Podcasting continues to grow in popularity across the U.S., with nearly 70 million people tuning in to podcasts in 2023. This number is expected to climb even higher, surpassing 110 million listeners by 2029.
As a restaurant owner, podcasts are an excellent way to gain a deep dive into the latest food trends and lessons learned from the most successful restaurateurs. These podcasts feature guests ranging from industry veterans to emerging voices.
In this guide, I’ll share the 16 best restaurant podcasts to help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving foodservice landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Listen to Podcasts as an Essential Learning Tool: Podcasts offer restaurant owners a flexible way to stay informed. With U.S. podcast users projected to reach 113.62 million by 2029, podcasts are a powerful tool for gaining industry insights, learning effective strategies, and staying up-to-date with trends.
- Maximize Podcast Value by Listening Consistently: Set aside time each week to catch up on your favorite podcasts. Consistency is key to fully benefiting from actionable advice and implementing strategies that can improve your restaurant’s performance.
- Choose Podcasts with Practical, Actionable Advice: The best restaurant podcasts provide actionable tips on key areas such as revenue growth, customer experience, and restaurant operations that can be directly applied to your business. Look for such podcasts and take actionable steps to improve your restaurant’s performance.
- Engage with Industry Experts Through Podcasts: Podcasts often feature expert guests, including successful and famous restaurant owners, who offer valuable insights into how they achieved their success. Take advantage of these episodes to learn from those who have been where you are and can offer proven strategies and advice.
- Expand Knowledge Beyond the Restaurant Industry: To truly thrive, restaurant owners can benefit from podcasts in other areas like leadership, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Podcasts on these topics can help you become a more well-rounded business leader, improving your ability to manage teams, market your brand, and drive business growth.
- Promote Professional Development by Sharing Podcasts with Your Team: Share insightful podcast episodes with your staff to foster professional growth and development across your team. It’s a great way to ensure everyone is aligned on restaurant trends, best practices for customer service, and operational improvements.
- Track Industry Trends and Adapt Quickly: The food and beverage industry is constantly evolving. Podcasts are a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of trends like food innovations, restaurant technology integration (including online ordering systems and QR code menus), and shifts in customer preferences, allowing you to adapt quickly to new opportunities or challenges.
What Are Restaurant Podcasts?
Restaurant podcasts are audio programs—usually released as weekly podcast episodes—focused on the business of running restaurants. They feature interviews with successful owners, chefs, consultants, and industry thought leaders who share advice and stories.
For a busy restaurant owner, podcasts offer a flexible way to learn during commutes, kitchen prep, or off-hours.
What Restaurant Owners Can Gain from Listening to Podcasts?
Listening to podcasts can help successful independent restaurant owners gain valuable insights without having to set aside large blocks of time for formal learning.
With episodes available on demand, owners can easily absorb new ideas while on the go, during commutes, or while managing daily operations. These podcasts provide flexible learning opportunities, enabling restaurant owners to discover innovative ideas, stay informed about the latest industry trends, and implement practical strategies that can drive business growth and maintain a competitive edge.
Below, I’ve included statistics to highlight the growing influence of podcasts and their impact on shaping the restaurant and hospitality industry.
- Podcast Popularity Among Adults: As of 2025, 70% of Americans aged 12 and older have listened to a podcast, with 55% being monthly listeners.
- Learning Benefits: A recent survey revealed that a majority of business owners regularly listen to podcasts, with 55% considering them an integral part of their daily routine. This makes podcasts an excellent medium for restaurant owners who want to stay ahead of trends and continuously develop new skills.
- Restaurant Industry Growth: The U.S. restaurant industry is projected to generate $1.5 trillion in sales by 2025, underscoring the importance of restaurant owners staying informed and adaptable to emerging trends. Restaurant podcasts are a valuable resource for gaining the insights needed to navigate this growth and stay competitive in an evolving market.
What Makes a Good Restaurant Podcast?
Not all restaurant podcasts are created equal. To get the most out of your listening experience, you should focus on podcasts that meet specific criteria:
- Practical, Actionable Advice: The best podcasts offer clear, implementable strategies that you can apply directly to your restaurant. Whether it’s improving your menu design and leveraging menu engineering, increasing average restaurant revenue, or optimizing operations, podcasts should provide insights you can put into action immediately.
