and profitable

A Cost-Effective Solution for Restaurant Expansion (Ep 195)
In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com interviews Megan Rosen, Chief Development Officer of Next Brands. While traditional real estate can be economically challenging for restaurant expansion, Next Brands twist on locations and build out is working well by transforming shipping containers into successful quick-serve restaurants.
Highlights from their conversation include...
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Pizza & Profit: The Slice Factory Story (Ep 194)
Join Jaime Oikle from RunningRestaurants.com as he speaks with Dom Diana, the CEO and founder of Slice Factory, the family-focused and welcoming Chicago-based pizza franchise and home to Chicago's original jumbo slice. We discussed the history of Slice Factory, its expansion and franchising plans, and the competitive pizza market in Chicago.Highlights from their conversation include:The history of
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