How Great Restaurants Get Designed

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Marc Pfenninger, CEO of Studios Architecture, the global design firm behind some of the most inventive hospitality and workplace spaces in the world. Including Eataly’s iconic food halls. Marc is drawn to the complex challenges others avoid. He shares how curiosity, coaching, and culture shape his leadership, why great design starts with listening, and how he and his team are helping reimagine San Pedro Fish Market’s legacy location with purpose and intention. This conversation explores creativity, trust, and the power of designing spaces that tell a story.In this episode, you will learn about:- Why every great design begins with understanding culture, values, and vision- How leadership, coaching, and trust shape Marc’s approach to running a global firm- Why complex projects require clarity, patience, and a willingness to challenge assumptions- How Studios designs restaurants and hospitality spaces that feel intentional, not transactional- The vision behind rebuilding the San Pedro Fish Market legacy location for the next 49 yearsSubscribe, rate, and review to support the sh