The Restaurant Finance Podcast

Tab Commerce
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  • 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.

Episodes

  1. 6D AGO

    Why People Are Buying Into Hospitality. Convo with Garrett Reed, CEO of Layne’s Chicken Fingers

    If quick service is supposed to be about speed and efficiency, why are people still paying for hospitality? Garrett Reed, CEO of Layne’s Chicken Fingers, joins James Tice to break down what’s really driving the brand’s explosive 100% year-over-year growth. From expanding beyond Texas for the first time to screening franchisees with extreme discipline, Reed explains why great food is only half the equation. Hospitality is what people are actually buying. He shares how Layne’s evaluates new markets, why real estate and operations bookend success, and how culture must be intentionally built before growth accelerates.. What You’ll Learn: - Why hospitality, not food alone, drives repeat business - How Layne’s screens franchise partners for cultural alignment - Why real estate and operations determine long-term success - How investing in corporate support early protects culture at scale - Why restaurant profitability is a game of pennies, not ego Episode Links: Garrett Reed LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152/ Layne’s Chicken Fingers: https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/

    22 min

  2. FEB 11

    What Makes Growth Work. Convo with Adam Goldberg, CEO of Rock & Brews

    How do restaurant brands scale without losing the experience that made them memorable in the first place? Adam Goldberg joins James Tice to share how Rock & Brews has grown across freestanding locations, casinos, airports, and concessions while protecting food quality, culture, and guest experience. He breaks down why training the trainers matters, why food and people are never negotiable, and how clear standards allow teams to deliver the same experience even as locations and formats change. Goldberg also walks through how Rock & Brews approaches growth today, using flexible design, remodels, and music-driven environments to create spaces that feel unique without losing the core of the brand. The goal is not uniformity for its own sake, but consistency where it counts and freedom where it adds to the experience. What You’ll Learn: - Why training the trainers protects consistency - Why food quality and people come first - How experience drives repeat visits - How flexible design supports growth without becoming generic Adam Goldberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-goldberg-473b6012/ Rock & Brews: Smarter Scheduling Tech

    24 min

  3. FEB 4

    Kindness Is the Strategy. Convo with Mehdi Zarhloul, Founder & CEO of Crazy Pita

    Is consistency the most underrated growth strategy in the restaurant business? Mehdi Zarhloul, founder and CEO of Crazy Pita, joins James Tice to explain why kindness, consistency, and discipline have been the real growth drivers behind a 20-year restaurant brand. From designing a menu that never changes to embedding “Be Kind” into core operating standards, Zarhloul shares how culture only works when it is connected directly to food, service, and systems. What You’ll Learn: - Why kindness must be built into operations, not just values on a wall - How consistency across food, service, and culture protects brands as they scale - When technology supports hospitality and when it creates friction - Why convenience and repeat visits matter more than one-time acquisition - How Crazy Pita is approaching national expansion while staying disciplined Visit Tab Commerce to learn how extended terms, higher limits, and smarter spend controls help restaurant operators grow with intention while keeping cash flow tight and predictable. Mehdi Zarhloul LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehdi-zarhloul-39625916/ Mehdi Zarhloul Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mehdi.zarhloul/?hl=en Crazy Pita: https://www.crazypita.com/ Crazy Pita Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatcrazypita/

    20 min

  4. JAN 28

    How Technology Should Support Hospitality. Convo with Dan Diaz, Founder & CEO of F3 Technologies

    What if the future of restaurant technology isn’t about replacing people, but protecting them? Dan Diaz, Founder and CEO of F3 Technologies, joins James Tice to unpack why brand, empathy, and real partnership still outperform automation alone in the restaurant industry. From building F3 as an extension of his personal reputation to supporting operators through outages, growth pains, and razor-thin margins, Diaz explains why the best technology exists to give time back to people, not replace them. The conversation explores AI’s role in the back office, the importance of choosing partners who show up when things break, and why access to fair capital can extend a restaurant’s runway when it matters most. What You’ll Learn: - Why brand is not marketing, but the foundation of trust and long-term growth - How AI can help operators reclaim time for guests, teams, and family without sacrificing hospitality - Why human support still beats automation in high-stakes restaurant environments - How the right partners reduce friction, protect margins, and fight fires alongside operators - Why access to smarter capital can extend runway and meaningfully improve survival odds for restaurants Visit Tab Commerce to learn how extended terms, higher limits, and smarter spend controls help restaurant operators fund growth while keeping cash flow tight and predictable. Connect With Dan Diaz Dan Diaz LinkedIn: @daniel-d-diaz F3 Technologies: https://f3tech.com/ F3 Technologies LinkedIn: @f3Inc

