Corner Booth Podcast

Episode 128: Bryan Caswell with Latuli

Ready to learn what it really takes to open a successful restaurant in today’s market? In this episode of Corner Booth, host Chris Tripoli sits down with acclaimed chef and restaurateur Bryan Caswell to unpack the entire opening process of his newest concept, LATULI. From navigating skyrocketing equipment costs to designing a ground-up kitchen, Bryan shares candid insights that every operator needs to hear. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a vision into a thriving business, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies.

Discover the secrets behind staffing and team building in a tough labor market. Bryan explains why hiring for attitude and training for skill beats chasing the “perfect resume,” and how tip pooling and culture-first leadership can transform retention. You’ll also hear how he staggered reservations and dayparts to avoid the pitfalls of a chaotic launch—plus why creating a controlled growth plan is the ultimate key to long-term success.

We dive deep into concept development, menu strategy, and profitability. Bryan reveals how defining your “box” keeps your brand consistent while allowing flexibility for seasonal creativity. Learn why global flavors with local sourcing resonate with today’s guests, and how to maximize profit centers like brunch, happy hour, and private events. Whether you’re planning your first opening or optimizing an existing operation, these insights will help you boost revenue and guest satisfaction.

Don’t miss this masterclass in restaurant entrepreneurship. By the end of the episode, you’ll walk away with proven tactics for site selection, budgeting, staffing, and marketing—all from someone who’s opened 17 restaurants and still innovates every day. Hit play now and subscribe to Corner Booth for more insider conversations that help you engage your team, delight your guests, and grow your business.

Episode 127: Utkarsh Yadav with Sigri Indian Barbecue

This Corner Booth podcast by RestaurantOwner.com is a leading resource for independent restaurant operators seeking strategies to engage teams, delight guests, and grow their business. In this episode, host Chris Tripoli interviews Utkarsh Yadav, founder of Sigri Indian Barbecue, a fast-casual concept that combines authentic Indian street food with American barbecue traditions. The discussion explores how open flame cooking, tandoor techniques, and customizable menu options create a unique dining experience that resonates with today’s guests.

Utkarsh shares his entrepreneurial journey from Mumbai to the U.S., where he worked in various restaurant roles before launching Sigri Indian Barbecue. His concept focuses on fresh, nut-free Indian food prepared in traditional clay tandoor ovens, offering signature dishes like chicken tikka, butter chicken, saffron rice, and paneer. With a menu designed for customization, guests can choose proteins, sauces, and sides to create bowls and cuisine prepared in traditional clay tandoor ovens, offering signature dishes such as platters that fit every palate, including vegetarian options.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of hospitality and guest experience in a technology-driven industry. While online ordering and delivery remain essential, Utkarsh believes that human-to-human interaction is irreplaceable for building customer loyalty. By training staff to explain flavor profiles and guide guests through the menu, Sigri Indian Barbecue delivers an authentic and personalized experience that sets it apart from other fast-casual restaurants.

Additionally, the episode dives into growth strategies, including franchising and supply chain optimization. With a streamlined menu and standardized operations, Sigri Indian Barbecue is positioned for nationwide expansion and has already attracted significant interest from potential franchisees. This episode offers valuable insights for restaurant owners looking to innovate, maintain authenticity, and scale successfully in today’s competitive market.

Episode 126: Raffi Yousefian with The Fork CPA's

This episode of Corner Booth dives deep into the world of restaurant accounting and financial management for independent restaurant operators. Hosted by Chris Tripoli of RestaurantOwner.com, the discussion features Raffi Yousefian, founder and CEO of The Fork CPAs, an outsourced controller service specializing in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurate bookkeeping, proper chart of accounts setup, and leveraging technology like QuickBooks Online and Margin Edge to streamline financial reporting. 

Raffi shares his journey from early exposure to restaurant bookkeeping to building a firm that now serves over 500 restaurants nationwide. He explains how outsourced controller services provide real-time reporting, weekly financial snapshots, and monthly P&L reviews to help operators monitor prime costs, labor cost management, and occupancy cost percentages. The episode highlights why understanding key metrics such as sales per square foot, guest count tracking, and check averages is essential for optimizing profitability and ensuring long-term success. 

The podcast also addresses current industry challenges, including rising labor costs, food cost inflation, and the competitive restaurant marketplace. Topics such as tip credit elimination, service charge models, credit card surcharges, and tip fatigue are explored, along with strategies for maintaining profitability amid rising menu prices and customer pushback. Raffi emphasizes the need for accurate balance sheets, current ratio analysis, and maintaining capital to effectively navigate these hurdles. 

Additionally, their discussion underscores the role of technology and operational efficiency in modern restaurant finance. From cloud-based POS systems to inventory management software, operators are encouraged to adopt tools that automate data entry and deliver actionable insights. By focusing on prime cost reporting, weekly snapshots, and sound financial health checks, independent restaurant owners can make informed decisions that drive profitability, enhance the guest experience, and sustain growth in today’s fast-changing restaurant industry. 

