Fi$H Factor With Mike Ungaro

Mike Ungaro
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Fi$H Factor offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the legendary San Pedro Fish Market and the multi-generational family behind its success. Hosted by Mike Ungaro—whose leadership helped grow the Fish Market into the second most-visited attraction on the West Coast—this YouTube series dives into the real stories of what it takes to run a thriving seafood empire. Through candid reflections on the highs, struggles, and unique challenges of operating a family business since 1956, Fi$H Factor reveals what it takes to sustain double-digit growth, serve over 2 million customers a year, and adapt across generations. Viewers hear firsthand what it means to manage legacy, leadership, and loyalty—all while building a TV series, Kings of Fi$H. More than a business series, Fi$H Factor is a story of resilience, family, ambition, and grit. Each episode invites audiences to connect with the real-world experiences behind one of America’s most iconic seafood destinations.

  1. 5d ago

    The Power of Grit and Accountability. Convo with Trent Bryson, CEO of Bryson Financial

    Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets real-world strategy. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Trent Bryson, CEO of Bryson Financial and host of the Grit Rising podcast, to talk about family business, leadership, accountability, and the role grit plays in building both successful companies and successful kids. From growing up around the family business to chasing Olympic dreams as a Nike-sponsored athlete, Trent shares how discipline, adversity, and obsession with improvement shaped his career. The conversation also dives into hiring high performers, why hospitality creates better leaders, and the challenges of balancing ambition, parenting, and legacy inside a family business. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why grit and adversity are critical for long-term successHow accountability can transform company cultureWhy hospitality creates stronger business leadersHow family businesses balance legacy, pressure, and growth Episode Links Trent Bryson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-bryson-3114946/Bryson Financial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bryson-financial/Bryson Financial: https://brysonfinancial.com/Grit Rising Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grit-rising/id1612149639

    29 min

  2. May 26

    The Viral Video That Shut Down Freeway Off-Ramps

    What happens when a single piece of content changes the trajectory of your entire business? In this episode of Fi$H Factor, Mike Ungaro breaks down why storytelling has become one of the most important tools in modern business and how a viral moment helped transform San Pedro Fish Market into a nationally recognized brand. From early lessons inside the family business, where marketing was dismissed as “hocus pocus,” to experimenting with social media, customer storytelling, and the launch of Kings of Fi$H, Mike shares the real experiences that changed his perspective on branding, audience building, and business growth. He also tells the story of the viral Foodbeast “Super Tray” video that brought tens of thousands of customers to San Pedro Fish Market and showed the true power of content distribution and partnerships. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why storytelling is one of the most valuable business tools today - How customer-generated content helped grow San Pedro Fish Market - Why great marketing starts with understanding human connection - How one viral video created massive real-world business results - Why operators should stop letting other people tell their story

    10 min

  3. May 19

    Your Restaurant Needs To Be Using AI. Convo with Matt Wampler, CEO of ClearCOGS

    Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets real-world strategy. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Matt Wampler, co-founder and CEO of ClearCOGS and host of the Restaurant AI podcast, to talk about how AI and predictive analytics are changing restaurant operations. From forecasting prep and labor to reducing waste and improving profitability, Matt shares how restaurants can use data to stop reacting and start planning ahead. Mike also connects the conversation back to the real-world challenges of running San Pedro Fish Market, where preparation, forecasting, and guest demand can make or break the day. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How predictive analytics helps restaurants make smarter operational decisions - Why AI should support operators, not replace human judgment - How better forecasting can improve food quality, labor, and profitability - Why restaurant operators need to start paying attention to AI now Episode Links - Matt Wampler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjwampler/ - Clear COGS: https://www.clearcogs.com/ - The Restaurant AI Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-ai/id1818590384

    42 min

  4. May 12

    Bigger Than A Restaurant

    Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets real-world strategy. In this episode, Mike Ungaro shares the vision behind Kings Of Fi$H and breaks down how restaurants, media, products, merchandise, and storytelling all work together to build a modern hospitality enterprise.  Inspired by a business mind map created by Walt Disney, Mike explains how San Pedro Fish Market, Kings Of Fi$H Media, the Fi$H Factor podcast, nationwide shipping, branded products, and future locations all connect back to one mission: celebrating food, family, and community. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why modern restaurant brands must think beyond four walls - How storytelling and media help drive loyalty and awareness - Why products and merchandise extend brand reach - The importance of building an ecosystem, not just a business - How a larger vision creates opportunities for partnerships and growth

    6 min

  5. May 5

    Strategy and Execution: How to Build What Others Can’t

    Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets real-world strategy. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Scott Choppin, Founder and CEO of Urban Pacific Group, to break down what it really takes to develop projects, solve complex problems, and build in industries where timelines are long and stakes are high. From growing up in a real estate family to leading innovative workforce housing developments, Scott shares how his approach to strategy and execution has shaped his career. The conversation dives into the realities of development, navigating bureaucracy, aligning stakeholders, and why most projects succeed or fail long before construction even begins. Scott also explores how AI is beginning to transform the development industry, why most operators are behind, and how those who adopt it early will gain a massive competitive advantage. From autonomous agents to real-world applications, this episode highlights the intersection of technology, leadership, and long-term thinking. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why great strategy and great execution must work together to succeed - How real estate development is ultimately a business of constant problem solving - The concept of “product-market fit” and how it applies to building projects - Why workforce housing is an overlooked opportunity in today’s market - How AI will reshape operations, decision-making, and competitive advantage - The importance of controlling your narrative when explaining innovative ideas Learn more about Scott Choppin - Website: https://www.urbanpacific.com - Follow Scott on X: https://x.com/scottchoppin Subscribe, leave a review, and follow @KingsOfFish and @SanPedroFish for more real stories on building business, leadership, and legacy.