    28 min

  5. JAN 21

    How Fractional Executives Help Brands Scale Smarter. Convo w/ Toni Ronayne, Founder of The C Society

    What happens when emerging restaurant brands outgrow hustle but aren’t ready for full-time executive overhead? Toni Ronayne, Founder and CEO of The C Society, sits down with James Tice to break down why fractional leadership has become one of the most powerful tools for emerging and scaling restaurant brands. Drawing on her experience across quick service, fast casual, full service, and global franchising, Ronayne explains how seasoned operators can create immediate impact without long onboarding cycles or bloated org charts. What You’ll Learn: - Why fractional executives can deliver faster impact than traditional hires - How to identify the highest-ROI priorities in an emerging restaurant brand - Why culture is a measurable KPI, not a soft concept - How multi-channel sales data reveals hidden growth opportunities - What founders must simplify before scaling operations or leadership Toni Ronayne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonironayne/?originalSubdomain=ca Visit Tab Commerce to learn how extended terms, higher limits, and smarter spend controls help restaurant operators fund growth while keeping cash flow tight and predictable.

    13 min

  6. JAN 14

    Time To Franchise? Convo w/ Jason Sobocinski & Etkin Tekin, co-founders of Haven Hot Chicken

    What has to be true inside a restaurant brand before franchising even becomes an option? Jason Sobocinski and Etkin Tekin, co-founders of Haven Hot Chicken, sit down with James Tice to explain why values, management quality, and operational discipline must come before growth tactics. They share how founder involvement shapes culture at scale, why consistency is built through people rather than playbooks alone, and how aligning operators around shared standards becomes the foundation for successful franchising. What You’ll Learn: • Why culture and values come before franchise strategy • How management quality determines unit-level success • What founders must protect as the brand begins to scale • Why consistency requires both systems and accountability • How disciplined growth creates long-term financial stability Visit Tab Commerce to learn how extended terms, higher limits, and smarter spend controls help restaurant operators fund growth while keeping cash flow predictable. Jason Sobocinski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-sobocinski-75016730/ Etkin Tekin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/etkintekin/ Haven Hot Chicken: https://www.havenhotchicken.com/

    28 min

  7. JAN 7

    The ROI of Great Restaurant Culture. Convo with Steve Oldham & Joe Heeb, of Tucanos Brazilian Grill.

    Just how important is culture to the growth of your restaurant? Steve Oldham and Joe Heeb, co-founders of Tucanos Brazilian Grill, sit down with James Tice to explore what long-term restaurant investment really looks like beyond growth for growth’s sake. From rebuilding teams after COVID to recommitting to training, shared values, and brand consistency, they explain why culture has always been the foundation behind sustainable success and why investing in people delivers the strongest returns over time. What You’ll Learn: - Why investing in people creates the strongest long-term returns - How brand clarity helped Tucanos survive multiple industry cycles - Why training and consistency protect guest trust - How AI should remove friction without replacing hospitality - Why staying true to your identity matters most after disruption Visit tabcommerce.com to learn how extended terms, higher limits, and smarter controls help restaurant operators invest with confidence. Tucanos: https://www.tucanos.com/ Joe Heeb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-oldham-205b5a1/ Steve Oldham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-heeb-027b5a1/

    14 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    Scaling an Icon Without Cutting Corners. Convo with Dominic Alessandrini from Magnolia Bakery

