In this powerhouse episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show, we sit down with the legendary Josh Kopel, a restaurateur-turned-industry coach, to talk about the levers that drive restaurant success. From marketing strategies that actually work to pricing tactics that boost profitability, Josh shares hard-earned insights from his decades in the business. He breaks down why restaurants must shift their mindset from B2C to B2B, how to increase customer frequency, and the importance of personalized engagement over broad social media blasts.

Josh also dives into the common pitfalls of restaurant owners, why frequency is more critical than foot traffic, and how strategic price adjustments can counter rising costs like tariffs. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your business work for you instead of the other way around, this is the episode to tune in for.

Before we wrap up, Josh shares a curated reading list for every restaurateur looking to level up their business game:

📚 Traction by Gino Wickman
📚 Good to Great by Jim Collins
📚 Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
📚 Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
📚 Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

Get ready to take notes—this episode is packed with actionable insights that could change the way you run your restaurant. Tune in now!

Join Canada's Restaurant Coach and the Late Night Restaurant Show team as they welcome Andrew Marino, CEO of Ghost Truck Kitchen, for an engaging conversation on reshaping the restaurant industry. Andrew shares his journey of innovation, from pioneering ghost kitchens to integrating AI and machine learning into operations. Explore leadership insights, strategies for navigating modern challenges, and what it takes to succeed in today’s foodservice landscape. A must-listen for hospitality pros, tech enthusiasts, and food lovers!

In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show, we sit down with Cijoy Olickal, the innovative mind and COO behind GM Pilot, a platform revolutionizing restaurant operations. Cijoy shares his journey from engineering to hospitality tech, his insights on leveraging automation to enhance profitability, and how GM Pilot is empowering general managers to focus on what matters most. Packed with humor, wisdom, and actionable takeaways, this is a must-listen for anyone in the restaurant industry!

Learn more about GM Pilot

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show! Tonight, we dive into the ever-evolving world of restaurant technology with a special guest from Saskatoon-born 7shifts, a leading scheduling and labour management platform transforming the industry.

Hosts Dominic and Jay explore how restaurants can move beyond pen-and-paper scheduling and embrace innovative tools to save time, reduce costs, and boost employee satisfaction. From leveraging technology to streamline operations to the latest trends in flexible scheduling and labor insights, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for restaurant operators everywhere.

Grab a coffee, or maybe even a protein coffee and join us for a fascinating discussion about how restaurants can work smarter, not harder, in 2025. Don’t miss it!

7shifts

The Late Night Restaurant Show: Season Premiere with Dominic, Michael, and Jay

The 2025 season kicks off with Dominic, Michael, and Jay bringing you insights, laughs, and innovation! Michael joins live from CES in Las Vegas to share the latest tech trends, while Dominic and Jay discuss the evolving restaurant landscape, marketing strategies, and a surprising new invention... protein coffee. It’s a fun, fast-paced episode packed with fresh ideas and industry highlights.

Don’t miss it!

In the debut episode, Sara and Adam Waxman kick off Dine: From Table to Travel with a celebratory toast and delve into a lively discussion about food, travel, and hospitality. The episode features a special guest appearance by renowned chef Claudio Aprile, known for his innovative culinary style and role as a judge on MasterChef Canada.

Topics covered include:

Claudio Aprile shares personal insights into his culinary journey, the evolution of his cooking style, and the nuances of hospitality. The conversation touches on his time at Albuli, his thoughts on tasting menus, and his plans in the restaurant industry.

With a mix of humour, heartfelt stories, and expert insights, this premiere sets the stage for an exciting series celebrating the intersection of dining and destinations.

In this special redo episode of the Late Night Restaurant Show, we’re shaking things up with a first-of-its-kind Listening Party! It’s all about connecting, sharing, and supporting each other in the foodservice and hospitality industry.

Join our hosts as they create a space to listen to the thoughts, challenges, and ideas of industry pros like you. This isn’t just talk—it’s about community. Whether you’re dealing with the pressures of the busy season, grappling with uncertainty, or looking for inspiration, we’re here to lend an ear and offer resources.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

Tune in, share your thoughts, and let’s listen, learn, and lift each other. It’s more than a conversation; it’s a movement for those who keep the hospitality world turning.

Grab your late-night coffee (or cocktail) and join us—it’s your time to be heard!

In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show, Jay and Dominic welcome back an incredible guest who knows the ins and outs of helping struggling restaurants thrive — Luis from Restaurant Search and Rescue. After a redo of a previous recording, the team dives deep into the most pressing challenges faced by restaurants today: outdated digital presence, lack of strategic planning, and the overwhelming operational demands on owners.

Luis shares eye-opening statistics about the Canadian restaurant industry and the critical importance of a robust web presence. From clever social media strategies to leveraging third-party delivery apps as marketing tools, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world stories of digital transformation.

Plus, hear Jay’s take on using delivery services for more than just orders, and why stepping back from day-to-day operations can be the key to long-term success. Whether you're a restaurateur or just love the industry, this episode delivers fresh ideas to fuel growth and resilience.

Tune in for laughs, strategy, and inspiration — because every restaurant deserves a lifeline.

In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show, Jay Ashton dives into the future of restaurant hiring with the dynamic and driven HP, the founder of Kibbi. While Dominic enjoys some much-needed R&R in the Caribbean, Jay holds down the fort and guides us through an eye-opening discussion about solving one of the industry's biggest headaches: finding reliable local talent.

HP shares the inspiring story behind Kibbi, a platform designed to bridge the gap between job seekers especially newcomers and local hospitality businesses. From humble beginnings during Calgary’s lockdown to empowering over 40,000 job seekers, Kibbi is revolutionizing how small and medium-sized restaurants recruit talent.

Key highlights of the show:

This episode isn’t just about tech—it’s about heart, hustle, and closing the labour gap in a way that builds stronger communities. If you're in the restaurant industry, this is a must-listen (and must-watch!) to see how you can transform your hiring process.

"The Late Night Restaurant Show" Welcomes TV Legend and Fast Food Critic Bill Oakley!

Join us for an epic, laugh-out-loud episode as we sit down with Bill Oakley, legendary writer of The Simpsons, Futurama, and Disenchantment, and now, the king of fast food criticism and regional American eats! 🌭🍕

In this interview, we dive into:

Plus, hear his hilarious takes on AI, culinary disasters, and his upcoming American Culinary Curiosity Dinner.

👉 If you're a fan of food, fast food fails, and animated brilliance, you won't want to miss this!

Subscribe for more sizzling episodes and join Canada's #1 Late Night Show for the restaurant industry! 🥘🎙️