Restaurant Leadership Podcast: Overcome Burnout, Embrace Freedom, and Drive Growth

106: Turn a Callout Crisis into a Profitable Operation

Here is my calendar link so you can book time with me: Book a Call with ChristinWe break down how fear of callouts can lead to costly overstaffing and how chronic callouts can wreck service, burn out managers, and drain profit. Two real cases show how cross-training, intentional scheduling, and a clear callout protocol restore accountability and margin.• Cross-training servers and bartenders to de-risk shifts• Publishing schedules early and honoring aces in places• Tying roles to guest impact to build buy-in• Reducing burnout by protecting the planIf you've been loving the content I'm providing, please take a moment to leave a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Head to https://www.christinmarvin.com/contact for a complimentary coaching session and let’s talk about what’s possible for your restaurant groupP.S. Ready to take your restaurant to the next level? Get the Independent Restaurant Framework that's helped countless owners build thriving multi-location brands. Grab your copy at https://www.IRFbook.com Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

105: From Chaos To Choice: Lead With Presence

We coach Brandon Sharp, owner of three restaurants in Chapel Hill, through the tension between being everywhere at once and showing up with presence that develops his leaders. He realizes he must let go of covering shifts, codify decision rights, and model vulnerability to retain and grow his managers.• using presence as respect and a path to flow• inverted pyramid leadership and decision rights• outsourcing low-leverage tasks to regain focus• vulnerability that invites ownership and honesty• raising standards for long-tenured managersGo to irfbook.com within 24 hours to get the entire book absolutely freeHead to www.christinmarvin.com/contact for a complimentary coaching sessionPlease leave a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcastPlease share this episode with anyone in the industry that you know who could benefitP.S. Ready to take your restaurant to the next level? Get the Independent Restaurant Framework that's helped countless owners build thriving multi-location brands. Grab your copy at https://www.IRFbook.com Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

104: Curiosity Creates Hospitality, Connection Beats Checklists

Guests don’t come to a full‑service restaurant for a transaction; they come hoping to feel something. We dig into how to deliver that feeling on purpose through connected hospitality, turning routine steps into genuine moments of care that guests remember long after the check drops.We start by grounding everything in food, then layer in the human element that differentiates you in a crowded market. You’ll hear how:We reframed performance reviews into get‑to‑know‑you conversations.Why curiosity is a trained skill not a personality trait, “Ping pong” questions replace scripts to create real dialogue.Growth requires humility, we unpack a one‑star reviewIf you’re ready to coach curiosity, hire for heart, and transform checklists into connections, press play. If the conversation sparks ideas, subscribe, share the episode with your team, and leave a quick review so more operators can find it. What’s the one question you’ll ask at your next table touch?P.S. Ready to take your restaurant to the next level? Get the Independent Restaurant Framework that's helped countless owners build thriving multi-location brands. Grab your copy at https://www.IRFbook.com Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

103: From Scarcity To Service: Mindset Tools for Restaurant Leaders

A new executive chef gets thrown into the deep end: understaffed, undertrained, and staring down six tough weeks. We use that moment to unpack a bigger question every operator faces—how do you stay mentally strong and lead with purpose when the room is half full and the pressure won’t let up?We dig into:The gap vs. gain framework from Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Eight simple questions that snap you out of scarcity and into progress.Eric Cacciatore opens up about imposter syndrome, why service beats ego, and how choosing “impact over reach” changes the way you scale.Six guiding principles for resilient entrepreneurs: prioritize real If you’re an independent multi‑unit operator aiming to build systems, grow leaders, and protect your mindset, this conversation gives you practical tools, a clearer North Star, and a community-first path forward. Listen, share with your team, and tell us your biggest gain from today. If this helped, subscribe, leave a review, and send it to a fellow operator who could use a lift.P.S. Ready to take your restaurant to the next level? Get the Independent Restaurant Framework that's helped countless owners build thriving multi-location brands. Grab your copy at https://www.IRFbook.com Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/

102: Scaling without Chaos: Grow Sustainably with People, Process, and Profit

Growth shouldn’t mean chaos. We lay out a practical roadmap for independent multi-unit restaurant owners who want scalable systems, stronger leaders, and healthier margins without losing the creativity that makes their concepts special. From the early cracks that show up at three and seven units to the org design that prevents constant firefighting, this conversation blends hard-won lessons with a clear framework you can apply right away.We start with people: defining leadership roles, hiring by capability instead of loyalty, and building layers of ownership so founders can stop being the answer desk. Then we move into process: what to standardize to protect guest experience, how to balance brand consistency with local flavor, and why a quarterly operating rhythm with scorecards and leading indicators keeps everyone aligned. Throughout, we return to culture—core values that drive hiring and reviews, not just posters on a wall—and the internal communication systems that deliver one message clearly across every location.There’s also a candid look at the human side of scale. Losing your voice during fast expansion is real. We talk about the shift that happens when you redesign your week, get support, and align daily decisions with your values. The payoff is a calmer, faster organization where change sticks, leaders grow, and profit follows because people and process are strong.If you’re an independent operator ready to move from survival mode to sustainable growth, this is your blueprint. P.S. Ready to take your restaurant to the next level? Get the Independent Restaurant Framework that's helped countless owners build thriving multi-location brands. Grab your copy at https://www.IRFbook.com Podcast Production: https://www.lconnorvoice.com/