1228: 7 Phases of Menu Engineering with Sean Willard

1228: 7 Phases of Menu Engineering with Sean Willard

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee October 16, 2025 Duration: 1:55:17

Sean Willard has two decades of hospitality experience. He started in the business in his teens in a steakhouse and quickly moved through nearly all positions (FOH and BOH) until he landed at menu engineering. He then attended Cornell University's School of hotel Administration where he was taught by Stephani Robson (past guest many times over!). You can find Sean these days at https://www.menuengineers.com/

Join RULibrary: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/RULibrary

Join RULive: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/live

Set Up your RUEvolve 1:1: www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/restaurantunstoppable

Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/

Today's sponsors:

Meez: Are you a chef, owner, operator, or manage recipes in professional kitchens? meez is built just for you. Organize, share, prep, and scale recipes like never before. Plus, engineer your menu in real-time and get accurate food costs. Sign up for free today and get 2 FREE months of invoice processing as a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast. Visit getmeez.com/unstoppable to learn more.

US Foods®. Make running your foodservice operation easier and more efficient with solutions from US Foods®. Utilize a suite of digital tools, like the all-in-one foodservice app MOXē®, and enjoy exclusive access to quality Exclusive Brands products. Learn how partnering with US Foods helps you get more out of your business by visiting www.usfoods.com/expectmore
 

Restaurant Systems Pro - Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more. 

Let's make 2025 the year your restaurant thrives.

Guest contact info: 

  • Website: https://www.menuengineers.com/

Thanks for listening! Rate the podcast, subscribe, and share! 


Eric Cacciatore sits down with the people who actually run the show in the world of food service. Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore is built on conversations with established restaurateurs and seasoned professionals who have navigated the intense realities of the industry. Twice a week, these interviews dig past the surface, focusing on the tangible details of leadership, team management, and effective marketing that separate a thriving venue from a struggling one. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and the often-overlooked decisions that shape a restaurant's path. This podcast serves as a direct line to collective experience, whether you're dreaming of your first opening or steering a multi-location group. The dialogue is practical, centered on the daily grind and long-term strategy needed to build something lasting. For anyone invested in the business of hospitality, these regular episodes compile a vital resource, turning shared insights into actionable knowledge for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Podcast Episodes
1266: Randy Hines, CEO and Partner at The Kolache Shoppe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:50
Randy Hines joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on May 4th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's gues…
1265: Christian Wiens, Founder and CEO of Loman AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:16
Christian Wiens joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on May 4th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's…
1263: Eric Reed, Chief Development Officer at Layne's Chicken Fingers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:31
Eric Reed and Natalie Hurley (also of Layne's) join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on April 20th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com…
1262: Natalie Hurley, VP of Marketing at Layne's Chicken Fingers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:29
Natalie Hurley and Eric Reed (also of Layne's) join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on April 20th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com…
1260: Albert Sanchez, Co-Founder of Beto's Mexican Restaurant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:02
Albert Sanchez and Chris Schultz join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on April 6th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to j…
1259: Chris Schultz, CEO of Velvet Taco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:07:06
Chris Schultz joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on April 6th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just catch today's…