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Joe Fontana, founder of Fry the Coop, is redefining what it means to build a fast-casual chicken empire with heart. From his Chicago-based restaurants, Joe shares the unexpected journey that took him from a failed meatball concept to creating what he proudly calls "the number one chicken sandwich in Chicago" – double-fried in beef tallow for that perfect crunch.

What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is Joe's candid discussion of his viral moment. When thieves broke into one of his restaurants causing $3,000 in damage for a mere $9 in change, Joe transformed potential disaster into marketing gold.

His Home Alone-themed response to the break-in generated 27 television appearances and drove record sales – a masterclass in turning lemons into lemonade that any restaurant owner can learn from.

Beyond crisis management, Joe dives deep into the leadership principles that have allowed him to scale to nine locations with plans for 75 more. He articulates the profound loneliness of entrepreneurship and shares how he stays connected to his team's needs while navigating rapid growth.

His refreshingly honest admission about financial management missteps offers a cautionary tale about the importance of diligent invoice tracking and expense management – "expenses are like fingernails, they're always growing and they always need to be cut."

What truly sets this episode apart is Joe's people-first philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on profits, he frames his ambitious growth goals around creating opportunities for his team members.

"We're growing our company so we can grow our people," he explains, detailing how his expansion strategy aims to eventually provide meaningful financial outcomes for everyone involved. This perspective challenges the traditional profit-centric restaurant model and offers a compelling alternative vision for sustainable growth.

Whether you're running a single restaurant location or dreaming of building your own multi-unit concept, this episode delivers actionable insights on leadership, crisis management, operational excellence, and maintaining your values during expansion.

Resources:

Joe Fontana

Fry The Coop

Christin Marvin

More from Christin:

Grab your free copy of my audiobook, The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary at christinmarvin.com/audio

Curious about one-on-one coaching or leadership workshops? Click this link to schedule a 15 minute strategy session.

Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

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Ever wondered what happens when a corporate executive trades the boardroom for the bakery kitchen?

Neman Popov's story of launching Roggenart European Bakery, Bistro & Cafe offers a masterclass in entrepreneurial perseverance and leadership growth.

From signing a bad lease in his first location to now operating 10 thriving stores across multiple markets, Neman's journey wasn't just about scaling a business—it was about discovering who he was as a leader.

"The trouble with trouble is that it starts as fun," he laughs, recalling how his restaurant "hobby" evolved into a full-time passion despite daily thoughts of walking away during those first challenging years.

What makes Neman's approach to leadership so compelling is his focus on continuous self-improvement. Rather than comparing himself to competitors, he embraces a Kaizen mentality: "I was always competing with myself from yesterday."

This philosophy extends to how he builds his team, seeking individuals who demonstrate accountability and a growth mindset.

His interview technique? Asking candidates about past goals and how they've handled failures—revealing insights into how they'll own responsibilities within his business.

The recent expansion to Chicago's saturated food scene represents the boldest chapter yet in the Roggenart story. While his team initially thought he was "nuts," the move exemplifies Neman's refreshing perspective on risk: "I don't know if I'm managing the risk or the risk is managing me... I view it as adventure."

He embraces the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi—finding beauty in imperfections rather than waiting for something to be perfect.

Whether you're contemplating your first location or planning market expansion, this episode delivers practical wisdom on self-financing growth, targeting "second-generation" spaces, and building commissary operations that maintain quality across multiple locations.

More importantly, it reminds us that true success balances emotional fulfillment, physical health, and professional satisfaction.

Join us to discover how freshly crafted European pastries became the foundation for powerful lessons in restaurant leadership, strategic growth, and finding joy in the entrepreneurial journey.

Resources:

Roggenart Bakery, Bistro & Cafe

Christin Marvin

More from Christin:

Grab your free copy of my audiobook, The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary at christinmarvin.com/audio

Curious about one-on-one coaching or leadership workshops? Click this link to schedule a 15 minute strategy session.

Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

Send me a Text Message. I'd love to hear from you.

"Do you know your business well enough to change it?" In an era of economic uncertainty, this thought-provoking inquiry challenges all leaders to deeply understand their operations before attempting transformation.

Ever wondered what happens to all that used cooking oil from your favorite restaurants? Alissa Partee, COO of Restaurant Technologies, pulls back the curtain on an innovative solution that's transforming restaurant kitchens nationwide.

What began as a leap of faith joining a restaurant services company during COVID has evolved into a fascinating leadership journey. Alissa shares how Restaurant Technologies delivers fresh cooking oil while simultaneously removing used oil from 50,000 customers across the country - all with the push of a button. This closed-loop system not only prevents dangerous burns and slip-and-fall accidents but also creates environmental sustainability by recycling used cooking oil into biodiesel.

The conversation takes a compelling turn when Alissa reveals her transition from Chief People Officer to COO, highlighting how taking chances on talent can transform organizations. "We need less pirate ship and more Navy ship," she explains, describing her initiative to standardize operations across 41 locations that were previously doing things 41 different ways.

Through the creation of a specialized Operations Excellence team, Restaurant Technologies has reduced service visits by 40% while dramatically improving customer experience. The results speak volumes - one pilot location rose from bottom-third performance to runner-up for Depot of the Year within just 12 months of implementing standardized processes.


Resources:

Alissa Partee

Restaurant Technologies

Christin Marvin

More from Christin:

Grab your free copy of my audiobook, The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary at christinmarvin.com/audio

Curious about one-on-one coaching or leadership workshops? Click this link to schedule a 15 minute strategy session.

Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

Send me a Text Message. I'd love to hear from you.

What if the secret to reducing restaurant employee turnover wasn't about higher wages or better perks, but instead about how you show up as a leader?

In this compelling coaching session, I work with Emily, a restaurant COO navigating a significant leadership transition as her business partner embarks on a sabbatical.

Together, we craft a leadership development plan that starts with self-awareness and builds toward team empowerment. Emily candidly shares her journey, identifying five essential leadership characteristics she wants to embody: being motivational, direct, approachable, empowering, and energetic. Through thoughtful self-assessment, she discovers that empowerment represents her greatest growth opportunity – and potentially the key to reducing turnover in her restaurants.

The conversation reveals a powerful truth about restaurant leadership: when team members feel genuinely empowered, they take ownership, communicate more openly, and ultimately stay with the organization longer. For Emily personally, this shift from micromanagement to empowerment promises greater freedom, including the ability to step away from the business for meaningful personal time without constant worry.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical framework provided for assessing your own leadership style, setting meaningful growth goals, and taking concrete steps toward becoming the leader your team needs. By modeling leadership development herself before asking her team to do the same, Emily demonstrates how creating a culture of growth and personal responsibility can transform restaurant operations.

Whether you're a restaurant owner, general manager, or aspiring leader, this episode offers both inspiration and actionable tools to help you develop your leadership skills and build a more stable, engaged team. Listen now, and discover how focusing on your own leadership growth might be the retention strategy you've been missing.

More from Christin:

Grab your free copy of my audiobook, The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary at christinmarvin.com/audio

Curious about one-on-one coaching or leadership workshops? Click this link to schedule a 15 minute strategy session.

Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

Send me a Text Message. I'd love to hear from you.

Ever felt like you're faking it despite working incredibly hard to get where you are? This deeply personal coaching conversation with Nokkie Lipsey, Director of Operations at the Olive and Finch Collective, explores the challenging terrain of imposter syndrome in leadership roles.

Nokkie candidly shares how she's spent years climbing her career mountain only to find herself questioning whether she deserves to be at the summit. Having recently taken over operations for five locations, she's grappling with fully embracing her accomplishments and celebrating her wins.

