What It Really Costs to Open a Restaurant with Justin McCallister | EP226

Most people who help design and equip restaurants never spent a night on the line themselves. In Episode 226 of On The Delo, Delo sits down with longtime friend Justin McCallister, Owner of Arizona Restaurant Consulting (AZRC), to talk about a career that started in a culinary school kitchen and grew into a full design-build firm behind restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and commercial kitchens across Arizona and beyond.Justin shares his journey from cooking at the original Mastro's Steakhouse and Kona Grill to spending 17 years in restaurant equipment sales and design before taking the leap to launch Arizona Restaurant Consulting in 2016. This year marks AZRC's 10th anniversary, making it the perfect time to look back on the lessons learned from a decade of designing, equipping, and building restaurants.The conversation dives into recent projects including Terrible's gas stations, a Hilton Squaw Peak remodel, and a challenging build for Freeport-McMoRan, along with what it really takes - from budgeting and design to equipment, permitting, and installation - to turn an empty gray shell into a fully operational restaurant.Justin also shares his philosophy on referrals and marketing, why he'd rather be the hub of the wheel than wear every hat himself, and the personal side of running a business for a decade, including bringing his wife on as a full partner after 28 years of marriage.Whether you're opening your first restaurant, remodeling an existing concept, or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at how successful hospitality projects come together, this episode is packed with practical insights from someone who's helped build them.Chapter Guide (Timestamps)(0:14 - 1:13) Welcome Back and Justin's First Time in the Office(1:13 - 3:37) From Missouri to Culinary School: Mastro's and Kona Grill(3:37 - 4:42) Finding a Niche in Restaurant Equipment Sales and Design(4:42 - 5:47) Taking the Leap: Founding AZRC in 2016(5:47 - 7:07) 10 Years of Growth and Launching AZRC Installations(7:07 - 9:50) Proud Projects: Terrible's Gas Stations and the $200K Walk-In(9:50 - 11:28) Current Projects: Hilton Squaw Peak and Jackson's Car Wash(11:28 - 13:00) Learning AutoCAD and Becoming a Design-Build Hybrid(13:00 - 15:11) Marketing as the Hub of the Wheel(15:11 - 17:10) Working Outside Arizona: DC, California, and Beyond(17:10 - 20:12) What It Really Takes to Open a Restaurant(20:12 - 22:44) Being an Equipment Reseller and Owning the Hard Conversations(22:44 - 25:51) Arizona's 2026 Market and the Freeport-McMoRan Challenge(25:51 - 28:11) Non-Negotiables, Family, and Bringing His Wife on Board(28:11 - 29:57) Where to Find Justin and AZRC(29:57 - 32:29) Rapid Fire and Delo's Close👉 Building a restaurant is one of the biggest investments you'll make. Subscribe for more conversations with hospitality operators, builders, and industry experts who have been there.📤 Know someone opening, remodeling, or expanding a restaurant? Share this episode—it may save them time, money, and costly mistakes.📲 Learn more about Arizona Restaurant Consulting: https://azrestaurantconsulting.com💼 Connect with Justin McCallister on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mccallister-2a766041LINKS:🔗 Connect with Delo: https://linktr.ee/iamthedelo📚 Grab Delo's FREE eBook: https://iamthedelo.com/3f-method-book🤝 Delo's Preferred Business Service Partners: https://iamthedelo.com/connect👥 Entrepreneur Community: https://www.builtdifferentcommunity.com📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/IAmTheDelo📷 Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamthedelo💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/daviddelorenzo1🍽️ Restaurant Resources: https://www.runningrestaurants.com/subscribe   DISCOUNT CODE: DeLo2025