1247: Chris Goss, Director of Human Resources at Heirloom Hospitality and Founder of Awakened Hospitality

1247: Chris Goss, Director of Human Resources at Heirloom Hospitality and Founder of Awakened Hospitality

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee January 26, 2026 Duration: 1:53:04

Chris Goss is the Director of Hospitality, Operations, and Human Resources at Heirloom Hospitality in Vermont, where he oversees people, culture, and guest experience across the organization. With more than four years in this role, and over 30 years of restaurant hospitality experience before that, Chris blends strategic HR leadership with hands-on operational expertise to help build engaged teams and memorable hospitality experiences.

Passionate about "awakened" hospitality, he focuses on values-driven leadership, staff development, and creating workplaces where people feel seen, supported, and able to do their best work. On this episode, Chris shares lessons from a career spent at the intersection of service, operations, and human connection—and how thoughtful HR can transform both employee and guest journeys.

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:

-

Restaurant Technologies — the leader in automated cooking oil management. Their Total Oil Management solution is an end-to-end closed loop automated system that delivers, monitors, filters, collects, and recycles your cooking oil eliminating one of the dirtiest jobs in the kitchen.. Automate your oil and elevate your kitchen by visiting rti-inc.com or call 888-779-5314 to get started!

-

Restaurant Systems Pro - Lower your prime cost by $1,000, and get paid $1,000 with the Restaurant Systems Pro 30-Day Prime Cost Challenge. If you successfully improve your prime cost by $1,000 or more compared to the same 30-day period last year, Restaurant Systems Pro will pay you $1,000. It's a "reverse guarantee." 

Let's make 2026 the year your restaurant thrives.

-

US Foods®. Running a restaurant takes MORE than great food—it takes reliable deliveries, quality products, and smart tools. US Foods® helps you make it. Ready to level up?

Visit: usfoods.com/expectmore.

-

Guest contact info: 

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: 100

Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Podcast Episodes
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…
1257: John Russ, Chef/Owner of Clementine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:13:50
John Russ and Kim Beechner join the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 30th, 2026 at 11AM EST. To join us and engage with all our guests and events, go to restaurantunstoppable.com/live -OR- to just c…
1256: Kim Beechner, CEO of Embark Marketing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:10:57
Kim Beechner joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 30th, 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…
1254: Sarah Heard, Chef/Co-Owner of Foreign & Domestic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:05
Sarah Heard joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 23rd, 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 g…
1253: Taylor Swenning, Owner of Darlin's Diner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:54
Taylor Swenning joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 16th, 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…
1252: Jody Fiess, COO at Cerboni Services [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:26
Jody Fiess is the COO of Cerboni Financial Services, HQ'd in Houston, Texas. Cerboni is an all-in-one financial solution for restaurants. Cerboni Services was formed in 2017 to help independent restaurants manage their f…
1251: Pete Mora, Founder of Fajita Pete's [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:26:13
Pete Mora joins the Restaurant Unstoppable Network for a live Q+A on March 16th, 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 gue…