If you ask nearly anyone who works in the restaurant industry, it can be grueling and utterly unrewarding. Despite this, habitual restauranteurs continue to open new concepts year after year. So, what fuels the desire to work in an industry that feels like it’s killing you on a daily basis? Peter, Emaleigh, and Nick are answering questions, including:

• Do you learn more from in-restaurant training or culinary school?
• Why is the hospitality industry so addicting?
• What are the differences between opening a restaurant today and 20 years ago?
• How are liquor licenses granted in New Jersey and elsewhere?
• Does America’s ‘dining out’ culture contribute to the misconception that anyone can operate a restaurant?
• What is the most unexpected cost when opening a restaurant?

#restuarantpunk #kararestaurantgroup #restuarantownership #businessowner #entrepreneur #entrepreneur #liquorlicense #diningout #restaurants #operatingcosts #maintenance #unexpected #surpriseexpenses #misconception #chaos #controlledchaos

McDonalds vs. Burger King, Chipotle vs. Moe’s, Wendy’s vs. Chick-fil-A – fast food is an American obsession and a divisive one at that. Noelle is asking the question: what is your ultimate fast-food item? Tune in to hear what Peter, George, and Noelle think, plus answers to these burning questions:

- Are Wawa snack wraps comparable to the discontinued McDonald’s version?
- Do SpaghettiOs still slap?
- Would you consider Subway or Five Guys fast food?
- Are there any fast-food restaurants you won’t eat at?
- Have you ever tried a burger from P. Terry’s?

#restaurantpunk #restaurant #fastfood #quickservice #qsr #hospitality #desertedisland #favoritefood #podcast #mcdonalds #burgerking #chipotle #tacobell #moes #chickfila #pterrys #burger #obsession #subway #fiveguys
#junkfood #cheatday #cheatmeal

Music is an essential part of establishing the atmosphere in any business, but especially so in restaurants. Why? Tune in to hear what Yianni, Nick, and Noelle have to say about the topic while answering questions, including:

- How does your upbringing impact your musical preferences as an adult?
- Who would make a better playlist: Yianni or Noelle?
- What impact does the tempo of the musical playlist have on the energy of a restaurant?
- Why is it important to curate your own playlist for your business?

#restaurantpunk #kararestaurantgroup #restaurant #podcast #music #playlist #vibe #vibes #musicgenre #spotifywrapped #spotify #itunes #youtube #playlists #musicplaylist #hospitality #experiential #atmosphere

Everyone loves brunch, but if you HAVE to choose between breakfast or lunch, which do you prefer? Peter, Nikos, and Guest Host Ryan Jones are exploring their opinions on which meal is more fun to cook, serve, and eat on this week’s episode of Restaurant Punk. Questions include:

• Which meal is easier to cook, breakfast or lunch?
• What “service” factors impact the ease of a shift for waiters and waitresses?
• Which breakfast foods are the most difficult to cook in a restaurant kitchen?
• How do you pre-poach eggs?
• What are the best and worst factors about serving breakfast and lunch?

#breakfast #pancakes #lunch #waiter #waitress #server #service #restaurantlife #restaurantpunk #restaurants #businessowner #podcast #kararestaurantpunk #chef #poachedeggs #restaurantbusiness #kitchen #kitchentricks

Every business is different when it comes to its system of employee compensation, and bonus programs can be especially controversial. For restaurant owners, it can be especially tough to determine if and/or how to award performance incentives. Join Nick, Nikos, and George to determine

• Should every employee get a bonus, or should it be based on performance?
• What alternatives are there to cash bonuses for employees?
• Do employers set an expectation of annual bonuses if they award them once?
• If you’re awarding bonuses, how do you determine how much to give each employee?
• Can bonuses backfire, even when intended to show employee appreciation?

#bonus #performancebonus #employment #employeeperks #workperks #restaurantpunk #kararestaurantgroup #reviews #tripadvisor #yelp #hospitalitycareers #kitchenjobs #chef #restaurantlife #restaurantjobs #appleturnovers #christmasparty #christmascookies #podcast

“So you’re telling me that now I not only have to remember to bring my own grocery bags to the store, but the prices are higher, AND I have to scan and bag my own groceries?” – Yianni, essentially. If you agree, you’re not going to want to miss this episode of Restaurant Punk with Yianni, Liz, and George and questions, including:

• How have state-wide bag bans impacted businesses and customers?
• How do you feel about advances in technology that eliminate jobs?
• Does it bother you when restaurants don’t give you to-go silverware or bags?
• Are men less likely to carry reusable shopping bags than women?
• Do big box stores take advantage of customers by making them do the work instead of paying employees?

#restaurantpunk #kararestaurantgroup #customers #byob #bagban #bringyourown #bagboy #employment #AI #technology #podcast #restaurants #hospitality #jobelimination #togo #takeout

With more than a dozen restaurants located in Cape May County, which is also home to some of the North East’s most renowned commercial fishing ports, it’s no wonder why many Kara eateries feature seafood prominently. So, why does Yianni take such an issue with Pescatarians, especially when he opened a restaurant featuring fish & veggies exclusively? Tune in to hear Yianni, George, and Emaleigh answer questions, including:

• Why does Yianni have such a problem with pescatarians?
• What percentage of people follow a vegetarian diet worldwide?
• Is dining out more frustrating for people with food allergies or for the people who have to hear about them?
• What does Aquaman eat?
• When making reservations, what is the best way to approach allergies and food restrictions?

#restaurantpunk #kararestaurantgroup #seafood #pescatarians #vegetarians #aquaman #fish #allergies #diningout #restaurantlife #restaurant #businessowner #vegetarian #glutenfree #podcast #capemay #capemaycounty #fishing #fishingport #capemayfishing

When you decide to pursue your dream of opening a business, it can be easy to forget you’re wearing rose-colored glasses. Yianni, Liz, and Peter dive into why you need legal representation as a business owner and explore what factors should influence your decision on which firm to hire. Questions include:

• Why do I need a lawyer as a business owner?
• How should you open your LLC as a brand-new entrepreneur?
• How can an accountant support you as a small business owner?
• What should you do before meeting with a business advisor?

#restaurantpunk #kararestaurantgroup #podcast #smallbusiness #BAR #barassociation #lawyer #attorney #llc #registeredagent #smallbusinessowner #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurlife #businessideas #businessadvisor #businessadvice