    42 min

  6. Apr 28

    How To Double Your Business

    Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets real-world strategy. In this episode, Mike Ungaro breaks down the 12-part framework that has guided his growth as an operator, leader, and entrepreneur for over two decades. Simplified into a “sketch map” by Eric McDermott, this system outlines how to design your life, build your business, and increase your income in a rapidly changing world. From defining ambition and aligning philosophies to building networks and creating value, Mike shares how this framework has helped drive consistent growth, navigate uncertainty, and build long-term success at San Pedro Fish Market. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How defining your ambition shapes your decisions and direction - Why building a strong network is key to scaling and gaining freedom - How strategy, offers, and storytelling drive revenue - How to reverse engineer problems using a proven system Learn more about Eric McDermott - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emcdermott/ - Find Eric McDermott’s books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BWYVVLN5 - Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nextpectations Explore the full AJI program and resources: https://www.aji.com Subscribe, leave a review, and follow @KingsOfFish and @SanPedroFish for more real stories on building business, leadership, and legacy.

    9 min

  7. Apr 21

    Guac on the Rock: Tequila, Food, and Bringing People Together

    Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where family legacy meets entrepreneurial grit. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Alan Ruesga-Pelayo to talk about building a brand rooted in culture, connection, and the simple act of bringing people to the table, alongside the global momentum of Teremana Tequila, founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. What started as a simple idea, guacamole, tequila, and shared moments, became Guac on the Rock, a program designed to drive traffic to restaurants while creating unforgettable guest experiences. Alan shares how the initiative grew from a one-week test into a month-long activation across multiple cities, all while staying true to its mission: supporting operators and bringing people together. From partnering with San Pedro Fish Market to expanding into new markets, this conversation highlights how Teremana and “The Rock” have helped turn a grassroots hospitality idea into a scalable, culture-driven movement. In this episode, you’ll learn about: - Why simple, shareable experiences like Guac on the Rock resonate with guests - How Teremana built a program that directly supports restaurant operators - The power of aligning a brand with culture, authenticity, and community - How partnerships can turn a promotion into a meaningful guest experience - Why bringing people together at the table is still the most powerful idea in hospitality Episode Links Learn more about Teremana Tequila: https://teremana.com/Explore the Guac on the Rock program: https://teremana.com/pages/guac-on-the-rock Subscribe now, leave a review, and follow us on social @KingsOfFish and @SanPedroFish for more behind-the-scenes stories from America’s seafood royalty.

    27 min

  8. Apr 14

    How To Scale Your Business

    Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where family legacy meets entrepreneurial grit. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Alexis Parra to talk about turning a personal passion for wellness into one of the fastest-growing juice and smoothie brands in the country. What began with homemade green juice, acai bowls, and no formal business plan grew into a nationwide brand with more than 230 locations. Alexis shares the real story behind building Nékter Juice Bar from the ground up, from early days of improvising recipes and sourcing ingredients herself to leading product innovation, franchise growth, and company culture at scale. She explains why integrity mattered more than trend-chasing, how healthy habits became the foundation of the business, and what gets harder when a neighborhood concept becomes a national operation. From menu development and consumer trends to franchising lessons and leadership growing pains, this conversation is packed with insight for anyone building a brand that wants to last. In this episode, you’ll learn about: - How Nékter Juice Bar grew from one location to more than 230 stores - Why purpose and integrity matter more than chasing trends - What it takes to scale recipes, systems, and training across a franchise network - How consumer demand for health and wellness continues to evolve Why hospitality, empathy, and culture still matter as companies grow The biggest lessons Alexis learned building a modern food brand Learn more about Nékter Juice Bar: https://www.nekterjuicebar.com/ Subscribe now, leave a review, and follow us on social @KingsOfFish and @SanPedroFish for more behind-the-scenes stories from America’s seafood royalty.

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Fi$H Factor offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the legendary San Pedro Fish Market and the multi-generational family behind its success. Hosted by Mike Ungaro—whose leadership helped grow the Fish Market into the second most-visited attraction on the West Coast—this YouTube series dives into the real stories of what it takes to run a thriving seafood empire. Through candid reflections on the highs, struggles, and unique challenges of operating a family business since 1956, Fi$H Factor reveals what it takes to sustain double-digit growth, serve over 2 million customers a year, and adapt across generations. Viewers hear firsthand what it means to manage legacy, leadership, and loyalty—all while building a TV series, Kings of Fi$H. More than a business series, Fi$H Factor is a story of resilience, family, ambition, and grit. Each episode invites audiences to connect with the real-world experiences behind one of America’s most iconic seafood destinations.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Ungaro
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Fi$H Factor With Mike Ungaro
  • Show Website
    Fi$H Factor With Mike Ungaro