If you’re looking for real-world strategies to strengthen your team, tighten your numbers, and elevate your guest experience, this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast is packed with actionable ideas. Jamie and Leo show that when you combine strong systems with leadership and creativity, you can build restaurants that thrive—even in the most competitive markets.

If you’re looking for real-world strategies to strengthen your team, tighten your numbers, and elevate your guest experience, this episode of the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast is packed with actionable ideas. Jamie and Leo show that when you combine strong systems with leadership and creativity, you can build restaurants that thrive—even in the most competitive markets.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why cross-training is an investment, not a cost

• How to hire for personality and train for skills

• The key financial metrics to track weekly, not monthly

• The importance of menu costing and timely price adjustments

• Simple ways to build morale, recognition, and culture

• How to mentor managers through shadowing and hands-on training

• Social media and influencer strategies that drive new business

• Why “experience” is the new standard for hospitality

Listen now to hear Jamie and Leo’s full story and discover the systems that keep their restaurants strong, profitable, and built to last.

Show Notes & Transcript: https://restaurantrockstars.com/audio/episode-456-restaurant-systems/

Thank you to our sponsors:

• The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/

• The Birthday Club – Everyone celebrates their birthday! Get new and repeat business, fill your tables, and boost sales with Birthdays: https://jointhebirthdayclub.com/BirthdayRockstar/

Work Less. Earn More.

Discover how Keke’s Breakfast Café built a thriving 70+ location brand with a single-shift model, happy staff, and loyal guests. Learn the leadership principles, culture strategies, and operational systems that are redefining restaurant success.

Run a Smarter, More Profitable Restaurant. Discover the proven systems that drive sales, train staff, and maximize your margins. Inside the Restaurant Training Academy, you’ll get step-by-step tools to master your finances and multiply your revenue—plus get unlimited staff access and an onboarding coaching call with Roger included.

👉 Join now: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy

Connect with our guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/keke's-breakfast-cafe-inc./

https://www.facebook.com/KekesBreakfastCafe/

https://www.instagram.com/kekesbreakfastcafe/

https://x.com/kekes

Thank you to our sponsors:

• The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/

• Touch Bistro: Touch Bistro helps speed up service, reduce errors and turn tables faster while loyalty programs, online ordering and contactless payments boost your bottom line. Plus, real time analytics, inventory tracking and staff scheduling are game changers. Reach out to my friend Becky, tell her I sent you and she will take good care of you! Her email is [email protected] or call her at 647-360-3994.

• Fora Financial: Money and funding for restaurant inventory, new equipment, or whatever you choose. Easy apply, fast decision and up to $1.5M funding. Funding subject to terms and conditions. Go to www.forafinancial.com/rockstar

• The Birthday Club – Everyone celebrates their birthday! Get new and repeat business, fill your tables, and boost sales with Birthdays: https://jointhebirthdayclub.com/BirthdayRockstar/

Too many restaurants obsess over food cost—but profit is what really matters. In this episode, Roger breaks down the food cost fallacy, how to calculate your true cost, and what to do instead to boost your bottom line. From portion control and inventory to menu redesign and training, this is a must-listen for every restaurant owner.

Run a Smarter, More Profitable Restaurant.

Discover the proven systems that drive sales, train staff, and maximize your margins. Inside the Restaurant Academy, you’ll get step-by-step tools to master your finances and multiply your revenue—plus unlimited staff access.

👉 Join now: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Fora Financial: Money and funding for restaurant inventory, new equipment, or whatever you choose. Easy apply, fast decision and up to $1.5M funding. Funding subject to terms and conditions. Go to www.forafinancial.com/rockstar

• The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/

• The Birthday Club – Everyone celebrates their birthday! Get new and repeat business, fill your tables, and boost sales with Birthdays: https://jointhebirthdayclub.com/BirthdayRockstar/

• Touch Bistro: Touch Bistro helps speed up service, reduce errors and turn tables faster while loyalty programs, online ordering and contactless payments boost your bottom line. Plus, real time analytics, inventory tracking and staff scheduling are game changers. Reach out to my friend Becky, tell her I sent you and she will take good care of you! Her email is [email protected] or call her at 647-360-3994.

Are financial mistakes draining your restaurant’s profits? In this episode, we break down the top 10 restaurant financial mistakes—from tip reporting and payroll to sales tax and bookkeeping. Tax pro Cindy Montoya from KAC Consulting shares how to fix the leaks and boost your bottom line.

