Episodes

  • Ep. 111 The Lost Art of Restaurant Orientation

    Ep. 111 The Lost Art of Restaurant Orientation
    Jun 26 2026
    On today’s episode of The Cutting Onions Podcast, Myles and I continue to the conversation about the basics of the business and talk about the lost art of restaurant orientations.
    This is a basic fundamental of the business that is crucial to having engaged, inspired, and excellent team members.
    Here is some of what we talked about in our conversation:
    • Technology (LMS, onboarding software) is a useful tool, but cannot replace human conversation, eye contact, and culture transfer
    • The industry has drifted toward mistaking the administrative package for a real orientation
    • Orientation is the first promise leadership makes to a new team member
    • Follow-up orientation is where you prove you meant it
    • Culture immersion starts in the interview process and continues through the orientation.
    Our challenge to you this week: Talk to your newest team member and ask these powerful questions:
    1. Is there anything we could have done differently to improve your onboarding?
    2. What was confusing or unclear?
    3. Who has helped you the most?
    This signals your openness to feedback early. Then pick one thing, fix it, and circle back to let them know you made the change.

    As Myles said, the orientation sets the tone for how the rest of the employment experience will go.
    Check out this conversation wherever you consume your podcast content!
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • 111. The Lost Art of Restaurant Orientation

    111. The Lost Art of Restaurant Orientation
    Jun 26 2026
    On today’s episode of The Cutting Onions Podcast, Myles and I continue to the conversation about the basics of the business and talk about the lost art of restaurant orientations.This is a basic fundamental of the business that is crucial to having engaged, inspired, and excellent team members.Here is some of what we talked about in our conversation:
    • Technology (LMS, onboarding software) is a useful tool, but cannot replace human conversation, eye contact, and culture transfer
    • The industry has drifted toward mistaking the administrative package for a real orientation
    • Orientation is the first promise leadership makes to a new team member
    • Follow-up orientation is where you prove you meant it
    • Culture immersion starts in the interview process and continues through the orientation.
    Our challenge to you this week: Talk to your newest team member and ask these powerful questions:
    1. Is there anything we could have done differently to make your onboarding better?
    2. What was confusing or unclear?
    3. Who has helped you the most?
    This signals your openness to feedback early. Then, pick one thing and fix it, and circle back to let them know you made the change.As Myles said, the orientation sets the tone for how the rest of the employment experience will go.Check out this conversation wherever you consume your podcast content!
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Ep. 110 The Return of Operational Discipline

    Ep. 110 The Return of Operational Discipline
    Jun 11 2026
    Today on The Cutting Onions Podcast, Myles and I talk about the return of operational discipline.
    Here’s what we know:
    • Restaurants are entering a season where fundamentals matter more than ever.
    • Technology, AI, dashboards, kiosks, loyalty platforms, delivery, and automation are all useful tools, but they do not replace the discipline of running a great shift.
    • The winning operators will consistently execute labor, food cost, cleanliness, speed, hospitality, prep, manager presence, opening routines, closing routines, and daily communication.
    • Operational discipline is not old-school. It is the foundation that makes growth, hospitality, and technology actually work.
    The big question we ask is this…

    “Have we accidentally made restaurant leadership too complicated by chasing every new tool, trend, and technology — when what our teams really need first is clarity, standards, and a manager who is present?”

    Spoiler Alert: We don’t think so, but this is a good gut check for all leaders to make sure that we stay focused on the fundamentals.

    We can use technology as an accelerator to make us more efficient, but nothing will replace the basics. It can support what we do operationally, but it can’t replace what we do as leaders.

    All these years later, after leading hundreds of restaurants, we still believe some of the most important leadership lessons are hiding inside those basic routines.

    We hope you enjoy this episode! You can listen in wherever you consume your podcast content.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • 110. The Return of Operational Discipline

    110. The Return of Operational Discipline
    Jun 11 2026
    Today on The Cutting Onions Podcast, Myles and I talk about the return of operational discipline. Here’s what we know:
    • Restaurants are entering a season where fundamentals matter more than ever.
    • Technology, AI, dashboards, kiosks, loyalty platforms, delivery, and automation are all useful tools, but they do not replace the discipline of running a great shift.
    • The winning operators will consistently execute labor, food cost, cleanliness, speed, hospitality, prep, manager presence, opening routines, closing routines, and daily communication.
    • Operational discipline is not old-school. It is the foundation that makes growth, hospitality, and technology actually work.
    The big question we ask is this…“Have we accidentally made restaurant leadership too complicated by chasing every new tool, trend, and technology — when what our teams really need first is clarity, standards, and a manager who is present?”Spoiler Alert: We don’t think so, but this is a good gut check for all leaders to make sure that we stay focused on the fundamentals. We can use technology as an accelerator to make us more efficient, but nothing will replace the basics. It can support what we do operationally, but it can’t replace what we do as leaders.All these years later, after leading hundreds of restaurants, we still believe some of the most important leadership lessons are hiding inside those basic routines.We hope you enjoy this episode! You can listen in wherever you consume your podcast content.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Ep. 109 Simplifying Leadership with Jason Brooks

    Ep. 109 Simplifying Leadership with Jason Brooks
    Jun 6 2026
    Welcome to The Cutting Onions Podcast! On today's episode we are excited to feature our conversation with restaurant executive and author, Jason Brooks.

    Jason has an incredible leadership story, which we get into on the podcast and it's equal parts inspiring and tactical. Jason has just written a new book titled "The Simplicity of Leadership" and it is fantastic.

    The Simplicity of Leadership is built around one core premise: Complexity kills. Simplicity scales.
    Jason’s message is that leadership does not have to be heavy, over-engineered, or buried under frameworks, meetings, reports, and corporate language. The work of a leader is to simplify the noise so people can focus, grow, communicate clearly, feel valued, own accountability, and build something that lasts. He frames the book around four leadership lanes: mindset, people, accountability, and legacy.

    Jason opens by grounding the book in his own hospitality journey, from server to executive leadership with Outback/Bloomin’ Brands, eventually overseeing 150 locations and nearly 10,000 hourly team members. His credibility comes from lived operational experience, not theory.

    The book is written as a practical playbook for leaders who want better results by subtracting the unnecessary rather than constantly adding more.

    Please check out Jason's ⁠website⁠ to learn more about what Jason is up to and connect with him on LinkedIn to follow along with the insights, industry updates, and lessons from the hospitality industry.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • 109. Simplifying Leadership with Jason Brooks

    109. Simplifying Leadership with Jason Brooks
    Jun 6 2026
    Welcome to The Cutting Onions Podcast! On today's episode we are excited to feature our conversation with restaurant executive and author, Jason Brooks.Jason has an incredible leadership story, which we get into on the podcast and it's equal parts inspiring and tactical. Jason has just written a new book titled "The Simplicity of Leadership" and it is fantastic.The Simplicity of Leadership is built around one core premise:Complexity kills. Simplicity scales.Jason’s message is that leadership does not have to be heavy, over-engineered, or buried under frameworks, meetings, reports, and corporate language. The work of a leader is to simplify the noise so people can focus, grow, communicate clearly, feel valued, own accountability, and build something that lasts. He frames the book around four leadership lanes: mindset, people, accountability, and legacy. Jason opens by grounding the book in his own hospitality journey, from server to executive leadership with Outback/Bloomin’ Brands, eventually overseeing 150 locations and nearly 10,000 hourly team members. His credibility comes from lived operational experience, not theory. The book is written as a practical playbook for leaders who want better results by subtracting the unnecessary rather than constantly adding more.Please check out Jason's website to learn more about what Jason is up to and connect with him on LinkedIn to follow along with the insights, industry updates, and lessons from the hospitality industry.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • Ep. 108 Gratitude and Grit: The Two Engines of Leadership

    Ep. 108 Gratitude and Grit: The Two Engines of Leadership
    Jun 2 2026
    Welcome back to The Cutting Onions Podcast.

    In today’s episode, we’re talking about Gratitude and Grit: The Two Engines of Leadership.
    Because leadership is not just about pushing harder, and it’s not just about staying positive. It takes both. Gratitude keeps us grounded, humble, and connected to the people around us. Grit keeps us moving when the work gets hard, the pressure builds, and the outcome is not guaranteed.

    The best leaders learn how to carry both.

    Gratitude reminds us of what matters. Grit reminds us to keep going. And when leaders bring those two together, they create the kind of culture people want to be part of.

    So this week, ask yourself: Where do I need more gratitude? And where do I need more grit?
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • 108. Gratitude & Grit: The Two Engines of Leadership

    108. Gratitude & Grit: The Two Engines of Leadership
    Jun 2 2026
    Welcome back to The Cutting Onions Podcast.In today’s episode, we’re talking about Gratitude and Grit: The Two Engines of Leadership.Because leadership is not just about pushing harder, and it’s not just about staying positive. It takes both. Gratitude keeps us grounded, humble, and connected to the people around us. Grit keeps us moving when the work gets hard, the pressure builds, and the outcome is not guaranteed.The best leaders learn how to carry both.Gratitude reminds us of what matters. Grit reminds us to keep going. And when leaders bring those two together, they create the kind of culture people want to be part of.So this week, ask yourself: Where do I need more gratitude? And where do I need more grit?
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr