John Banquil is the CEO and President of Ling and Louie's Asian Bar and Grill, based in Arizona. John started in the restaurant industry at 16 as a host. At a young age, he found himself as a F.O.H. manager in upscale, fine dining restaurants. In 2018, he bought Ling and Louie's, which today consists of 3 brands and 7 locations in 4 states. 

Favorite success quote/mantra: "Leadership is a role you grow into gradually no matter how long you've been in the role. In the short term, you are as good as your intensity, in the long term you are only as good as your consistency, and in between intewnsity and consistency lives clarity and persistence."

In this episode we will discuss: 

• Consistency
• Franchising
• Leadership
• Culture
• FOH
• Menu engineering
• AND MORE!

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @restaurantdad

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable

Lauren Bailey is the CEO and Co-Founder of Upward Projects, based out of Phoenix, AZ. Lauren knew she wanted to be a restaurateur while mixing a drink at a bar on Martha's Vineyard in her early 20's. She got a job at PF Chang's when that concept had only 2 locations. She then returned to her hometown of Phoenix and began working in fine dining restaurants, and she even worked with Sam Fox Restaurant Concepts. She finally opened her first restaurant, Postino, with her business partner Craig Demarco. Today Upward Projects has 32 restaurants in 10 cities across 5 states with 1,900 employees. The company hit 100 million dollars in sales last year. 

Favorite success quote/mantra: "The brain works really well at talking you out of things, so you need to talk yourself into things."

In this episode we will discuss: 

• Entrepreneurialism
• Opening restaurants
• Scaling
• FOH
• Business coaches
• Partnerships
• Raising capital
• AND MORE!

Today's sponsors:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

MarginEdge: Boost your efficiency and profitability without adding labor costs. MarginEdge is a complete restaurant management software that allows you to seamlessly manage all aspects of your business from one central location. Track food costs in real time, make inventory faster and less tedious, easily cost out your recipes, and get a daily P&L so you always know where you stand. See how it works at marginedge.com/unstopabble.

National Council for Mental Health and Wellbeing -  Create healthier, more engaged employees with Mental Health First Aid at Work for Restaurants. This training teaches employees how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges. It’s trusted by leading companies, offers flexible training options to adapt to the often- unpredictable restaurant and food services environments, and it’s developed and delivered by experts. Visit MentalHealthFirstAid.org/Restaurants to learn more OR use this link: CLICK HERE

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

• Website:https://upwardprojects.com/ 
• Instagram: @laurenbailylb

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 

We are on Youtube: @RestaurantUnstoppable

Regan Jasper is a former Partner with Fox Restaurant Concepts and he is currently a Partner with Corbett's, in Tucson, AZ. Jasper saw great success working for and with Sam Fox Restaurant Concepts. Today, he is a Partner at Corbett's in Tucson, AZ. 

• "You lead or you follow or you just get out of the way."

In this episode we will discuss:

• Fine dining
• Poaching
• Hotel restaurants
• Culture
• Operations
• Opening restaurants
• AND MORE!

Today's sponsor:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

National Council for Mental Health and Wellbeing -  Create healthier, more engaged employees with Mental Health First Aid at Work for Restaurants. This training teaches employees how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges. It’s trusted by leading companies, offers flexible training options to adapt to the often- unpredictable restaurant and food services environments, and it’s developed and delivered by experts. Visit MentalHealthFirstAid.org/Restaurants to learn more OR use this link: CLICK HERE

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

Website: https://corbettstucson.com

Nathan Ares is the Owner of Ares Collective Restaurant Group based in Tucson, AZ. Nathan Ares was featured on Restaurant Unstoppable episode 681, mostly for his work with his restaurant, Prep and Pastry, in Tucson, AZ. Today, the Ares Collective is the creator/owner of 7 concepts in and around Tucson.

• "Hospitality is a big word made up of small, little actions."

In this episode we will discuss:

• Scaling
• Social media
• Partners
• Cost of goods
• Menu engineering
• Hiring
• Unions
• Drive ups
• AND MORE!