Episode 125: Chris Gannon with Bolay

In this episode of Corner Booth, hosted by Chris Tripoli, we explore the latest restaurant industry trends and best practices for independent operators. In this episode, Chris interviews Chris Gannon, co-founder and CEO of Bolay, a fast-casual dining concept celebrated for its fresh, bold flavors, gluten-free menu, and build-your-bowl concept. Gannon shares his journey from growing up in a hospitality-driven family to creating a brand that blends flavor profiles from around the world with proprietary spice blends and modern design, all while focusing on an exceptional guest experience.

The discussion dives into operational excellence, emphasizing consistency in execution, food safety standards, and strategies for restaurant expansion. Gannon highlights the importance of selecting talent over simply hiring staff, building a culture rooted in hospitality and teamwork. He also addresses labor challenges, guest satisfaction, and the role of community involvement and philanthropy in driving brand awareness and loyalty.

Finally, the episode examines the impact of restaurant technology, including online ordering, third-party delivery, loyalty apps, and digital platforms. Gannon explains how Bolay adapted early to convenience dining and post-COVID trends, implementing dedicated to-go stations to ensure order accuracy and smooth operations. Whether you’re interested in fast casual dining, restaurant marketing strategies, or franchise opportunities, this episode offers actionable insights to help you engage your team, delight your guests, and grow your business.

Looking ahead, Gannon shares Bolay's vision for growth, including plans for franchise opportunities, regional expansion, and partnerships that align with the brand’s commitment to hospitality excellence and healthy dining options. With 23 locations and a strong foundation in operational consistency, Bolay is poised to become a nationwide leader in the fast casual dining space. This episode is a must-listen for operators seeking inspiration on scaling their concept while maintaining quality, culture, and guest satisfaction.

Episode 124: Shawn Lalehzarian with Red Chickz

In this Corner Booth episode, host Chris Tripoli interviews Shawn Lalehzarian, founder and CEO of Red Chickz, a fast casual restaurant concept specializing in Nashville hot chicken. Shawn shares his journey from dishwasher to entrepreneur, detailing how his experience managing airport food operations helped shape his approach to restaurant concept development. His passion for flavor and crunch led to the creation of Red Chickz in 2018, with a menu that includes inventive items like Nashville hot shrimp, chicken and waffles, and French toast sandwiches—all built on authentic recipes sourced directly from Nashville.

The conversation dives into Shawn’s strategic approach to restaurant franchising, emphasizing the importance of building a strong operational foundation before scaling. He discusses how Red Chickz optimized its small footprint restaurant design to maximize efficiency and reduce labor costs, drawing from his background in airport operations. The podcast also explores how a negative review sparked the idea to franchise, leading to a smart growth model focused on consistency, simplicity, and selective franchisee partnerships.

Listeners also gain insights into how Red Chickz leverages social media restaurant marketing, with over a million followers on TikTok helping to build brand awareness and customer engagement. Shawn outlines plans for East Coast expansion and long-term goals, including international growth, all while maintaining operational integrity. This episode offers valuable takeaways for independent operators looking to scale, improve operational efficiency, or explore franchise growth models in today’s competitive restaurant landscape.

Episode 123: Carol Irwin with Buttermilk Cafe

After operating her tea house for 15 years in the Gruene, a historic community located within the city limits of New Braunfels, Texas, Carol Irwin decided it was time to think bigger. Irwin explored the larger New Braunfels market. And there she found the right spot for a breakfast, lunch, and brunch cafe concept. 

In the summer of 2011, she and her daughters opened Buttermilk Cafe, which quickly became a New Braunfels’ favorite. In fact, its popularity presented the only downside of the 3,000-square-foot space, which was not large enough to accommodate the crowds and often resulted in an hour-long wait to be seated. 

So Irwin went to work on expanding the cafe’s footprint, and in 2015, she took over the space next door. Now, with 4,600 square feet and 150 seats, Buttermilk Cafe even offers additional space for private parties and meetings.

Irwin explains how caring for her guests and staff has created a "people-first” culture in her concept that promotes customer loyalty and low employee turnover. Says Irwin, “I learned long ago that treating staff like family helps them bond with you, care for one another, and stay longer. I also believe that although the customer isn't always right, they are always the customer — the most important part of this business.”

Irwin shares her approach to seasonal menu development and commitment to quality. “I am concerned about product cost like anyone else,” she says. “However, I prefer to build volume by offering better-than-breakfast-chain quality at reasonable prices, even though that creates tighter margins.”

Irwin also provides tips on community marketing and how to integrate technology without sacrificing guest engagement. “At this point in my life, it’s about maintaining a good work-life balance, which is why closing on Sunday has always been important to me and my family.”

Episode 122: Billy Downs with Ford's Garage

Billy Downs learned the meaning of hospitality from his grandmother. “With 30 grandchildren, Grandma Betty was always ready to entertain,” he recalls, adding, “She was welcoming and appreciative of the chance to serve others.”

Downs began his career in foodservice as a teen serving ice cream before working his way into the kitchen and front of the house positions.  After graduating from Michigan State University, Downs managed casual theme restaurants. He later moved overseas to gain experience in U.K. pubs, including the Prince of Wales Free House, a 200-year-old establishment. There, he met Matthew Kirby, who partnered with Downs to operate three London Mongolian barbecue restaurants. Downs returned to Michigan, where he created BD's Mongolian barbecue and grew it to 12 units before selling the concept to a New York investment group.

