Profitable Hospitality Podcast

Becky McCray is bubbling with enthusiasm about the possibilities for food startups and pop-ups in small towns and rural areas. She regularly tours through the US and Canada, energising and inspiring communities to activate their main streets and empty buildings. Food is an essential part of that strategy. Ken Burgin talked with Becky about locating businesses within museums and public spaces, using empty restaurants, sampling events, food trucks, cutting through regulations and low-cost ways to promote a new business. This is an interview that will definitely inspire you – make sure to download the 101 Tiny Business Ideas from her website.

Taco Bill restaurants have been a success in Australia for more than 50 years - they are still fresh, modern and popular. In this podcast, Ken Burgin talks with Stan Teschke, one of the business partners, about how they manage the food, the staff, the parties and the extravagant drinks. They now have 33 stores, with 27 of them franchised, so there’s also the need to watch standards and ensure franchisees remain profitable and true to the brand. We also discussed how Stan learned his trade as a restaurateur, what hasn’t changed with customer expectations, and the role of email, social media and traditional mail in their marketing mix. Please enjoy this wonderful interview with a master of the industry!

Breakfast gets your business and customers off to a strong start – there’s definitely money in the morning. Breakfast is easier to prepare, and you don’t need expensive chefs or high-cost ingredients. Great coffee, speedy service, and a combination of classic or new food items creates a very successful formula. In this interview Ken Burgin talks with Graeme McCormack of Food Associates about how you can make the morning into a very profitable part of the day. They discussed beverage and menu options, how to innovate with traditional items, portion sizes, all-day brunches and packaging options for take-away.

We all look for good food and hospitality in a country town or tourist destination – sometimes we find it, and sometimes we don’t. This week’s guest Deborah Culhane is a lawyer working in the large rural town of Albury-Wodonga and she closely watches the success of local restaurants, cafes and wineries. Why do some succeed and others fade away? Ken Burgin talked with Deborah about the reasons for rural businesses success, and the value of Chamber of Commerce membership for networking and discovery. We also discussed how small operators can compete with the large chains, take advantage of tourism promotions, and the value of ‘anchoring’ a business to a tourist activity. Businesses mentioned in the podcast include The Black Sheep in Coryong, Boynton’s Feathertop Winery and Riverdeck at Albury. Also check the videos from Tourism Australia’s Restaurant Australia campaigns.

The B Corp movement says that business impacts and serves more than just shareholders - it also has a responsibility to the community and to the planet. B Corps meet high standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. They ‘aspire to use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems’. In this interview, Ken Burgin talks with business advisor Tim O’Brien of Hatched.io about the value of B Corp accreditation, and how to achieve it. This involves assessing your performance in the areas of environmental impact, the workforce, customers, community and corporate governance. Start with the free B Impact Assessment – you may be surprised at how well you do, and B Corp advisers will help with the process. You can also hear the story of how Pablo & Rusty Coffee Roasters became certified, and the value that has added to their business.

It’s hard not to be fascinated by the food, presentation and service when travelling overseas – there can be a lot of inspiration. But what can be applied back home – will it appeal to local customers and give us a competitive edge? Every food business needs to be developing new products, and updating existing one – better flavour, production methods and service.  In this interview Ken Burgin talks with Graeme McCormack of Food Associates, about his recent trends tour to New York and London. He and his team were looking closely at new products, display, merchandising, packaging, new flavours and changing attitudes to healthy food claims. There is lots of inspiration for your next menu! Businesses mentioned in the podcast include Gail’s Bakery, Ottolenghi, Marks & Spencer, Greencore and Pret a Manger in the UK. Plus Eataly, Shake Shake and Katz Deli in the USA.

Sustainability sounds like one of those worthy topics that is too serious for the happy world of cafes. But our guest today, Kim Elena Ionesco says it’s one of the most interesting and exciting jobs in the coffee industry! Kim is the Chief Sustainability Officer of the Speciality Coffee Association and has developed this role and watched the industry advance for the last 10 years. Ken Burgin interviewed Kim about the wide range of sustainability projects underway, from plantations, to transport, roasting, retail, right through to disposal of the cup. The type of work done on farms is changing, and climate change is having an impact. Roasters have new options for processing beans with less energy, and there are many ways for cafes to work more consciously and use fewer resources. SCA have published some excellent Green Guides to help you with the process.

The shortage of chefs is on the mind of every restaurant operator, and each year it seems to get worse. But chefs have a choice of where they work, and even with shortages, smart operators will have more success attracting talent if they tune into the wants and needs of the people they’re after – chefs are no different to other professionals. It’s inspiring to talk with executive chefs and managers who are successfully finding and keeping the right staff - they see it as a challenge that can be overcome. One such person is  Gary Johnson, National Food Manager of the Spirit Hotels Group. Ken Burgin talked with Gary about how he has dramatically reduced the turnover of chefs, created a development program for younger chefs to move into responsible positions, and runs a continual training program to improve their management and leadership skills. It’s a great story!

Hospitality is a fast-paced and often stressful industry, and doesn’t have a great track record for looking after its people. It’s no wonder that we have high turnover and difficulty keeping good staff – chefs, managers and front of house. We need to improve our support for employees at all levels, so they can handle the pressure, feel valued and look after themselves. The annual RU OK? Program has special relevance for an industry with so many casualties. In this interview, Ken Burgin talks with psychologist Annette Koy about how to help employees become stronger and more resilient, and the value of listening. We discussed strategies for business owners, senior staff, chefs, new managers, men and women. You can contact Annette Koy through Linkedin.

It’s never too early to start planning for the biggest profit season of the year – Christmas! And as the saying goes, the more you plan, the more you earn, so let’s get started. In this podcast, Ken Burgin shares dozens of ways to make November and December more popular and profitable, starting with the Christmas Menus. It’s also important to communicate early with previous Christmas party customers and be more effective with how you reach out to potential new business. Booking systems need to be smooth and efficient, and event agreements should leave no room for cancellation or disagreements. There are also great options for selling hampers, Gift Vouchers and all the merchandise at your counter.   Now wrap this up with smart marketing and a great atmosphere (music, decorations and service) – it’s not just a profitable season but also a solid boost to a great new year!

It’s good to know there’s a serious side to cooking competitions - very different to the fireworks and drama of Masterchef and other TV food shows. Every year there are dozens of culinary competitions across the country, where chefs compete against their peers to create the best flavours, textures and appearance, using a high level of skill and technical proficiency. They work against the clock, and sometimes don’t know what they’ll be cooking until the last minute – it’s a nerve-racking business! To explain the competitive world of professional chefs, Ken Burgin talked with John McFadden, Executive Chef at the Pan Pacific Hotels Group. He’s passionate about the industry, and dedicated to training the next generation of chefs and cooks. We discussed the competition scoring process, what judges look for in cooking techniques, the attitude of a winning chef and the value of these events to attract people to the industry. Connect with John on Linkedin, and see his food at the Parkroyal Hotel.

Ken Burgin recently met coffee roaster Saxon Wright, to hear about Pablo & Rusty’s recent certification as a B-Corp. Speciality coffee seems to lead the way in the beverage industry with its focus on sustainability from grower through to consumer. B-Corps ‘aspire to use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems’, and the Silver Chef group is a proud member of the worldwide B-Corp community. We discussed the growth of the business, their commitment to sustainably sourced produce, and the additional B-Corp priorities of environmental action, improved employee conditions, customer and community support, accountability and transparency. Even coffee waste is being imaginatively re-used with their Huskee Cup project. The company is growing fast, and Saxon sees the focus provided by B-Corp standards as an important part of their success.

Do you ever wonder why some cafes and restaurants are constantly in the news? Stories regularly appear in the local paper about their food, events and award-winning staff. Their chef may even be heard on local radio and seen on TV. What’s the secret? To help us understand how the media works, Ken Burgin interviewed public relations expert Jules Brooke about the type of stories that will create interest, how to prepare a Media Release, where to send it and how to use the publicity that follows. We discussed the value of sharing ‘educational’ content, how to build your own profile, and a wide range of story ideas that will appeal to busy journalists. We also talked about the style and format of photos needed by the media, and when to engage a professional photographer. To help small businesses do their own public relations, Jules has developed the HandleYourOwnPR website, with expert writing and story advice, plus local Australian media lists. You can start sending media releases to your local journalists this

Suddenly food trucks are all around us, and can be a simpler way of entering the food service game than signing a lease for a traditional shop. Flexibility and mobility are two of the positives, but there are also challenges with establishing a recognised brand, working out of a tiny space, and the need for constant promotion.   In this interview Ken Burgin talks with Harry Fleming, a chef and owner of The Bun Mobile – Brisbane’s original food truck and still a leader with its innovative menu and a huge following of hungry fans. We talked about establishment costs, regular social media posting, good photography, food safety, production kitchens, and the importance of a location calendar. Harry is very generous with the information he shares, and combines a successful business with regular holidays, which he also shares on social media! You can follow the Bun Mobile on Facebook and Instagram, and also check his Downey Park Food Truck collection.

Kitchen work needs a lot of people for supplies, production, service and cleaning. Timing is critical and hierarchies are important – we need smart, experienced managers to create a profitable result. So what are the qualities kitchen leaders need for 2018? They’re very different to 10 years ago. Helping chefs to become great leaders is a passion for Chef Chris Hill, and the driving force for his book Making the Cut, and new book Lead Like a Chef. In this podcast, Ken Burgin talks with Chris about his 7 Dimensions of Chef Leadership, and how to apply them to industry challenges: attracting people to cooking careers, the shortage of women and people of colour in kitchen leadership, high stress and relationship breakdowns, substance abuse and addiction. It’s a challenging list, and Chris’s fresh take on leadership shows there is a way forward if modern leaders embrace new skills.

Colin Harmon is a four-time Irish Barista Champion and owner of Dublin’s 3fe Coffee, one of the world’s most innovative and progressive specialty coffee shops. His work in coffee has extended to roasting, training and consultancy work, as well as developing coffee equipment for the specialty market and beyond. In this interview Ken Burgin talks with Colin about how he has developed his cafes and roastery, and created a business model that combines efficiency, quality, great service and a positive employee culture. It’s an inspiring story, and he has shared all the details in his new book What I Know About Running Coffee Shops – it’s a great resource and highly recommended.

Feeling frustrated that staff don’t appreciate the value of cost control and sales promotion? Maybe they think you’re just rolling in money – all those sales go straight to profit! Only when you’ve coached them about the real cost of running a business will they realise the importance of controlling expenses, suggestive selling and turning every customer into a repeat. In this podcast Ken Burgin shows you simple ways to build the number skills of your managers, chefs, production and service staff. We use examples of labour costs, recipe costing and utilities, bringing them back to costs per hour or per customer to make the biggest impact. If you want staff to help you create an efficient and profitable business, start working on their understanding of cost and profit drivers – it pays off!

There’s something about the artisan origins of craft beer that attracts passionate support and loyalty. They’re small and independent, compared to the brewery giants, but they still need to run on sound business principles, with good distribution, great marketing and a strong point of difference. Steve Jeffares is one of the pioneers of craft beer and ale houses in Australia, and he recently opened Stomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall, in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood. He now has his own brewery, a large bar, and a terrific restaurant open 7 days a week. Ken Burgin talked with Steve about the range of beers offered, the food, the customers, and how they promote the business. We also discussed the huge growth of craft beer in Australia, and the importance of his Great Australian Beer Spectapular festivals. Also mentioned in the interview: the annual list of Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers, the Handle Your Own PR website, and an interesting article on The Future of Business is Giants Pretending to Be Sm

Do some of your staff have chronic financial problems? Modern life is expensive, but we’re talking now about constant money shortages, borrowing from family, debts with friends and overdue bills. Gambling temptation is everywhere we look – online, phone apps, sporting games, poker (slot) machines in pubs and clubs, and of course casinos. Chances are some of your staff need help. Ken Burgin interviewed Gerard Byrne form the Salvation Army’s Addiction Help Services – they work with people whose lives are affected by drugs, alcohol and gambling. We talked about how to identify and talk to someone with a gambling problem, how to refer them for help, what treatment may involve and how to educate all your staff about the problem. If you need help, or know someone who does, contact the Salvation Army on the link above, or the Gambling Help Line.  https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/

Overseas workers have become an essential part of the Australian hospitality workforce, just as they are all over the world. But that doesn’t stop immigration from being a political football, which means unpredictable changes in government policy that makes workforce planning difficult. In April 2017, changes were announced on who can work in Australia, and their rights to become a permanent resident. To help us navigate these changes, Ken Burgin talked with Justin Browne of Edupi Hospitality Immigration Specialists. Justin has many years of experience in hospitality, and now with immigration. We discussed the type of workers who want to work in Australia, the skills they have and how to help them settle into a new culture. We also discussed the costs and paperwork involved, when extra training is needed, and options for people who want to work in a rural area.