As restaurant leaders like Nokkie focus on their mental and emotional growth, many are simultaneously looking to eliminate unnecessary operational burdens. Solutions like those from Restaurant Technologies (https://go.rti-inc.com/RestaurantLeadershipPodcast) help by automating back-of-house tasks like oil management, allowing leaders to redirect their valuable mental energy toward team development and guest experience rather than mundane operational challenges.

The discussion reveals how cultural background, perfectionism, and past experiences create persistent limiting beliefs that can undermine even the most successful leaders. "I am like water," Nokkie explains, describing her leadership philosophy of navigating obstacles with adaptability rather than force. This powerful metaphor illustrates how she's managed to overcome barriers in her career while maintaining her authentic self. Yet the conversation reveals a striking paradox: while Nokkie excels at recognizing, celebrating, and pouring into her team members, she struggles to accept the same recognition for herself.

The session explores what might be possible if Nokkie could fully let go of the belief that she doesn't deserve her success. "I would be unstoppable," she acknowledges. Her vision extends beyond personal growth—she aims to transform leadership development in hospitality by focusing on emotional intelligence and empathy rather than just operational systems.

Whether you're battling self-doubt, managing cultural expectations, or building your leadership presence, this episode offers validation and practical wisdom for embracing your hard-earned achievements. Ready to take off those blinders and enjoy the view from your own mountain summit? Listen now and discover your path to becoming the humble, empowered leader you're meant to be.

Resources:

Nokkie Lipsey

Olive & Finch

Christin Marvin

More from Christin:

Grab your free copy of my audiobook, The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary at christinmarvin.com/audio

Curious about one-on-one coaching or leadership workshops? Click this link to schedule a 15 minute strategy session.

Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

Send me a Text Message. I'd love to hear from you.

Ever wonder what happens when you shift from thinking like a chef to thinking like an investor? Kevin Morrison, owner of Fish N Beer and Tacos Tequila Whiskey in Denver, Colorado, shares his remarkable journey and the mindset shift that transformed his restaurant operations.

Kevin takes us through his evolution from restaurant worker to owner, including a cautionary tale about franchising (which he calls "the F-word") and the serendipitous timing of launching his taco truck just as both food trucks and tacos were trending. Through both calculated decisions and what he humbly calls "dumb luck," Kevin built concepts that have withstood Denver's notoriously challenging restaurant landscape.

Speaking of operational challenges, I've found that successful restaurant leaders like Kevin focus on eliminating unnecessary tasks so they can concentrate on growth and profitability. That's why I appreciate partners like Restaurant Technologies, whose automated oil management systems free up valuable staff time. Learn more about their solutions at https://go.rti-inc.com/RestaurantLeadershipPodcast.

The heart of our conversation explores how Kevin trains his staff to think like investors rather than traditional restaurant workers. By removing emotion from business decisions and focusing purely on data, his team has developed creative approaches to controlling prime costs. They meticulously track every dish's preparation time, popularity, and profitability, making tough but necessary menu adjustments when the numbers don't add up.

Denver restaurateurs face unique challenges – from addressing homelessness affecting guest experiences to navigating the country's highest tipped minimum wage and intense market saturation. Kevin shares practical strategies for tackling these issues while maintaining quality and service standards. Most impressive is his team's proactive approach to economic uncertainty, including developing contingency plans like "tariff-free menus" and building strong vendor relationships to anticipate supply chain disruptions.

What truly sets Kevin apart is his ability to evolve his leadership style – recognizing his strengths and weaknesses while empowering his team to innovate. His story demonstrates that restaurant success today requires both creative passion and financial discipline, a balance he's mastered through decades of experience.

Whether you're battling rising costs, preparing for economic uncertainty, or simply looking to sharpen your business acumen, this episode offers invaluable insights from someone who's weathered it all. Listen now and discover how thinking like an investor might be the game-changer your restaurant needs.

Resources:

Kevin Morrison

Fish N Beer

Tacos Tequila Whiskey

Christin Marvin

More from Christin:

Grab your free copy of my audiobook, The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary at christinmarvin.com/audio

Curious about one-on-one coaching or leadership workshops? Click this link to schedule a 15 minute strategy session.

Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

Send me a Text Message. I'd love to hear from you.

Every restaurant faces the challenge of slow nights—but what separates the average from the exceptional is how leaders respond. In this powerful coaching conversation, we sit down with Andrew Roy, General Manager at Mahogany Prime Steakhouse in Omaha, to explore how he turned traditionally low-performing Sundays and Mondays into opportunities for growth and team connection.

Like many operators, Andrew’s restaurant sees strong weekend traffic, pulling in $25K–$30K, while early weekdays dip closer to $10K. That kind of inconsistency can create staffing issues, missed revenue, and cultural drag. But instead of accepting the pattern, Andrew uses vulnerability, reflection, and smart strategy to shift the approach.

At the top tier of the industry, many successful leaders surround themselves with tools and partners that help streamline operations and mitigate risk—from rethinking labor strategies to operational efficiency. Companies like Restaurant Technologies play a key role in supporting restaurants at this level, helping them run smarter so teams can focus on growth, consistency, and exceptional guest experiences.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How to reframe slow shifts as growth opportunities
• Re-engaging teams during off-peak periods
• Leveraging underutilized spaces like private dining rooms
• Moving from discounting to value-driven guest experiences

If you’re a restaurant leader looking to motivate your team, fill your weeknights, and rethink what's possible during your slowest shifts—this episode delivers clarity, inspiration, and practical takeaways you can apply right away.

Resources:

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse

Hal Smith Restaurants

More from Christin:

Grab your free copy of my audiobook, The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary at christinmarvin.com/audio

Curious about one-on-one coaching or leadership workshops? Click this link to schedule a 15 minute strategy session.

Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

Send me a Text Message. I'd love to hear from you.

What happens when a successful restaurant operator with stellar operations faces the uncomfortable challenge of driving sales growth? Jesse Hanson, Area Manager for Crust Pizza Company in Texas, bravely steps into the coaching spotlight to tackle this common industry hurdle head-on.

Jesse oversees three locations with impeccable operational standards—perfect corporate audits, excellent food safety records, and strong Google reviews. Yet despite this operational excellence, he struggles to consistently achieve his target of 3–5% sales growth. The coaching session reveals a fascinating tension between his comfort zone (operations) and his growth zone (marketing and sales initiatives).

As restaurant leaders seek to grow sustainably, operational tools that support consistency, reduce risk, and free up time are more critical than ever. That’s where Restaurant Technologies comes in. Their automated solutions—from oil management to hood cleaning—help independent restaurants streamline the back of house, so leaders like Jesse can shift their focus toward top-line growth and team development.

The conversation takes an illuminating turn when Jesse shares a recent success story—a Monday promotion that added approximately $1,000 in weekly sales at two locations. This simple tactical change demonstrates how targeted value offerings can dramatically increase guest traffic without compromising quality positioning. As Jesse puts it, "Top line cures all," acknowledging how increased sales make everything easier from staffing to guest experience.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is Jesse's candid self-reflection about consistency being his primary obstacle. "I just need to be more consistent with those sales-building activities," he admits, highlighting how even the best marketing ideas require persistent execution. We explore his planned apartment complex tasting events as a way to introduce new customers to Crust's quality ingredients and brand story through direct engagement.

The session also delves into leadership evolution as Jesse prepares for significant company expansion over the next five years. His journey from people-pleasing to more direct, accountable communication reflects the growth many restaurant leaders must navigate as their responsibilities increase.

Ready to examine your own comfort zones and discover what might be holding your restaurant back from achieving its growth potential? Listen now and walk away with actionable insights to transform your approach to sales building.

Resources:

Crust Pizza Co.

Restaurant Technologies

National Restaurant Association Show

More from Christin:

Grab your free copy of my audiobook, The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary at christinmarvin.com/audio

Curious about one-on-one coaching or leadership workshops? Click this link to schedule a 15 minute strategy session.

Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/