Restaurant Misfits

Brett Linkletter
  • 5.0 (3)
  • FOOD

Welcome to our podcast, “Restaurant Misfits”, where we’ll discuss all things related to restaurant marketing, management, and everything else in between growing a restaurant business. Whether you are a single-location owner, multi-location owner, or just getting into the industry, you’ll find tips and tricks to help you achieve massive results in your business. We’re always looking for new interviews and features. If you’re interested in joining us on the show, please email Ana on our team at ana@dineline.co!

  1. 12/10/2025

    EP 61: Babak Bina - The Mindset That Built Boston’s Top Restaurant Group

    Babak Bina didn’t just survive the restaurant industry. He bent an entire city around his vision. After landing in Boston as an immigrant, washing dishes to stay alive, he spent the next 30 years building concepts that defined the city’s dining scene.  Babak talks about the moments operators never admit publicly:  – The lowest point where he almost walked away  – Flooding an entire dining room and owning the fallout  – Reinventing concepts while everyone else plays it safe  – Investing in people instead of chasing shiny ideas  – The pandemic moments that could’ve erased everything  – What immigrants understand about hospitality that others don’t  – The belief he holds that most operators will disagree with The market is shifting again. The operators who grow from here will be the ones who think like Babak — conviction, adaptability, and brutal honesty. This is one of the strongest interviews we’ve ever released.  If you’re tired of surface-level advice, press play. 🍽️ Learn more about how to scale your restaurant through Dineline’s done-for-you marketing program: https://dineline.co 📲 Grow your restaurant the SMART way with our proprietary restaurant software, Dishio: https://get.dish.io/ 🎓 Take a look at our FREE Restaurant Marketing Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL403WqY9pN16aGIQc02X1nXFQLg0ThWuF  Follow us on Instagram for tips to grow your restaurant: https://www.instagram.com/dinelineco/

    1h 29m

  2. 05/15/2025

    RM EP 60: Jordan Boesch - Tech That Serves Restaurants

    Jordan Boesch didn’t wait for a better solution to manage staff schedules. He built it. He was just a kid when he saw his dad struggling to manage his team's schedule. Spreadsheets, paper, chaos—you know the drill.  So what did he do? He coded a tool to help his dad out. Fast forward a few years… and that tool became 7shifts—now used by over 50,000 restaurants to manage their teams, schedules, and payroll.  I sat down with Jordan on the latest episode of Restaurant Misfits and got the full story: How he scaled a side project into a restaurant tech powerhouseWhat he’s seeing across thousands of operators right nowHis take on AI, retention, labor costs—and what’s next for restaurantsThe biggest mistakes owners still make with their staffWhether you're running one location or scaling a group, this one’s packed with gold. 🍽️ Learn more about how to scale your restaurant through Dineline’s done-for-you marketing program: https://dineline.co 📲 Grow your restaurant the SMART way with our proprietary restaurant software, Dishio: https://get.dish.io/ 🎓 Take a look at our FREE Restaurant Marketing Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL403WqY9pN16aGIQc02X1nXFQLg0ThWuF  Follow us on Instagram for tips to grow your restaurant: https://www.instagram.com/dinelineco/

    1h 12m

  3. 04/03/2025

    EP 59: Chef Cheng Lin | From Fujian to Michelin

    Ever wonder what it takes to make people fall in love with sushi? Chef Cheng Lin has the answer. In this new episode, I interview Chef Cheng Lin, the mastermind behind Brooklyn’s Michelin-starred Shota Omakase. And let me tell you... he doesn’t just make sushi—he LIVES it. For him, Japanese cuisine is an art, and every detail matters. We dive into the omakase bubble in NY, the hidden costs of a cancelled reservation, and how it took him a YEAR to find the perfect location. Plus, the future of AI in restaurants, Google vs. ChatGPT, and the secret to making anyone fall in love with sushi. Whether you run a restaurant or just love next-level food, this episode will be quite the treat! If you’re in the restaurant or hospitality space, this is one episode you can’t afford to miss. 🍽️ Learn more about how to scale your restaurant through Dineline’s done-for-you marketing program: https://dineline.co 📲 Grow your restaurant the SMART way with our proprietary restaurant software, Dishio: https://get.dish.io/ 🎓 Take a look at our FREE Restaurant Marketing Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL403WqY9pN16aGIQc02X1nXFQLg0ThWuF  Follow us on Instagram for tips to grow your restaurant: https://www.instagram.com/dinelineco/

    1h 4m

  4. 03/13/2025

    EP 58: Dr. Michael Cheng | The Future of Food and Hospitality

    Dr. Cheng isn’t just the Dean of FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality—he’s a major force behind SOBEWFF (South Beach Wine & Food Festival), one of the largest food festivals in the world, drawing over 120,000 attendees and raising more than $40 million for hospitality education just this year alone! That’s beyond impressive—it’s changing the landscape of hospitality and education forever! In this episode, Dr. Cheng shares exclusive insights on: ✔️ How SOBEWFF went from a small event to one of the biggest food festivals in the world ✔️ What it takes to manage 500+ chefs at once ✔️ The latest trends in hospitality, from AI-driven guest experiences to hyper-personalized menus ✔️ And last, but not least, how restaurant owners can and should be using data to drive more revenue! (I was so happy to hear him say this!) If you’re in the restaurant or hospitality space, this is one episode you can’t afford to miss. 🍽️ Learn more about how to scale your restaurant through Dineline’s done-for-you marketing program: https://dineline.co 📲 Grow your restaurant the SMART way with our proprietary restaurant software, Dishio: https://get.dish.io/ 🎓 Take a look at our FREE Restaurant Marketing Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL403WqY9pN16aGIQc02X1nXFQLg0ThWuF  Follow us on Instagram for tips to grow your restaurant: https://www.instagram.com/dinelineco/

