

32 episodes
by Josh Kopel · English
What if I told you that the difference between struggling and thriving in the restaurant industry is just one conversation away? I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur who’s spent decades building blockbuster brands across every tier of dining. I know the challenges you’re facing—because I’ve been there. That’s why I created FULL COMP. Every week, I go one-on-one with the smartest minds in the game: restaurateurs, chefs, and industry insiders who’ve cracked the code. Together, we unpack their biggest wins, hardest lessons, and the strategies that changed everything. No fluff, no filler—just actionable insights to help you boost profits, build your brand, and create the kind of restaurant you’ve always dreamed of. So, if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start seeing results, hit subscribe.

Nick Wong and Lisa Lee discuss why they opened Agnes & Sherman in Houston “on purpose” at age 40, rejecting FOMO, using a category-of-one concept, and building a team-first restaurant model (two days…
21 Aug 2026 · 44m · 15 chapters
Dave Shah and Camila Caremoli discuss why they built Casa Dami as one “unforgettable” restaurant (not 20 locations), how they used real-time guest feedback to pivot, and how branding and culture…
18 Aug 2026 · 35m · 15 chapters
Hamed Mazrouei argues that “thin margins” in restaurants aren’t inevitable; they’re often driven by volume, retention, and misapplied assumptions.
14 Aug 2026 · 39m · 18 chapters
Ryan Volberg argues restaurants should grow revenue by increasing frequency and retaining high-value guests, not by chasing new customers or relying on discounts.
11 Aug 2026 · 41m · 18 chapters
How smaller restaurants can win—using tight scale, talent-first concepts, and operator ownership to grow while avoiding margin and rent pressure; includes practical “equations” for opening/closing…
7 Aug 2026 · 37m · 16 chapters
Jon Murray argues restaurants underuse AI and underinvest in people.
4 Aug 2026 · 38m · 15 chapters
Tobin Ellis argues that restaurants’ “labor problems” are often caused by bar design—workflow bottlenecks, poor ergonomics, and inefficient bar geometry that reduce bartender speed and guest…
31 Jul 2026 · 41m · 19 chapters
Helen Johannesen argues that restaurant “ownership” is often misunderstood as a win; it’s a complex, risky commitment that many teams can’t sustain.
28 Jul 2026 · 39m · 19 chapters