Managing Madness in NYC’s Hospitality Industry | Jeffrey Bank and Bill Bonbrest

In this episode of ‘Hospitality & Politics,’ powered by the New York City Hospitality Alliance, Andrew Rigie chats with Jeffrey Bank, CEO of the Alicart Restaurant Group (Carmines and Virgil’s), and Bill Bonbrest, former Chief Performance Officer at Tao Group and current president of the NYC Hospitality Alliance. The conversation covers the evolution of the restaurant industry, exploring changes from a historical perspective and examining current challenges, including regulatory issues, and labor dynamics. The dialogue also highlights the importance of building a supportive organizational culture, the role of mentorship, and the need for effective advocacy to ensure the sustainability of independent restaurants.https://www.thenycalliance.org/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction to Hospitality and Politics00:09 Meet the Founding Members00:31 Humorous Beginnings01:15 Jeff and Bill's Early Days02:27 State of the Restaurant Industry03:50 Challenges and Changes in Hospitality05:46 Owner's Mindset and Employee Development08:08 Training and Culture in Restaurants13:36 Consistency and Growth Strategies22:06 Importance of Location and Leases27:18 Support and Advice for Restaurateurs31:06 Joining the Alliance: A Community of Like-Minded Individuals31:21 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Hospitality31:50 Bill's Journey: From Cornell to Carmines33:47 Mentorship and Networking in the Restaurant Industry36:29 Spotlight on Emerging Restaurateurs39:23 Challenges and Realities of Running a Restaurant40:45 Navigating Regulatory Hurdles in New York City41:57 The Impact of Outdoor Dining Regulations45:58 Advocacy and the Role of the Hospitality Alliance58:01 The Future of the Restaurant Industry01:02:03 Concluding Thoughts and Predictions#newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness