In this engaging episode, Wil B chats with Mark Greenblatt, President of Barry Bagels, and Jim Nussbaum, CEO. They share the remarkable 53-year journey of Barry Bagels, from its founding by Mark’s father in 1972 to its expansion to 84 total stores (open or under development) across five states. Mark and Jim delve into the evolution of the brand’s identity, its strategic franchising model, and the values-driven leadership that has fostered exceptional employee retention and customer loyalty. The ...
Jul 19, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 595
In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil Brawley talks with Seth Watson, the founder of Distillery of Modern Art in Atlanta. Seth shares his entrepreneurial journey, from launching a production and event design business out of a garage to eventually building a one-of-a-kind distillery that blends spirits, art, and community. He opens up about why he left his first business, how he navigated outdated Georgia alcohol laws, and why he built a distillery with multiple revenue s...
Jul 16, 2025•51 min•Ep. 594
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil chats with Ross Hester, owner of Good Day Cafe and Bar Muse in Oxford, Mississippi. They discuss Ross's journey in the restaurant industry, the challenges of running a business, and the importance of leadership and team dynamics. Ross shares insights on the growth of his establishments, the significance of maintaining a positive work environment, and the future plans for his businesses. The conversation highlights the passion...
Jul 13, 2025•41 min•Ep. 593
Summary In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, host Wil Brawley engages with Chad Biel, a successful restaurateur and franchisor, discussing the intricacies of restaurant management, the importance of effective AI-phone answering software, and the challenges of finding the right franchisees. They explore the growth strategies for franchising, the significance of community engagement, and the marketing tactics that can enhance brand recognition. Chad shares insights from his experiences i...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 592
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil interviews Don Nicol from TacoLu, discussing the challenges faced in the restaurant industry, including rising costs and labor issues. Don shares insights on maintaining customer experience, navigating cash flow, and the importance of community engagement. He reflects on the impact of events like the TPC tournament on business and his future plans for Taco Lou, including potential family involvement in the restaurant. Takeawa...
Jun 27, 2025•56 min•Ep. 591
In this quick, heartfelt episode, Wil delivers a philosophical and motivational message for independent hospitality business owners. Drawing from 18 years of experience serving restaurants and 12 years of podcasting, Wil reflects on the remarkable anti-fragility of this industry. Inspired by Nassim Nicholas Taleb's book Antifragile , Wil explains how independent restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, boutique hotels, and similar businesses don’t just survive difficult times—they grow stronger bec...
Jun 06, 2025•5 min•Ep. 590
Summary In this conversation, Dana Monfort shares her journey of opening a new restaurant concept, Town Pump, in Denver. She discusses her diverse background, the challenges of entering the restaurant industry, and her vision for creating a community-focused space that fills a void in the market. Dana emphasizes the importance of simplicity, intentionality, and building relationships with customers, while also balancing her career in real estate. The conversation highlights the resilience and pa...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 589
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Will interviews Jon Darby, owner of Darby's American Cantina. They discuss John's journey into the restaurant industry, the challenges of managing a restaurant, the impact of minimum wage laws, and the evolving trends in alcohol consumption. Jon shares insights on the importance of community support among restaurant owners and the realities of running a restaurant in today's economy, especially post-COVID. The conversation also t...
May 15, 2025•42 min•Ep. 588
Wil reads an incredible article by Simon Harris.
May 07, 2025•12 min•Ep. 587
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil interviews Ryan Handel, founder of Fixe, a bookkeeping service tailored for the restaurant industry. Ryan shares his journey from working in restaurants to founding his own, and ultimately creating Fixe to streamline bookkeeping for restaurant owners. The conversation covers the challenges of bookkeeping, customer acquisition strategies, and the competitive landscape of restaurant accounting software. Ryan emphasizes the impo...
Apr 30, 2025•48 min•Ep. 586
Summary In this episode, Wil speaks with Chand Harlow, co-creator and owner of Wonderbird Spirits, a distillery in Mississippi. They discuss Chand's journey from finance to the world of hospitality and distilling, emphasizing the importance of a grain to glass philosophy. Chand shares insights into the unique process of crafting gin using Jasmine rice, the challenges of starting a distillery, and the blend of art and science in creating high-quality spirits. In this conversation, the speakers de...
Apr 25, 2025•55 min•Ep. 585
Summary In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, Wil interviews Greg Dulan, owner of Dulan's on Crenshaw, celebrating 50 years in business. They discuss the importance of family legacy in hospitality, the challenges faced in the restaurant industry, and innovative strategies for revenue generation. Greg shares insights on building authentic customer relationships and navigating the evolving landscape of delivery services, emphasizing the significance of community connection and the spirit ...
Apr 14, 2025•54 min•Ep. 584
Summary In this conversation, Simon Harris shares his extensive experience in the hospitality industry, discussing the importance of genuine connections in dining experiences. He reflects on the evolution of hospitality, emphasizing the need for authentic interactions over scripted service. The discussion also touches on the impact of technology and nostalgia in shaping customer experiences, advocating for a return to the core values of hospitality that prioritize making guests feel valued and c...
Apr 10, 2025•58 min•Ep. 583
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil chats with Justin Cucci, a seasoned restaurateur from Denver. They discuss Justin's early experiences in hospitality, the importance of passion in the industry, and the distinction between hospitality and service. Justin shares insights on implementing an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in his restaurant group, highlighting its benefits for employee engagement and business sustainability. The conversation also touches on...
Apr 04, 2025•55 min•Ep. 582
Summary In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, host Wil Brawley speaks with Jeff Galletly, CEO of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, about his extensive journey in the hospitality industry. Jeff shares insights from his corporate background at PepsiCo and Restaurant Brands International, his transition to entrepreneurship, and the rapid growth of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop. The conversation delves into the importance of hospitality in the restaurant business, the balance between technology and human in...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 581
Summary In this conversation, Wil and Michael DePaolo explore the essence of hospitality, emphasizing the importance of empathy, connection, and community impact. Michael shares his personal journey in the hospitality industry, from washing dishes to running a nonprofit hospitality vertical. They discuss the challenges faced by the restaurant industry, especially post-COVID, and the lessons learned from working at Union Square Hospitality Group. Wil and Michael delve into the complexities of res...
Mar 26, 2025•39 min•Ep. 580
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil talks with Rick Gruber, CEO of Billy Bricks Restaurant Group. Ric hares insights into the pizza industry, the challenges of running a family business, and the impact of online reviews on restaurants. He discusses the unique styles of pizza offered at Billy Bricks, the evolution of the business over 20 years, and the importance of community in their restaurant experience. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape...
Mar 17, 2025•51 min•Ep. 579
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Wil interviews Jerome and Marc, the owners of Premium Loavess, the second largest Jimmy John's franchisee. They discuss their early experiences in hospitality, the unique culture of Jimmy John's, the challenges of scaling a business while maintaining that culture, and their journey to ownership. The conversation also covers acquisition strategies, financing transactions, and the importance of training and execution in the restaur...
Mar 11, 2025•54 min•Ep. 578
Summary Brandon and Wil discuss the intricacies of the restaurant industry, focusing on the challenges faced by aspiring restaurant owners, the importance of financial planning, and the role of hospitality in ensuring success. They delve into the concept behind 'The Industry Standard,' a platform aimed at sharing valuable insights and strategies for navigating the complexities of running a restaurant. The discussion also covers the significance of capitalization, the realities of raising funds, ...
Mar 11, 2025•53 min•Ep. 577
Summary In this episode of Restaurant Owners Uncorked, host Wil Brawley speaks with Cameron Long, co-founder of Virnika, about the challenges faced by restaurant owners, particularly regarding labor issues. They discuss how Virnika aims to leverage AI technology to improve operational efficiency in restaurants, allowing staff to focus on high-value tasks. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding the hospitality industry from the inside and how technology can enhance, rath...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 576
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, Will interviews Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro. They discuss the challenges faced by restaurant owners, the importance of profitability, and the role of effective management systems in achieving success. Fred shares his journey from being a restaurant owner to helping others improve their operations through innovative software solutions. The conversation also touches on the significance of customer service, budgeting...
