Having a good restaurant manager is essential in securing success in the world of hospitality. What characteristics and leadership styles should they possess? Jaime Oikle explores the eight traits of an effective manager with Darren Denington and Alison Anne. They discuss how managers must do the inner work to elevate themselves as impactful leaders and the best ways to build thriving relationships with their team. Darren and Alison also talk about Restaurant Management 201 and 301, a series of ...
Jul 23, 2025•27 min•Ep. 251
The everyday and long-term success of your restaurant hinges greatly not just on hiring the most talented people but also on building the right culture. Jaime Oikle sits down with David Friedman, founder of CultureWise, to break down how to create the ideal restaurant culture and environment. He talks about the right way to cultivate positivity within your team by constantly showing that you care about them, not just as employees but living and breathing human beings. David also dispels some mis...
Jul 14, 2025•34 min•Ep. 250
Your restaurant finances and taxes will always be your restaurant's most complicated and overwhelming aspects. Streamlining operations is the way to go if you want these to become much more manageable. Jaime Oikle sits down with returning guest Matthew Patrick to take a deep dive into the financial aspect of the restaurant industry. Together, they share valuable tips on menu engineering, tax compliance, cash flow monitoring, and tip management. Matthew also discusses how AI and the plethora of a...
Jun 30, 2025•38 min•Ep. 249
Restaurant goers will certainly remember good food bundled with good customer service. By creating a point of differentiation in these areas, you can make your place not only commendable but also memorable. Chris Tripoli of The Restaurant Clinic discusses why a personalized and specialized approach is the rising trend every restaurant should take advantage of in this age when so many food choices are readily available and easily accessible. He also shares insights on adjusting to customer needs ...
Jun 18, 2025•32 min•Ep. 248
Your restaurant’s marketing and branding are not only about turning heads and getting everyone’s attention. Most importantly, it is about turning your target market into loyal customers. Joe Haubenhofer, owner of The Plaid Penguin, discusses the right way to do this to improve and elevate how your restaurant is received by the public. He shares practical tips on creating effective logos, designing restaurant menus, using photography for maximum impact, and sticking to your set brand guidelines. ...
Jun 03, 2025•40 min•Ep. 247
Dive headfirst into the data revolution sweeping the restaurant industry! In this episode, host Jaime Oikle dives deep into the world of restaurant customer data analytics with Abhinav Kapur , co-founder and CEO of Bikky. Abhinav shares his journey from identifying the data gap in the hospitality industry to creating a powerful tool that helps restaurants understand and leverage customer insights. Discover how analyzing menu data can drive loyalty, why customer lifetime value is crucial (it's WA...
May 19, 2025•32 min•Ep. 246
Tipping is an important element in running a restaurant. Employees often receive several tips in a single dinner service, and sometimes keeping up with it is quite overwhelming and confusing. Kirk Grogan is here to discuss how automation can ease the burden of this particular task. Joining Jaime Oikle, the Co-Founder & COO at TipHaus shares the many benefits of using an automated process in computing, recording, and distributing tips, which results in a more optimized and streamlined restaur...
May 06, 2025•27 min•Ep. 245
The 2025 Restaurant Business Report was recently released, and it is full of curious yet enlightening information for the industry’s future. Jaime Oikle explores its contents with Bryan Solar, Chief Product Officer at SpotOn. Together, they discuss how restaurants should navigate today’s rising economic pressures, which involve increased costs, labor issues, and supply chain volatility. They explain how restaurant pricing should be adjusted and managed despite potential resistance from customers...
Apr 21, 2025•32 min•Ep. 244
Understanding the intricacies of restaurant accounting is paramount for any owner looking to thrive in today's competitive market. In this episode, we dive into the crucial world of restaurant accounting and finances with Marta Grumberg of Grumberg Accounting. Jaime Oikle sits down with Marta to explore the biggest financial challenges restaurant owners face—shrinking margins, rising food costs, and the common accounting pitfalls that can make or break a business. Get ready for a fast-paced, no-...
Apr 09, 2025•25 min•Ep. 243
Running a restaurant is tough – managing orders, executing marketing campaigns, and maintaining high customer engagement can quickly become overwhelming. Thankfully, AI has been changing the game and is now helping owners automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks. In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Carl Turner , CEO of SWIPEBY, to discuss how AI-driven tools can streamline marketing, online ordering, and customer interactions. They emphasize how this innovation allows owners to spend mor...
