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.
Restaurant Leaders Unplugged
#7 Sustainable Success: Inside Gather’s 15-Year Journey with Eric Fenster
In this episode of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, join Sebastian Stahl as he interviews Eric Fenster, co-founder of Gather Restaurant in Berkeley, CA. Eric shares his journey from outdoor education to sustainable dining, discussing Gather's unique 50/50 vegan-omnivore menu balance, their award-winning vegan charcuterie, and navigating the challenges of the pandemic.
Learn how Gather's commitment to sustainability and community has driven its success for 15 years, and get a glimpse into Eric's exciting vision for the future of hospitality.
This episode offers invaluable insights for restaurateurs on menu innovation, sustainability, creating meaningful dining experiences, and building a resilient business through challenging times.
Chapters with Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction to Eric Fenster and Gather Restaurant
2:51 - Eric's journey from outdoor education to hospitality
5:36 - The concept and philosophy behind Gather Restaurant
9:52 - Balancing sustainability, creativity, and business success
15:29 - The story of Gather's award-winning vegan charcuterie
19:11 - Pandemic pivots: Creating an innovative outdoor dining space
22:02 - Overcoming challenges during the pandemic
26:30 - The current state of the restaurant industry and Gather's approach
28:43 - Eric's proudest moments with Gather
30:25 - Lessons learned from working with Highwind One Hospitality
32:47 - Future plans for Gather and community engagement
34:37 - Eric's vision for integrating hospitality, agriculture, and community
38:00 - Closing thoughts and the importance of bringing people together
Restaurant Leaders Unplugged with Sebastian Stahl
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