Explore every episode of the podcast Behind the Numbers
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How Restaurant Operators Sustainably Protect & Grow Their Businesses | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:50:25 | |
California’s 2024 PAGA reform finally gives operators leverage if they do the work. Employment attorney Anthony Zaller explains how proactive audits, supervisor training, updated policies, and documented corrective actions can cap certain penalties at 15%. We dig into why PAGA filings still exceed 10,000 a year, the $200 per-paycheck pay-stub risk, when to add HR support (25 employees) and bring it in-house (50), and how top operators use 15-minute labor matrices with schedule guardrails to manage rising wages. Practical steps, real numbers, and a clear playbook to turn legal risk into operational discipline. Connect with Anthony Zaller
Connect with the Show | |||
| How AI and Fractional CFOs Are Redefining Restaurant Finance with Bruce Nelson | 21 Aug 2025 | 00:18:57 | |
CFO and author Bruce Nelson breaks down how AI is changing the finance side of restaurants. From when to bring in a fractional CFO (hint: around $10M in revenue) to why one source of truth for numbers is essential, Bruce shares lessons from his career and vision for the future. Connect with Bruce Nelson Connect with the Show | |||
| The Journey from Busboy to Multi-Unit IHOP Owner with Walid Jamal | 12 Feb 2025 | 00:46:28 | |
How does a teenage busboy become the owner of multiple IHOP locations? In this episode of Behind the Numbers, Walid Jamal, President of JHG Restaurants, shares his inspiring journey from entry-level employee to multi-unit franchisee. Walid reveals the strategies that helped him succeed— from building strong employee relationships to leveraging technology like Restaurant365 to streamline operations and scale his business. He also discusses the role of community initiatives like National Pancake Day in blending business growth with social impact. Tune in as hosts Marc Cohen and Rich Sweeney uncover the mindset, tools, and strategies that drive success in the restaurant industry. Want to get behind your restaurant’s numbers? Reach out to our team today! Connect with Walid Jamal Connect with the Hosts Connect with Restaurant365 | |||
| Know Your Numbers, Tell Your Story: Inside San Pedro Fish Market’s Reinvention | 07 Aug 2025 | 00:51:05 | |
What happens when you’re evicted from a 3,000-seat restaurant? If you’re Michael Ungaro of San Pedro Fish Market, you innovate, adapt, and scale…from a parking lot. In this episode of Behind the Numbers, Michael shares how knowing his numbers, leaning into tech like Restaurant365, and telling the right story helped turn disruption into growth. Connect with Michael Ungaro & San Pedro Fish Market
Connect with the Show | |||
| How Dashboards, Bonuses, and Financial Fluency Build Better Restaurant Operators | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:45:25 | |
Rick Miller and Max Prifogle from RLM Hospitality join Behind the Numbers to share the systems they use to create financially fluent operators. Learn how weekly soft closes, actual vs. theoretical reporting, and custom dashboards align managers with the business—and why the right bonus plan can unlock your team’s full potential. Connect with the Guests
Connect with the Show | |||
| Why Happy Employees and Smart Tech Drive Restaurant Growth with Philip Gay | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:49:17 | |
Hospitality finance veteran Philip Gay joins Marc Cohen and Rich Sweeney to break down what truly drives restaurant success. From building EYAS Capital’s QSR portfolio to investing in employee training at Paperchase, Philip shares how happy teams, operational scorecards, and AI-powered engagement fuel profitability. Plus, hear his timeless rule: people, product, and place drive profit. Connect with the Guest
Connect with the Show | |||
| How Kura Sushi Scales Innovation with Precision and Purpose (Live at NRA 2025) | 12 Jun 2025 | 00:29:25 | |
Jung Lee, VP of Supply Chain for Kura Sushi USA, sat down with Marc and Rich to share his expertise in inventory management and restaurant operations. He brings a unique background as a sushi chef and delves into Kura Sushi's expansion from Japan to the United States. This episode dives into innovative new technologies like robots in food delivery and what it takes to keep customers coming back. Be sure to subscribe to Behind the Numbers here on YouTube and everywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with the Guest
Connect with the Show | |||
| Growing Suviche: From 10 Seats to a Thriving Hospitality Group | 29 May 2025 | 00:47:06 | |
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, Andrei Stern, co-founder of Suviche, shares the inside story of how he transformed a tiny, 10-seat Miami eatery into a thriving multi-location hospitality brand. Discover how rapid, daily communication, strategic use of data to overcome supply chain challenges, a transparent commission-based pay structure, and a sharp focus on menu specialization became key ingredients in Suviche’s success. Tune in to uncover the operational insights and strategic decisions behind this remarkable growth story. Connect with Andrei
Connect with the Show | |||
| Building Smarter Restaurant Operations with Ken Baker | 08 May 2025 | 00:49:29 | |
Join hosts Marc Cohen and Rich Sweeney in this insightful episode of Behind The Numbers presented by Restaurant365, featuring Ken Baker. Ken reveals essential strategies for scaling restaurant operations through smart technology, the importance of integrating operational expertise with data systems, and the critical impact of employee retention on profitability. Discover how to balance cutting-edge technology with genuine hospitality to create sustainable growth and outstanding guest experiences. Connect with the Show
Helpful Links | |||
| How California Fish Grill Scaled Smart with CFO Paul Potvin | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:49:27 | |
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we sit down with Paul Potvin, CFO of California Fish Grill, to explore how the West Coast seafood brand scaled from 1 to 58 locations — without losing its culture or control. From AVT food costing and time-based labor studies to kiosks that boost accuracy and a flexible supply chain built for resilience, Paul shares actionable strategies every operator should hear. In this episode:
Whether you’re running one store or fifty, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow smarter. Listen now and learn why behind every great restaurant, there’s a CFO who knows the numbers and the people. Connect with the Guests
Connect with the Show
Helpful Links | |||
| Michael Mina & Jason Himber on Growth, Accountability, and Innovation | 12 Mar 2025 | 00:46:19 | |
On this episode of Behind the Numbers by Restaurant365, hosts Marc Cohen and Rich Sweeney sit down with award-winning chef and Mina Group founder Michael Mina and the company’s CEO Jason Himber. Together, they explore the keys to modern restaurant leadership, including motivating today’s workforce, fostering a culture of accountability, and scaling operations without sacrificing quality. They also discuss how restaurants can adapt post-pandemic and redefine the dining experience to meet evolving guest expectations. Connect with the Guests Connect with the Hosts Helpful Links | |||