Unlock all the Secrets to Running a Highly Profitable Restaurant. Follow the Restaurant Profit Fast Track: Master Finances, Boost Sales, Train Staff, and Multiply Your Revenue! Unlimited Staff Accounts. Join the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy

Connect with Restaurant Rockstars on Social Media:

LinkedIn Roger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin-21590016

LinkedIn Restaurant Rockstars: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restaurant-rockstars

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantrockstars/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantrockstars

X: https://x.com/RestaurantRock1

Connect with our guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/kac-consulting-inc.

https://www.facebook.com/kacconsulting

https://www.instagram.com/kacconsulting

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Touch Bistro: Touch Bistro helps speed up service, reduce errors and turn tables faster while loyalty programs, online ordering and contactless payments boost your bottom line. Plus, real time analytics, inventory tracking and staff scheduling are game changers. Reach out to my friend Becky, tell her I sent you and she will take good care of you! Her email is [email protected] or call her at 647-360-3994.

• The Birthday Club – Everyone celebrates their birthday! Get new and repeat business, fill your tables, and boost sales with Birthdays: https://jointhebirthdayclub.com/BirthdayRockstar/

• The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/

• Fora Financial: Money and funding for restaurant inventory, new equipment, or whatever you choose. Easy apply, fast decision and up to $1.5M funding. Funding subject to terms and conditions. Go to www.forafinancial.com/rockstar

Join Roger as he welcomes Leslie Durso, a dynamic chef and culinary consultant who works with the Four Seasons and personal clients. Discover how Leslie blends health-focused culinary practices with profitability in the restaurant industry. Learn about handling food allergies, plant-based menu options that entice all customers, and the financial benefits of healthier choices. Leslie also shares her secrets for maintaining a positive workplace culture in high-profile luxury kitchens. Don't miss out on valuable tips for improving your restaurant's bottom line while catering to modern dietary needs.

👉 Unlock all the Secrets to Running a Highly Profitable Restaurant. Follow the Restaurant Profit Fast Track: Master Finances, Boost Sales, Train Staff, and Multiply Your Revenue! Unlimited Staff Accounts. Join the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy

Thank you to our sponsors:

⭐️ The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/

Fora Financial: Money and funding for restaurant inventory, new equipment, or whatever you choose. Easy apply, fast decision and up to $1.5M funding. Funding subject to terms and conditions. Go to https://www.forafinancial.com/rockstar

⭐️ MyEmployees: A happy team is a productive team. Boost morale, team-spirit and employee appreciation with impactful, consistent and genuine recognition programs. MyEmployees helps thousands of hospitality leaders uplevel performance, lower turnover and build winning teams. https://myemployees.com/hospitality/

⭐️ TouchBistro: Touch Bistro helps speed up service, reduce errors and turn tables faster while loyalty programs, online ordering and contactless payments boost your bottom line. Plus, real time analytics, inventory tracking and staff scheduling are game changers. Reach out to my friend Becky, tell her I sent you and she will take good care of you! Her email is [email protected] or call her at 647-360-3994.

⭐️ Lilly’s Fresh Pasta - Lilly’s Fresh Pasta creates the finest fresh pastas from scratch using clean ingredients and old-world recipes passed down from mother to son. Lilly, the company matriarch and her son Antonio continue to follow the highest quality standards for their products. Ask your sales rep today or go to: https://lillysfreshpasta.com

Struggling with staffing? You’re not alone. In this episode, we uncover why 47% of your restaurant employees may be ready to quit—and what you can do about it. Leadership expert David Strange reveals proven hiring tactics, morale-boosting strategies, and the one thing most leaders miss. From “hire slow, fire fast” to the secret behind bottom-up leadership, this is your ultimate playbook for building a loyal, high-performing team.

Unlock all the Secrets to Running a Highly Profitable Restaurant. Follow the Restaurant Profit Fast Track: Master Finances, Boost Sales, Train Staff, and Multiply Your Revenue! Unlimited Staff Accounts. Join the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy

Connect with Restaurant Rockstars on Social Media:

LinkedIn Roger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin-21590016

LinkedIn Restaurant Rockstars: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restaurant-rockstars

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantrockstars/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantrockstars

X: https://x.com/RestaurantRock1

Thank you to our sponsors:

The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/

Fora Financial: Money and funding for restaurant inventory, new equipment, or whatever you choose. Easy apply, fast decision and up to $1.5M funding. Funding subject to terms and conditions. Go to www.forafinancial.com/rockstar

MyEmployees: A happy team is a productive team. Boost morale, team-spirit and employee appreciation with impactful, consistent and genuine recognition programs. MyEmployees helps thousands of hospitality leaders uplevel performance, lower turnover and build winning teams. https://myemployees.com/hospitality/

TouchBistro: Touch Bistro helps speed up service, reduce errors and turn tables faster while loyalty programs, online ordering and contactless payments boost your bottom line.

Most restaurant owners are missing this game-changing strategy. Roger shares the systems, team-building tactics, and menu hacks that turn restaurants into profit machines. If you want bigger margins and loyal staff, this is a must-listen.

Unlock all the Secrets to Running a Highly Profitable Restaurant. Follow the Restaurant Profit Fast Track: Master Finances, Boost Sales, Train Staff, and Multiply Your Revenue! Unlimited Staff Accounts. Join the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Touch Bistro: Touch Bistro helps speed up service, reduce errors and turn tables faster while loyalty programs, online ordering and contactless payments boost your bottom line. Plus, real time analytics, inventory tracking and staff scheduling are game changers. Reach out to my friend Becky, tell her I sent you and she will take good care of you! Her email is [email protected] or call her at 647-360-3994.

• The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/

• MyEmployees: A happy team is a productive team. Boost morale, team-spirit and employee appreciation with impactful, consistent and genuine recognition programs. MyEmployees helps thousands of hospitality leaders uplevel performance, lower turnover and build winning teams. Go To: https://myemployees.com/hospitality

• Lilly’s Fresh Pasta - Lilly’s Fresh Pasta creates the finest fresh pastas from scratch using clean ingredients and old-world r own from mother to son. Lilly, the company matriarch and her son Antonio continue to follow the highest quality standards for their products. Ask your sales rep today or go to: https://lillysfreshpasta.com

Roger talks to leasing expert Dale Willerton, also known as 'The Lease Coach.' With a wealth of experience in lease negotiation, Dale offers valuable insights into securing favorable lease agreements, negotiating renewals, lowering operating costs, and more.

The Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers & How To Fix Them Fast (Free Video Training): https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits

Restaurant Profit Maximizer Mini-Masterclass: Learn how just a few tweaks in the way you run your business can hugely impact your profits.

https://restaurantrockstars.com/sp/restaurant-profits

Unlock all the Secrets to Running a Highly Profitable Restaurant. Follow the Restaurant Profit Fast Track: Master Finances, Boost Sales, Train Staff, and Multiply Your Revenue! Unlimited Staff Accounts. Join the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy

Connect with Restaurant Rockstars on Social Media:

LinkedIn Roger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin-21590016

LinkedIn Restaurant Rockstars: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restaurant-rockstars

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantrockstars/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantrockstars

X: https://x.com/RestaurantRock1

Listen to the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast on Your Favorite Podcast Player:

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2WaKyqV

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3xGuOd0

Google - https://bit.ly/2VM10P1

Stitcher - https://bit.ly/3iFGAAb

Soundcloud - https://bit.ly/3lYBhho

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@RestaurantRockstars

Connect with our Dale:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-willerton-2a1188238/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLeaseCoach/

https://www.theleasecoach.com/

In this episode, we dive into the multifaceted challenges and rewards of running a restaurant with Chef Bobby Maher, who has a storied career in some of New York City's most demanding kitchens.

Chef Bobby shares his journey from cutting his teeth in NYC to opening his own restaurant in the DC area during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the dynamics of front and back of house, the importance of cross-training, leadership, managing food costs, and maintaining team morale.

Tune in to learn valuable insights and real-life stories from the bustling restaurant world.

The Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers & How To Fix Them Fast (Free Video Training): https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits

Restaurant Profit Maximizer Mini-Masterclass: Learn how just a few tweaks in the way you run your business can hugely impact your profits.

https://restaurantrockstars.com/sp/restaurant-profits

Unlock all the Secrets to Running a Highly Profitable Restaurant. Follow the Restaurant Profit Fast Track: Master Finances, Boost Sales, Train Staff, and Multiply Your Revenue! Unlimited Staff Accounts. Join the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy

Connect with Restaurant Rockstars on Social Media:

LinkedIn Roger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin-21590016

LinkedIn Restaurant Rockstars: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restaurant-rockstars

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantrockstars/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantrockstars

X: https://x.com/RestaurantRock1

Listen to the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast on Your Favorite Podcast Player:

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2WaKyqV

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3xGuOd0

Google - https://bit.ly/2VM10P1

Stitcher - https://bit.ly/3iFGAAb

Soundcloud - https://bit.ly/3lYBhho

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@RestaurantRockstars

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Lilly’s Fresh Pasta - Lilly’s Fresh Pasta creates the finest fresh pastas from scratch using clean ingredients and old-world r own from mother to son. Lilly, the company matriarch and her son Antonio continue to follow the highest quality standards for their products. Ask your sales rep today or go to: https://lillysfreshpasta.com

• Touch Bistro: Touch Bistro helps speed up service, reduce errors and turn tables faster while loyalty programs, online ordering and contactless payments boost your bottom line. Plus, real time analytics, inventory tracking and staff scheduling are game changers. Reach out to my friend Becky, tell her I sent you and she will take good care of you! Her email is [email protected] or call her at 647-360-3994.

• The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/

• Restaurant Technologies: takes care of your fry oil challenges. They handle everything end-to-end from delivering, filtering monitoring, collecting, and recycling your waste cooking oil. Restaurant Technologies customers save 10-15% on their insurance premiums and even get bonuses for any new customer referrals. https://www.rti-inc.com or call 866-399-3639 to get started today.

• MyEmployees: A happy team is a productive team. Boost morale, team-spirit and employee appreciation with impactful, consistent and genuine recognition programs. MyEmployees helps thousands of hospitality leaders uplevel performance, lower turnover and build winning teams. Go To: https://myemployees.com/hospitality

Discover how this unique brand has captured a multi-generational audience with its fantastic branding and product differentiation. Scott shares his extensive experience in marketing and the journey of revitalizing the Badass Coffee brand!

The Top 3 Restaurant Profit Killers & How To Fix Them Fast (Free Video Training): https://restaurantrockstars.com/profits

Restaurant Profit Maximizer Mini-Masterclass: (Only $7 for limited time) Learn how just a few tweaks in the way you run your business can hugely impact your profits.

https://restaurantrockstars.com/sp/restaurant-profits

Unlock all the Secrets to Running a Highly Profitable Restaurant. Follow the Restaurant Profit Fast Track: Master Finances, Boost Sales, Train Staff, and Multiply Your Revenue! Unlimited Staff Accounts. Join the Restaurant Academy: https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy

Connect with Restaurant Rockstars on Social Media:

LinkedIn Roger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin-21590016

LinkedIn Restaurant Rockstars: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restaurant-rockstars

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantrockstars/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantrockstars

X: https://x.com/RestaurantRock1

Listen to the Restaurant Rockstars Podcast on Your Favorite Podcast Player:

iTunes - https://apple.co/2WaKyqV

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3xGuOd0

Google - https://bit.ly/2VM10P1

Stitcher - https://bit.ly/3iFGAAb

Soundcloud - https://bit.ly/3lYBhho

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@RestaurantRockstars

Connect with our guest:

www.badasscoffee.com

@badasscoffeeofhawaii

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bad-ass-coffee-hawaii

Thank you to our sponsors:

• The Restaurant Academy: Everything you need to know to optimize profits, maximize sales and train your team in restaurant fundamentals! https://restaurantrockstars.com/joinacademy/

• Touch Bistro: Touch Bistro helps speed up service, reduce errors and turn tables faster while loyalty programs, online ordering and contactless payments boost your bottom line. Plus, real time analytics, inventory tracking and staff scheduling are game changers. Reach out to my friend Becky, tell her I sent you and she will take good care of you! Her email is [email protected] or call her at 647-360-3994.

• Restaurant Technologies: takes care of your fry oil challenges. They handle everything end-to-end from delivering, filtering monitoring, collecting, and recycling your waste cooking oil. Restaurant Technologies customers save 10-15% on their insurance premiums and even get bonuses for any new customer referrals. https://www.rti-inc.com or call 866-399-3639 to get started today.

• Lilly’s Fresh Pasta - Lilly’s Fresh Pasta creates the finest fresh pastas from scratch using clean ingredients and old-world r own from mother to son. Lilly, the company matriarch and her son Antonio continue to follow the highest quality standards for their products. Ask your sales rep today or go to: https://lillysfreshpasta.com

• MyEmployees: A happy team is a productive team. Boost morale, team-spirit and employee appreciation with impactful, consistent and genuine recognition programs. MyEmployees helps thousands of hospitality leaders uplevel performance, lower turnover and build winning teams. Go To: www.myemployees.com/hospitality