Managers: Good, Bad, or Necessary Evil

Managers: Good, Bad, or Necessary Evil

Author: Kara Restaurant Group January 31, 2023 Duration: 13:04

Peter Karapanagiotis aka The Y.B. makes his debut on Restaurant Punk, reflecting on the fact that Kara Restaurant Group has never hired formal managers. Looking ahead to the opening of a few new BYOBs in 2023, Peter asks Nikos and Liz to share their thoughts on managers in restaurants. 

  • Are managers a good thing – a bad thing – a necessary evil? 
  • What determines whether a restaurant needs a hierarchy or if the team can manage itself? 
  • Are managers more effective if they are feared or respected? 
  • Do you know the unwritten rules of the Yianni handbook?
  • If you were to open a 100-seat restaurant tomorrow, would you hire a manager?

Watch now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t0rbU9lKDB0


Behind every great meal is a story that’s often messy, chaotic, and surprisingly funny. Restaurant Punk is that story, told straight from the trenches by the team behind Kara Restaurant Group. This isn't a polished, corporate guide. It's the raw, unfiltered conversation that happens after hours, where decades of hard-won experience collide with the absurd reality of running restaurants. You'll hear the kind of hilarious, cringe-worthy anecdotes that only come from a life spent in hospitality, paired with genuinely humbling advice on building a business that actually treats people well-staff and guests alike. Each episode feels like pulling up a stool next to veterans who have seen it all, offering a necessary release valve for the industry's daily pressures and a spark of inspiration for entrepreneurs brave enough to try it themselves. It’s a blend of business savvy, artistic struggle, and comedic relief, all served up without the pretense. Tune into this podcast for a unique mix of lessons learned the hard way and the unvarnished truth about creating a place where people want to be, all delivered with the kind of energy that keeps the kitchen-and the conversation-moving.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 219

Restaurant Punk
Podcast Episodes
Working Overtime: What is the Standard Work Schedule in Restaurants? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
Some corporate workplaces are moving to four-day work weeks, and many offices offer hybrid work-from-home options, but in hospitality, you almost always must report for in-person duty. Nick, Liz, and George are discussin…
Ice, Ice Baby: Choosing the Right Ice Maker for your Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:41
Some people like room-temperature water, but most prefer cold beverages when dining out, especially in the hotter months. So, when developing your business plan, a well-functioning ice machine is one of the most importan…
Love in this Club: Balancing Being Life Partners & Business Partners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:17
Do couples that work together stay together? Nikos puts Peter and Noelle in the hot seat to answer questions about how lovers manage their lives when both work and home are intertwined. Tune in for their answers to quest…
Polishing Faux Pas: When Should You Shine Restaurant Serveware? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
Few things gross a customer out more than finding lipstick or fingerprints lingering on their glassware. So, as a restaurant owner, what practices should you implement to ensure this faux pas never happens? Nick, George,…
Early Bird Breakfast: What Time Should AM Eateries Open? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:39
Morning routines are one of our most sacred rituals as humans – and everyone’s different. So, as an entrepreneur, how do you determine which hours of operation will maximize your morning business? George, Nikos, and Yian…