Today's sponsor:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

MarginEdge: Boost your efficiency and profitability without adding labor costs. MarginEdge is a complete restaurant management software that allows you to seamlessly manage all aspects of your business from one central location. Track food costs in real time, make inventory faster and less tedious, easily cost out your recipes, and get a daily P&L so you always know where you stand. See how it works at marginedge.com/unstopabble.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

Website: https://www.prepandpastry.com

Alex McEntire is a the owner, founder, and Chief Donut Officer at Chin Up Donuts, based in Scottsdale, AZ. Alex McEntire worked as a barista in high school and did some catering work in college, but she left the restaurant industry after school when she joind Amazon. While working there, she started making donuts at home as a hobby. In 2019, she went all-in on creating a donut business back in her home state of Arizona. In November of 2020 she opened her first brick and mortar donut shop after many successful popups. Today, there are 2 Chin Up Donuts locations in AZ.

• "Every day above ground is a good day."

In this episode we will discuss:

• Working at/for Amazon
• Providing opportunities to staff
• Scaling
• Popups
• Raiding money
• AND MORE!

Today's sponsor:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

Instagram: @chinupdonuts

Tony Christofellis is the co-founder of Salad and Go and the co-founder of Angie's Food Concepts, all based in Phoenix, AZ. Tony grew up in the restaurant industry with many of his family members owning restaurants. In 2011, he got the idea for Salad and Go, and in 2013 it opened. The purpose of Salad and Go was to make organic food more affordable and drive-through friendly. Eventually Salad and Go received private equity and the other partners wanted to take the concept in another direction, so they parted ways. Tony then opened Angie's Food Concepts, which seeks to make luxury foods affordable to everyone. There are currently three concepts under the Angie's brand. 

• "Get some!"

In this episode we will discuss:

• Scaling
• Vertical integration
• Food cost
• Private equity
• Real estate and construction
• AND MORE!

Today's sponsor:

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

National Council for Mental Health and Wellbeing -  Create healthier, more engaged employees with Mental Health First Aid at Work for Restaurants. This training teaches employees how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges. It’s trusted by leading companies, offers flexible training options to adapt to the often- unpredictable restaurant and food services environments, and it’s developed and delivered by experts. Visit MentalHealthFirstAid.org/Restaurants to learn more OR use this link: CLICK HERE

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

Website: https://www.angiesfoodconcepts.com

David Conn is a Partner at 4Top Hospitality. David Conn began working FOH in restaurants during college to earn good, quick money. David truly grew as a restaurant professional, though, while working with Amerigo, an Italian concept under the 4Top Hospitality umbrella. Tpday, David is a partner with 4Top Hospitality and there are currently 6 concepts in and around Jackson, MS in the 4Top family of restaurants.

• "Excellence is simplicity."

In this episode we will discuss:

• FOH
• Partners
• Opening a restaurant
• Buffets
• Credit card processors
• ESOPs

Today's sponsor:

Meez: Are you a chef, owner, operator, or manage recipes in professional kitchens? meez is built just for you. Organize, share, prep, and scale recipes like never before. Plus, engineer your menu in real-time and get accurate food costs. Sign up for free today and get 2 FREE months of invoice processing as a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast. Visit getmeez.com/unstoppable to learn more.

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

Owner.com is the leading all-in-one platform for restaurant marketing. Owner.com powers everything from SEO-optimized websites, direct online ordering, automated email and text marketing, built-in loyalty programs, zero commission delivery, and branded mobile apps for your restaurant that integrate right into your POS. With Owner.com, there are no contracts, no hidden fees, and nothing to lose. Join thousands of restaurant owners using Owner.com to grow direct online sales, save thousands in third-party fees, and simplify their online presence all-in-one.Book a free demo today at owner.com/ and see why Owner.com is the #1-rated Restaurant Marketing Software.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Contact the guest:

Email: [email protected]

John Currence is the Executive Chef and Owner of City Grocery Restaurant Group, HQ'd in Oxford, MS. John opened his first restaurant, City Grocery, at 26 in 1992. John later opened Big Bad Breakfast which has scaled to 22 locations today. The company has its sights currently set on 50 locations nationwide. 

• “Everything is everybody’s job all the time.” 
• “Don’t your own press.” 
• “Never forget that it’s your people that give you the ability to make the living that you do.

In this episode we will discuss:

• Partners
• Labor markets
• Cooking
• Leadership
• Scaling
• Tech stack
• Values and how to instill them in your crew
• Minimum wage conversations

Today's sponsor:

MarginEdge: Boost your efficiency and profitability without adding labor costs. MarginEdge is a complete restaurant management software that allows you to seamlessly manage all aspects of your business from one central location. Track food costs in real time, make inventory faster and less tedious, easily cost out your recipes, and get a daily P&L so you always know where you stand. See how it works at marginedge.com/unstopabble.

