PODCAST · business
Running Restaurants
by RunningRestaurants.com
Running a restaurant is one of the most exhilarating yet challenging ventures out there. Every day, passionate restaurateurs pour their hearts into delivering dining experiences that both excite customers & simultaneously drive profits to the bottom line. But how can restaurants do both even better? Welcome to Running Restaurants, the podcast exploring actionable tips, valuable resources, and interesting insights every restaurant owner can easily implement in their own businesses. Whether you want your food venture to be more profitable, renowned, or enticing to many, we discuss every single strategy that could make your goals a reality. Tune in to insightful discussions with restaurant industry experts, business gurus, and food professionals about what it takes to bring your venture to the next level. Whether you are running a casual dining, quick service, ta
Episodes
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Stop Taking Orders, Start Making Sales
Your servers may be the most underused profit center in your restaurant. In this episode, Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com and veteran operator Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars explain why order takers leave money on the table. They also cover how to build a front of house team of…
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From Franchisee to Franchisor: Aaron Anderson on Building Sunrise Social
In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, host Jaime Oikle interviews Aaron Anderson, founder of Sunrise Social. Aaron shares his restaurant journey, from buying franchises like The Original Hot Dog Factory (which opened during COVID-19) to experimenting with ghost kitchens. He…
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Bootstrapped: Brianna Keefe on Toastique's Path to 65+ Locations
In this episode, host Jaime Oikle interviews Brianna Keefe, founder and CEO of Toastique, a fast casual wellness cafe with over 65 locations across 25 states. Brianna shares how her background as a college athlete inspired the concept, how she bootstrapped the first location in Washington D.C.…
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Scrappy, Smart and Data-Driven: Inside the Growth of Teriyaki Madness With CMO Jodi Boyce
In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, host Jaime Oikle interviews Jodi Boyce, CMO of Teriyaki Madness. Jodi shares her unique career journey, from driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to leading marketing at major restaurant brands. She discusses Teriyaki Madness's rapid growth to…
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From Failure to Eight Restaurants: What Dan Simons Learned Building Founding Farmers
Dan Simons, co-founder of Founding Farmers, a farmer-owned restaurant group generating $100 million in annual sales across eight locations, joins Jaime Oikle, show host and RunningRestaurants.com founder. Dan candidly shares his journey from early failures, bankruptcy, and mental health struggles...
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Why Restaurant Employees Stay - and Why They Leave: With Rushi Patel
Rushi Patel, co-founder of Homebase joins Running Restaurants founder & show host, Jaime Oikle, to talk about managing restaurant staff effectively. Drawing from a workplace survey of over 3.5 million hourly workers, Rushi reveals that while pay attracts employees, community, culture, and strong...
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Lessons on Leadership, Growth and the Exit: Darren Spicer of 110 Ventures
RunningRestaurants.com founder and podcast host Jaime Oikle interviews Darren Spicer, founder of Clutch Coffee Bar and 110 Ventures. Darren shares his journey from working at Dutch Bros at 18 to building and selling Clutch Coffee Bar back to Dutch Bros. Through seven impactful quotes from Kobe...
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What Restaurant Employees Really Want in 2026 - With Jordan Boesch
We welcome back Jordan Boesch, CEO of 7Shifts, to discuss their 2026 report "What Restaurant Employees Want". Key findings reveal that understaffing remains the top employee stressor, great coworkers matter more than pay, and offered benefits often mismatch what employees actually value. Jordan...
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Strategies to Strengthen Your Restaurant Leadership Team
In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, host Jaime Oikle sits down with Alison Anne (Restaurant Revolution) and Darren Denington (Service with Style), co-presenters of the Restaurant Management 201 and 301 workshop series. Together, they share practical strategies for strengthening...
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The New Era of Restaurant Marketing Is Built on Hospitality, AI, and Guest Data
Guest Brett Linkletter, CEO of Dishio speaks with RunningRestaurants.com founder Jaime Oikle about how AI and data-driven marketing are transforming the restaurant industry. Brett explains how restaurants can prove marketing ROI using Google and Meta advertising, collect first-party customer data...
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How a Mutiny Transformed My Leadership With Geoffrey Toffetti
RR host Jaime Oikle sits down with Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group, to explore seven impactful quotes shaping his leadership philosophy. Jeffrey shares insights from his career in hospitality, discussing themes of loyalty, commitment, trust, and long-term thinking. He…
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AI, Ordering, and Customer Relationships: Tips for Restaurant Operators
Running Restaurants Founder Jaime Oikle speaks with Stephen Klein, co-founder and CEO of Saivory, about how AI is transforming the restaurant industry. Stephen explains how Saivory helps restaurants reduce reliance on costly third-party platforms like DoorDash by improving first-party ordering...
