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

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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

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Instagram: @sebastian_stahlb | @breadthrestaurantmarketing
YouTube: @SebastianStahlb

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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!

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we’re joined by Luke Hutchison—Army veteran turned tech entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Perfect Venue. Luke shares his journey from the battlefield to the boardroom, and how his event management software is helping restaurants boost revenue, cut admin time, and simplify private event sales.

We explore the biggest mistakes operators make with private dining, how to generate more leads from the guests already in your dining room, and how to build a culture that scales—whether in a platoon or a fast-growing startup.

If you're a restaurant owner, operator, or GM who wants to unlock the full potential of your private events, this episode is a must.

🎯 Topics covered:

• Why private events are often your most profitable channel
• How restaurants lose sales without realizing it
• Leadership lessons from the military you can apply today
• How Perfect Venue automates event sales from inquiry to payment
• Low-cost strategies to generate more private event leads
  
  
  

Connect with our guest:
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukewhutchison/
🌐 perfectvenue.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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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

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!

In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Brian Nasajon, chef and restaurateur, shares his journey from a philosophy student to the helm of Beaker & Gray, and now Avenue Gray. Discover his leadership philosophy, the importance of humility in running a restaurant, and why he believes in leading without hierarchy. Brian also discusses the future of the restaurant industry, key mistakes owners make, and what it takes to create a sustainable business in today’s challenging market.

Connect with our guest:
🔹 Website: https://avenuegray.com/
🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannasajon/

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!

What makes a restaurant truly unforgettable? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Arjun Sen—former VP of Marketing at Papa John’s and branding expert—reveals the secret to making your restaurant a one-of-one brand. From his journey through iconic brands like Pizza Hut, Boston Market, and Einstein Bros. Bagels to founding Zen Mango, Arjun shares invaluable insights on customer experience, leadership, and marketing strategies that create lasting success.

Discover how to craft a brand that stands out, engage customers on an emotional level, and build a culture that drives loyalty. Plus, Arjun shares personal lessons from his book Unquit Forever and how challenges have shaped his approach to business and life.

🎧 Don't miss this game-changing conversation!

Connect with our guest:
📌 His website: https://unquit.com/

📌 Social media:https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenmangoarjunsen/

https://www.instagram.com/arjunsen.brandzen/?hl=en

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!

Is your restaurant leaving money on the table? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, I sit down with Roger Beaudoin, founder of Restaurant Rockstars, to uncover proven strategies for boosting restaurant profitability, improving leadership, and creating a winning guest experience.

💡 What you'll learn in this episode:
✔️ The key difference between management vs. leadership – and why it matters
✔️ Menu profit strategies: How to maximize margins without losing customers
✔️ Labor & staffing solutions: The secret to hiring, training, and retaining top talent
✔️ How to create accountability systems that transform restaurant operations
✔️ The biggest marketing mistakes restaurant owners make (and how to fix them)
✔️ Technology in hospitality – what enhances the guest experience vs. what hurts it

With over 30 years of experience, Roger has helped countless restaurants streamline operations, cut costs, and scale profitably. Whether you’re a new restaurateur or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you run a more successful business.

🎧 Tune in now and take your restaurant to the next level!

👇 Connect with Roger Beaudoin:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-beaudoin-21590016/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantrockstars/
🌍 Website: https://restaurantrockstars.com/
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RestaurantRockstars

🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Leave a review and subscribe for more expert insights!

#RestaurantLeadership #RestaurantProfit #RestaurantRockstars #HospitalitySuccess #RestaurantMarketing

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!