Best Josh Kopel Podcasts (2025)

1
Serving the Story: Kathy & Ben Sidell on Building Restaurant Brands That Create Emotional Loyalty 43:29

8h ago43:29

43:29

What if your restaurant wasn’t just a place to eat—but a part of your guest’s identity? Kathy and Ben Sidell have mastered the art of emotional branding, turning Salty Girl and Sweet Boy into lifestyle experiences people feel proud to align with. In this episode, we explore how they’ve built high-volume, high-loyalty concepts without sacrificing so…

1
Office Hours: How to Cure Stagnant Sales 8:10

5h ago8:10

8:10

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

1
The people-first culture that drives just 17% turnover at Brasa with Michel Falcon (Reupload) | 062 38:26

1h ago38:26

38:26

Building a company culture worth celebrating takes more than just words. In this archive episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we revisit our conversation with Michel Falcon, founder and CEO of Brasa Peruvian Kitchen, who shares his journey from management consultant to restaurant entrepreneur. Michel reveals how he built a fast-casual concept with an …

1
Rethinking Restaurant Metrics: Jim Taylor on the One KPI That Changes Everything 46:46

3d ago46:46

46:46

Most restaurant operators are flying blind—tracking the wrong metrics and chasing problems that don’t actually exist. Jim Taylor, founder of Benchmark Sixty, is on a mission to fix that. With decades of experience in operations and a passion for data-driven decision-making, Jim has helped hundreds of restaurants ditch outdated systems and find free…

1
Alex Sambvani on how Conversational AI is Transforming Restaurant Experiences 48:46

14h ago48:46

48:46

#98. In this deep-dive episode, Josh sits down with Alex Sambvani to explore how AI is revolutionizing customer experiences in the restaurant industry. Alex shares valuable insights from his work at Slang and draws parallels to his time at Spotify, highlighting how personalization drives engagement across different sectors. They delve into the dist…

1
442. How to Establish Strong Restaurant Leadership - Roger Beaudoin 28:58

2d ago28:58

28:58

In this episode, Roger discusses the fundamental differences between a manager and a true leader, focusing on how to get optimum performance from your team members through a culture of accountability. He introduces a comprehensive framework for effective leadership, emphasizing the importance of recognizing talent, empowering employees, and fosteri…

1
Mastering the Vibe: Lee Maen on Creating Iconic Restaurants That Endure and Scale 38:50

7d ago38:50

38:50

Some restaurants chase trends. Lee Maen builds brands that shape them. As co-founder of Innovative Dining Group, Lee has redefined what it means to create restaurants that are as memorable for their vibe as they are for their food. From Sushi Roku to BOA Steakhouse, he’s turned hospitality into a high-performance art form—blending ambiance, precisi…

1
#298 Vimal Arumugam Co-Founder and CEO at Baked Bird - Redefining Fast Food with a Healthy Twist 1:04:01

5d ago1:04:01

1:04:01

In this episode, we delve into the journey of Vimal Arumugam, the co-founder of Baked Bird, a unique baked chicken concept. Vimal shares the inception story of Baked Bird, which began from a shared love for chicken wings and evolved into a thriving hospitality business. He discusses the challenges faced in transitioning from a corporate career to t…

1
Office Hours: The #1 Hack to Transform Your Restaurant's Marketing 7:30

8d ago7:30

7:30

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

1
Creating a Legacy Brand : Chef John Currence 32:50

7d ago32:50

32:50

Chef John Currence did not set out to build an empire when he opened his first restaurant in Oxford, Mississippi but that’s what happened. John is a guy a lot like us. He built one concept, then two, then three in a very linear way over time. Then can Big Bad Breakfast. This is a restaurant that John launched for $65,000 and it became a national br…

1
Rachael Nemeth on Scalable Training Solutions for the Restaurant Workforce and Beyond 56:50

8d ago56:50

56:50

#97. This week on The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Rachael Nemeth, CEO and co-founder of Opus, for a candid and insightful conversation that challenges outdated ideas about restaurant training and explores what truly drives team performance, profitability, and sustainable business growth. Drawing on her early experiences in bakeri…

