The Restaurant Finance Podcast

Tab Commerce
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

James Tice, Head of Growth at Tab Commerce, takes on restaurant finance with a human voice. As an operator-obsessed host, James drops you into real conversations already in motion, uncovering the stories, lessons, and hard-won insights that reveal the true heartbeat of restaurant finance. The show cuts through jargon, defines terms in plain English, and features candid talks with CFOs, founders, and operators about cash flow, funding, growth, and the leadership decisions that keep restaurants thriving. Each episode aims to make finance feel approachable and not intimidating, giving listeners the tools and confidence to join the conversation, not just listen in. Built on empathy for how restaurants really work, this is finance told through the people who live it every day.

  1. 1d ago

    Why Traditional Marketing Still Works for Restaurants. Convo w/ Josef Sanchez

    What does it take for a growing restaurant brand to feel local in every community it serves? Josef Sanchez, local store marketing manager at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, joins Ty Wilson live from the CREATE conference to explain why traditional marketing still plays an important role for the 47-location restaurant brand. Sanchez shares how Grimaldi’s approaches billboards, local sponsorships, radio, print, and grassroots marketing while giving individual restaurants the flexibility to connect with their own communities. From a $40,000 World Cup billboard opportunity to Little League signs and local school partnerships, Sanchez breaks down why where a restaurant shows up can matter just as much as the message itself, and why traditional marketing can still create meaningful connections in an increasingly digital world. Episode Links Josef Sanchez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josef-sanchez-451a02112/ Grimaldi's: https://www.grimaldispizzeria.com/

  2. Aug 12

    Growing a Restaurant Group Without Losing What You Love. Convo w/ Rachel Cope

    What does it take to scale a restaurant company while still loving the work you're building? Rachel Cope, co-founder and CEO of 84 Hospitality, joins Ty Wilson from the CREATE conference to share how she went from waiting tables to building a 13-unit restaurant group with four concepts across Oklahoma. Cope shares the unlikely story behind launching Empire Slice House, why the eight-location pizza brand is now positioned for its next stage of growth, and her goal of tripling its footprint over the next five years. Cope also breaks down how 84 Hospitality has financed its growth, what she's learning from potential investment partners, and why building the right leadership team will be critical as the company scales. For Cope, the goal isn't simply opening more restaurants. It's creating jobs for people she cares about while building a company that can go faster, better and stronger. Episode Links Rachel Cope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotherrcope/?hl=en 84 Hospitality: https://www.84hospitality.com/

  3. Aug 5

    Building a Restaurant Brand at 20% Growth. Convo w/ Tom Holt

    What does it take to grow a restaurant brand without sacrificing long-term stability? Tom Holt, founder and owner of Urbane Cafe, joins Ty Wilson from the CREATE conference to share how he's built the fast-casual concept from a single restaurant in 2003 to 50 locations by focusing on disciplined expansion, strong unit economics, and investing in people. Holt explains why he turned down private equity before the business was ready and how a strategic partnership with Panda Restaurant Group helped fuel the next stage of growth. The conversation explores choosing the right capital partners, expanding into new markets with patience, and why Holt believes the biggest investment any restaurant can make isn't real estate or marketing—it's developing great people. Episode Links Tom Holt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-holt-86111736/Urbane Cafe: https://urbanecafe.com/Urbane Cafe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanecafe/Urbane Cafe X: https://x.com/UrbaneCafeUrbane Cafe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbanecafe/Ty Wilson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyedwardwilson/Tab Commerce: https://tabcommerce.com/

  4. Jul 29

    The Restaurant Investment Strategy That Pays Off. Convo w/ John Abdo

    Why would a growing restaurant brand choose not to franchise? John Abdo, CEO and Chief Burger Enthusiast of My Burger, joins James Tice from the CREATE conference to explain why disciplined growth has been the foundation of the company's success. Rather than chasing rapid expansion, Abdo shares how My Burger has grown to 11 locations by focusing on strong unit economics, patient capital, and creating an exceptional experience for both guests and employees. The discussion moves from the decision not to franchise to building investor relationships years before capital is needed and creating a business that's more valuable for the future. Episode Links - John Abdo: https://abdomarkethouse.com/the-family/ - My Burger: https://www.myburgerusa.com/ - Ty Wilson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyedwardwilson/ - Tab Commerce: https://tabcommerce.com/

