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So You Want to Run a Restaurant is a podcast from Back of House that goes behind the scenes with restaurant owners and operators across the country to talk candidly about the realities of the restaurant business. Each episode dives into the unfiltered realities of running a restaurant - the wins, the challenges, the late nights, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you work in hospitality or are simply restaurant-curious, you’ll hear real stories and candid insights from the people who live the business every day.
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🎙️ So You Want to Reinvent an Iconic NYC Restaurant - The Lambs Club NYCIn this episode, we sit down with Executive Chef & Partner, Jack Logue and Partner, Chris Miller, from New York City’s legendary Lambs Club 🗽 to talk about their incredible journeys in hospitality and what it takes to breathe new life into a classic. From their early days in the restaurant world 👨🍳 to leading one of Manhattan’s most storied dining destinations, they share how they’re honoring tradition while embracing innovation, including the creative “wine window” 🍷 that brings a touch of Tuscany to Times Square.Chris and Jack open up about: ✨ Finding purpose in hospitality 🍽️ Crafting memorable dining experiences 💬 How to build a wine menu 📖 Building a loyal customer base ❤️ Keeping joy and care at the center of every mealWhether you’re a foodie, hospitality pro, or just love NYC dining, this episode will inspire you.This season of "So You Want to Run a Restaurant" is brought to you by Localyser. Head to localyser.com/podcast to learn more and get a 25% off discount!
🍕🍺 From Firehouse to Fan Favorite! We sit down with Chris Andrus, co-founder of The Mitten Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Gordon Food Service Food Show - a baseball-themed brewery and pizzeria known for its motto: Eat Pizza, Drink Beer, Do Good.Chris shares how he turned a 1900s firehouse into a thriving craft brewery, the challenges of scaling to multiple locations, and why community and philanthropy are baked into everything they do.Plus… 👻 there might just be a ghost story or two from Engine House No. 9! From ghostly footprints to eerie late-night noises, Chris spills the spooky stories behind Engine House No. 9!🔥 Topics:– Building a brewery from scratch– Balancing mission + business– Keeping consistency across locations– Craft beer trends– The ghosts that continue to haunt the taproom?!
🔥 Mo Jessa, Earl’s Restaurants: So You Want to Go From Dishwasher to Executive 🍽️In this episode, Mo Jessa shares his incredible 30-year journey at Earls Restaurants, where he started as a dishwasher and rose to become the first non-family President of the company. 💪Mo dives into how he helped reimagine the Earls brand, expanding it to 70+ locations across North America 🌎 and leading a team of over 7,000 people. He reflects on what it takes to build a culture of ownership, accountability, and heart - and why investing in your people is always the best strategy for success. 🙌🎯 Key takeaways: ✨ Build a culture where people treat it like their business 🍳 Culinary education and training matter 🌍 Authenticity is key when growing into new markets 🤝 Listen to your guests and adapt 💡 Equip young leaders - they’re your greatest asset💬 “We have impeccable standards.” 💬 “Invest in your people.”
🔥 How Cali BBQ Turned Digital - and Why Every Restaurant Needs to Think Like a Media Company 🎥In this episode, Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ 🍖 and Cali BBQ Media 💻, shares how he built a San Diego barbecue restaurant into a national digital hospitality brand. From opening in 2008 to launching a full media arm, Shawn breaks down how storytelling, community, and technology fueled his success.He opens up about pivoting during the pandemic, embracing social media and video 📱, and how authenticity and vulnerability became the secret sauce of his brand. Plus, we talk about the future of restaurants → from AI 🤖 and digital marketing to why every business today should think like a media company. If you’re in the restaurant world 🍴 (or just building a brand 🚀), this episode is packed with lessons on growth, content, and connection in the digital age.
We sit down with Chicago hospitality powerhouse, Carmen Rossi, Owner of 8 Hospitality, who’s behind some of the city’s most notable restaurants and nightlife experiences. Carmen opens up about the highs and lows of building restaurants, and why community, culture, and resilience matter more than ever in hospitality.We talk about: ✨ The realities of running restaurants (beyond the glam) ✨ Lessons from failure and bouncing back ✨ How the restaurant experience means more than ever today ✨ Why innovation and customer connection are the keys to staying relevantIf you’ve ever wondered what it takes to succeed in hospitality, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
🔥 From finance to fire pits, Owner & Pitmaster of Umamicue, Charles Wong, shares how he left Wall Street behind for Chicago’s BBQ scene.In this episode, Chef Charles opens up about growing up in Chicago, BBQ as a language, the life-changing moment he experienced at Austin Texas’ famous Franklin Barbecue, and the highs and lows of building a brand through pop-ups.He dives into the art of flavor innovation - blending Central Texas–style smoke with Chinese and Vietnamese influences - and reflects on the role of failure in shaping great chefs. Whether you’re an aspiring pitmaster, a food entrepreneur, or simply love a good food story, Charles’ journey is packed with insight, resilience, and inspiration.
In this episode of So You Want to Run a Restaurant, Claudia and Spencer sit down with Bridget Foy, third-generation owner of one of Philadelphia’s most iconic restaurants, Bridget Foy’s, to talk about resilience, reinvention, and community. Bridget shares what it was like growing up in the family business, surviving a devastating 2017 fire, launching her second concept Cry Baby Pasta, and navigating the pandemic’s challenges. She opens up about how she balances preserving her family’s legacy with evolving for modern diners - think earlier nights, mocktail menus, and deep personalization for guests. Plus, she dishes on Philly’s collaborative restaurant scene, lessons in leadership, and why the classic cheeseburger will never leave her menu.
From his Appalachian roots to becoming West Virginia’s first James Beard Award-winning chef, Chef Paul Smith is redefining what it means to cook with heart, heritage, and hospitality.Chef Paul shares how family traditions shaped his culinary philosophy, the flavors and stories behind Appalachian cuisine, and how he balances refined dining with comfort food at his Charleston, West Virginia restaurant, 1010 Bridge. He also reflects on the power of mentorship, community, and local ingredients in shaping chefs and food culture.In this episode:The soul of Appalachian food and ingredients What it means to represent West Virginia on a national stageHow Paul blends fine dining with comfort classicsThe role of family and tradition in his cookingLessons on mentorship, resilience, and hospitalitySo You Want More? https://linktr.ee/soyouwanttorunarestaurant
We’re Back! So You Want to Run a Restaurant, powered by Back of House, is back! And this time, with a new co-host! Claudia is joined by Spencer, a lifelong restaurant pro, as they pick up where the show left off: telling restaurateur stories across the nation, having real conversations about what’s changing in the industry, and sharing tips, insights, and inspiration you can actually use.Whether you’ve been with us since day one or you’re just tuning in, get ready for new guests, same great vibes, and plenty of fresh stories from the people shaping the restaurant world.Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you got your
We spoke with Molly Irani, co-founder of Chai Pani Restaurant Group, about building a different kind of restaurant culture while also creating a thriving, decorated restaurant group with five concepts across three cities and a popular CPG line.
Executive chef Edwin Gallardo and food and beverage manager Robin Janse of Seven Stars Resort and Spa join us to talk about their unique sustainability initiatives and how operators can think about sustainability in their own restaurants.
Rachel Cope’s Oklahoma City restaurant empire started with a single pizza place and has developed into a full-fledged restaurant group featuring five different concepts that continue to grow. We talk to her about how she built it and what she sees down the road.
Alphabet City Beer Co. owner Zach Mack usually hosts So You Want to Run a Restaurant, but not this week! Producer Matt Lynch joins host Claudia Saric to interview Zach about the lessons he’s learned in the hospitality industry and how he applied them when opening his second concept, Taco Vista.
We talk to Detroit restaurateur and entrepreneur Ping Ho about her journey from the music business to the restaurant business, and what she’s learned running several hybrid retail/restaurant concepts.
June Rodil of Goodnight Hospitality talks to us about the lessons she's learned launching a restaurant group just prior to the pandemic, starting her own private CPG label, and what has her excited for the future.
We talk with Anthony Collamati of Block House about his esports-focused restaurant concept and the importance of creating unique guest experiences.
We talk with Amanda Cohen of Dirt Candy in New York City about her groundbreaking restaurant Dirt Candy and more.
We talk with Chef Elyssa Kaplan, culinary operations lead at World Central Kitchen, about how she came to join the charity organization and her work feeding people in need all over the world.
We talk with Jasmine Sheth of Tasting India about where she sees the virtual concept space headed in the coming years.
We talk with restaurateur Stratis Morfoogen about his contactless QSR concept, Brooklyn Dumpling, and where the QSR space in general is headed.
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