Best Podcasts for Restaurant Marketing

Operating a restaurant is far more of an art than a science. While first-hand experience in the foodservice industry is irreplaceable when it comes to running a restaurant, there are certainly other ways owners and managers can put themselves in the best positions to succeed. One of these ways is through education. From books to videos to blogs, there are nearly endless resources that restauranteurs can learn from. One increasingly popular form of media that can broaden your scope of knowledge is a podcast. These free-flowing conversations usually feature a host and a revolving door of guests who are well-versed in specific topics like restaurant marketing and foodservice etiquette. And the best part about podcasts is how easy they are to consume. You can be driving, cooking, or even working out and still listen to a podcast. The following list includes 4 of the best podcasts for restauranteurs.  

Social Restaurant Podcast – Hosted by Nate Riggs

The Social Restaurant Podcast covers recent topics, trends, and innovations that impact the restaurant industry. Releasing a 30-60 minute episode each week, marketing guru Nate Riggs hosts the podcast and is joined by an executive, operator, owner, or chef who’s on the forefront of the evolving foodservice industry. While Riggs doesn’t quite have extensive experience when it comes to operating restaurants, he helped Bob Evans Restaurants grow by way of his innovative marketing strategies.

Topics covered by the Social Restaurant Podcast include “Restaurant Service Tips from an Expert,” “Hot Fast Casual Restaurant Trends,” “Local Store Marketing for Restaurants,” and much more. Although not every podcast will appeal to each restauranteur’s specific needs, there is certainly plenty of knowledge to gain from Riggs’ guests.

Profitable Hospitality – Hosted by Ken Burgin

Having recorded upwards of 300 podcasts since 2012, Ken Burgin has over 25 years of experience in hospitality. He is an expert on topics like staff, cost control, marketing, menu development, social media, and more. Ken’s pleasant Australian accent makes his Profitable Hospitality podcast a joy to listen to, and his guests specialize in subjects like marketing, management, and business development. For restauranteurs who are looking for advice on how to handle issues outside the kitchen, Profitable Hospitality is a great choice.

The Sporkful – Hosted by Dan Pashman

Author and three-time James Bead Award-nominated Dan Pashman hosts this podcast and fosters in-depth discussions that touch on topics like food, culture, body image, and more. Winner of the 2017 Webby Award for Best Lifestyle Podcast, The Sporkful features a guest list that includes chefs, food lovers, and even comedians. The one thing these guests have in common is their fascinating human interest stories. Compared to other podcasts on this list, Dan Pashman takes a more-laid back approach and focuses on entertainment more than education. While there’s still plenty to learn from The Sporkful, the podcast likely isn’t as beneficial to restauranteurs who are solely on a mission for knowledge.

Restaurant Unstoppable – Hosted by Eric Cacciatore

With nearly 500 podcast episodes now under his belt, Eric Cacciatore initially launched Restaurant Unstoppable to fill a void in the podcast universe. He yearned for a podcast that was motivational, and focused on restaurant professionals. After he got tired of waiting for it, Eric decided to make it himself.

Restaurant Unstoppable strives to provide restaurateurs with everything they need to operate a successful foodservice. On top of keeping listeners inspired, the podcast features guest appearances from chefs, owners, managers, and a litany of other foodservice professionals. It also touches on how to lead, manage, raise capital, recruit good employees, and become more efficient. Since there are so many episodes archived, there’s nearly no end to the ground Eric has already covered. Perhaps even more impressive, the host shows no signs of stopping.