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Roger Beaudoin: Seven Leadership & Life Lessons
Jaime interviews Roger Beaudoin, a veteran hospitality entrepreneur and host of the podcast Restaurant Rockstars. The conversation explores Roger's journey from aspiring pilot to restaurant leader, focusing on seven quotes that shaped his life and leadership. Roger shares personal stories about...
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A Key to Winning Repeat Restaurant Customers
Jaime gets with secret shopping expert Darren Denington of Service With Style in this short snippet to discuss the growing problem of mediocre dining experiences. With rising meal costs, they emphasize that restaurants must deliver exceptional service to justify prices. Both Jaime & Darren share...
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Quick Peak on How AI is Starting to Revolutionize Restaurants
In this episode of the Running Restaurants podcast, Jaime Oikle and Roger Beaudoin explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the restaurant industry. They discuss AI's role in tackling labor shortages, cutting costs, optimizing inventory, and enhancing menu engineering.…
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5 Ways to Lower Your Restaurant's Prime Cost
In this episode, Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars explains the crucial concept of prime cost in the restaurant industry (the combined percentage of food, beverage, and labor costs relative to sales). He discusses strategies for managing prime cost, such as accurate menu costing, promoting...
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Trackable Marketing And Boosting Guest Frequency For Your Restaurant With Roger Beaudoin
More than social media influencers and online reviews, your most important marketing resource is your loyal guests. Through trackable marketing, you can ensure they will keep coming back and will talk about you even beyond the table. Jaime Oikle sits down with Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant…
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How Restaurants Can Stay Relevant And Keep Guests Coming Back With Samantha Flynn
Restaurants have to go the extra mile and go beyond food if they want to stay relevant and keep their seats filled at all times. Through the right content creation strategies, you can use social media to your advantage and keep guests coming back. Jaime Oikle sits down with Samantha Flynn…
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Mentoring, Shadowing & Sales Training at Your Restaurant
In this Running Restaurants Podcast episode, Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars shares practical strategies for training restaurant staff. The discussion covers mentoring and shadowing multiple top performers, cross-training for versatility, and the value of daily pre-shift huddles focused on...
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Managing Four Restaurant Concepts With Leo Moura
Managing one restaurant is already challenging. How crazy would it be to manage not one but four different restaurant concepts? This is exactly the life of Leo Moura, a seasoned restaurant owner and operator in the Atlanta marketplace. He joins Jaime Oikle to share his experiences and strategies…
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Restaurant Digital Marketing That Actually Drives Results With David "Rev" Ciancio
In today’s highly digital world, maintaining a strong online visibility is a must if you want your business to thrive. But in the restaurant industry, hospitality marketing executive David "Rev" Ciancio has noted one alarming truth: many are not doing even the fundamentals of digital marketing.…
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Music For Restaurants: Build Your Brand & Boost Profits with Ola Sars of Soundtrack
Choosing the right music for restaurants may not seem important from the get-go, but it is definitely a crucial aspect of your business that you must never set aside. Jaime Oikle emphasizes how your chosen playlist can make or break your restaurant environment with Ola Sars, founder and CEO of...
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Creating Shareable Experiences In Your Restaurant With Michael Tronn
A good restaurant is beloved not just because of its delicious food, but most importantly the lasting shareable experiences it offers to every single customer. Jaime Oikle sits down with Michael Tronn of 3 Hospitality and TIMBR to discuss the right way to deliver a complete restaurant experience...
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What It Takes To Be A Good Restaurant Manager With Darren Denington And Alison Anne
Having a good restaurant manager is essential in securing success in the world of hospitality. What characteristics and leadership styles should they possess? Jaime Oikle explores the eight traits of an effective manager with Darren Denington and Alison Anne. They discuss how managers must do the...
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Tips For Building Culture For Restaurant Owners & Managers With David Friedman (Ep 250)
The everyday and long-term success of your restaurant hinges greatly not just on hiring the most talented people but also on building the right culture. Jaime Oikle sits down with David Friedman, founder of CultureWise, to break down how to create the ideal restaurant culture and environment. He...
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Streamlining Operations In Your Restaurant With Matthew Patrick (Ep 249)
Your restaurant finances and taxes will always be your restaurant's most complicated and overwhelming aspects. Streamlining operations is the way to go if you want these to become much more manageable. Jaime Oikle sits down with returning guest Matthew Patrick to take a deep dive into the…
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Creating Memorable Customer Service at Your Restaurant with Chris Tripoli (Ep 248)
Restaurant goers will certainly remember good food bundled with good customer service. By creating a point of differentiation in these areas, you can make your place not only commendable but also memorable. Chris Tripoli of The Restaurant Clinic discusses why a personalized and specialized…
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Restaurant Marketing and Branding 101 With Joe Haubenhofer (Ep 247)
Your restaurant’s marketing and branding are not only about turning heads and getting everyone’s attention. Most importantly, it is about turning your target market into loyal customers. Joe Haubenhofer, owner of The Plaid Penguin, discusses the right way to do this to improve and elevate how…
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Driving Restaurant Sales: A Guide to Customer Data Analytics & Loyalty with Abhinav Kapur (Ep 246)
Dive headfirst into the data revolution sweeping the restaurant industry! In this episode, host Jaime Oikle dives deep into the world of restaurant customer data analytics with Abhinav Kapur, co-founder and CEO of Bikky. Abhinav shares his journey from identifying the data gap in the hospitality...
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How Automated Tip Management Is Transforming Restaurant Operations - With Kirk Grogan (Ep 245)
Tipping is an important element in running a restaurant. Employees often receive several tips in a single dinner service, and sometimes keeping up with it is quite overwhelming and confusing. Kirk Grogan is here to discuss how automation can ease the burden of this particular task. Joining Jaime...
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Exploring The 2025 Restaurant Business Report with Bryan Solar (Ep 244)
The 2025 Restaurant Business Report was recently released, and it is full of curious yet enlightening information for the industry’s future. Jaime Oikle explores its contents with Bryan Solar, Chief Product Officer at SpotOn. Together, they discuss how restaurants should navigate today’s rising...
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Restaurant Accounting: Fixing Your Finances and Boosting Margins with Marta Grumberg (Ep 243)
Understanding the intricacies of restaurant accounting is paramount for any owner looking to thrive in today's competitive market. In this episode, we dive into the crucial world of restaurant accounting and finances with Marta Grumberg of Grumberg Accounting. Jaime Oikle sits down with Marta to...
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Boosting Restaurant Profits Using AI With Carl Turner (Ep 242)
Running a restaurant is tough – managing orders, executing marketing campaigns, and maintaining high customer engagement can quickly become overwhelming. Thankfully, AI has been changing the game and is now helping owners automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks. In this episode, Jaime Oikle...
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Just Getting Started - Life Wisdom & Business Insights with David DeLorenzo (ep 241)
David DeLorenzo returns to the podcast to join Jaime Oikle once again, this time to talk about his new book, Just Getting Started. He shares life wisdom and business insights on finding balance and fulfillment in life. David explores how to create a productive daily schedule, the essence of...
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Preview: 2025 Bar and Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas (Ep 240)
In this episode, Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com interviews Ashley Bray about the Bar and Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas this upcoming March 24-26. 2025. They discuss the expo's events, education, exhibit floor, and networking parties. Ashley highlights several trends along the way. The expo...
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The Secret Sauce To Restaurant Success: Service, Storytelling, And Disruptive Thinking With Christian J. Fischer (Ep 239)
In a rapid age of technology where businesses are all about scaling and expansion, the beauty of keeping everything localized is still a strong strategy in the restaurant industry. Christian J. Fischer, the Disruptive Chef, joins Jaime Oikle in discussing the beauty and uniqueness of running...
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Cultivating The Right Ownership Mindset With Alison Anne (Ep 238)
Building a successful restaurant requires more than just good food. It also demands a strong team driven by the right ownership mindset. In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Alison Anne about cultivating and maintaining a thriving restaurant culture. Alison emphasizes the importance of genuine...
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How To Streamline Kitchen Operations With Simon Zatyrka (Ep 237)
Many restaurants are so focused on offering good food that they fall short of providing a great experience to their own employees. Simon Zatyrka, the Culinary Mechanic, joins Jaime Oikle to discuss how chefs and restaurant owners should streamline their kitchen operations and bring them to the…
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Recruiting & Team Building in the Restaurant Industry with Roger Beaudoin (Ep 236)
Running a successful restaurant starts with team building, and Jaime Oikle dives deep into this crucial topic with Roger Beaudoin in this episode. They discuss practical strategies for identifying top talent, empowering employees, and fostering a strong workplace culture that drives results.…
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Building The Right Restaurant Leadership Team With Darren Denington (Ep 235)
Restaurants require a well-rounded and high-performing leadership team to ensure it operates flawlessly and effectively. With so many moving parts, owners must learn how to hire the right people who can work together in a fast-paced environment. Jaime Oikle explains how this can be done with…
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2025 Restaurant Workforce Management Report Overview with Jordan Boesch (Ep 234)
2025 Restaurant Workforce Management Report. Sitting down with Jaime Oikle, they explore the collective feedback of more than 900 restaurant managers about employee needs, wages, and retention. Discover how to overcome the biggest hiring challenges, keep up with the continuous growth of QSR…
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Mastering Cost Controls for Restaurants with Roger Beaudoin (Ep 233)
Cost controls are paramount in maximizing restaurant profitability, and Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars joins Jaime Oikle in this episode to emphasize their critical importance. Roger breaks down essential systems for managing food, beverage, and labor costs, including accurate inventory...
