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How to Turn a Local Restaurant Into a Destination Brand
Welcome to the Brand to Table Podcast, the show where restaurant owners and hospitality leaders learn how to stop guessing and start growing real revenue through proven branding and marketing strategies.
In this episode, Henry Kaminski Jr. sits down with Dominic Torlucci, Director of Operations at Stonewater in Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Dominic shares his incredible culinary journey from turning down a football scholarship to work on farms in Spain, to opening high-end concepts alongside celebrity chef José Andrés, and finally bringing that scratch-kitchen standard to a lakeside New Jersey town.
Key Takeaways: Experiential Branding, Retention & Operations- The "Wow" Factor Architecture: Why maximizing your natural environment (like 30-foot ceilings with floor-to-ceiling lake views) instantly puts guests in a "vacation" mindset.
- Experiential Upsells: How Stonewater uses its 400-slip marina to offer private boat rentals, sunset cruises, and dock-and-dine experiences that competitors can't touch.
- The Secret to Zero Turnover: Why Dominic still has his original kitchen staff from 2017 (Hint: It’s about leading from the front and washing dishes when the team is weeded).
According to Dominic Torlucci, building a destination restaurant requires creating an immersive experience that goes far beyond the food.
- Leverage the Environment: Stonewater utilizes its lakeside location by timing events around sunsets and designing the dining room to maximize natural views.
- Offer Unique Experiences: By offering boat rentals and on-the-water dining packages, the restaurant becomes an afternoon getaway, not just a meal.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.brandtotable.com
Message the word “Social” to use our free AI Social Media Post Idea Generator.
FOLLOW HENRY ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: instagram.com/h.kaminskijr
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrandToTable
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HenryKaminskiJr/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-kaminski-jr/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@henrykaminskijr
📢 If you got value from this episode, subscribe to the channel, leave a comment or review, and share it with someone in hospitality who needs a smarter way to grow.
#brandtotable #restaurantmarketing #destinationrestaurant #hospitalitymanagement #staffretention #restaurantowner #experientialmarketing #njrestaurants
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By Henry Kaminski Jr.Welcome to the Brand to Table Podcast, the show where restaurant owners and hospitality leaders learn how to stop guessing and start growing real revenue through proven branding and marketing strategies.
In this episode, Henry Kaminski Jr. sits down with Dominic Torlucci, Director of Operations at Stonewater in Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Dominic shares his incredible culinary journey from turning down a football scholarship to work on farms in Spain, to opening high-end concepts alongside celebrity chef José Andrés, and finally bringing that scratch-kitchen standard to a lakeside New Jersey town.
Key Takeaways: Experiential Branding, Retention & Operations- The "Wow" Factor Architecture: Why maximizing your natural environment (like 30-foot ceilings with floor-to-ceiling lake views) instantly puts guests in a "vacation" mindset.
- Experiential Upsells: How Stonewater uses its 400-slip marina to offer private boat rentals, sunset cruises, and dock-and-dine experiences that competitors can't touch.
- The Secret to Zero Turnover: Why Dominic still has his original kitchen staff from 2017 (Hint: It’s about leading from the front and washing dishes when the team is weeded).
According to Dominic Torlucci, building a destination restaurant requires creating an immersive experience that goes far beyond the food.
- Leverage the Environment: Stonewater utilizes its lakeside location by timing events around sunsets and designing the dining room to maximize natural views.
- Offer Unique Experiences: By offering boat rentals and on-the-water dining packages, the restaurant becomes an afternoon getaway, not just a meal.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.brandtotable.com
Message the word “Social” to use our free AI Social Media Post Idea Generator.
FOLLOW HENRY ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: instagram.com/h.kaminskijr
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrandToTable
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HenryKaminskiJr/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-kaminski-jr/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@henrykaminskijr
📢 If you got value from this episode, subscribe to the channel, leave a comment or review, and share it with someone in hospitality who needs a smarter way to grow.
#brandtotable #restaurantmarketing #destinationrestaurant #hospitalitymanagement #staffretention #restaurantowner #experientialmarketing #njrestaurants