965: Robert Guarino Owner and Head Coach of 5 Napkin Burger

Robert Guarino is the Owner and head Coach at 5 Napkin Burger in NYC. Robert started in the industry as a teenager bussing tables. He then went to the Cornell Hotel School. In 2001 he met his long-time partner Simon Oren, who took him on as the GM at Marseille. In 2007 they opened Nizza together in 2007 and then in 2008, 5 Napkin burger was opened. 5 Napkin Burger scaled up to 7 locations, but has since scaled down to 2 core locations in NYC. Robert has also been a part of other concepts in the same neigborhood as 5 Napkin Burger, such as Playa Betty's and Schmackary's Cookies. Please use this link if you are interested in Ovation based on recommendations in today's episode: www.ovationup.com/unstoppable Check out episode 799 with Rev Ciancio as mentioned in today's episode. Unstoppables! Please consider taking this survey about our listener demographics so that we can better determine how to best serve our listeners. Less than 10 simple questions. Here is the link: CLICK HERE Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and get your first 30 days on me!  Connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favor success quote/mantra: "If you're not getting better, you're getting passed." "Greatness is many, many small acts, but each one is doable." In this episode with Robert Guarino we will discuss: Opening and closing restaurants How to create a great casual dining experience, a "meeting place" Systems Training Scaling forward and scaling back Today's sponsor: At Popmenu, we know that in today's world, a great hospitality experience usually begins online. Keeping the conversation with guests going beyond the meal also requires simple, powerful, fun technology capable of expression through all kinds of channels. Our team takes pride in helping restaurants put their best foot forward digitally so they can focus on what they do best. We think PDF menus are super boring, we believe 3rd party platforms have had too much say in how consumers find their next dining experience and we deeply feel that sharing your beautiful menu doesn't have to be so difficult, time-consuming and expensive. As a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive $100 off your first month of Popmenu! Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more. Knowledge bombs Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success? Natural empathy What is your biggest weakness? Wanting to do everything What's one thing you ask or look for when interviewing/growing your team? Are they excited? What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it? Staffing Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team. No assholes What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff? Say yes What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? In Search of Excellence by Thomas J. Peterson and Robert H. Waterman, Jr. GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM  What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations? Say thank you What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough? Bikky If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be? Be kind to others Have fun doing what you do Find great people to love and work with Contact: Instagram: @restaurantlifer Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Huge thanks to Robert Guarino for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time! Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!