1
441. Navigating Restaurant Growth and Challenges - Chef Giovanni Mauro 40:05

9d ago40:05

40:05

In this captivating episode of the Restaurant Rockstars podcast, I had the pleasure of delving into the inspiring journey of Chef Giovanni, an acclaimed restaurateur with a vibrant family legacy in the restaurant industry. With three thriving locations in Las Vegas, Chef Gio shares his experiences, challenges, and insights into building and maintai…

1
Curing Burnout: Anese Cavanaugh on Leadership, Burnout, and Creating High-Impact Teams 39:59

14d ago39:59

39:59

Burnout isn’t about working too much—it’s about what drains you. Anese Cavanaugh has spent the last two decades helping leaders master their Intentional Energetic Presence (IEP) to create thriving, engaged teams without running themselves into the ground. Her work with Zingerman’s and top companies worldwide has proven that energy, not time, is our…

1
Office Hours: How to Build an Unforgettable Brand 6:54

13d ago6:54

6:54

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

1
Redefining Teamwork: Shawn Gawle on Building Culture, Mentorship, and Michelin-Level Dining 37:50

17d ago37:50

37:50

Great food gets guests in the door, but a great team keeps them coming back. Shawn Gawle, the awarded chef behind Camaraderie, has mastered the art of creating exceptional dining experiences by prioritizing mentorship, culture, and intentional leadership. In this episode, we explore Shawn’s journey from celebrated chef to chef-owner, how his philos…

1
Winning the restaurant hiring game in 2025 with Alice Cheng | 061 41:15

17d ago41:15

41:15

Finding and keeping great restaurant staff is harder than ever in 2025. In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we talk with Alice Cheng, Founder and CEO of Culinary Agents, about how smart restaurants are winning the hiring game. After 13 years of connecting restaurants with talent, Alice breaks down what works. She explains the "missing middle"…

1
Ben Pryor on Augmented Intuition 1:16:14

17d ago1:16:14

1:16:14

#95. In this episode of The meez Podcast, Josh Sharkey sits down with Ben Pryor, a former restaurant operator turned tech leader at Fourtop, to explore the real-world impact of AI in the hospitality industry—and why it should empower teams, not replace them. With more than 30 years of experience running restaurants like Noodles & Co., Brinker, and …

1
Episode 5: The New Landscape of Restaurant Real Estate 29:42

16d ago29:42

29:42

The fires have dramatically altered LA’s real estate market, creating both challenges and opportunities for restaurant owners. Real estate expert Dan Fagan shares insider knowledge on where the best opportunities are now, how to negotiate stronger lease terms, and how consumer behavior is reshaping restaurant site selection. Whether you're looking …

1
440. Improving Restaurant Operations: A General Manager's Guide - Andrew Roy 30:00

16d ago30:00

30:00

Andrew shares what it takes to be a remarkable General Manager and his journey in the restaurant industry, offering valuable lessons for anyone looking to enhance their establishment's operations and culture. His experiences and insights offer valuable lessons for restaurant professionals aiming to refine their operations and build a robust company…

1
Culture Is Your Competitive Edge: Lisa Schultz on Eliminating Drama and Creating High-Performing Teams 37:21

21d ago37:21

37:21

Most restaurants accept drama and dysfunction as part of the business—but what if eliminating them was the key to higher profits and better retention? Lisa Schultz, Managing Partner of Zingerman’s Roadhouse, has spent the last 20 years proving that culture is the real secret to success. By implementing no-drama leadership, open-book finance, and em…

1
#297 Natalie Dunning CEO & Founder at Kitch - Building Community and Superfans in Hospitality 57:34

19d ago57:34

57:34

In this episode of the Hospitality Mavericks podcast, host Michael welcomes guest Natalie Dunning, who shares her journey of growing up in a hospitality family and building her agency, Kitch Social. They discuss the importance of creating super fans, engaging with communities, and the crucial role of maintaining a human connection in the hospitalit…