Feb 21, 2025•58 min•Ep. 575
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, host Wil Brawley interviews David Stuck, owner of Tin Kitchen, who shares his unique journey in the hospitality industry. David discusses his early experiences, the importance of customer service, and the challenges he faced while starting his food truck business. He emphasizes the significance of community and word-of-mouth marketing in building his brand, as well as the lessons learned in hiring and team management as the busin...
Feb 19, 2025•57 min•Ep. 574
Summary In this engaging conversation, Joe Fontana, owner of Fry the Coop, shares his journey from working in hospitality as a valet and bartender to opening his own successful restaurant chain specializing in chicken sandwiches. He discusses the importance of finding one's purpose, the role of mentorship, and the challenges of starting a business. Joe emphasizes the significance of marketing and public relations in driving success, as well as the necessity of operational excellence to ensure cu...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 573
Summary In this conversation, Wil Brawley and Mykal Zangwill discuss the journey of Mykal's family-owned frozen yogurt business, Fuzzy Peach, and the challenges and rewards of working in the hospitality industry. They explore the importance of a positive mindset, the essence of customer experience, and the nuances of managing a self-serve business. Mykal shares insights on hiring staff, the realities of running a frozen yogurt shop, and the significance of community involvement in hospitality. B...
Feb 03, 2025•44 min•Ep. 572
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, host Wil Brawley speaks with Cliff Crider, CEO of Stinger Compliance and co-founder of Truck and Tap. They discuss Cliff's journey from working in fast food at Roy Rogers to becoming a real estate appraiser and eventually transitioning into the restaurant industry. Cliff shares insights on the challenges of running a restaurant, the importance of community engagement, and the creation of Stinger Compliance to help businesses stay...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 571
Summary In this conversation, Peter Yang, co-founder of Pokeworks, shares his journey from growing up in a family restaurant to establishing a successful poke restaurant chain. He discusses the challenges and lessons learned in the hospitality industry, the importance of customer service, and the strategic decisions that led to the birth and growth of Pokeworks. The conversation also delves into the franchising model and the criteria for selecting franchise partners, emphasizing the need for ali...
Jan 30, 2025•45 min•Ep. 570
Summary In this conversation, Veljko Pavicevic shares his inspiring journey from Montenegro to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the hospitality industry in America. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude, humility, and hard work, as well as the value of community and teamwork. Veljko recounts his experiences at the Ritz Carlton, highlighting the lessons learned about exceptional service and the significance of treating every interaction as part of a legacy. In this conversation, Veljko P...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 569
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, host Wil Brawley speaks with Chrissy Ouellette, VP of Business Development and Enterprise Sales at Touchpoint. They discuss Chrissy's journey in the hospitality tech industry, the evolution of restaurant technology, and the importance of personal connections in the hospitality sector. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating corporate structures, the phenomenon of tech fatigue in the restaurant industry, and ...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 568
Summary In this conversation, Shahpour Nejad, the founder and CEO of Pizza Guys, shares his journey from an immigrant student to a successful entrepreneur in the pizza industry. He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in establishing and expanding Pizza Guys, emphasizing the importance of quality, customer interaction, and community engagement. Shahpour also highlights the significance of selecting the right franchisees and maintaining consistency in service and product quality to th...
Jan 03, 2025•47 min•Ep. 567
Summary In this episode of the Restaurant Owners Uncorked podcast, host Wil Brawley interviews Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palate and Pepper Lunch. They discuss Troy's unique background, including his experiences as a master diver and chef, and how these experiences shape his approach to business. The conversation delves into the challenges of the restaurant industry, the importance of remaining calm under pressure, and the growth trajectory of Pepper Lunch as it expands internationally. Troy shares...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 566
