Table Thirteen

Susan Tung

Table Thirteen is a podcast about restaurants, small business, and the real conversations that happen around the table. Hosted from an actual table in the restaurant, it’s a mix of casual chats and insightful discussions with friends, business owners, and industry friends. Whether you’re in the restaurant game or just love good business talk, pull up a chair.

  1. 12/08/2025

    We almost burned the restaurant down

    In this episode of Table Thirteen, hosts Susan and Morgan kick off the week with an unexpected incident involving an overnight broth leading to a small kitchen crisis. They recount the chaotic morning and the immediate steps they took to handle the situation, including salvaging the burnt pot as a keepsake. The conversation then shifts to an interesting experience with a high-maintenance Airbnb guest, highlighting the demands of customer service. Lastly, Susan and Morgan discuss the importance of landlord-tenant relationships and share their excitement about exploring new restaurant spaces. They invite listeners to join their community, the Thirteen Club, for valuable resources and support. Join us at The Thirteen Club

    32 min

  2. 28/07/2025

    We're on Skool! WTF Is Skool and why you should care

    Introducing the Thirteen Club: Building a Thriving Restaurant Community In this episode of Table Thirteen, hosts Morgan Hircock and Susan Tung introduce an exciting new initiative, the Thirteen Club. This online community is designed for restaurant and food business owners to connect, share resources, and support each other. Morgan and Susan explain the purpose of the club, highlight its features like marketing co-working sessions and safe spaces for productive conversations, and invite listeners to join. The Thirteen Club aims to provide valuable content, workshops, and a supporting network for business growth without the negativity found on other platforms. Listeners are encouraged to leave feedback and contribute to making the community a better resource for everyone. 00:00 Welcome to Table Thirteen 00:49 Introducing the Thirteen Club 01:14 Building a Supportive Community 04:04 How to Join the Thirteen Club 04:35 Continuous Improvement and Feedback 05:32 Conclusion and Invitation Connect with us:  Join the Thirteen Club Follow us on Instagram

    6 min

  3. 21/07/2025

    An Efficient Kitchen, Is a Boring One

    In this episode, we’re talking about why the most efficient kitchens are predictable, repeatable, and yes—sometimes boring. From mise en place to communication systems to not reinventing the wheel every damn day, we break down how to set up your kitchen for speed, consistency, and sanity. Whether you're running a tight line or trying to scale your prep for catering, this is your blueprint for less chaos and more flow. Spoiler: It’s not about working harder. It’s about making it easier for your team to win. Connect with us:  Join the Thirteen Club Follow us on Instagram

    16 min

  4. 17/07/2025

    The Numbers Every Restaurant Owner Should Track

    Mastering Restaurant Finances: Essential Metrics for Success In this episode of Table 13, host Susan Tung dives into the essential financial metrics that independent restaurant owners need to understand to ensure their business's success. Susan shares her personal story of overcoming financial challenges by focusing on key numbers and offers actionable advice on managing rent costs, prime costs, average ticket size, and sales per labor hour. She emphasizes the importance of making decisions based on facts rather than emotions and invites listeners to join the Thirteen Club, a supportive online community for restaurant owners. 00:00 Introduction to Table Thirteen 00:16 The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers 01:58 Rent: Keeping It Under Control 02:46 Understanding Prime Costs 04:13 Balancing Labor and Food Costs 04:48 Boosting Revenue with Average Ticket Size 05:24 Sales Per Labor Hour: Efficiency Matters 06:24 Wrapping Up and Community Invitation Connect with us:  Join the Thirteen Club Follow us on Instagram

    7 min

  5. 19/06/2025

    From Resentment to Respect: Our Tip System Story

    The Problem with Tipping Culture in Restaurants In this episode of Table 13, hosts Susan Tung and Morgan Hircock dive into tipping culture and how COVID-19 has exacerbated the issues linked to it. They outline the historical roots of tipping in the US and Canada, highlighting how it started as a system to underpay freed black workers. Susan and Morgan discuss the ongoing inequities caused by tipping, such as the pay disparity between front-of-house and back-of-house staff, and the resulting hostile work environment. They share their experiences from their own restaurant, which operates on a model where tips are pooled and distributed based on hours worked. The hosts explain how this system fosters teamwork, improves staff retention, and provides a more equitable working environment. They also touch on the challenges and feasibility of moving away from tipping entirely, suggesting it might require government intervention for widespread change. The episode concludes with a call for owners to consider more equitable models and the benefits of transparency and open conversation within the team. 00:00 Introduction and Hosts 00:46 The Origins of Tipping 02:03 The Impact of Tipping Culture 04:48 Personal Stories and Experiences 07:31 Challenges in the Restaurant Industry 08:34 The Role of Different Positions 15:34 Alternative Models to Tipping 16:56 Policy Changes and Menu Prices 17:46 Tipping Culture in Fine Dining 19:47 Our Restaurant's Compensation Model 23:00 Employee Retention and Team Dynamics 28:21 Implementing Change in Tipping Systems 32:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Connect with us:  Join the Thirteen Club Follow us on Instagram

    33 min

  6. 31/03/2025

    5 Ways to Reduce Your Food Cost

    In this episode of Table 13, hosts Susan Tung and Morgan Hircock share practical advice for restaurant owners on how to reduce food costs, a critical factor in driving profitability. Drawing on personal experiences and real-life examples, they discuss the importance of having accurate food costs, standardizing recipes, and managing inventory efficiently. They also cover topics such as employee training, negotiating with vendors, and using smart pricing strategies. From avoiding over-ordering to engineering your menu for maximum profit, this episode is packed with actionable insights designed to help new and experienced restaurant owners alike. Tune in to learn the basics and start making immediate improvements to your restaurant's bottom line. Connect with us:  Join the Thirteen Club Follow us on Instagram

    30 min

  7. 24/03/2025

    We Trained the Next Generation of Restaurant Workers—Here’s What We Learned

    Hiring and training staff is one of the biggest struggles for restaurant owners. We recently ran a 5-day restaurant bootcamp for high school students, teaching them the skills needed to land (and keep) a job in the industry. In this episode, we break down what worked, what didn’t, and the surprising takeaways about today’s workforce. Plus, we dive into why so many restaurant owners struggle with hiring and training—and what you can do to make it easier. If you’re tired of the revolving door of staff, this episode is for you! Connect with us:  Join the Thirteen Club Follow us on Instagram

    39 min

  8. 11/03/2025

    Episode 2: From High Chairs to High Stakes: Balancing Mom Life & Restaurant Leadership

    Running a restaurant is demanding. So is being a mom. Doing both? That’s a whole different level of chaos. In this episode, we get real about the struggles of juggling family life with restaurant ownership, the guilt, the long hours, and the moments that made us realize we couldn’t be in the business 24/7. We’ll share what we changed, how we set boundaries, and the systems we put in place to actually have a life outside of work. If you’re trying to do it all and feeling stretched thin, this one’s for you.  Connect with us:  Join the Thirteen Club Follow us on Instagram

    21 min
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Sobre

Table Thirteen is a podcast about restaurants, small business, and the real conversations that happen around the table. Hosted from an actual table in the restaurant, it’s a mix of casual chats and insightful discussions with friends, business owners, and industry friends. Whether you’re in the restaurant game or just love good business talk, pull up a chair.

Informações

  • Criado por
    Susan Tung
  • Anos de atividade
    2 mil
  • Episódios
    17
  • Classificação
    Livre
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Site do podcast
    Table Thirteen