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
361: 5 step online review process with Matt Hayman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
In this episode, we discuss why online reviews matter more today than ever before, The biggest mistakes restaurant owner make when it comes to online reviews, when the best times are to ask for a review, and the 5 step p…
360: Build cultures not concepts with Brooks Tanner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:31
Chef Brooks Tanner Studied at Cornell University. Brooks is known for his underlining team building abilities and fiscal awareness. His passion is building concrete infrastructures to support high-quality services and ed…
359: Learning from your mistakes with Jeffrey Lizotte [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:42
Raised in Simsbury, CT, Jeff Lizotte is a Cornell graduate whose culinary résumé includes experience at David Bouley's Danube and Eric Ripert's Le Bernardin in New York City. During two years in France, he worked for Bor…
358: Fan Mail Friday #1 with Rudy Miick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:00
Want access to my network of consultants? Email or direct message me your Q's and I'll get an expert on the show to answer them! eric@restaurantunstoppable.com or @ericcacciatore I've never claimed to have all the answer…
357: Changing the flow with Bryan Gibb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:17
Bryan Gibb is the founder of Bolt Coffee Co. Over 4 years ago Bolt Coffee Co. carved out a niche by starting as a mobile coffee catering cart which focused on weddings and other events. They have since scaled into their…
356: Finding great partners with Josh Childs and Beau Sturm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:06
Today we're sitting at the Paddle Inn, Josh Childs, Beau Sturm, and Suzi Maitland's newest restaurant, located in Newburyport, MA. In addition to the Paddle Inn, the restaurant group also operates Trina's Starlite Lounge…
355: Twice as strong with Michael Krupp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:54
Michael Krupp is an eclectic, impassioned businessman with a proven history of pushing Boston's restaurant and retail boundaries, he co-owns and oversees business development at Area Four's three locations including an A…
353: Divine foods and heavenly spirits with David Kennedy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:55
It was in Boston, MA where David Kennedy got his start in the restaurant industry, as a part-time bartending while working towards his MBA. Today, David is the founder of The Holy Grail, located in Epping, NH, which has…
352: Get back your time with Nandkumar Awatramani [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:14
To Nandu's FREE "GET BACK YOUR TIME COURSE" -->https://www.myrpac.com/course/get-back-your-time-training/?ref=5 (limited time) To Nandu's "Profit Accelerator Master Course" ---> https://www.fandbbusinessschool.com/rpac-p…