Episode 16 - 100 Burgers Groups Founder on how to build a viral hospitality brand

Episode 88 - Josh Kopel and how the industry looks in California and the benefit of hindsightJosh walked the path for over 20 years. He started as a Busser, worked his way to Barback, then to Bartender to Bar manager to General manager to Owner/Operator. He has run everything from dive bars to fine dining restaurant and everything in between. He's one of the lucky restaurateurs that's made it.In 2019, he founded FLO; a restaurant growth accelerator focused on helping restaurants optimize their business and dramatically grow sales. The joy as he experienced by serving my community as a restaurateur has been entirely eclipsed by the satisfaction he gets from helping fellow restaurateurs build better businesses and lives for themselves. Whether you need bailing out or building up, he is there to help.In this podcast, we talk about what he has seen happen in the hospitality industry since the start of COVID-19 in LA, what areas of the hospitality industry do you think will be hurt the hardest from this crisis and what's next for Josh and his brand, as he is doing so many great things. I hope you enjoy the joyful podcast at this time.WEBSITE: https://www.joshkopel.com/PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/fullcomp

19 Aug 202043min

Episode 87 - Jordan Elkurdi from Mercury Nero discusses how engineering changes will develop the coffee and greater hospitality industryMercury Nero has been quietly working away over several years researching, designing and manufacturing coffee equipment and solutions for the industry. Our products are designed and built to optimise performance and maximise results from your espresso extraction, milk texturing and accurate hot water delivery. The whole product is made in Melbourne, Australia.In this podcast, we talk about how the service industry is changing. Jordan and his team did a lot of uninstalls of coffee machines when the start of COVID happened in Melbourne. We discuss how the coffee machine market hasn’t really changed and how Jordan and his team have developed the Mercury Nero coffee machine. Plus I also get Jordan’s take on what cafes will survive long term during the current crisis and how keeping open during this time and using the government incentives properly will be the best strategy.Please find out more about Jordan's brands, Mercury Nero and East Coast Espresso here.Website: https://mercurynero.com.au/Website: https://eastcoastespresso.com.au/

16 Aug 202050min

Episode 86 - Sam Carson and Ben Day from Acai Brothers talk about how a health brand will grow stronger during COVID times.Acai Brothers are Australia’s leading Superfood Bar franchise and have become internationally recognised for their innovation within the hospitality realm. Specialising in Acai Bowls, Smoothies, Juices, Coffee and more, Acai Brothers have become widely renowned for creating delicious and affordable healthy food options.In this podcast we talk about how the founders of Acai Brothers Sam and Ben were deeply engaged in the fitness space, both owning gyms and being professional athletes. They got together and started the brand idea over some delicious chicken one night. They build the logo, concept, and brand ideals in a short time frame. We talk about the smaller format model that they are wanting to role out for the Acai Brothers brand. This includes pop-up events and food trucks. We talk about what has changed in the Acai Brothers business since COVID and what their biggest learning about the industry has been during this time. We finally talk about what they are both looking forward to for the Acai Brothers business as we move out of COVID-19. I think you'll have a laugh and really enjoy this podcast with these two great founders.Please find out more about Acai Brothers here:Website: https://acaibrothers.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acaibrothers/

12 Aug 202037min

Episode 85 - Will vegan culture grow during this time and the landscape of the South African market during COVID with Hayley Cooper from Wild Dreams HospitalityHayley Cooper the owner of Wild Dreams Hospitality, is an industry leader with over 20 years of experience in Hospitality Management. She provide's a professional and expert service in Consulting and Recruitment and currently serves clients in Southern Africa, including Businesses in Botswana, Swaziland, Malawi and beyond.In this podcast, we discuss what she has seen happen in the hospitality industry since the start of COVID-19 in South Africa, about the vegan consulting that Hayley does currently, and if she believes the vegan/vegetarian consumer will grow during this time. This is a very honest podcast in a part of the world that I don't know a lot about and it was a privilege to learn a lot more from Hayley through this podcast.Hayley's consulting services are tailored to your company requirements and she can offer these in person or remotely. They include HR admin assistance, F&B support, staff training & vegan hospitality consulting. To get in touch with her or to get more detailed information on any of these aspects please visit her here:Website: www.wilddreams.co.zaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/wilddreamshospitality/

9 Aug 202031min

Episode 84 - How is the UK responding to this crisis with Michael Tingsager Founder at Hospitality MavericksMichael has been living and breathing this industry from the day he was born, and he started working in his mum and dad’s small restaurant group in rural Denmark from an early age. He spent six years building a 20+ unit cafe chain in Denmark; 11 years working in McDonald’s Denmark and the UK, and more than 8 years as a consultant working with restaurant brands across Europe. He also is the CO-founder of The Bear Kitchen in London, which is a catering business delivering into offices across London.In this podcast we talk about the current landscape in the UK and Europe, the most important learnings from his time in the industry and consulting, and the things that hospitality can positively do in this time if they can't afford a consultant.Please find out more about Michael and the great work he does with Hospitality Mavericks on the links below:Email michael@hospitalitymavericks.comWebsite www.hospitalitymavericks.com

5 Aug 202053min

Episode 83 - How you build a hospitality brand built on excitement, energy and true grit with the exceptional Tim O'SullivanTim O'Sullivan is 26 years old from Melbourne, no university degrees and love to take risks. He loves building brands and concepts from scratch as well as the pub and footy. He is passionate about hospitality and what it has given him. He is fortunate enough to part own a cafe, a juice company and soon to launch a food truck.To contain Tim, his parents decided to buy a cafe and get Tim to run it and get up at 5:30am every day! They had no experience in the cafe industry but built the brand to be one of the most successful venues in Essendon. They grew the site and developed it to increase the seats by 40-50 seats and have a nighttime offering with alcohol on Friday and Saturday nights.Although we talk about funny things like the cafe having an ‘A-Frame-off’ with other local cafe owners, you’ll get so much from this podcast as you realise how Tim and his family have built a brand on what customer actually want. Building customer loyalty has allowed them to build smartly, develop their range of products and be consistent with their customers.Please find out more about the brands here:Benny & Me: https://www.instagram.com/bennyandmecafe/Bae Juice: https://www.instagram.com/baejuiceaus/

2 Aug 20201h 3min

Episode 82 - How kick-arse restaurant branding and experience will keep venues going post-pandemic with CEO of Belle's Hot Chicken, Dehne BinghamDehne Bigham started in country Victoria and did a marketing degree. He then pivoted to automotive companies and understanding different facets of the business before moving to supply chain processes.Dehne then went overseas and lived and worked in Vancouver and with A&W Canada with 800 burger locations working with their supply chain, which set him up for great success. He then moved to Grill’d Burgers in a supply chain role again before working with the 100 Burger Group and being the CEO of the synonymous brand that is Belle’s Hot Chicken.During this time of COVID, Dehne has done a great job of protecting the brand, still delivering on a Belle’s experience and most importantly looking after his team.During this conversation, we chat about how Dehne has been able to use his skill set to develop Belle’s already great branding and people into a brand that can withstand the storm of COVID.This is a candid and in-depth podcast from one of the best hospitality leaders in Australia and I know you’ll enjoy it.Please find out more about Belle’s here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belleshotchicken/Website: https://belleshotchicken.com/

29 Juli 202050min

Episode 81 - How supporting independent restaurant with strategy will support the greater industry with Elizabeth Tilton and Jessica Abell from Oyster SundayIn this podcast, I talk with CEO Elizabeth Tilton and head of client partnerships Jessica Abell of Oyster Sunday.Oyster Sunday is a corporate office for independent restaurants. It is on a mission to reimagine a sustainable and supportive infrastructure for the food and beverage industry. They establish strategic partnerships to support independent restaurants and small food and beverage companies with departments including branding, marketing, operations, systems, HR, + finance. They believe that businesses of all sizes should have access to the professional services that promote healthy growth, so they’re building an economy of scale that gives us all a seat at the table.In this podcast, we talk about what strategies they have put in place with their clients to assist their business operations during this time, what their biggest learning about the industry is during this time, what they are you looking forward to for their business as we move out of COVID-19, and how they deal with mental health challenges from talking to so many emotional clients at this time.Please find out more about the great work of Oyster Sunday here:Website: https://www.oystersunday.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oystersunday/Booklet for support: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59662b252cba5e23f7a00ffc/t/5ee62222ac46160bd53f2c06/1592140341264/RWCF+Resource+Packet+%28English%29.pdf

26 Juli 20201h