349: Being grateful with Johnny Ray Zone

349: Being grateful with Johnny Ray Zone

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee July 14, 2017 Duration: 1:15:14

Chef Johnny Ray Zone, an LA native, has worked professionally under some of the best chefs in the world, including Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay and Nobu Mat Sue He Sa. In 2014, during a stage at Sean Brock's Husk in Nashville, TN, a local chef introduced Johnny to Nashville Hot Chicken. It was instantaneous love. It is safe to say in the years to follow, Chef Johnny has dedicated is life to mastering the perfect piece of hot fried chicken. You can find his chicken at Howlin' Ray's Nashville Hot Chicken, located in Los Angeles, CA.

In this episode we will discuss: Striving for perfection. Hiring customers. The decision to go or not go to culinary school. Mentors in the restaurant industry. The different mindset of someone leaving culinary school with massive debt. The cost of training an employee. Integrity in the restaurant industry. Transitioning from food truck to restaurant. Do one thing well instead of many things well enough. Making guests happy (and encouraging them to come back) is more important than watching the numbers.


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
7NORTH II. Granite State [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:01
At the end of chapter 1 we were informed that Doug York, owner of 7North Coffee Company, used to be a successful rapper as a part of the rap group Granite State, based in New Hampshire. In this episode we will explore ho…
7NORTH I. The Story of 7North [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:35
Welcome to episode 1 of The Story of 7North, a co-production of Restaurant Unstoppable, Su Madre Podcasts, and 7North Coffee Company. This is a nonfiction, narrative-driven podcast. It is meant to be consumed in order. T…
850: Laura McCutcheon Founder and Owner of Halelife Bakery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:15
With Excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest: Founder, and Owner of Halelife Bakery, Laura McCutcheon. Laura's diverse background in the world of marketing, advertising, branding, and business development f…
849: Peter LeSar author of Restaurant Strong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:40:38
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Peter LeSar. Perter is the founder of Restaurant Development Theory and the author of Restaurant Strong: The First Principles of Restaurant Outperformance and H…
847: Swag on a Budget 101 with Lisa Duff of Rocky Coast Printworks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:42
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, COO of Rocky Coast Printworks, Lisa Duff. Rocky Coast Printworks specializes in making brands look their best. From fully custom apparel to logo merchandise for…
846: Ben Goldberg Co-founder & CEO of Strategic Hospitality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:45
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest Co-founder and Co-owner of Strategic Hospitality, Benjamin Goldberg. Strategic Hospitality, co-founded with his brother, Max Goldberg, is a Nashville-based hospi…
845: Corey Rosen founder of National Center for Employee Ownership [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:29
Corey Rosen is the founder and an active staff member of the National Center for Employee Ownership, a private, nonprofit membership, information, and research organization in Oakland, CA. The NCEO is widely considered t…
844: Andy Little Chef at Josephine On 12th [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:51
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Chef Andy Little. Chef Little came to Nashville in 2013 by way of central Pennsylvania where he grew up on traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. After realizi…