Restaurant Rockstars Podcast

Roger Beaudoin
  • 4.3 (49)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Tips, tools & resources to help restaurant owners and managers Rock Their Restaurant! Engaging conversations with industry leaders and fellow restaurateurs.

  1. #482 Restaurant Marketing Strategies That Actually Work - Shawn Walchef

    5D AGO

    #482 Restaurant Marketing Strategies That Actually Work - Shawn Walchef

    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.

    40 min
  2. 481. How Smart Operators Are Boosting Restaurant Margins Despite Rising Costs - Samir Zabaneh

    MAR 18

    481. How Smart Operators Are Boosting Restaurant Margins Despite Rising Costs - Samir Zabaneh

    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

    37 min
  3. 480. 5 Profit-Killing Mistakes Destroying Restaurant Margins - Roger Beaudoin

    MAR 12

    480. 5 Profit-Killing Mistakes Destroying Restaurant Margins - Roger Beaudoin

    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

    35 min
  4. 479. How a $70,000 Startup Built a Multi-Unit Restaurant Group - Molly Irani

    MAR 4

    479. How a $70,000 Startup Built a Multi-Unit Restaurant Group - Molly Irani

    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.

    39 min
  5. 478. AI in Restaurants: Smarter Systems & Stronger Leadership with Carl Orsbourn

    FEB 24

    478. AI in Restaurants: Smarter Systems & Stronger Leadership with Carl Orsbourn

    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

    47 min
  6. 477. Restaurant Leadership, Labor & Profit: What the Best Operators Are Doing Differently - Justin Giuffrida

    FEB 17

    477. Restaurant Leadership, Labor & Profit: What the Best Operators Are Doing Differently - Justin Giuffrida

    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

    54 min
  7. 476. How Operators Are Using AI to Cut Costs, Increase Profit & Stay Competitive

    FEB 10

    476. How Operators Are Using AI to Cut Costs, Increase Profit & Stay Competitive

    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

    31 min
  8. 475. Why Simpler Restaurant Decisions Lead to Higher Profit - Kelly Gray

    FEB 3

    475. Why Simpler Restaurant Decisions Lead to Higher Profit - Kelly Gray

    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

    35 min
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4.3
out of 5
49 Ratings

About

Tips, tools & resources to help restaurant owners and managers Rock Their Restaurant! Engaging conversations with industry leaders and fellow restaurateurs.

Information

  • Creator
    Roger Beaudoin
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    479
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Restaurant Rockstars Podcast

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