Mar 24, 2025•33 min•Ep. 242
David DeLorenzo returns to the podcast to join Jaime Oikle once again, this time to talk about his new book, Just Getting Started . He shares life wisdom and business insights on finding balance and fulfillment in life. David explores how to create a productive daily schedule, the essence of embracing positive habits and hobbies, as well as the right way to get off the grind and relax. He also talks about the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, trying out yoga and meditation, what it is ...
Mar 12, 2025•39 min•Ep. 241
In this episode, Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com interviews Ashley Bray about the Bar and Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas this upcoming March 24-26. 2025. They discuss the expo's events, education, exhibit floor, and networking parties. Ashley highlights several trends along the way. The expo promises great industry educational and networking opportunities -- don't miss it! Use code: MONEY to save 30% through 3/10/25. More info at https://barandrestaurantexpo.com
Mar 07, 2025•9 min•Ep. 240
In a rapid age of technology where businesses are all about scaling and expansion, the beauty of keeping everything localized is still a strong strategy in the restaurant industry. Christian J. Fischer, the Disruptive Chef, joins Jaime Oikle in discussing the beauty and uniqueness of running hyperlocal restaurants. They share why focusing on certain food specializations can boost your restaurant’s exposure and give it a nice different flavor. Christian also explains how to constantly recognize y...
Mar 03, 2025•42 min•Ep. 239
Building a successful restaurant requires more than just good food. It also demands a strong team driven by the right ownership mindset. In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Alison Anne about cultivating and maintaining a thriving restaurant culture. Alison emphasizes the importance of genuine connections with your staff and what it takes to move beyond the main character syndrome to understand their needs and motivations. She also advocates for building intentional relationships in the fast-...
Feb 19, 2025•34 min•Ep. 238
Many restaurants are so focused on offering good food that they fall short of providing a great experience to their own employees. Simon Zatyrka , the Culinary Mechanic , joins Jaime Oikle to discuss how chefs and restaurant owners should streamline their kitchen operations and bring them to the next level. Together, they discuss how to master the nuts and bolts of running a restaurant, the most important soft skills every owner must possess, and how to get around the worsening labor costs. Simo...
Feb 13, 2025•41 min•Ep. 237
Running a successful restaurant starts with team building, and Jaime Oikle dives deep into this crucial topic with Roger Beaudoin in this episode. They discuss practical strategies for identifying top talent, empowering employees, and fostering a strong workplace culture that drives results. Roger shares his proven methods for recruiting, training, and retaining top-tier staff while creating a motivated and engaged team. If you're ready to build a restaurant dream team and elevate your leadershi...
Feb 06, 2025•20 min•Ep. 236
Restaurants require a well-rounded and high-performing leadership team to ensure it operates flawlessly and effectively. With so many moving parts, owners must learn how to hire the right people who can work together in a fast-paced environment. Jaime Oikle explains how this can be done with Darren Dennington, founder of Service With Style . Together, they discuss the right way to write job descriptions, the difference between leadership and management, and the impact of various leadership style...
Jan 27, 2025•31 min•Ep. 235
2025 Restaurant Workforce Management Report . Sitting down with Jaime Oikle, they explore the collective feedback of more than 900 restaurant managers about employee needs, wages, and retention. Discover how to overcome the biggest hiring challenges, keep up with the continuous growth of QSR dining over full-service dining, and navigate the ever-evolving culture of tipping. Jordan also shares insights on how the restaurant industry must transform alongside the new technological innovations and r...
Jan 20, 2025•33 min•Ep. 234
Cost controls are paramount in maximizing restaurant profitability, and Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars joins Jaime Oikle in this episode to emphasize their critical importance. Roger breaks down essential systems for managing food, beverage, and labor costs, including accurate inventory tracking and menu cost analysis. He provides valuable insights on calculating true usage, understanding prime cost, and optimizing menu pricing for maximum profit potential. Don't miss this episode – disc...
Jan 14, 2025•30 min•Ep. 233
Peter Yang, co-founder of Pokeworks , shares the inspiring story of building a successful restaurant franchise from the ground up. Discover how Pokeworks went from a single location in New York City to a nationwide sensation with over 70 locations. Jaime Oikle and Peter Yang discuss the unique aspects of the Pokeworks franchising model, including their focus on small footprints, efficient operations, and prime real estate selection. Tune in to learn about the power of social media marketing, bui...
Jan 06, 2025•38 min•Ep. 232
Empowering restaurants to thrive in the digital age, Checkmate offers a suite of innovative solutions. In this episode, Jaime Oikle chats with Vishal Agarwal , the founder and CEO of Checkmate, a tech game-changer for restaurants. Initially focused on simplifying payment processes, Vishal discovered restaurant operators' deeper challenges with managing orders from multiple platforms. That's when the lightbulb went off! Vishal and his team created a suite of tools that not only simplify payments ...
