Let’s be real — this industry is tough. In today’s podcast episode of The Restaurant Prosperity Formula, I dive deep into one of the most make-or-break elements of restaurant success: the guest experience. With fewer guests walking through the door and competition tighter than ever, delivering a memorable visit isn’t optional — it’s survival. Episode 125 is a masterclass in creating experiences so remarkable your guests can’t wait to come back. I explore what truly defines hospitality, why vague standards are your silent killer, and how lazy hiring — not “this generation” — is often the real problem. Whether you’re struggling to retain staff or haunted by bad Yelp reviews, this episode is your roadmap to turning things around.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in 

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp  

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

In this episode 124 of “The Restaurant Prosperity Formula” podcast, I sit down with longtime friend, client and now colleague, David Militello. Militello is a restaurant owner in South Haven, Michigan, and one of the first five members I ever coached. Over the years, he’s evolved from a struggling operator to a master of restaurant systems and now serves as a member mentor in my group coaching program. In this episode, Militello shares his journey from burnout to balance, the lessons he’s learned about leadership, and why the shift from operator to owner is so critical. Listeners will hear what it really takes to implement systems, build empowered teams and stay disciplined even when the restaurant world pulls you in a thousand directions.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in 

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp  

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

In this episode of The Restaurant Prosperity Formula podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark McShaffry, a seasoned restaurant owner with nearly 40 years of industry experience. After starting his career with Houston's, McShaffry eventually took the leap into independent ownership, opening The Backyard Grill in 2001. Since then, he’s grown to operate multiple concepts, including Creekwood Grill and Aero Crafters, all while becoming deeply rooted in his community.

In this conversation, McShaffry shares his journey from corporate manager to thriving multi-unit owner, the tough lessons he learned along the way, and why systems, leadership and continuous learning have been the keys to his long-term success. If you’re a restaurant owner who wants to grow, get your life back and achieve true prosperity, you won’t want to miss this inspiring episode.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in 

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp  

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

In this special episode of the Restaurant Prosperity Formula podcast, I turn the mic over to one of my longtime members and friends, Raul Gonzalez, for a segment we call Flip the Table. Gonzalez is not only an inspiring restaurant owner but also a shining example of what happens when you commit to systems, leadership and constant improvement. In this episode, Gonzalez asks the questions — diving into my background, the lessons I’ve learned and the core of what drives me to help restaurant owners every single day. You’ll get an inside look at the mindset and systems behind the Restaurant Prosperity Formula — and how Gonzalez used them to completely transform his business.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in 

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp  

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

One of the most common (and frustrating) issues restaurant owners face is managers who bring you every little problem instead of solving things themselves. If you feel like you can’t get anything done without being interrupted, I have some solutions for you. In this episode of The Restaurant Prosperity Formula podcast, I tackle exactly why it happens and, more importantly, how to stop it. You’ll learn how to retrain your managers to think like owners, make decisions with confidence, and stop relying on you for answers—freeing up your time and restoring your sanity.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in 

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp  

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

Running a restaurant can feel like an endless grind — long hours, constant stress and financial uncertainty. But what if you could step back from the day-to-day operations and still have a successful, profitable restaurant? In this episode of The Restaurant Prosperity Formula Podcast, I sit down with Deja Wakefield, a former teacher turned restaurant owner, who shares her journey from being overwhelmed by restaurant ownership to running two thriving businesses with systems that give her true freedom.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in 

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp  

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

Running a restaurant is no small feat — especially when life throws unexpected challenges your way. In this episode of The Restaurant Prosperity Formula podcast, I sit down with Tina Wary, owner of Dixie Grill Barbecue and Crab Shack in Hawaii. Wary shares her powerful journey from working behind the scenes in her family’s restaurant to stepping up as the owner after the sudden passing of her husband in 2020.

Her story is one of resilience, leadership and the power of systems. After struggling with financial inconsistencies despite a great team and excellent food, Wary attended my seminar in Las Vegas. She left with the tools to transform her restaurant, and in this episode she shares her journey putting those systems in place and the other tools she’s found since.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in 

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp  

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

One of the biggest reasons restaurants struggle with sales isn’t always the food or service — it’s awareness. Either people know about you but don’t care, or they would care if they knew about you. My guest today, Josh Kopel, calls this the Awareness Formula, and in this episode of my podcast, The Restaurant Prosperity Formula, he shares powerful strategies that help restaurant owners become known in their market. Kopel has mastered a critical component of restaurant success: marketing. He is not just a restaurateur — he’s a tech pioneer, a Michelin-rated fine dining operator, and one of the best marketing minds in the industry. If you’ve been struggling with getting more customers in the door, keeping your tables full, and making marketing work for your restaurant, this episode is for you.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in 

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp  

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

Learn more about Josh Kopel at www.JoshKopel.com and on his podcast Full Comp.

If you’ve ever struggled to get your managers on board with new systems or changes, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Restaurant Prosperity Formula podcast, I dive into exactly why managers resist change, how you can turn that resistance into results and how to empower your restaurant managers to lead change. Managing your managers and getting them on board with change isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely necessary for your success — and theirs. I encourage you to listen to this episode, then pick one strategy and start implementing it this week. You will soon be on your way to a team of restaurant managers working with you rather than against you.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in 

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp  

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

In this episode of my podcast, The Restaurant Prosperity Formula, I had the privilege of chatting with Zack Oates, founder and CEO of Ovation. Ovation is a cutting-edge guest experience platform that helps restaurants collect and act on customer feedback in real-time. Oates’s passion for helping restaurants thrive shines through, and his expertise in using data to drive guest satisfaction and retention is something every restaurant owner should hear. We explored how gathering actionable feedback can lead to better operations, happier guests and, ultimately, a healthier bottom line. Check out this podcast episode to hear it all!

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in 

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp  

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com