- Expert Guests and Industry Leaders: Podcasts featuring interviews with successful restaurant owners, chefs, and industry professionals offer real-world wisdom. Look for shows where guests share their personal experiences, including their struggles and triumphs.
- Quality Production: A well-produced podcast is easy to listen to and professional in sound quality. Poor audio or distracting production can detract from the learning experience, so prioritize clear and polished podcasts.
- Relevant Topics and Fresh Perspectives: A good restaurant podcast should cover relevant and timely topics that offer fresh perspectives. Whether it’s emerging trends, technological advancements, or restaurant customer service strategies, ensure the content stays up-to-date with current industry shifts.
- Consistency and Regular Updates: Podcasts that release episodes on a consistent schedule— whether weekly, biweekly, or monthly —provide a steady flow of new information. Regular updates help you stay informed on the latest developments and strategies.
Top 16 Restaurant Podcasts
In this section, I’ll highlight 16 of the top restaurant podcasts that offer new insight into the industry. Each podcast is hosted by industry experts or experienced restaurateurs, offering valuable tips and practical strategies to help you expand your customer base and enhance your business operations.
Below, you’ll find a brief overview of each podcast, along with its current rating on Apple Podcasts.
1. Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast
The Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast, hosted by Eric Cacciatore, features top restaurant entrepreneurs and professionals sharing their secrets to success.
Released twice a week, the podcast covers essential topics such as leadership, management, and restaurant marketing to help you build and sustain a thriving dining establishment.
With insights, tips, and resources from industry experts, it’s a valuable tool for anyone looking to turn their restaurant dreams into reality.
- Hosted by: Eric Cacciatore
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.9/5
2. FULL COMP: The Voice of the Restaurant Industry Revolution
It is a weekly podcast hosted by Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur with decades of experience in building successful brands.
Each episode features candid conversations with top restaurateurs, chefs, and leaders from and outside the restaurant industry, uncovering their biggest wins, lessons learned, practical tips, and strategies for success.
With actionable insights, Josh helps you improve restaurant profits, grow your brand, and build the restaurant of your dreams.
- Hosted by: Josh Kopel
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.9/5
3. Restaurant Strategy
The Restaurant Strategy Podcast is dedicated to helping independent restaurant owners increase profitability with actionable insights on restaurant operations and marketing.
Hosted by industry expert Chip Klose, the podcast features over 300 episodes. With two episodes every week, Chip covers everything from streamlining operations to effective marketing, providing the tools you need to elevate your restaurant business.
- Hosted by: Chip Klose
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.9/5
4. Restaurant Owners Uncorked
Restaurant Owners Uncorked is a hospitality podcast that brings together successful independent restaurant owners and restaurant franchise executives to share their stories, advice, and lessons learned.
Hosted by Schedulefly, a company renowned for its restaurant scheduling software, the podcast offers valuable insights into the challenges and strategies that drive success in the food and beverage industry.
- Hosted by: Wil Brawley, a partner at Schedulefly
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.7/5
5. The Hospitality Hangout
The Hospitality Hangout is a podcast hosted by “The Restaurant Guy” and “The Finance Guy,” where they discuss the latest in hospitality, food service, technology, and investment.
Each week, they feature entertaining and informative conversations with industry insiders, covering topics like new brands, industry trends, and restaurant success stories.
- Hosted by: Michael “Shatzy” Schatzberg (“The Restaurant Guy”) & Jimmy Frischling (“The Finance Guy”)
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 5/5
6. Secret Sauce – The Restaurant Marketing Podcast
Secret Sauce – The Restaurant Marketing Podcast delves into the key ingredients that comprise your restaurant’s secret to success.
From SEO and restaurant social media marketing to menu engineering and restaurant partnerships, this podcast dives into the strategies that can help you attract new customers and turn them into loyal repeat visitors.
