FULL COMP: The Voice of the Restaurant Industry Revolution podcast

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.

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.

 

#587

How to Compete in Today’s Restaurant Market: Mark Politzer on Reinventing a Legacy Brand

What if the hardest part of change isn’t strategy—it’s psychology? Mark Politzer walked aw... more

08 Aug 2025

32 MINS

32:43

08 Aug 2025


#586

Office Hours: Why Your Staff Can’t Sell & Why It’s Your Fault

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling ... more

07 Aug 2025

08 MINS

08:55

07 Aug 2025


#585

The Caterer Who Built a Creative Empire: Cooper Vaughan on Margin, Meaning, and the Power of Reinven...

Cooper Vaughan didn’t plan on being a caterer—he was trying not to be. But what started as... more

05 Aug 2025

39 MINS

39:19

05 Aug 2025


#584

From Nightlife to High-End Dining: Jamey Shirah on Pivoting, Branding, and Building Revival Restaura...

Most people don’t make it out of nightlife. Jamey Shirah didn’t just make it out—he turned... more

01 Aug 2025

39 MINS

39:35

01 Aug 2025


#583

Office Hours: Marketing campaigns that are guaranteed to work

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling ... more

31 Jul 2025

09 MINS

09:18

31 Jul 2025


#582

Scaling a Mission, Not Just a Menu: Dean Neff on Profitability, Purpose, and Leading with Story

Dean Neff didn’t set out to build the biggest seafood restaurant—he set out to build the m... more

29 Jul 2025

33 MINS

33:57

29 Jul 2025


#581

Who Gets to Be the Best? William Drew on Power, Politics, and the Future of Fine Dining

What if the most powerful list in restaurants isn’t about food—it’s about influence? Willi... more

25 Jul 2025

36 MINS

36:13

25 Jul 2025


#580

Office Hours: Your Loyalty Program is your Sales Engine

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling ... more

24 Jul 2025

07 MINS

07:27

24 Jul 2025


#579

Built on Purpose, Powered by Profit: Derrick Hayes’ Path from Gas Station to National Brand

Derrick Hayes didn’t open a restaurant—he made a promise. Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks started ... more

22 Jul 2025

37 MINS

37:29

22 Jul 2025


#578

Why Slowing Down Built a Stronger Brand: John Paterson on Trust, Turnover, and Frankie’s Secret Sauc...

John Paterson had every reason to chase growth. The hype was real. The demand was there. B... more

18 Jul 2025

38 MINS

38:58

18 Jul 2025


#577

From Unknown to Unstoppable: How Ivan Iricanin Made Balkan Cuisine Go Viral in America

What does it take to introduce an entire country to a cuisine they’ve never heard of—and s... more

15 Jul 2025

33 MINS

33:20

15 Jul 2025


#576

The Book That Changes Everything: Gavin Kaysen on Legacy, Collaboration, and Scaling for Impact

Most chefs build restaurants. Gavin Kaysen built a legacy. With his Synergy Series book, G... more

11 Jul 2025

36 MINS

36:58

11 Jul 2025


#575

Office Hours: Dominate Google without writing a single blog post

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling ... more

10 Jul 2025

08 MINS

08:58

10 Jul 2025


#574

Forget the Hustle: Scott Crawford on Transparency, Boundaries, and Building a Healthier Restaurant C...

Most chefs wear burnout as a badge of honor. Scott Crawford wears balance and transparency... more

08 Jul 2025

34 MINS

34:43

08 Jul 2025


#573

Forget Loyalty—Build Fandom: Chris Smith on Growing Zunzibar with Simplicity, Purpose, and Relations...

Forget the loyalty programs and outdated marketing tricks. Chris Smith, CEO of Zunzibar, h... more

04 Jul 2025

34 MINS

34:43

04 Jul 2025


#572

Office Hours: Serving This Guest Will Scale Your Restaurant

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling ... more

03 Jul 2025

08 MINS

08:12

03 Jul 2025


#571

Why Most Training Fails: Cassie Miller on Building 19 Brands That Retain Top Talent

Most restaurants throw new hires into the fire and hope they stick. Cassie Miller, VP of T... more

01 Jul 2025

37 MINS

37:07

01 Jul 2025


#570

The Hidden Gold in Your Restaurant: Kirk Grogan on Using Tips to Drive Culture, Retention, and Profi...

Most restaurant operators treat tips like a liability—or worse, an afterthought. But Kirk ... more

27 Jun 2025

40 MINS

40:07

27 Jun 2025


#569

Office Hours: How to Get Your Guest's Attention (and get them back in)

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling ... more

26 Jun 2025

09 MINS

09:01

26 Jun 2025


#568

Jack McGarry on Becoming The Best and The Aftermath of Excellence

Jack McGarry has achieved the accolades most of us dream about. He’s been awarded the best... more

24 Jun 2025

39 MINS

39:01

24 Jun 2025


#567

Miguel Hernandez on How To Dominate Our Industry

Miguel Hernandez is a genius. You have never heard me begin a show this way before, but I ... more

20 Jun 2025

37 MINS

37:16

20 Jun 2025


#566

Office Hours: The Secret Hack to Product/Market Fit

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling ... more

19 Jun 2025

09 MINS

09:12

19 Jun 2025


#565

Natasha McIrvin on Mastering Surprise and Delight

Our guests, even our most loyal guests, can cook at home. They don’t come to us for nouris... more

17 Jun 2025

37 MINS

37:26

17 Jun 2025


#564

Keith Benjamin on Crafting the Vision for a Restaurant Empire

The numbers tell the story. Statistically, it’s nearly impossible to scale massively withi... more

13 Jun 2025

33 MINS

33:06

13 Jun 2025


#563

Office Hours: Mass Marketing is Killing Your Restaurant--Do This Instead

I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling ... more

12 Jun 2025

08 MINS

08:14

12 Jun 2025


#562

Chef Rob Rubba on Redefining Sustainability

James Beard award-winning chef Rob Rubba seems to have it all: a blockbuster restaurant th... more

10 Jun 2025

32 MINS

32:37

10 Jun 2025


#561

Karen Akunowicz on The Linear Path to Success

What are you chasing? Is it the money, the fame, or maybe the acclaim that comes with bein... more

06 Jun 2025

33 MINS

33:57

06 Jun 2025