  5. Jul 22

    The Business Value of Being Unapologetically Yourself. Convo w/ Charlie Eblen

    What separates people who are remembered from those who simply deliver information? Charlie Eblen, owner of SingleTree Wood Fire BBQ, joins James Tice to share why authenticity has become one of the most valuable skills in business. After years in restaurant leadership, Eblen explains how embracing his true personality instead of trying to sound polished transformed his media presence, strengthened his relationships, and created opportunities he never expected. From learning to give an authentic elevator pitch to simplifying complex business challenges, Eblen discusses why curiosity, active listening, and teaching others are essential traits for leaders. Episode Links Charlie Eblen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlieeblen/Single Tree BBQ: https://www.singletreebbq.com/Single Tree BBQ Nation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcdltRbqsUtVD_7gABvZ5lA?app=desktop

  6. Jul 15

    Why Tacotarian Doesn't Call Itself Vegan. Convo w/ Kristen Corral

    Why would a successful vegan restaurant avoid marketing itself as vegan? Kristen Corral, co-founder of Tacotarian, joins Ty Wilson to explain why the brand focuses on serving great Mexican food first and plant-based food second. She shares why she believes the word "vegan" can turn customers away, how Tacotarian has grown to six locations with national franchising underway, and why building community is at the center of every business decision. From choosing franchise partners who fit the brand's values to launching an e-commerce business built around Tacotarian's proprietary products, Corral explains how multiple revenue streams can strengthen a restaurant business. She also shares why local community partnerships have become one of the company's most effective marketing strategies. Episode Links: Kristen Corral LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-corral/ Kristen Corral: https://kristencorral.com/ Kristen Corral Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekristencorral Tacotarian: https://eattacotarian.com/

  7. Jul 8

    He Lost His Job. Then Started Making Bagels. Convo w/ Jeff Perera

    What happens when losing your job leads to an entirely new career? Jeff Perera, co-founder of Jeff's Bagel Run, joins Ty Wilson to share how a layoff in 2019 led him to learn how to make bagels from scratch, despite having no culinary background. What began as a challenge from his wife quickly turned into an obsession, then a Kickstarter campaign, the sale of their family home, and eventually one of the fastest-growing bagel brands in the country. Jeff also shares what he's seeing across the restaurant industry after walking the floor at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. From AI and dirty sodas to protein-packed menus and beverage customization, he explains why successful brands never stop experimenting. He also discusses franchising, creating systems that scale, and the financial metrics every restaurant operator should be tracking to build a stronger business. What You'll Learn - Franchising Tips - Resiliency tactics when moments get hard - What makes Jeff's Bagel Run Special Episode Links - Jeff Perera LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyperera/ - Jeff's Bagel Run: https://jeffsbagelrun.com/

  8. Jul 1

    How a Nearly $22 Million Steakhouse Protects Its Profits. Convo w/ Yassine Lyoubi

    What if the best way to improve restaurant profitability isn't cutting costs, but making better decisions? Yassine Lyoubi, partner at Barry's Downtown Prime inside Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, joins Ty Wilson to discuss how one of downtown Las Vegas' busiest independent steakhouses balances old-school hospitality with modern technology. Lyoubi shares how relationships with suppliers, forecasting around major conventions and events, and listening to frontline employees have helped Barry's grow to nearly $22 million in annual revenue. From using year-over-year data to guide purchasing decisions to exploring AI tools that reduce stress for restaurant teams, this conversation highlights how operators can improve profitability without sacrificing the guest experience. Recorded live at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. What You'll Learn: - Why forecasting is critical in a city driven by conventions and events - How strong supplier relationships can protect margins - Why AI should support restaurant teams, not replace them - How frontline employees can uncover your best operational ideas - Where Barry's Downtown Prime sees its biggest growth opportunities over the next two years Episode Links: - Yassine Lyoubi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yassine.lyoubi/?hl=en - Yassine Lyoubi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yassinelyoubi/ - Barry’s Downtown Prime: https://www.barrysdowntownprime.com/ - Barry’s Downtown Prime Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrysprime/

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About

James Tice, Head of Growth at Tab Commerce, takes on restaurant finance with a human voice. As an operator-obsessed host, James drops you into real conversations already in motion, uncovering the stories, lessons, and hard-won insights that reveal the true heartbeat of restaurant finance. The show cuts through jargon, defines terms in plain English, and features candid talks with CFOs, founders, and operators about cash flow, funding, growth, and the leadership decisions that keep restaurants thriving. Each episode aims to make finance feel approachable and not intimidating, giving listeners the tools and confidence to join the conversation, not just listen in. Built on empathy for how restaurants really work, this is finance told through the people who live it every day.

Information

  • Creator
    Tab Commerce
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The Restaurant Finance Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Restaurant Finance Podcast