FULL COMP: The Voice of the Restaurant Industry Revolution

On Today’s show we chat with David Meltzer, a three-time international best-selling author, a Top 100 Business Coach, the executive producer of Entrepreneur‘s #1 digital business show, and host of the top entrepreneur podcast.
The hospitality business, more than anything, is a business. Due to the hectic nature of the industry we tend to forget that and get caught up in the day to day grind. Proper business strategy will matter more than great food in the new normal and David Meltzer is a master strategist. Today he runs us through the fundamentals of business and leadership.
Click to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Click here to book time on my personal calendar.
Click here to download our Restaurant Recovery Guide.
Want to streamline your front-of-house operations and increase sales? Head over to http://restaurants.yelp.com/fullcomppodcast to claim your free page and learn more about these powerful tools for your business.
SHOW NOTES

4 pillars of truth
Putting together a world-class team
Humans can create their own environment
Restaurants - we are monetizing an experience and environment
Transforming an offensive and defensive mindset
The paradox of giving
David would give a lot but always with expectation of praise, recognition, love, etc
Ferocious about receiving. Receiving to be able to give back
The importance of mentorship
Most crucial of all roles in last 14years
David didn’t need mentorship in beginning - multimillionaire in his twenties
Now believes the easiest and best way to be successful is using mentors
Being specific with mentors e.g sleep, money
Being radically humble enough to say “you’re the only one who can help me”
How to reset goals with the new normal
How to recover in the hospitality industry
People buy on emotion for logical reasons
Key to understanding reopening
1. Strength of signal.
Credibility - relieving reasons that people feel uncomfortable.
Lower capacity. Mask rules. 6ft apart etc
2. Market to people who aren’t afraid
Some people will go out anyway during this time
3. Clear message of value
Quality food/USP
People want to fill a void. Miss what they can’t have
Address the way people feel. You are selling an experience
Aha moments through the pandemic
“I don’t know what I don’t know”
David wants to be a better husband and father
Much more important than being a podcaster, entrepreneur, TV star, etc
David would prefer to be at a family dinner than an award show, event, or Superbowl
Pivoting
Previously worked with in-person workshops, events, and speaking engagements
Now conducts workshops online
Moved to online speaking gigs
Still learning work-life balance
Achieving happiness
David defined himself by his bank account
Now his bank account is an ingredient of the overall thermostat of happiness and joy
Higher % of total happiness than he has ever been
Minutes and moments of unhappiness

Show Notes

On Today’s show we chat with David Meltzer, a three-time international best-selling author, a Top 100 Business Coach, the executive producer of Entrepreneur‘s #1 digital business show, and host of the top entrepreneur podcast.

The hospitality business, more than anything, is a business. Due to the hectic nature of the industry we tend to forget that and get caught up in the day to day grind. Proper business strategy will matter more than great food in the new normal and David Meltzer is a master strategist. Today he runs us through the fundamentals of business and leadership.

Click to sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Click here to book time on my personal calendar.

Click here to download our Restaurant Recovery Guide.

Want to streamline your front-of-house operations and increase sales? Head over to http://restaurants.yelp.com/fullcomppodcast to claim your free page and learn more about these powerful tools for your business.

SHOW NOTES

  • 4 pillars of truth
  • Putting together a world-class team
  • Humans can create their own environment
  • Restaurants - we are monetizing an experience and environment
  • Transforming an offensive and defensive mindset
  • The paradox of giving
  • David would give a lot but always with expectation of praise, recognition, love, etc
  • Ferocious about receiving. Receiving to be able to give back
  • The importance of mentorship
  • Most crucial of all roles in last 14years
  • David didn’t need mentorship in beginning - multimillionaire in his twenties
  • Now believes the easiest and best way to be successful is using mentors
  • Being specific with mentors e.g sleep, money
  • Being radically humble enough to say “you’re the only one who can help me”
  • How to reset goals with the new normal
  • How to recover in the hospitality industry
  • People buy on emotion for logical reasons
  • Key to understanding reopening
  • 1. Strength of signal.
  • Credibility - relieving reasons that people feel uncomfortable.
  • Lower capacity. Mask rules. 6ft apart etc
  • 2. Market to people who aren’t afraid
  • Some people will go out anyway during this time
  • 3. Clear message of value
  • Quality food/USP
  • People want to fill a void. Miss what they can’t have
  • Address the way people feel. You are selling an experience
  • Aha moments through the pandemic
  • “I don’t know what I don’t know”
  • David wants to be a better husband and father
  • Much more important than being a podcaster, entrepreneur, TV star, etc
  • David would prefer to be at a family dinner than an award show, event, or Superbowl
  • Pivoting
  • Previously worked with in-person workshops, events, and speaking engagements
  • Now conducts workshops online
  • Moved to online speaking gigs
  • Still learning work-life balance
  • Achieving happiness
  • David defined himself by his bank account
  • Now his bank account is an ingredient of the overall thermostat of happiness and joy
  • Higher % of total happiness than he has ever been
  • Minutes and moments of unhappiness

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.