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

Owner.com is the leading all-in-one platform for restaurant marketing. Owner.com powers everything from SEO-optimized websites, direct online ordering, automated email and text marketing, built-in loyalty programs, zero commission delivery, and branded mobile apps for your restaurant that integrate right into your POS. With Owner.com, there are no contracts, no hidden fees, and nothing to lose. Join thousands of restaurant owners using Owner.com to grow direct online sales, save thousands in third-party fees, and simplify their online presence all-in-one.Book a free demo today at owner.com and see why Owner.com is the #1-rated Restaurant Marketing Software.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Email John at [email protected]

Vishwesh Bhatt is the Co-Owner and Executive Chef at Snackbar, located in Oxford, MS. Vishwesh immigrated to the US from India and in college, he studied biology. It wasn't until he worked at a restaurant that he decided to become a chef, then went to culinary school in Miami. He worked in the City Grocery family of restaurants, which includes Snackbar (opened in 2009), until he took over as head chef and become part owner around 2017.

• "Respect."

In this episode we will discuss:

• Culinary school
• Partners
• Respect
• Equity
• Opening and closing restaurants

MarginEdge: Boost your efficiency and profitability without adding labor costs. MarginEdge is a complete restaurant management software that allows you to seamlessly manage all aspects of your business from one central location. Track food costs in real time, make inventory faster and less tedious, easily cost out your recipes, and get a daily P&L so you always know where you stand. See how it works at marginedge.com/unstopabble.

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

Owner.com is the leading all-in-one platform for restaurant marketing. Owner.com powers everything from SEO-optimized websites, direct online ordering, automated email and text marketing, built-in loyalty programs, zero commission delivery, and branded mobile apps for your restaurant that integrate right into your POS. With Owner.com, there are no contracts, no hidden fees, and nothing to lose. Join thousands of restaurant owners using Owner.com to grow direct online sales, save thousands in third-party fees, and simplify their online presence all-in-one.Book a free demo today at owner.com and see why Owner.com is the #1-rated Restaurant Marketing Software.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.

Instagram: @kissmybhatt1

His website

Jeff Good is the owner and President of Mangia Bene (and 2 other restaurants) in the Jackson, MS area. Jeff started in the industry as a teen, and also at that time he met his business partner in high school. After college, Jeff went into sales. He left that industry and decided to open a restaurant with his childhood friend, who is a chef. In order to convince investors to invest, he held dinners out of his home. Today, he owns 3 restaurants in the Jackson, MS area.

• "I ask God to help me do the right thing."

In this episode we will discuss:

• Raising money/talking to banks
• Work/life balance
• Market
• Partnerships
• Infrastructure

Meez: Are you a chef, owner, operator, or manage recipes in professional kitchens? meez is built just for you. Organize, share, prep, and scale recipes like never before. Plus, engineer your menu in real-time and get accurate food costs. Sign up for free today and get 2 FREE months of invoice processing as a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast. Visit getmeez.com/unstoppable to learn more.

Restaurant Technologies the company that helps restaurants, “Control the kitchen chaos.” With RT’s total oil management, you get: Dependable fresh bulk cooking oil delivery; Filtration + oil usage monitoring and reporting; Used cooking oil pick-up, and recycling; And say goodbye to messy, dangerous restaurant rendering tanks-yuck. RT’s end-to-end cooking oils solution helps you manage your used cooking oil storage, collection, and recycling- conveniently, safely, and cleanly- with no upfront costs. Head to www.RTI-inc.com, and let them know the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast sent you their way.

Owner.com is the leading all-in-one platform for restaurant marketing. Owner.com powers everything from SEO-optimized websites, direct online ordering, automated email and text marketing, built-in loyalty programs, zero commission delivery, and branded mobile apps for your restaurant that integrate right into your POS. With Owner.com, there are no contracts, no hidden fees, and nothing to lose. Join thousands of restaurant owners using Owner.com to grow direct online sales, save thousands in third-party fees, and simplify their online presence all-in-one.Book a free demo today at owner.com/ and see why Owner.com is the #1-rated Restaurant Marketing Software.

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more.