The Return

The Return

By Anthony VallettaBusinessManagement
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The Return episodes

  • The Labor Lie...

    Jim Taylor challenges traditional labor cost metrics in restaurants, emphasizing the importance of understanding labor as an output rather than an input.

    This conversation explores innovative approaches to managing labor, improving employee satisfaction, and enhancing operational efficiency.


    17 min
  • The Most Underrated Leadership Skill Nobody Is Training For
    This episode explores the importance of curiosity in leadership, addressing how blind spots, overconfidence, and decision-making processes impact organizational growth.Landon Lynch shares insights on developing self-awareness, fostering influence, and asking the right questions to unlock leadership potential.
    18 min
  • Your Feedback Is Lying to You
    Zach Oates, CEO of Ovation, discusses the importance of genuine guest feedback, the pitfalls of relying solely on metrics, and how AI can enhance guest recovery without losing the human touch.Learn how to turn feedback into actionable insights and build true loyalty in hospitality.
    18 min
  • Less Is More: Why Simplicity and Authenticity Are Winning the Beverage Game
    Anthony Valletta and Curt Goldman discuss the evolving landscape of the beverage industry, emphasizing the emotional connection consumers now have with their choices. They explore the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior, the importance of authenticity in branding, and the necessity of building meaningful partnerships. The conversation highlights the shift from transactional relationships to genuine connections, advocating for simplicity and intentionality in both product offerings and partnerships.
    20 min
  • The Fourth Place: What It Actually Takes to Make Guests Feel at Home

    Anthony Valletta and Peter Newlin explore the evolving landscape of hospitality, emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful experiences that go beyond mere transactions.

    They discuss the concept of the 'fourth place' a restaurant that feels like home, and the critical role of human connection in fostering a sense of belonging.

    The discussion also highlights the significance of sound design in enhancing the dining experience and the challenges of aligning restaurant design with guest expectations.

    As technology and AI continue to shape the industry, the duo reflects on the irreplaceable value of authentic human interactions in hospitality.

    18 min
  • Why the Guest Experience Is Still the Only Real Advantage

    In a saturated hospitality market, where technological solutions and loyalty programs dominate the conversation, one factor remains the key differentiator: the guest experience.

    In this podcast episode, Scott Lawdon, the co-founder of bartaco, shared invaluable insights on how to cultivate a memorable guest experience that goes beyond mere transactions.

    16 min
  • The Disconnect in Hospitality Training: A Conversation with Rachel Nemeth

    In this episode of Check, Please, host Anthony Valletta engages with Rachel Nemeth, CEO of Opus Training, to discuss the critical disconnect in leadership training within the hospitality industry.

    They explore how traditional training methods often fail to reflect the realities of on-the-ground work, emphasizing the need for real-time learning and continuous development.

    Rachel argues that many leaders mistakenly believe that completing a training program equates to effective learning, while in reality, ongoing coaching and adaptation are essential for true skill retention and application.

    19 min

About The Return

From the publisher's feed

Most hospitality shows sound like a conference panel that never ends. Everyone nods along. Nobody actually risks anything. You forget it before you reach your car.

The Return runs the…