Hospitality That Lasts: Tracy Rathbun on Building Restaurants That Stand the Test of Time

What does it really take to build restaurants that last? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Tracy Rathbun—restaurateur, co-founder of Dallas gems like Shinsei and Lover’s Seafood—joins host Sebastian Stahl for a raw and insightful conversation.

With over 30 years of experience spanning hospitality, luxury automotive, and entrepreneurial leadership, Tracy shares how her people-first philosophy, relentless adaptability, and creative vision have kept her restaurants not just surviving—but thriving.

Discover:

• Why self-policing teams outperform rulebooks
  
  
  
• How to scale without losing your soul (or your values)
  
  
  
• Lessons from missteps, including what COVID taught her
  
  
  
• The surprising secret behind her back-of-house longevity
  
  
  
• Why independence still has an edge in today’s market
  
  
  

Whether you’re an aspiring restaurateur, a seasoned operator, or just hungry for real talk about building something that matters—this one’s for you.

Connect with our guest:
Her Restaurants: https://shinseirestaurant.com/ , https://www.loversseafoodmarket.com/ , Perch, Rathbun Curbside BBQ
Social media: https://www.instagram.com/loversseafoodmarket/
Website: www.shinseirestaurant.com

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

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