Corner Booth Podcast

Episode 5: Johnny Carrabba

Johnny Carrabba, creator of Carrabba's Italian Grill, Grace's and Mia's is a tremendous restaurant industry success story! Listen as he discusses his early days, Carrabba's concept development, working with family, and setting the foundation for expansion. Johnny tells us why after partnering with a national public company he chose to become an independent operator again. Johnny shares his steps for management and staff retention, maintaining product quality and consistency in operations. 

Episode 4: Chris O'Donnell

Chris tells his personal story of restaurant experience, including how he switched from years working with a full-service national casual chain to developing his own concept and becoming a successful independent restaurant owner. He shares his thoughts on the challenges facing today's independent operators and explains why he chose franchising as his vehicle for growth.

Episode 3: Philipp Sitter

Philipp Sitter shares his story of how serving beer with homemade sausage to guests at his father's car wash formed the foundation for their initial beer garden concept! Today, while not yet 30... he operates his award-winning Kings Beirhaus along with his new breakfast-lunch creation, Egghaus Gourmet.

Episode 2: Brooks Bassler

Learn how a love for Texas and Louisiana cuisine, and a little budget turned into a small  Po-boy, Gumbo and Beer cafe. Brooks tells us the steps he took that made BB’s Cafe the ten unit full menu casual restaurant company it is today. Listen to how people, product and procedures created a winning formula for him.

Episode 1: Jackie Spigener

Jackie discusses why she left her successful construction business to follow her passion and open the Silver Sycamore! Listen to how her tea room became a full menu cafe and led to an event center business with a Bed and Breakfast. Now, Jackie tell us about her plans to expand her coffee concept, Sycamore Grounds.