I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter, more successful businesses.
In this episode, I discuss the common pitfalls in restaurant marketing and the importance of having solid systems in place for growth. I emphasize that successful scaling requires a business that can operate independently of the owner and a clear plan for replication. I also share how to test readiness for expansion and highlight the significance of understanding financial metrics before making growth decisions.
Takeaways:
- Most restaurant marketing fails because it's built on guesswork.
- Growth isn't earned through vision, it's earned through replication.
- If you can't replicate your profit, you're just cloning chaos.
- The business must be leader-proof before it can be location-proof.
- Scaling isn't about momentum. It's about predictability.
- Walk away from the restaurant for three days and see what breaks.
- You're building a machine so that you can build your dream.
- If you don't know your math, then you're scaling fiction.
- Assign ownership, create documentation, and build your replacement strategy.
- Tell a friend who's thinking about opening another location.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Marketing Challenges
02:44 The Importance of Systems for Growth
05:38 Testing Readiness for Expansion
If you’ve got a marketing or profitability related question for me, email me directly at josh@joshkopel.com and include Office Hours in the subject line. If you'd like to scale the profitability of your restaurant in only 5 days, sign up for our FREE 5 Day Restaurant Profitability Challenge by visiting
https://joshkopel.com.
What is FULL COMP: The Voice of the Restaurant Industry Revolution?
What if I told you that the difference between struggling and thriving in the restaurant industry is just one conversation away?
I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur who’s spent decades building blockbuster brands across every tier of dining. I know the challenges you’re facing—because I’ve been there. That’s why I created FULL COMP.
Every week, I go one-on-one with the smartest minds in the game: restaurateurs, chefs, and industry insiders who’ve cracked the code. Together, we unpack their biggest wins, hardest lessons, and the strategies that changed everything.
No fluff, no filler—just actionable insights to help you boost profits, build your brand, and create the kind of restaurant you’ve always dreamed of.
So, if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start seeing results, hit subscribe.