Sink or Swim: The San Pedro Fish Market Story

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro takes the stage at the Restaurant Franchising Innovation Summit to share the journey behind San Pedro Fish Market and how it became one of the highest grossing independent restaurants in the country, and how Kings Of Fi$H helped change the trajectory of the business.From a 200 square foot seafood shop started by teenagers in 1956 to a 3,000 seat waterfront destination, Ungaro breaks down the moments that shaped the business. He shares how Kings Of Fi$H became a storytelling engine for the brand, how a viral video brought 30,000 customers in 10 days, and why content became the key to survival during eviction, relocation, and reinvention.In this episode, you’ll learn about:-How San Pedro Fish Market grew into a top revenue generating restaurant in the United States-Why storytelling and social media turned the business into a destination, not just a restaurant-How to build a loyal customer base that will travel hours for an experience-What it takes to operate a multimillion dollar restaurant out of a temporary location-How partnerships, content, and community fuel long term growth-Why becoming irreplaceable is the ultimate strategy for protecting your businessWhether you are scaling a restaurant, building a brand, or navigating uncertainty, this episode offers a real look at what it takes to grow, adapt, and stay relevant over time.Subscribe now, leave a review, and follow us on social @KingsOfFish and @SanPedroFish for more behind the scenes stories from America’s seafood royalty.Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts