In this episode of WISKing It All, we have a special treat as Angelo Esposito sits down with Roger Beaudoin, the dynamic president of Restaurant Rockstars. Roger shares his incredible 30+ year journey through the hospitality world, starting from humble beginnings as a high school dishwasher to building and selling multiple successful restaurants.

You’ll hear firsthand how Roger navigated wild industry twists—including a chef who scammed him out of $40,000—turned setbacks into successes, and ultimately crafted the systems that drive thriving restaurants today.

Roger opens up about the foundational strategies that helped his establishments stand out, emphasizing profitability, guest service, trackable marketing, and the difference between true leadership and simple management.

He also explains the genesis of Restaurant Rockstars and how his mission shifted from running restaurants to helping operators across the globe achieve greater efficiency and profit through hands-on coaching, a robust training academy, and his own hit podcast. Whether you’re a seasoned restaurateur, aspiring owner, or just a fan of behind-the-scenes hospitality stories, this episode is packed with actionable advice, hilarious mishaps, and inspiration for anyone ready to WISKing it all. Let’s get started!

• Profitability Focus: Roger emphasizes the importance of understanding cost controls and maximizing profit through strategic menu planning and efficient operations.
• Guest Service Excellence: Exceptional guest service is highlighted as a critical factor in differentiating a restaurant and ensuring customer loyalty.
• Innovative Marketing: Trackable marketing strategies that provide measurable returns are essential for sustained success in the restaurant industry.
• Empowerment and Leadership: Empowering staff and fostering leadership within the team can lead to a more motivated and effective workforce.
• Resilience in Adversity: Roger's journey illustrates the importance of resilience and adaptability in overcoming industry challenges, such as financial setbacks and unexpected events like the pandemic.

00:00 Restaurant Training Academy Overview 04:26 Unexpected Path to Restaurant Concept 07:32 Restaurant Hiring Missteps 13:07 "Profitable Dining Experience Strategy" 16:33 From Small Town to Global Adventure 19:18 Barn Vision to Market Pivot 21:31 "Building Entrepreneurial Restaurant Leadership" 24:20 Glacier Bowls: Glowing Drink Sensation 28:21 Restaurant Profit Optimization Strategies 32:06 Empowerment Through Career Growth 33:54 Team Idea Incentive Program 37:22 Free Consultation & Training Resources

In this episode, Crystal Hamilton, CEO of Knowbie, discusses her journey in the hospitality industry and the inspiration behind creating Knowbie, an educational platform designed to train restaurant and liquor retail staff.

She emphasizes the importance of empowering staff through education to enhance their confidence and sales capabilities.

The conversation explores the challenges of training in the restaurant industry, the significance of knowledgeable staff in improving customer experiences, and the future developments for Knowbie, including community building and integration with other learning systems.

• Knowbie is an educational platform that trains restaurant staff.
• Crystal's journey in hospitality began from humble beginnings.
• Education and training can significantly impact sales performance.
• Knowbie's app is designed for on-the-go learning.
• Empowering staff with knowledge leads to better customer interactions.
• The restaurant industry faces high turnover rates, making training challenging.
• Creating a culture of learning benefits all staff, not just revenue-generating roles.
• Storytelling enhances the guest experience and builds credibility.
• Change in restaurant operations takes time and patience.
• The future of Knowbie includes community engagement and integration with existing systems.

00:00 Inclusive Opportunities in Hospitality 05:25 "Standardizing Wine Training Essentials" 09:06 "Knowbie: Empowering Staff through Education" 11:56 Empower Employees, Increase Sales 14:46 Server Training Experiment Idea 18:41 "Trust-Building Tips for Servers" 22:06 Promoting Inclusive Employee Training 24:00 "Storytelling's Role in Wine Education" 28:25 Empowering Employees for Growth 32:35 Win a Trip to Barossa Australia 34:31 Increase Sales with Knowbie

In this episode of Wisking It All, Alistair Levine, CEO of Vine Hospitality, shares his journey into the hospitality industry, the challenges of scaling restaurants, and the importance of understanding key performance indicators (KPIs).

He emphasizes the need for new restaurant owners to watch their numbers closely, empower their teams, and embrace technology to enhance hospitality.

Alistair also discusses lessons learned from his family's legacy in the restaurant business and offers valuable advice for navigating the complexities of restaurant management.

• Alistair grew up in a family involved in hospitality.
• Vine Hospitality operates eight restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area.
• Scaling restaurants presents unique challenges compared to single-concept operations.
• The first restaurant is often the hardest to establish.
• Building a strong relationship with landlords is crucial for success.
• Understanding KPIs is essential for managing restaurant performance.
• Empowering staff leads to better guest experiences.
• Technology should enhance, not detract from, hospitality.
• Regularly reviewing financials is critical for profitability.
• Feedback from guests is vital for continuous improvement.

00:00 - Diverse Bay Area Restaurant Group 05:23 - Growing Up in the Restaurant Industry 07:13 - Surroundings Shape Success and Perspective 11:42 - Scaling Restaurant Management Strategy 15:43 - Mitigating Risk in New Ventures 16:55 - Realistic Approach to Business Growth 22:41 - Key Restaurant Performance Metrics" 24:19 - Rising Sales, Declining Guests Warning 28:43 - Balancing Finances and Hospitality 31:57 - Efficiency Through Technology in Industry 34:07 - Enhancing Hospitality Through Integration" 38:19 - Consumer Feedback Drives Tech Adaptability 40:23 - Q's Targeted Customer Strategy 43:34 - Empower Teams for Business Success