Josef Gutzmirtl- Owner- Beyond the Edge, Boston Common, and Drifters BBQ

In this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, Brandon sits down with Josef Gutzmirtl, a longtime Nashville operator with more than three decades in the restaurant business. Josef shares the journey behind building and sustaining beloved neighborhood staples like Boston Commons, Beyond the Edge, and Drifters BBQ through economic shifts, natural disasters, staffing shortages, and the ever-changing Nashville dining scene.The conversation dives deep into what independent operators are facing right now — rising food costs, labor challenges, property taxes, shrinking margins, and the pressure of staying relevant in a city growing at lightning speed. Joseph offers an honest look at the realities behind running neighborhood restaurants and why consistency, community, and perseverance matter more than ever.This episode is a reminder that local restaurants don’t survive by accident. They survive because operators continue showing up every single day, long after the glamour wears off.Topics Covered:- Josef’s 34-year restaurant journey- The story behind Beyond the Edge, Boston Commons, and Drifters BBQ- How Nashville’s growth has impacted local operators- Food cost inflation and margin pressure- Staffing and labor challenges- Property taxes and operational stress- Tornado and pandemic recovery- Building neighborhood restaurants that last- Why consistency matters more than trendsFollow Nashville Restaurant Radio for more conversations with the people shaping Nashville’s hospitality community. @nashville_restaurant_radio @naranashville