"It was 2015 when I found Ford's Garage,” says Downs. “They had three units at the time and I really connected with the feel, the design, the music and of course the story celebrating the history of the Ford Motor Company."

In 2015, Downs became a franchisee operator of Ford's Garage in Fort Myers, Florida. His 4,400 sq. ft. location appealed to a broad demographic.

Downs retraces his journey to present role as president of Ford’s Garage. Today, there are 32 Ford’s Garage restaurants located in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas. The concept design hearkens prohibition-era service stations. The units are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, offer 30 or more craft beers, and seat from 200 to 260 guests.

Downs believes that combining good quality food and friendly service with a unique atmosphere creates an energy that equals value for today's guests. "The casual dining segment is shrinking,” he says. “It is more important than ever to excel. We cannot be satisfied with being busy unless we are successful at creating a guest experience that bonds them with our brand."

Episode 121: Dan Sidner with Black Shoe Hospitality

A Cornell University School of Hotel Administration graduate, Dan Sidner worked in country clubs, mastering the art of service and enology before leaving to spend a few years working throughout France. Upon his return to the U.S., Sidner entered the independent restaurant market segment, working in fine-dining concepts in North Carolina and Colorado, where for six years he owned and operated his first restaurant, Zino Ristorante, in Vail Valley. He later moved to Wisconsin to raise his family and in May 2007, along with chef-partner Joe Muench, opened Maxie's restaurant.

"Maxie's is dedicated to friendly hospitality specializing in Southern Classics," says Sidner.  "Joe and I love the creation part of this business and decided early on to create concepts we love and would always want to dine at."

While operating their dinner-only concept, Dan noticed a location eight blocks away from Maxie's and thought it would be a perfect space for them to expand into the growing breakfast-brunch niche. This led to the launch of Blue's Egg in 2010. They quickly realized the breakfast, lunch, and bakery concept could be a multiunit business. However, rather than expansion, Sidner created a new concept in 2014 when he opened Story Hill BKC.

Sidner shares his tips on operating multiple concepts, the importance of systems and procedures, as well as team building and ongoing management development. "We prioritize our people at each restaurant by cross-training staff, promoting from within and providing a larger management team in order for them to maintain a more balanced lifestyle.”

Sidner believes the future of the restaurant industry might be counter-service and smaller space restaurants rather than the 150- to 200-seat capacity concepts he and his partners currently operate. He also believes expansion isn't necessarily adding more locations, but rather by developing the existing ones. "Restaurants may become the last bastion of personal contact," says Dan. "We have spent a great deal of time broadening our bakery offerings and moving into catering as ways to successfully expand on our brand."

Episode 120: Aaron Anderson with Sunrise Social

Aaron Anderson’s restaurant career began as a five-unit franchisee of The Hot Dog Factory in Philadelphia prior to creating his own concept. "I felt there was a void in the casual breakfast-brunch market segment in the Northeast and decided to jump in with both feet," says Anderson, who was inspired by the success of his two favorite restaurants, Waffle House and Raising Cane's.

He opened the first Sunrise Social unit in 2023. The 2,500 sq. ft. casual full-service concept quickly became successful,  serving chicken and waffles and other breakfast and lunch items.

Sunrise Social operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. Anderson creates variety and value via ingredient cross-utilization. "Simplicity and consistency has always been the objective and continues to be my main concern as we plan our growth," says Anderson.

Anderson explains how he develops the systems leadership for growth. "The recipe for a successful franchise program consists of three main ingredients: the proper selection of franchise partners, a complete initial training program and continued support.”

Despite the current challenges of high occupancy costs, increased opening budgets, and a tight labor market, Anderson is optimistic about continued franchise growth and looks forward to Sunrise Social’s first 24-hour location in late 2025 in Katy, Texas.

Episode 119: Jeff Mauro a Food Network Celebrity Chef

Jeff Mauro's influence on hospitality started at a very young age. "My family always entertained. Our house was the place to be for good food and fun with family and friends."

Mauro graduated from Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and worked as a private chef and instructor while pursuing a theater career. His talent for combining cooking with comedy helped him win the seventh season of "Food Network Star" and launched his career as a television personality. Mauro hosted the television show "The Sandwich King" before becoming co-host of the Emmy award-winning show "The Kitchen" with Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, and Geoffrey Zakarian. 

In this episode, Mauro shares his lessons learned through television competition and his early experience operating a neighborhood deli with his cousin. He discusses the principles of proper entertainment from his book "Come on Over", as well as advice on hosting the best backyard barbecue party. He lists his 10 Commandments of Sandwich Creation and explains why his favorite color is “Pastrami”.

Mauro also discusses the challenges facing independent restaurant owner-operators and the opportunities created by consumer demand for quality, convenience, and value. In 2020, he founded Mauro Provisions to share the flavors of Chicago. He, his sister, and other family members are filling orders for sauces, seasonings, meats, and sandwich kits to wannabe "Sandwich Kings" everywhere. Learn more about it at mauroprovisions.com