Dec 11, 2024•37 min•Ep. 231
I'm a book aficionado so I loved puting this together -- Twenty absolutely solid book recommendations from a stellar collection of restaurant industry execs and insiders. Be sure to add some of these to your library or wish list... The Who... Jordan Boesch of 7shifts Tony Smith of Restaurant365 Michel Falcon of Brasa Peruvian Rushi Patel of Homebase Alex Sambvani of Slang.ai Vishal Agarwal of Checkmate Andrew Pudalov of Rush Bowls Brett Campbell of Loma Angelo Esposito of Wisk.AI The Books... Ra...
Dec 02, 2024•8 min•Ep. 230
How can AI revolutionize your restaurant’s guest experience? In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Alex Sambvani from Slang.ai about how their voice-powered AI technology is helping restaurants improve efficiency and customer service. From handling reservations to answering common questions, Slang.ai’s solution allows restaurants to automate over 50% of their phone calls while enhancing the guest experience with human-like interaction. Discover how this innovative platform is helping operators...
Nov 20, 2024•37 min•Ep. 229
Jaime Oikle sits down with Angelo Esposito of Wisk.ai to dive deep into the world of cost management for restaurants. From tracking cost of goods sold to automating invoices, they explore practical ways to boost profitability and streamline operations. Angelo shares key insights on inventory management, recipe cost tracking, and how AI can simplify the most tedious tasks. Tune in for valuable lessons on improving your restaurant’s bottom line with smart, tech-driven solutions. Learn more about W...
Nov 13, 2024•36 min•Ep. 228
With its innovative menu and commitment to quality, Bun Mee has quickly become a beloved destination for foodies seeking a taste of Vietnam. In this episode, Jaime Oikle sits down with Denise Tran , founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Vietnamese sandwich eatery Bun Mee. Denise recounts her journey of bringing authentic bánh mì into the mainstream, transitioning from a legal career to pursuing her culinary dreams. With four thriving locations and a fifth on the way, she shares the excitement o...
Nov 06, 2024•34 min•Ep. 227
Restaurant design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about crafting a memorable and immersive experience. Join Jaime Oikle and //3877 co-founder David Shove-Brown as they explore restaurant design, highlighting how to create unique dining experiences that blend architecture, branding, and hospitality. David talks about the evolution of his firm, the significance of understanding client visions, and the role of thoughtful design in enhancing both guest and staff interactions. From conceptualizing...
Oct 29, 2024•28 min•Ep. 226
Restaurant owners who are having trouble improving their menu, operations efficiency, and team management are going to want to tune in as we dig into the pain points impacting restaurants. Matthew Wilson, owner of the restaurant and hospitality consulting business Mise En Place . joins for a conversation with Jaime Oikle of Running Restaurants as he shares how he guides owners in developing a highly profitable menu, revamping employee management strategies, and more. Matthew also stresses the im...
Oct 24, 2024•35 min•Ep. 225
This episode features Rushi Patel , co-founder of Homebase , as he joins Jaime Oikle to share how the company transformed from a simple scheduling tool into a comprehensive platform for managing hourly workforces. From its humble beginnings, Homebase has expanded to offer communication tools, onboarding, and payroll services. Rushi recounts the journey of transforming Homebase to meet the needs of hourly business owners and their teams, and how the app has adapted to the changing landscape of bu...
Oct 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 224
In this episode, Jaime Oikle interviews Michel Falcon , a restaurant entrepreneur and author, to discuss the power of a people-first culture in business. Falcon shares his unique approach to building successful teams, cultivating engaged employees, and fostering a workplace that thrives on transparency. Discover how prioritizing people can drive top-line results, enhance customer experience, and create lasting success in the competitive restaurant industry. Tune in to learn actionable insights f...
Oct 07, 2024•42 min•Ep. 223
AI-powered dynamic pricing is the key to maximizing your restaurant’s profits—are you ready to embrace it? In this episode, Jaime Oikle dives into the game-changing world of dynamic pricing with industry experts Gordon Paterson and Jose Albis from Dynpricing Technologies Inc . Learn how AI is revolutionizing third-party delivery platforms by adjusting prices during peak and off-peak hours, helping restaurants balance demand, improve profitability, and maintain top-quality service. Whether you're...
Oct 01, 2024•31 min•Ep. 222