1
Office Hours: The 3 Keys to Escaping Day to Day Operations 8:33

22d ago8:33

8:33

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

1
The Principles of Profitability : David Scott Peters on The Art of Delegation 43:30

24d ago43:30

43:30

Most restaurants don’t make money. The ones that do, typically make very little. This is our reality and many of us have embraced it. But what about the group no one talks about: the restaurants that are making a killing, quietly and consistently. They all seem to be following the same formula and today we sit down with restaurant expert, David Sco…

1
Digital Hospitality Podcast: Food Cost & Recipe SAAS! How meez is Helping Restaurants Boost Profits & Cut Costs 37:03

23d ago37:03

37:03

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR1hMlmuFNA&t=1s Today, we’re highlighting Josh's appearance on a standout episode of Digital Hospitality with host Shawn Walchef. They explore the power of storytelling in business, the surprising ROI of podcasting, and the evolving world of restaurant tech. From menu engineering to system integration, the conversat…

1
439. Maximizing Menu Profit Through Effective Design and Strategy - Roger Beaudoin 32:29

22d ago32:29

32:29

In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most powerful — yet often overlooked — tools in your restaurant’s success: the menu. More than just a list of dishes, your menu is a marketing asset and a key part of your brand identity.Restaurant Profit Maximizer Mini-Masterclass: Learn how just a few tweaks in the way you run your business can hugely…

1
Episode 4: Designing the Future of Restaurants 25:43

25d ago25:43

25:43

With the fires wiping out entire restaurant districts, what does the future of restaurant design in LA look like? Renowned architect John Hamilton shares with Josh Kopel and Michael Benson what restaurant operators should be thinking about when rebuilding—from fire-resistant materials to more flexible layouts, outdoor dining strategies, and cost-ef…

1
Building Unbreakable Restaurants: Justin Cucci on Culture, Ownership, and the Future of Hospitality 37:23

28d ago37:23

37:23

Most restaurateurs build concepts around a menu or a chef. Justin Cucci built Edible Beats around a philosophy—one that’s challenged conventional wisdom and redefined what restaurant success looks like. From turning historic spaces into thriving concepts to pioneering an employee-owned business model, Justin has proven that restaurants can be both …

1
Office Hours: This is the one hack to scale word of mouth advertising 12:47

29d ago12:47

12:47

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…

1
Purpose Over Profit: Kim Malek’s Mission-Driven Path with Salt & Straw 38:45

1M ago38:45

38:45

Kim Malek, founder of Salt and Straw, discussing her journey from working at Starbucks to creating a unique ice cream brand that emphasizes community, culture, and innovative marketing strategies. Kim explores the importance of guest experience, building a strong company culture, navigating challenges during the pandemic, and the significance of pa…

1
Building skills beyond the kitchen with Justin Khanna | 060 39:50

1M ago39:50

39:50

Want to build a restaurant career that doesn't leave you burnt out? In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we chat with Justin Khanna, a chef who's cooked at some of the world's best restaurants, before switching gears to become an educator and founder of Repertoire. Justin takes us behind the scenes of his days at Per Se and The French Laundry,…

1
Josh Kopel on Mastering Marketing 1:08:34

1M ago1:08:34

1:08:34

#94. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Josh Kopel, restaurateur, consultant, speaker, and former President of the California Restaurant Association, whose story is one of transformation, from building a multimillion-dollar restaurant empire in Los Angeles to rethinking the way hospitality businesses are built and run. Kopel is best known f…

1
Episode 3: Fast-Tracking A Restaurant Opening 22:39

1M ago22:39

22:39

In a crisis, every day your restaurant stays closed means lost revenue. Permitting and governmental expert Eddie Navarette reveals the fastest, most effective ways to cut through LA’s permitting maze, accelerate approvals, and avoid costly mistakes that slow down restaurant openings. This episode provides actionable insights for operators in any ci…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Josh Kopel Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen