Restaurant Leaders Unplugged
Real conversations with the people transforming the restaurant industry—from the inside out.
Restaurant Leaders Unplugged goes beyond the headlines to bring you raw, insightful, and inspiring interviews with the most respected founders, operators, and executives in hospitality.
Hosted by Sebastian Stahl, former restaurant operator turned growth strategist and founder of Breadth Marketing, this podcast is where real operators get real about what it takes to build brands that last.
If you're tired of surface-level chatter and want to hear how industry leaders are actually navigating growth, tech, culture, and private event revenue—this is the show for you.
You’ll learn how to:
- Build restaurant brands that guests (and staff) love
- Scale without losing your soul or your culture
- Use tech and automation without killing hospitality
- Create “guest-for-life” experiences that drive revenue
- Convert more private event leads without paid ads
No fluff. No hype. Just unplugged conversations with the minds behind the brands.
New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe and grow with us.
Episodes
33 episodes
Play
From Chef to Restaurateur to Broker: Lessons from 37 Years in Hospitality
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, host Sebastian Stahl sits down with longtime Miami restaurateur Jimmy Carey, whose journey from dishwasher to chef to multi-location owner and now restaurant broker is f...
•
33:34
Play
From Line Cook to Wealth Advisor: Funding & Scaling Restaurants w/ David Spungen
Former line cook turned wealth advisor David Spungen joins Restaurant Leaders Unplugged to break down the real economics of opening, funding, and scaling restaurants. We dig into what’s working right now outside the ma...
•
45:07
Play
How 7shifts Built a Restaurant Tech Powerhouse from Scratch
From working in his dad’s Quiznos to building one of the leading workforce platforms in hospitality, Jordan Boesch shares how 7shifts was born out of pure operational chaos—and how it evolved into a game-changing tool used by thousands of re...
•
40:42
Play
Legendary Restaurateur Bob Sambol Shares 50 Years of Wisdom
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, I sit down with Bob Sambol, founder of Bob’s Steak & Chop House, to unpack his remarkable journey from working in his father’s bar to running one of the most respected ...
•
45:37
Play
You Can't Do It Alone: Building Leadership That Lasts with Matt Rolfe
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Matt Rolfe, leadership expert, author, and coach to the hospitality industry's top performers. Matt shares his raw and powerful story—from growing up with a learning disabilit...
•
43:11
Play
How BarTaco Scaled to 35 Locations Without Losing Its Soul
Anthony Valletta, CEO of BarTaco, joins Restaurant Leaders Unplugged to share how his team built one of the most unique and people-first brands in casual dining today. From his early days washing dishes to leading a fast-growing concept with...
•
37:42
Play
From Newsroom to Boardroom: Sam Oches on Tech, Talent & True Hospitality
Journalist‑turned‑industry‑insider Sam Oches (Editorial Director, Nation’s Restaurant News & Restaurant Hospitality) unpacks the post‑2024 shake‑up—why value promos are wearing thin, how tari...
•
45:27
Play
From Combat to CRM: How Perfect Venue is Revolutionizing Restaurant Events
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we’re joined by Luke Hutchison—Army veteran turned tech entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Perfect Venue. Luke shares his journey from the battlefield to the boardroom, and how hi...
•
36:50
Play
Hospitality That Lasts: Tracy Rathbun on Building Restaurants That Stand the Test of Time
What does it really take to build restaurants that last? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Tracy Rathbun—restaurateur, co-founder of Dallas gems like Shinsei and Lover’s Seafood—joins host Sebastian Stahl for a raw and insight...
•
40:27
Play
Leadership Without Hierarchy: Brian Nasajon’s Recipe for Restaurant Success
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Brian Nasajon, chef and restaurateur, shares his journey from a philosophy student to the helm of Beaker & Gray, and now Avenue Gray. Discover his leadership philoso...
•
40:49
Play
Building Iconic Restaurant Brands with Arjun Sen
What makes a restaurant truly unforgettable? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Arjun Sen—former VP of Marketing at Papa John’s and branding expert—reveals the secret to making your restaurant a
•
43:46
Play
Mastering Restaurant Profit & Leadership with Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars
Is your restaurant leaving money on the table? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, I sit down with Roger Beaudoin, founder of Restaurant Rockstars, to uncover proven strategies for boosting restaurant prof...
•
50:37
Play
Chip Klose: Boosting Restaurant Profitability & Marketing | Restaurant Leaders Unplugged
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Chip Klose, a seasoned restaurant consultant and expert with over 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Chip shares valuable insights on h...
•
40:37
Play
Master Restaurant Profitability with Kasey Anton of Spark Business Consulting
Are you ready to transform your restaurant's financial health? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Kasey Anton, founder of Spark Business Consulting and author of Profit First f...
•
45:23
Play
From CPA to Michelin Stars: Leadership Lessons with Ignacio Garcia-Menocal
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Ignacio Garcia-Menocal, Co-Founder and CEO of World Bay Hospitality Group, shares his remarkable journey from a CPA to leading a Michelin-starred restaurant group. Disco...
•
40:26
Play
Balancing Passion and Leadership in the Restaurant Industry with Christy LoPresto
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, host Sebastian Stahl chats with Christy LoPresto, a dynamic restaurateur and wellness entrepreneur redefining leadership in the hospitality industry. Christy takes us on...
•
29:45
Play
Mastering the Steakhouse Business: 31 Years of Lessons with Randy Burks
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, host Sebastian Stahl sits down with Randy Burks, the founder of Randy’s Steakhouse in Frisco, Texas. With over three decades of experience in the restaurant industry, Ra...
•
43:11
Play
Redefining Success in the Restaurant World: Lessons from Mathieu Giraud of Garçons de Café and L’Appart
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Mathieu Giraud, the visionary owner of Garçons de Café and L’Appart in downtown Los Angeles. Mathieu shares his incredible journey from training in hospitality in France...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 15
•
34:42
Play
Crafting Profitable Bar Programs: Ben Potts on the Secrets to Hospitality Success
What makes a profitable and unforgettable bar program? In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, I sit down with Ben Potts, co-founder of Unfiltered Hospitality and co-owner of The Sylvester in Miami. Ben’s journey is a mastercl...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 14
•
37:55
Play
#14 From $52K to 17 Locations: Rakesh Chandiramani’s Blueprint for Restaurant Success
Rakesh Chandiramani, Co-Founder & Owner of Vin sur Vingt Wine Bars, Jack’s Coffee, and Il Fiorista in NYC, shares how he transformed a $52,000 investment into 17 successful locations. From scaling with purpose to crafting unforgettable gues...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 14
•
44:24
Play
#13 From Burnout to Breakthrough: Transformative Leadership Lessons with Christin Marvin
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we’re thrilled to host Christin Marvin, influential leadership coach, author of The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap, and founder of Solutions by Christin. Christin opens up about h...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 13
•
33:22
Play
#12 Unlocking Restaurant Success: The #1 Mistake Holding Owners Back & How to Fix It with David Scott Peters
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we welcome restaurant expert and coach David Scott Peters, who shares his journey from working in his family’s restaurant to becoming a leading coach for independent operators across the...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 12
•
56:57
Play
#11 A Journey of Resilience with Victor Chan of SUteiShi in New York City
In this captivating episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we’re joined by Victor Chan, founder of Suteishi Japanese Restaurant in New York City. With a fascinating journey that began as an aircraft mechanic and led through cigar sho...
•
33:07
Play
#10 Henry Roberts on Building Two Hands: Resilience, Brand Loyalty, and the Path to Restaurant Success"
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, we dive into the inspiring journey of Henry Roberts, founder of Two Hands, a thriving café and restaurant brand that started in New York City and has since expanded across the U.S. Henry...
•
35:52
Play
#9 Building Resilience and Community: Katie Rooney's Journey from Sushi Lounge to Success
In this episode of the Restaurant Leaders Unplugged Podcast, host Sebastian Stahl sits down with Katie Rooney, co-owner of Sushi Lounge in San Diego. Katie shares her inspiring journey, from starting in the hospitality industry as a teenager to...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 9
•
44:48