- Hosted by: James Eling
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.9/5
7. The Restaurant Coach Podcast
Donald Burns, also known as “The Restaurant Coach,” offers practical advice on restaurant leadership, efficiency, and building a profitable culture.
With his years of experience in the industry, Donald provides actionable strategies that help restaurant owners and managers enhance operations, build strong teams, and develop their leadership skills.
- Hosted by: Donald Burns
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.3/5
8. The Digital Restaurant
The Digital Restaurant podcast delves into the impact of technology on the restaurant industry, exploring both the benefits and challenges it brings.
From restaurant POS systems to customer experience tools, this podcast explores the latest innovations transforming the way restaurants operate.
- Hosted by: Carl Orsbourn and Meredith Sandland
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.8/5
9. Restaurant Daily
Restaurant Daily is a concise, weekday podcast delivering essential foodservice industry news in just five minutes.
Produced by the editors of Restaurant Business and Nation’s Restaurant News, it offers a quick and informative roundup of the latest headlines, trends, and developments.
With over 1,100 episodes, it serves as a valuable resource for busy professionals.
- Hosted by: Editors of Nation’s Restaurant News & Restaurant Business
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.7/5
10. The Pre-Shift
Pre-shift is a podcast dedicated to building strong restaurant teams, hosted by D. J. Costantino. In each episode, restaurant operators and restaurant industry leaders share their experiences, strategies, and lessons on leading successful teams.
Presented by 7shifts, this podcast offers valuable insights on creating a positive work culture and improving team dynamics.
- Hosted by: D. J. Costantino. Presented by 7shifts.
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 5/5
11. Closed Monday
Closed Monday is a podcast that dives deep into the challenges and strategies behind scaling a restaurant business. Hosted by Kyle Inserra, each episode features top restaurant operators who share their real-world playbooks for scaling from a single location to multiple units.
With a focus on practical advice, the podcast covers a wide range of topics, including site selection, systems, restaurant financing, and team building.
- Hosted by: Kyle Inserra
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 5/5
12. Extra Serving: A Restaurant Industry Podcast
Extra Serving is a weekly podcast hosted by the editorial team at Nation’s Restaurant News. Each episode covers the latest and most relevant topics in foodservice, including emerging chains, food trends, technology, and more.
Extra Serving provides a weekly roundup of the most important headlines, featuring a diverse lineup of guests, including restaurant owners, operators, CEOs, founders, chefs, and other industry experts.
- Hosted by: Nation’s Restaurant News editorial team
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4/5
13. Smart Pizza Marketing
The Smart Pizza Marketing Podcast, hosted by Bruce Irving, is a go-to resource for restaurant and pizzeria owners aiming to harness the power of social media to grow their businesses.
With over 500 episodes, the podcast provides practical insights into leveraging platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for restaurants to attract and retain customers.
- Hosted by: Bruce Irving
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.9/5
14. The Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast
The Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, hosted by Jeremy Julian, offers actionable insights into the intersection of technology and the restaurant industry.
With over 280 episodes, the podcast features discussions with industry leaders on topics such as digital transformation, restaurant inventory management, employee training, and customer experience.
Recent episodes have explored innovations such as AI-driven inventory solutions, restaurant marketing strategies, and the role of technology in enhancing dining experiences.
- Hosted by: Jeremy Julian and Team
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.7/5
15. The Feed
The Feed podcast, hosted by Matt Newberg of HNGRY, explores the intersection of food and technology through in-depth conversations with industry insiders.
Each episode highlights how technological innovations, such as QR code menus, online ordering systems, and other digital tools, are transforming the way we dine.
- Hosted by: Matt Newberg
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 5/5
16. Restaurant Rockstars Podcast
The Restaurant Rockstars Podcast, hosted by Roger Beaudoin, is a must-listen for restaurateurs aiming to elevate their business.
With over 25 years of experience, Roger shares actionable strategies on customer service, finances, and marketing to help restaurant owners increase profitability and operational efficiency.
Each episode features insights from industry leaders and fellow restaurateurs, offering practical advice on topics such as menu design, staff training, and restaurant branding.
- Hosted by: Roger Beaudoin
- Apple Podcasts Rating: 4.3/5
