Life Currency

Life Currency

A Restaurant Podcast, by Restaurant People.💥 We interview industry leaders. 🎙️ Hosted by: https://www.instagram.com/bobl_fpg/ Powered by: F&P Media Listen Now!⬇️ https://lifecurrencypodcast.com #LifeCurrency #FranchiseLife #Entrepreneurship #RestaurantGrowth #Leadership #MultiUnitSuccess

  1. 2d ago

    Why Most Restaurants Die in Year 1

    In 2008, Larry and Jessica Delgado left Austin to open a wine and high-end furniture store in McAllen. The recession hit, they went from 120 employees to 6, and the electricity disconnect notice was on its way. Larry sold a $10,000 couch at the bar that night to keep the lights on — then they went to dinner, and he looked at Jessica and said, "something's missing." Seventeen years later, that pivot is House Wine & Bistro, Salt New American Table, and a Beat Bobby Flay championship that took two years to be allowed to talk about. #BeatBobbyFlay #ChefLife #McAllenTX #RioGrandeValley #HouseWineBistro #LifeCurrencyPodcast Life Currency sits down with Chef Larry Delgado and Jessica Delgado of The Delgado Collective for the unfiltered version of how a failed furniture concept became one of the RGV's most respected restaurant groups. Larry and Jessica walk through their Carrabba's Austin days, the pink shag carpet building they took over in McAllen, the stranger who tossed a credit card on the counter for a $10,000 couch, and the "Dinner and a Movie" nights that accidentally turned a wine bar into a destination restaurant. They share the philosophy that carried them seventeen years — "people forgive food, but they won't forgive service" — and why they said no to the karaoke and disco ball customers swore they needed. Then Larry tells the full Beat Bobby Flay story: the producer call about carne asada, the line he gave Bobby on set ("that's not your thing — that's our thing"), the $250,000 NDA, the COVID delay, and watching it air with his mom on the Salomé patio. 0:00 Cold Open & Welcome 1:40 Meet the Delgados 2:37 How House Wine Was Born in 2008 5:30 The Fredericksburg Connection 8:00 From Carrabba's Managing Partners to Owners 10:30 The Wine + Furniture Lifestyle Concept 12:36 Opening in the 2008 Recession 15:11 The $10K Couch & the Electricity Bill 17:11 Dinner and a Movie: The Accidental Restaurant 23:00 Why They Said No to Karaoke 25:53 "People Forgive Food, Not Service" 32:00 Chef's Chopped Origin Story 38:07 Beat Bobby Flay: "That's Our Thing" 42:30 $250K NDA & COVID Delay 49:20 Selling Time, Not Turkeys 55:00 Closing & Tequila About Chef Larry & Jessica Delgado: Husband-and-wife owners of The Delgado Collective in McAllen, TX — House Wine & Bistro (opened 2008) and Salt New American Table. Larry is a self-taught chef who learned by watching every episode of "Chopped," competed on Guy's Grocery Games, and won on Beat Bobby Flay in 2019. Both came up at Carrabba's in Austin as managing partners. About us: Bob Lozano is the CEO of F&P Group, a company involved in restaurant management, commercial real estate, and digital marketing. Coming from a family of franchise owners, he's a passionate entrepreneur who builds successful businesses and creates positive company cultures. Interested in starting, growing, or improving your work with multi-unit franchises? Learn more below. 📺 Watch now and start earning Life Currency 📚 Learn More: https://lifecurrencypodcast.com 👍 Follow Us On Facebook:   / lifecurrencypodcast   📸 Follow Us Instagram:   / lifecurrencypodcast   🎵 Follow Us TikTok:   / lifecurrencypodcast   🎙️ Follow Us on Amazon Podcast: https://amzn.to/3XCgUID 🎧 Follow Us on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41uBoEf  BOB LOZANO   / bobl_fpg     / bobl.fpg   Produced by F&P Media *Life Currency by F&P Media features candid conversations with restaurant industry professionals sharing personal stories. The insights and strategies discussed are based on individual journeys and intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional business, financial, or legal advice. Consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions based on what you hear.

    57 min
  2. Jun 11

    How a Napkin at Denny's Built a Pop Culture Empire

    Most kids grow out of comics. Ramsey Ramirez turned them into an empire. Late one night at a Denny's in McAllen, his wife Marla and his friend Chris Ponce told him, "Dude, you love comics — open a comic store." Fifteen years later that napkin idea is KaBOOM Comics, the anime store Anime Boom, the boba shop Boba Bomb, South Texas Comic Con (grown from 3,500 attendees to 17,000), and now his own comic book launching on Kickstarter.   #LifeCurrency #KaBOOMComics #SouthTexasComicCon #ComicBookStore #PopCulture #SmallBusinessStory #RGV #McAllen   Life Currency sits down with Ramsey Ramirez, founder of KaBOOM Comics and Collectibles, for the unfiltered version of how a kid raised on an isolated Sullivan City ranch built one of South Texas's quietest pop culture empires. Ramsey walks through the late-night Denny's conversation that started it all in July 2010, the pre-algorithm Facebook hack that built the store, why he says "you have to be a little delusional to be an entrepreneur," what really happened at Horror Con 2012 with Danny Trejo and the zombie walks, how South Texas Comic Con grew from 3,500 to 17,000 attendees, the Boba Bomb pandemic pivot and why employees kept stealing his recipes, and his blunt advice on the food business: "just don't get into it." He also shares the show-and-tell story behind LeBron's Sports Illustrated and a Tim Duncan 2-of-10, why Conor McGregor cards hold value while the rest of UFC doesn't, and the Kickstarter launch of his own comic book "My Ordinary World" — drawn alongside his best friend Jess's lucha libre / zombies title "Fantasmo."   0:00 Intro 2:24 Opening KaBOOM in 2010 — From Magazine X to Comics 3:06 The Denny's Napkin That Started It All 5:11 "You Have to Be a Little Delusional" 6:10 The F&P x Comic Con Partnership (Gus Fring Stories) 11:07 The Pre-Algorithm Facebook Hack That Built the Store 20:00 Family Business — Marla, Miranda, and Letting Go 22:23 Horror Con 2012: Danny Trejo and the Genre Ceiling 33:00 South Texas Comic Con: 3,500 to 17,000 Attendees 40:15 Show & Tell: LeBron's Sports Illustrated and Tim Duncan 2-of-10 1:00:06 Anime Boom, Boba Bomb, and the Pandemic Pivot 1:02:18 "Just Don't Get Into Food" — Lessons From Boba 1:07:35 Growing Up on a Sullivan City Ranch 1:08:12 Launching His Own Comic on Kickstarter 1:13:09 Outro   About Ramsey Ramirez: Founder of KaBOOM Comics and Collectibles, opened in McAllen, TX in July 2010. Also owns Anime Boom, Boba Bomb, and runs South Texas Comic Con, Horror Con (2012–2014), and the All-Star Card Show. Comic creator and lifelong collector. His debut comic book "My Ordinary World" launches on Kickstarter alongside Jess's "Fantasmo."

    1h 13m
  3. May 26

    Why Most Restaurants Fail at Hospitality (And How to Fix It)

