Restaurant Rockstars Podcast

Roger Beaudoin

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

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

    21H AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 474. Restaurant Systems That Drive Profit: SOPs, Prime Cost & Control - Mitch Prensky

    JAN 28

    474. Restaurant Systems That Drive Profit: SOPs, Prime Cost & Control - Mitch Prensky

    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

    38 min
  7. 473. Low Labor, High Margins: The Thinking Most Restaurant Owners Miss - Lawrence Brown

    JAN 20

    473. Low Labor, High Margins: The Thinking Most Restaurant Owners Miss - Lawrence Brown

    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/

    30 min
  8. 472. The Thinking Behind Profitable Restaurants - Marvin Alballi

    JAN 14

    472. The Thinking Behind Profitable Restaurants - Marvin Alballi

    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

    38 min
See All (476)

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
    476
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Restaurant Rockstars Podcast

You Might Also Like