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The Pokeworks Success Story: Franchise Growth & Expansion with Peter Yang (Ep 232)
Peter Yang, co-founder of Pokeworks, shares the inspiring story of building a successful restaurant franchise from the ground up. Discover how Pokeworks went from a single location in New York City to a nationwide sensation with over 70 locations. Jaime Oikle and Peter Yang discuss the unique...
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Checkmate: Redefining Restaurant Technology With Vishal Agarwal (Ep 231)
Empowering restaurants to thrive in the digital age, Checkmate offers a suite of innovative solutions. In this episode, Jaime Oikle chats with Vishal Agarwal, the founder and CEO of Checkmate, a tech game-changer for restaurants. Initially focused on simplifying payment processes, Vishal…
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20 Book Recommendations from Restaurant Industry Execs and Insiders (Ep 230)
I'm a book aficionado so I loved puting this together -- Twenty absolutely solid book recommendations from a stellar collection of restaurant industry execs and insiders. Be sure to add some of these to your library or wish list... The Who... Jordan Boesch of 7shifts Tony Smith of Restaurant365...
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Transforming Restaurants With AI: Enhancing the Guest Experience with Alex Sambvani (Ep 229)
How can AI revolutionize your restaurant’s guest experience? In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Alex Sambvani from Slang.ai about how their voice-powered AI technology is helping restaurants improve efficiency and customer service. From handling reservations to answering common questions,...
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Cost Management Hacks For Restaurants With Angelo Esposito (Ep 228)
Jaime Oikle sits down with Angelo Esposito of Wisk.ai to dive deep into the world of cost management for restaurants. From tracking cost of goods sold to automating invoices, they explore practical ways to boost profitability and streamline operations. Angelo shares key insights on inventory...
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Bun Mee: Bringing Vietnamese Street Food to the Mainstream with Denise Tran (Ep 227)
With its innovative menu and commitment to quality, Bun Mee has quickly become a beloved destination for foodies seeking a taste of Vietnam. In this episode, Jaime Oikle sits down with Denise Tran, founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Vietnamese sandwich eatery Bun Mee. Denise recounts her...
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Restaurant Design: Crafting Unique Culinary Experiences With David Shove-Brown (Ep 226)
Restaurant design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about crafting a memorable and immersive experience. Join Jaime Oikle and //3877 co-founder David Shove-Brown as they explore restaurant design, highlighting how to create unique dining experiences that blend architecture, branding, and...
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Walking Through the Pain Points of the Restaurant Business with Matthew Wilson (Ep 225)
Restaurant owners who are having trouble improving their menu, operations efficiency, and team management are going to want to tune in as we dig into the pain points impacting restaurants. Matthew Wilson, owner of the restaurant and hospitality consulting business Mise En Place. joins for a...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Running a restaurant is one of the most exhilarating yet challenging ventures out there. Every day, passionate restaurateurs pour their hearts into delivering dining experiences that both excite customers & simultaneously drive profits to the bottom line. But how can restaurants do both even better?
Welcome to Running Restaurants, the podcast exploring actionable tips, valuable resources, and interesting insights every restaurant owner can easily implement in their own businesses. Whether you want your food venture to be more profitable, renowned, or enticing to many, we discuss every single strategy that could make your goals a reality.
Tune in to insightful discussions with restaurant industry experts, business gurus, and food professionals about what it takes to bring your venture to the next level. Whether you are running a casual dining, quick service, ta
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RunningRestaurants.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Running Restaurants have?
Running Restaurants currently has 275 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Running Restaurants about?
Running a restaurant is one of the most exhilarating yet challenging ventures out there. Every day, passionate restaurateurs pour their hearts into delivering dining experiences that both excite customers & simultaneously drive profits to the bottom line. But how can restaurants do both even...
How often does Running Restaurants release new episodes?
Running Restaurants publishes regularly with 275 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Running Restaurants?
You can listen to Running Restaurants on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Running Restaurants?
Running Restaurants is created and hosted by RunningRestaurants.com.
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