    Most operators read Unreasonable Hospitality, hand it to their managers, and wonder why nothing changes. Preston Lee got fired four times as a server making $90K with tips, went broke when nobody would hire him back, and then built 30% — a consulting firm that's now in the rooms with Tyler Florence, Will Guidara, and Jamie Oliver. The lesson he keeps coming back to: hospitality without a system is a slogan. #Hospitality #RestaurantBusiness #UnreasonableHospitality #LeverageYourTime #SoberEntrepreneur #RestaurantOwners Life Currency sits down with Preston Lee, founder of 30%, for the unfiltered version of how he went from getting fired repeatedly to working with 250+ businesses last year alone — restaurants, hotels, dealerships, med spas, private clubs. Preston walks through the toxic mindset that cost him his serving career, the 8–9 months of zero sales when he started 30%, the single viral reel that flooded his DMs, and the cold outreach that landed him Tyler Florence and Will Guidara on the same stage. Along the way he breaks down the systems behind 140 five-star reviews from a single server in 60 days, why 7-day restaurant training is malpractice, the "leverage your time" framework for hourly employees, the cardinal sin every hostess commits, and why an $850K mom-and-pop and a $27M restaurant have the exact same problems. He also opens up about 5 years of sobriety and why he's never had a drink with a client. 0:00 Intro 0:54 Fired 4 times: the $90K server who went broke 2:28 The sold-out event with Will Guidara & Tyler Florence 9:38 Why Unreasonable Hospitality alone isn't enough 11:01 Why 7-day training is malpractice (try 60) 13:37 "Preston, I don't need a ditch digger" 15:38 London with Jamie Oliver, then New Zealand & Australia 24:33 8–9 months broke, then the viral reel 30:14 Inside the $27M restaurant that was falling apart 34:00 Hiring above your weight class (Chick-fil-A, Blue Bottle, Starbucks) 38:46 The "leverage your time" framework 45:05 140 five-star reviews from ONE server in 60 days 59:46 The cardinal sin every hostess commits 1:04:08 5 years sober — building a business without a drink 1:10:31 Outro About Preston Lee: Founder of 30% (Thirty Percent), a hospitality consulting firm working with 250+ businesses a year — from $800K mom-and-pops to $500M portfolios. Author, speaker, and host of a sold-out event with Will Guidara (Unreasonable Hospitality), Tyler Florence (Miller & Lux), and Jenny Castro (Coffee Dose). Five years sober. Find him on Instagram and learn more about 30% at his site. About us: Bob Lozano is the CEO of F&P Group, a company involved in restaurant management, commercial real estate, and digital marketing. Coming from a family of franchise owners, he's a passionate entrepreneur who builds successful businesses and creates positive company cultures. Bob is dedicated to exceeding expectations and making a positive impact. Interested in starting, growing, or improving your work with multi-unit franchises? Learn more below. 📺 Watch now and start earning Life Currency 📚 Learn More: https://lifecurrencypodcast.com 👍 Follow Us On Facebook:   / lifecurrencypodcast   📸 Follow Us Instagram:   / lifecurrencypodcast   🎵 Follow Us TikTok:   / lifecurrencypodcast   🎙️ Follow Us on Amazon Podcast: https://amzn.to/3XCgUID 🎧 Follow Us on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41uBoEf

    1h 11m
  4. Apr 22

    The Hard Truth About Craft Beer: 5x5s Story

    Most owners confuse a tough decision with a failure. Kevin Jackson and Stan Cummins took over 5x5 Brewing Company in 2023, grew the UTRGV Vaqueros beer into half the business, and made the hard call to close the taproom so the brand could keep going. The beer is still on shelves, the partnerships are intact, and the next chapter is already in motion. #CraftBeer #VeteranOwned #SmallBusiness Life Currency sits down with Kevin Jackson, co-owner of 5x5 Brewing Company, for the real story behind one of the RGV's most recognized craft beer brands. Kevin walks through what actually happened, why the taproom is closing but the brand isn't, and how the UTRGV Vaqueros partnership, the veteran-owned culture, and a loyal fan base across HEB, bars, and restaurants are carrying 5x5 forward. Along the way Kevin shares sharp lessons on partnership, disagreeing well, spotting hype cycles versus real brand building, the sponsorship-ask trap, and the speed of trust. If you want to support 5x5, keep buying the beer. 0:00 Intro 1:19 Buying 5x5 with Stan Cummins 3:02 The tough call to close the taproom 6:44 The UTRGV Vaqueros deal 11:47 Events, community, and veteran-owned culture 26:17 Kevin's beer origin story 32:02 What's next for the brand 47:04 The team, the fans, and the sponsorship ask 1:00:10 Hype cycles vs real brand building 1:09:30 Pricing, margins, and scaling up 1:19:53 Partnerships and the biggest lessons 1:27:10 El Paso and what's ahead About Kevin Jackson: Co-owner of 5x5 Brewing Company, Army Reserves veteran, and one of the voices behind the UTRGV Vaqueros Blood Orange Kolsch. 5x5 beer remains available at bars, restaurants, and HEB across the RGV, El Paso, Corpus Christi, and beyond. About us: Bob Lozano is the CEO of F&P Group, a company involved in restaurant management, commercial real estate, and digital marketing.  Coming from a family of franchise owners, he's a passionate entrepreneur who builds successful businesses and creates positive company cultures. Bob is dedicated to exceeding expectations and making a positive impact. Interested in starting, growing, or improving your work with multi-unit franchises? Learn more below. 💻 Watch now and start earning Life Currency 📚 Learn More: https://lifecurrencypodcast.com 👍 Follow Us On Facebook: https://facebook.com/lifecurrencypodcast 📸 Follow Us Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifecurrencypodcast/ 🎶 Follow Us TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lifecurrencypodcast  🎙️Follow Us on Amazon Podcast: https://amzn.to/3XCgUID  🎧Follow Us on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41uBoEf Subscribe to: FOOD & PEOPLE https://facebook.com/WeAreFoodAndPeople  https://instagram.com/wearefoodandpeople  https://tiktok.com/@wearefoodandpeople  https://linkedin.com/company/wearefoodandpeople  F&P BRANDS https://facebook.com/DQRGV  https://instagram.com/fandpbrands/  https://tiktok.com/@fandpbrands  BOB LOZANO https://instagram.com/bobl_fpg/  https://www.facebook.com/BobL.FPG Produced by F&P Media *Life Currency by F&P Media features candid conversations with restaurant industry professionals sharing their personal stories and experiences. The insights, opinions, and strategies discussed are based on individual journeys and are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional business, financial, or legal advice. Every person's situation is different, consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions based on what you hear.

    1h 33m
  5. Apr 9

    Why Most Developers Fail (And How to Fix It)

    Most developers fail because they chase eyeballs instead of making calls, overextend without safety nets, and miss the information hiding in plain sight. Shavi Mahtani bought his first commercial strip at 27, survived the 2008 recession, and now develops 40+ acre tracts across McAllen by doing the opposite of what most developers do. Life Currency sits down with Shavi Mahtani, founder of Domain Development, to reveal why most real estate developers fail and exactly how to avoid their mistakes. Shavi breaks down the critical difference between calculated risk and reckless gambling, why insider information is your biggest advantage in real estate (not illegal like stock trading), and the recession lesson that changed his entire approach to development. From understanding when to step into deals personally to knowing that outreach beats eyeballs every time, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons from someone who's built McAllen's modern landscape. Whether you're in real estate, restaurants, or any business requiring vision and deal-making, Shavi's blueprint shows what separates developers who succeed from those who flame out. 00:00 Welcome & Introduction 02:05 First Commercial Deal at 27 08:15 Northpark Village Vision 16:30 Details Matter in Design 25:45 Ground Leases & Pad Sites 33:15 Food Hall Strategy 39:53 Pillar Mindset AD (Commercial Break) 42:00 Managing Projects & Team 53:00 Restaurant Selection Process 1:01:30 Lessons from the 2008 Recession About Shavi Mahtani: Founder of Domain Development, commercial real estate developer behind Northpark Village and multiple mixed-use developments reshaping the McAllen/RGV landscape. About us: Bob Lozano is the CEO of F&P Group, a company involved in restaurant management, commercial real estate, and digital marketing.  Coming from a family of franchise owners, he's a passionate entrepreneur who builds successful businesses and creates positive company cultures. Bob is dedicated to exceeding expectations and making a positive impact. Interested in starting, growing, or improving your work with multi-unit franchises? Learn more below. 💻 Watch now and start earning Life Currency 📚 Learn More: https://lifecurrencypodcast.com 👍 Follow Us On Facebook: https://facebook.com/lifecurrencypodcast 📸 Follow Us Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifecurrencypodcast/ 🎶 Follow Us TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lifecurrencypodcast  🎙️Follow Us on Amazon Podcast: https://amzn.to/3XCgUID  🎧Follow Us on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41uBoEf Subscribe to: FOOD & PEOPLE https://facebook.com/WeAreFoodAndPeople  https://instagram.com/wearefoodandpeople  https://tiktok.com/@wearefoodandpeople  https://linkedin.com/company/wearefoodandpeople  F&P BRANDS https://facebook.com/DQRGV  https://instagram.com/fandpbrands/  https://tiktok.com/@fandpbrands  BOB LOZANO https://instagram.com/bobl_fpg/  https://www.facebook.com/BobL.FPG Produced by F&P Media *Life Currency by F&P Media features candid conversations with restaurant industry professionals sharing their personal stories and experiences. The insights, opinions, and strategies discussed are based on individual journeys and are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional business, financial, or legal advice. Every person's situation is different, consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions based on what you hear.

    1h 6m
  6. Mar 26

    Restaurant Heroes - Texas Restaurant Association

    Emily Williams Knight and Kelsey Erickson Streufert of the Texas Restaurant Association break down how TRA protects Texas restaurants from bad legislation, navigates complex regulations, and fights policies that could hurt your bottom line. This is the conversation every Texas restaurant operator needs to hear. Life Currency sits down with the leadership of the Texas Restaurant Association to reveal what TRA actually does behind the scenes. Emily and Kelsey explain how membership dollars turn into legislative victories, why TRA operates as both shield and sword for operators, and how they stop bad policies before they hit your business. From immigration and labor laws to local permitting issues and health department battles, this episode shows the real fight happening on behalf of Texas restaurants. Whether you're independent, a franchisee, or multi-unit operator, this conversation proves why joining the movement matters and how TRA delivers ROI that goes straight to your bottom line. 00:00 Intro 03:30 What Is TRA? 12:45 Emily & Kelsey's Background Stories 22:15 The Diversity of a TRA Membership 31:00 How TRA Advocacy Actually Works 42:30 Real Stories: TRA Wins for Texas Operators 53:15 Franchisees & Independent Operators 1:02:00 Getting Involved & Making Your Voice Heard 1:12:30 Final Thoughts & Be Kind About Emily Williams Knight: President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, leading advocacy for Texas's largest private sector employer. About Kelsey Erickson Streufert: Chief Public Affairs Officer at TRA, managing federal, state, and local advocacy across Texas. About the Texas Restaurant Association: The unified voice for Texas restaurants, providing advocacy, resources, and protection to operators statewide. Learn more at https://www.txrestaurant.org About us: Bob Lozano is the CEO of F&P Group, a company involved in restaurant management, commercial real estate, and digital marketing.  Coming from a family of franchise owners, he's a passionate entrepreneur who builds successful businesses and creates positive company cultures. Bob is dedicated to exceeding expectations and making a positive impact. Interested in starting, growing, or improving your work with multi-unit franchises? Learn more below. 💻 Watch now and start earning Life Currency 📚 Learn More: https://lifecurrencypodcast.com 👍 Follow Us On Facebook: https://facebook.com/lifecurrencypodcast 📸 Follow Us Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifecurrencypodcast/ 🎶 Follow Us TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lifecurrencypodcast  🎙️Follow Us on Amazon Podcast: https://amzn.to/3XCgUID  🎧Follow Us on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41uBoEf Subscribe to: FOOD & PEOPLE https://facebook.com/WeAreFoodAndPeople  https://instagram.com/wearefoodandpeople  https://tiktok.com/@wearefoodandpeople  https://linkedin.com/company/wearefoodandpeople  F&P BRANDS https://facebook.com/DQRGV  https://instagram.com/fandpbrands/  https://tiktok.com/@fandpbrands  BOB LOZANO https://instagram.com/bobl_fpg/  https://www.facebook.com/BobL.FPG Produced by F&P Media *Life Currency by F&P Media features candid conversations with restaurant industry professionals sharing their personal stories and experiences. The insights, opinions, and strategies discussed are based on individual journeys and are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional business, financial, or legal advice. Every person's situation is different, consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions based on what you hear.