    1h 37m

  5. 02/25/2025

    EP 57: Brad Kilgore | Mastering Fine Dining & Business Growth

    Award-winning chef Brad Kilgore has built a restaurant empire, from Michelin-starred kitchens to launching Kilgore Culinary Group. In this episode, we dive into: 🔥 His journey from Kansas to Miami’s top restaurants 🔥 Lessons from working at Alinea & L2o 🔥 How he built & scaled multiple restaurant concepts 🔥 The role of marketing, AI, and innovation in hospitality 🔥 What the future holds for the restaurant industry 📢 Don’t miss this deep dive into Mastering Fine Dining & Business Growth! 🍽️ Learn more about how to scale your restaurant through Dineline’s done-for-you marketing program: https://dineline.co 📲 Grow your restaurant the SMART way with our proprietary restaurant software, Dishio: https://get.dish.io/ 🎓 Take a look at our FREE Restaurant Marketing Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL403WqY9pN16aGIQc02X1nXFQLg0ThWuF  Follow us on Instagram for tips to grow your restaurant: https://www.instagram.com/dinelineco/

    1h 3m

  6. 02/18/2025

    EP 56: Peter Litvinenko

    n this episode of Restaurant Misfi, we explore how restaurants can unlock new revenue streams, enhance branding, and optimize operations with smart, data-driven strategies. Joining us is Peter Litvinenko, CEO of WorkEatPlay, a platform transforming how restaurants monetize downtime by renting tables as workspaces during slow hours. Dubbed the "Airbnb for restaurants," WorkEatPlay currently operates at one Hamptons and five New York City venues, helping restaurants increase revenue while catering to remote workers. Beyond maximizing space, we discuss how restaurants can embrace marketing as a truth accelerator, maintain brand consistency, and cater to both local and tourist audiences in an ever-evolving industry. 💡 What You’ll Learn: ✔ How WorkEatPlay is redefining how restaurants generate revenue outside traditional dining hours. ✔ Why the real estate should dictate the concept and how location impacts restaurant success. ✔ The importance of being Instagrammable and creating a visually compelling brand experience. ✔ How to use data collection (like Dishio) to enhance guest engagement. ✔ The role of cross-collaboration between brands to boost visibility and customer reach. ✔ The evolution of restaurant managers, their growing responsibilities, and strategies for managing large teams. ✔ Why creating scorecards for employees and investing in training leads to better guest experiences. ✔ How QR code menus are shaping modern restaurant operations and improving efficiency. If you’re a restaurant owner, operator, or marketer, this episode is packed with insights on innovating your business, improving branding, and driving profitability in today’s competitive restaurant landscape. 🍽️ Learn more about how to scale your restaurant through Dineline’s done-for-you marketing program: https://dineline.co 📲 Grow your restaurant the SMART way with our proprietary restaurant software, Dishio: https://get.dish.io/ 🎓 Take a look at our FREE Restaurant Marketing Course:    • FREE Restaurant Marketing Course  Follow us on Instagram for tips to grow your restaurant:   / dinelineco

    1h 20m

  7. 11/21/2024

    Ep 55: Olivia Ormos

    In this episode of Restaurant Misfits, we uncover the game-changing potential of influencer marketing for restaurants and brands. Joining us is Olivia Ormos, a Miami-based entrepreneur and founder of Maven, the innovative platform connecting brands with top influencers. From launching successful initiatives like Model Volleyball to crafting influencer-driven experiences that captivate audiences, Olivia shares her journey and actionable strategies to help restaurants thrive in today’s competitive market. What You’ll Learn: How influencer marketing can create authentic connections and drive real results.Tips for choosing the right influencers and leveraging local talent.The do’s and don’ts of influencer campaigns to maximize ROI.Why experiential dining is the future of restaurant marketing.If you’re a restaurant owner, marketer, or brand looking to stand out and connect with your audience in impactful ways, this episode is packed with expert insights and proven tactics.  Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more strategies to elevate your restaurant marketing game!  Watch now and transform your approach to influencer marketing!

    1h 3m

  8. 10/11/2024

    EP 54: Leslie Diaz

    In this episode of Restaurant Misfits, we’re excited to introduce Leslie Diaz, a dynamic digital creator from Miami who has turned her love for restaurants into a successful content creation career. Leslie takes us through her inspiring journey, from studying speech therapy to becoming a leading voice in the restaurant industry. We explore how social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are transforming restaurant visibility and customer loyalty. Leslie shares her insights on how influencers can help restaurants grow in today’s competitive market. We also dive into Miami’s evolving food scene and its rising impact on the global restaurant landscape. Plus, we highlight the key ingredients for success—consistency, authenticity, and social engagement—crucial for building a loyal customer base and standing out. Whether you’re a restaurant owner looking to improve your social media strategy or just curious about what it takes to thrive in the restaurant world, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration!

    1h 10m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to our podcast, “Restaurant Misfits”, where we’ll discuss all things related to restaurant marketing, management, and everything else in between growing a restaurant business. Whether you are a single-location owner, multi-location owner, or just getting into the industry, you’ll find tips and tricks to help you achieve massive results in your business. We’re always looking for new interviews and features. If you’re interested in joining us on the show, please email Ana on our team at ana@dineline.co!

Information

  • Creator
    Brett Linkletter
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Restaurant Misfits
  • Show Website
    Restaurant Misfits