In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Matt Rolfe, leadership expert, author, and coach to the hospitality industry's top performers. Matt shares his raw and powerful story—from growing up with a learning disability to becoming a sought-after leader helping restaurant operators prioritize personal growth, build resilient teams, and lead with intention.

We explore the silent burnout epidemic plaguing restaurant leaders and what it really takes to step back, delegate, and grow sustainably. Matt drops wisdom on mindset shifts, positive conflict, behavioral change, and the real reason your team might not be hearing you. Whether you're scaling locations or trying to regain your balance, this episode is packed with practical tools, real talk, and transformational insight.

Connect with our guest:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_rolfe_coaching
Book: https://www.mattroefe.com/book
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattrolfe/
Website: https://mattrolfe.com/

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Follow us on social media to stay updated:

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

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Anthony Valletta, CEO of BarTaco, joins Restaurant Leaders Unplugged to share how his team built one of the most unique and people-first brands in casual dining today. From his early days washing dishes to leading a fast-growing concept with over 35 locations, Anthony talks about:

• Building culture at scale without becoming another big-box brand
• Creating a “next-gen casual” dining experience
• How AI and guest data are shaping future loyalty and personalization
• The bold wage equity model that’s transforming team dynamics
• Lessons in humility and leadership from a career across Michelin stars, startups, and corporate giants
  
  

Whether you’re a restaurant operator, emerging leader, or brand builder, this episode is full of strategy and heart.

🎧 Connect with our guest:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bartacolife/

Website: www.bartaco.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyvalletta

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Follow us on social media to stay updated:

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help other restaurant leaders find us!

Journalist‑turned‑industry‑insider Sam Oches (Editorial Director, Nation’s Restaurant News & Restaurant Hospitality) unpacks the post‑2024 shake‑up—why value promos are wearing thin, how tariffs could rewrite your P&L, and where the next fast‑casual boom will actually come from. We dig into:

• The two marketing paths every brand must pick: “irreverent fun” vs. “authentic consistency”
• Tableside tech, labor math, and the real future of full service
• How founders like Todd Graves & Peter Cancro keep culture alive at scale
• Sam’s career pivot, his best networking hacks, and the one metric he thinks operators still underrate
  
  
  

Stay to the end for Sam’s one‑sentence playbook to future‑proof any restaurant in the next five years.

Connect with our guest
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-oches-5923bb13/
• Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/connectfoodservice/
• Website: https://informaconnect.com/restaurant-leadership-conference/

Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl

Follow us on social media to stay updated:

Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help other restaurant leaders find us!