The Best Source for Industry News, Insider Info, and Operations Tips for Restaurant Owners and Foodservice Leaders | Restaurant Association

From food truck to restaurant success — in this episode of CHOMP, we sit down with the founder of The Cut Handcrafted Burgers to explore how they scaled a mobile concept into a thriving brick-and-mortar operation. If you're a restaurant owner, food truck operator, or aspiring restaurateur, this episode is packed with real-world insights on branding, menu development, customer experience, and business growth strategies. Topics covered: Transitioning from food truck to storefront Creating a standout burger menu Building a team and brand that scales Operational tips for growth-minded restaurateurs #restaurantmanagement #restaurantgrowth #restaurantsuccess #restaurantmarketing The Restaurant Association is dedicated to helping you enhance your restaurant's sales, profits, and operations through a wealth of in-depth content tailored for professionals in operations, HR, IT, finance, and marketing. Membership is completely free—just sign up on the official website to access valuable resources, including weekly restaurant hacks, tips, tutorials, strategies, and secrets. As a member, you'll also gain access to exclusive shows, eLearning courses, webinars, and operations templates designed to elevate your restaurant's performance. Website: https://restaurantassociation.com/ Free Membership! https://restaurantassociation.com/unified/signup/ Shows https://restaurantassociation.com/shows eLearning Courses https://training.restaurantassociation.com Webinars https://webinar.restaurantassociation.com Operations Templates https://restaurantassociation.com/templates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Video Chapters: 0:00 Intro & Food Truck Beginnings 1:15 Founder’s Story 3:40 Finding the Perfect Burger Concept 7:05 Transition to Brick‑and‑Mortar 10:20 Scaling & Expansion 13:45 Building a Community & Culture 17:00 Lessons Learned & Future Plans 19:30 Outro & Final Bite ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YouTube Playlists Chomp! Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLX2R45bRx7vxeZk_nju5h81 Secret Recipe Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLW4UYm6kED8F2ofac5dnYiY The Restaurant Pulse: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLXNiMxu68j27LmAIHaMthZF ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learn how to confidently open a restaurant without experience by focusing on customers, concept, team, location, planning, and learning.

Learn four proven strategies to boost restaurant sales through marketing, loyalty, upselling, and value-driven pricing without overwhelming operations.

Discover the Best POS Systems for 2025 to improve restaurant efficiency, reduce errors, manage staff, and support business growth.

Chop Stop reveals the secrets to profitable restaurant growth, scalable fast casual operations, healthy QSR menus, and efficient systems for restaurant owners, operators, and food entrepreneurs. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Chop Stop cracked the code on building a high-margin, scalable healthy fast casual restaurant brand. Learn how they’ve optimized every part of the business—from labor efficiency and ingredient sourcing to real estate and branding—to thrive in today’s competitive restaurant landscape. In this episode: How Chop Stop ensures profitability with a simplified, craveable menu Why scalability starts with streamlined operations Lessons for franchise growth and multi-unit expansion Insights every restaurant owner and food business entrepreneur should hear Whether you're running a single-unit concept or planning to scale nationwide, this episode delivers real-world strategies for succeeding in the modern QSR and fast casual industry. The Restaurant Association is dedicated to helping you enhance your restaurant's sales, profits, and operations through a wealth of in-depth content tailored for professionals in operations, HR, IT, finance, and marketing. Membership is completely free—just sign up on the official website to access valuable resources, including weekly restaurant hacks, tips, tutorials, strategies, and secrets. As a member, you'll also gain access to exclusive shows, eLearning courses, webinars, and operations templates designed to elevate your restaurant's performance. Website: https://restaurantassociation.com/ Free Membership! https://restaurantassociation.com/unified/signup/ Shows https://restaurantassociation.com/shows eLearning Courses https://training.restaurantassociation.com Webinars https://webinar.restaurantassociation.com Operations Templates https://restaurantassociation.com/templates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Video Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Meet the Team 01:10 Inventory Innovations 01:37 Chop Stop History 03:37 Menu Mastery 05:38 Operational Insights 08:50 Customer Engagement 14:47 Concluding Moments ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YouTube Playlists Chomp! Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLX2R45bRx7vxeZk_nju5h81 Secret Recipe Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLW4UYm6kED8F2ofac5dnYiY The Restaurant Pulse: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLXNiMxu68j27LmAIHaMthZF ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to successfully scale a food franchise by focusing on authenticity, simplicity, and consistency with German-Style Doner Kebabs.

How to successfully scale a food franchise by focusing on authenticity, simplicity, and consistency with German-Style Doener Kebabs.

Photo by Natasha Vasiljeva on Unsplash

Explore how Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is expanding internationally and experiencing rapid franchise growth.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Learn how to improve restaurant operations, boost franchise growth, and enhance guest experience based on the experience of industry veteran Michael Meche.

Explore the remarkable expansion journey of Dave's Hot Chicken and its strategic investment by Roark in the dynamic restaurant industry landscape.