    1h 19m
  7. Mar 9

    Building a Legacy - Robert Lozano's 40 Year Journey

    Robert Lozano started as a cook at a small town Dairy Queen in the 1980s, saved $18,000 in a tennis can, and built a 40+ restaurant empire across Texas. This is the father son conversation about how a high school cook became a CEO, the true meaning of "Life Currency," and why giving back always pays forward. Life Currency sits down with Robert Lozano to unpack the 40-year journey from cook to CEO. Robert shares the origin story of Life Currency itself, the mentors who shaped his path, the mistakes that taught him the most, and why he believes great leaders pay their teams in more than just paychecks. From saving coins in a tennis can to co-signing his first loan with mentors who believed in him, this episode reveals the systems, sacrifices, and principles that built a multi-generational restaurant business. Whether you're starting your first job or scaling your company, this conversation is packed with lessons on leadership, legacy, and what it really means to give back. 00:00 Welcome & Introduction 02:15 First Day at Dairy Queen 08:13 The Bowen Family Mentors 14:00 From Cook to Churches Chicken 20:00 The $18,000 Tennis Can Story 28:00 Buying the First Store 35:00 The Origin of Life Currency 44:00 Pillar Mindset AD 44:28 Surrounding Yourself with the Right People 52:00 The Five Balls We All Juggle 58:00 Staying Relevant in a Changing Industry 1:02:36 Robert Lozano Congratulations 1:03:00 The Life Currency Knife Gift 1:07:00 Final Thoughts & Gratitude About Robert Lozano: Founder and CEO of F&P Group, overseeing 40+ Dairy Queen, Schlotzsky's, and Cinnabon locations across Texas. Robert started as a cook in 1980s South Texas and built a legacy rooted in the principle of "Life Currency" - paying team members in lessons, mentorship, and opportunity beyond their paychecks. About us: Bob Lozano is the CEO of F&P Group, a company involved in restaurant management, commercial real estate, and digital marketing.  Coming from a family of franchise owners, he's a passionate entrepreneur who builds successful businesses and creates positive company cultures. Bob is dedicated to exceeding expectations and making a positive impact. Interested in starting, growing, or improving your work with multi-unit franchises? Learn more below. 💻 Watch now and start earning Life Currency 📚 Learn More: https://lifecurrencypodcast.com 👍 Follow Us On Facebook: https://facebook.com/lifecurrencypodcast 📸 Follow Us Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifecurrencypodcast/ 🎶 Follow Us TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lifecurrencypodcast  🎙️Follow Us on Amazon Podcast: https://amzn.to/3XCgUID  🎧Follow Us on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41uBoEf Subscribe to: FOOD & PEOPLE https://facebook.com/WeAreFoodAndPeople https://instagram.com/wearefoodandpeople https://tiktok.com/@wearefoodandpeople https://linkedin.com/company/wearefoodandpeople F&P BRANDS https://facebook.com/DQRGV https://instagram.com/fandpbrands/ https://tiktok.com/@fandpbrands BOB LOZANO https://instagram.com/bobl_fpg/ https://www.facebook.com/BobL.FPG Produced by F&P Media *Life Currency by F&P Media features candid conversations with restaurant industry professionals sharing their personal stories and experiences. The insights, opinions, and strategies discussed are based on individual journeys and are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. They do not constitute professional business, financial, or legal advice. Every person's situation is different, consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions based on what you hear.

    1h 11m

About

A Restaurant Podcast, by Restaurant People.💥 We interview industry leaders. 🎙️ Hosted by: https://www.instagram.com/bobl_fpg/ Powered by: F&P Media Listen Now!⬇️ https://lifecurrencypodcast.com #LifeCurrency #FranchiseLife #Entrepreneurship #RestaurantGrowth #Leadership #MultiUnitSuccess