Pat Martin learned the art and craft of West Tennessee-style smoke and meat 25 years ago in the tiny town of Henderson, TN before making Nashville his home. It became a consuming passion that eventually led to a business when he opened the first Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint in October of 2006 in Nolensville, Tennessee - just south of Nashville. Today, there are 10 Martin's locations in the Nashville area, Louisville Kentucky, Birmingham Alabama, and our newest location in Charleston South Carolina.

Pat is a member of the famed Fatback Collective, a philanthropic group of restaurateurs, pit masters, chefs, farmers and writers who strive to help others in times of need in the diverse and modern South.

Check out The Thrill of the Grill: Techniques, Recipes, & Down-Home Barbecue by Christopher Schlesinger as mentioned in today's episode.

Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!!

• Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel
• Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group
• Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!)

Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "Being super particular on the details is what matters in success."

In today's episode with Patrick Martin we will discuss:

• Industry secrets and should you keep them?
• Mentors and their immense importance in this industry
• Waiting to open a restaurant based on finances even though you have the skills
• The IMMENSE importance of LEARNING
• People who cook often do so beyond the need for sustenance - we want to make people happy
• The benefits of an open mind
• To go to culinary school or not to go to culinary school?
• Dealing with critics
• Making mistakes and what we learn
• Partnerships
• Labor schedules
• "Game-ifying" business
• You NEED to learn the business side regardless of your role in the company
• Promoting within when your team isn't ready-avoid it!
• Pride in your brand
• Ask EVERYONE for advice but be particular about the advice you take
• Growth
• Invest in YOUR PEOPLE
• The love of teaching

Today's sponsor:

Toast - A POS built for restaurants by restaurant people Adapt fast with Toast's cloud-based restaurant POS system that updates to evolve your POS along with changing industry trends and guest expectations. Toast is built exclusively for restaurants of all shapes and sizes, with over 2/3 of our employees having restaurant experience to serve you better. Online Ordering - Let guests easily order directly from your restaurant for pickup or contactless delivery to keep revenue flowing during these uncertain times. Toast Delivery Services Dispatch local drivers through an on-demand network to keep your community fed and revenue coming in.

Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • "You have to give a crap!"
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Over-analyze and go too deep into an issue
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • Training costs money so make sure they want to stay for a longer amount of time
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • People
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Know your job and do your job
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Chef-driven, fine-dining FOH
   • The customer is not always right but you still need to make them feel like they are right
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Lessons in Service from Charlie Trotter by Edmund Lawler
   • Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
   • One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
8. Name one service you've hired.
   • Accounting - Todd Mormon of Fresh Hospitality
9. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
   • Do all the little things
   • Smile and be very very nice with your customer base
   • Treat others better than you treat yourself

Contact info:

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint website

Instagram: personal: @pitmasterpat business: @martinsbbq

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Patrick Martin for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!