In this episode we discuss: How to be intentional with your energy; why your job as a leader is to serve; why you can't let your success go to your head; the importance of a clear vision and practical business plan; how to approach and recruit employees who currently working at other restaurants; the power of pulling back layers in an interview; why we need to drop the old school way of thinking; and the #1 most important number we need to track in our restaurant.  From washing dishes at a pizza joint to leading a $30million restaurant brand, Mike Ganino has always been obsessed with culture, leadership, and helping his team find greatness. Mike has: opened over 100 restaurants; worked in fine dining as server, trainer, and bartender; was a Potbelly's manager at the age of 21, become national trainer for Potbelly and designed Potbelly U; worked with Lettuce Entertain You to launch Wow Bao; was Director of Ops, Training and HR at HomeMade Pizza company, where he help lead them to private equity partnership; was Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Protein Bar, taking it from 1 location to 15 (help lead them to a private equity partnership. Today he spends his time as a coach, speaker, and trainer. Mike teaches how to go for greatness by creating a work culture you love.

Today we're talking to Jeremy Julian, Gary Stotko, and Ryan Williams, a.k.a. The Restaurant Technology Guys who represent Custom Business Solutions, Inc. The topic of discussion: 7 things you can do to prepare for the mandatory salary increases. These changes are coming sooner than later. In an industry that is haunted with such little margins, the thought of a 25-30% increase in labor cost is down right frightening. The good news... you still have time to adapt and make changes in your restaurant that will help you survive and flourish. In this episode, the gentlemen and I share what changes we can make and what technologies we can leverage, to prepare for the future.