    What does it take to scale an iconic restaurant brand without losing the people and systems that made it successful in the first place? Dominic Alessandrini, Chief Operating Officer of Magnolia Bakery, joins Ty Wilson and James Tice to chat about what sustainable growth really looks like behind the scenes of a globally recognized brand. From working every position on the line to leading a multi-channel business spanning retail, franchising, CPG, and international markets, Dominic shares why the best leadership decisions start closest to the action. He explains how Magnolia keeps operations simple without cutting corners, why consistency is harder than creativity, and how immersion training builds respect across every role in the organization. What You’ll Learn: - Why leaders who come from the store level make better long-term decisions - How “simple is hard” becomes an operating principle at scale - Why immersion training creates stronger teams and better execution - How Magnolia Bakery is approaching franchising and unit growth - What investors actually look for when brands ask for capital - How operational discipline creates scalable, repeatable growth Visit tabcommerce.com to learn how extended terms, higher limits, and smarter controls can power your growth.

    13 min

  9. 12/24/2025

    How Strong Brands Stay Consistent. Convo with Omar Kasim. Owner of Plomo Quesadillas

    What does it take to build a restaurant brand people love without trying to be everything to everyone? Omar Kasim, Founder of Plomo Quesadillas, sits down with Ty Wilson and James Tice to share what intentional growth really looks like for an emerging brand. From designing restaurants that match the menu to resisting the temptation of endless side quests, Omar explains why focus, consistency, and brand honesty matter more than expansion speed. He breaks down how small operational decisions create major financial implications, why being loved by a core audience beats broad appeal, and how staying true to what you do best creates momentum that compounds over time. What You’ll Learn: • Why focused menus and efficient footprints drive stronger returns • How consistency becomes a brand’s most defensible advantage • Why trying to please everyone weakens long-term growth • How operational decisions quietly shape financial outcomes • Why staying true to your brand matters more as you scale Visit tabcommerce.com to learn how extended terms, higher limits, and smarter controls can power your growth.

    32 min

  10. 12/17/2025

    The Hidden Work Behind Franchise Growth. Convo with Troy Hooper. The CEO of Hot Palette America

    What does it take to scale a restaurant brand across hundreds of locations and multiple countries without sacrificing quality, consistency, or brand integrity? Troy Hooper sits down with Ty Wilson and James Tice to break down what sustainable restaurant growth really requires behind the scenes. Drawing on more than three decades in hospitality and his leadership role helping scale Pepper Lunch globally, Troy explains why infrastructure, franchise support, and operational discipline matter more than speed. The conversation explores how finance, systems, and culture intersect, and why consistency at every plate is the ultimate growth strategy. What You’ll Learn: • Why franchisors must solve finance, insurance, and systems before scaling • How consistency becomes a competitive advantage across multi-unit and global brands • Why culinary experience matters in executive leadership • How franchise support models impact long-term profitability • What emerging brands often overlook when preparing to scale Visit tabcommerce.com to learn how extended terms, higher limits, and smarter controls can power your growth. Connect With Troy Hooper Troy Hooper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtroyhooper Pepper Lunch: https://www.pepperlunchrestaurants.com/

    24 min

  11. 12/09/2025

    How Great Restaurants Scale. Convo w/ Shaz Khan and Antonio Gambino of Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks

    What does it take to grow a restaurant brand from a single shop to a fast-scaling multi-unit operation without losing the culture that made it special in the first place? Shaz Khan and Antonio Gambino sit down with James Tice to talk about the decisions that drive sustainable restaurant growth. They look at how culture shapes financial outcomes, how leaders balance immediate business needs with long-term aspirations, and why training, consistency, and operational discipline become the backbone of a profitable multi-unit brand. This conversation was recorded live at CREATE in Nashville. What You’ll Learn: • How Shaz and Antonio evaluate investments that actually move the brand forward. • Why strong culture and leadership create financial stability at scale. • How operators balance urgent business needs with aspirational growth. • Why training systems are essential for consistency and profitability. • How customer experience stays intact as the brand rapidly expands. Visit tabcommerce.com to learn how extended terms, higher limits, and smarter controls can power your growth. Connect With Shaz and Antonio • Shaz Khan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shazkhanmn/ • Antonio Gambino on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-gambino-a76064251/ • Tono Pizzeria: https://tonomn.com/

    22 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

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
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The Restaurant Finance Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Restaurant Finance Podcast