Liz Einhorn: So You Want to Scale Your Restaurant Business?

Scaling Restaurant Brands: The Truth About Hospitality Growth 🍽️✈️What does it really take to build, scale, and sustain a successful restaurant?In this episode, we sit down with Liz Einhorn - hospitality expert and growth strategist and Founder of Experience Threee - to unpack the real mechanics behind thriving restaurant brands. From her early days scooping ice cream at the Jersey Shore to helping scale nationally recognized concepts and advising brands in high-stakes environments like airports, Liz shares a behind-the-scenes look at what actually works.This conversation goes far beyond airports.We dive into the systems, consistency, and decision-making that separate scalable brands from those that stay stuck, and why growth doesn’t always mean opening more locations. Liz also breaks down how to spot a struggling concept instantly, the balance between tech and human hospitality, and why saying “no” might be the most powerful strategy of all.Along the way, we explore real examples like Velvet Taco and concepts from Rick Bayless, plus the evolving role of social media, influencers, and even airport dining in shaping modern restaurant success.If you’re an operator, marketer, or just obsessed with how great restaurants actually work, this episode is packed with insight.In this episode:How Liz built a career at the intersection of hospitality + brand growthWhy systems and consistency are the foundation of scalabilityThe “can your restaurant run without you?” testHow airports can accelerate brand awareness (and when they don’t)Why some restaurants shouldn’t scaleThe biggest red flags in struggling conceptsHow to balance tech, AI, and human hospitalityWhy consumer behavior is everythingThe truth about influencers and restaurant marketingWhy saying no is critical for long-term successChapters:00:00 From First Job to Hospitality Career Path 08:30 Breaking Into Brand Growth & National Expansion 18:45 Why Systems & Consistency Matter 28:10 Can Your Restaurant Run Without You? 36:40 How Airports Can Grow a Brand 46:15 Why Not Every Restaurant Should Scale 54:30 Red Flags: How to Spot a Struggling Concept 01:02:10 Tech vs Human Hospitality 01:10:25 Influencers, Social Media & Discovery Trends 01:18:40 Final Takeaways: Simplicity, Focus & Saying NoBrought to you by Back of HouseYour most trusted resource for restaurant tech. Stop guessing and start making data-driven decisions for your business.Learn more at: https://backofhouse.io/ Proudly Sponsored by: - RestauRentThe no-fee booking platform helping restaurants and venues book private events.Try it risk-free (3 months free): https://bit.ly/soyouwanttorestaurent - Toast Get tech built for the way you actually work at https://pos.toasttab.com/ Connect with the PodcastFull Episodes: https://linktr.ee/soyouwanttorunarestaurantFollow Claudia: @claudia.saricFollow Spencer: @RestaurantSpenny ​