Transforming a Garage: Our Exciting Renovation Journey

This week on Chomp, we’re in Dallas, Texas, visiting the original Rusty Taco—where bold flavors, community spirit, and a love for tacos come together. We sit down with Denise Fenton, wife of founder Rusty Fenton, to hear the inspiring story behind the brand’s beginnings in a converted gas station. Plus, we chat with Daniel, the President of Rusty Taco, about what sets a great restaurant apart from a good one and how he’s driving the brand forward. From the heartwarming origins to the secrets behind their crave-worthy menu, we’ll explore what makes Rusty Taco a neighborhood favorite. With 35 locations across 12 states and counting, we also get an inside look at the franchise process, the power of atmosphere, and the strategy behind growing a brand while staying true to its roots. If you love tacos, great vibes, and business insights, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Free E-book A Guide: Transforming your Restaurants Operations https://restaurantassociation.com/library/transforming-restaurant-operations.pdf 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 Welcome to Rusty 01:59 Origin Story 05:02 Franchise Expansion 06:57 Community Engagement 08:06 Unique Menu 12:13 Brand Vision ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YouTube Playlists Chomp! Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLX2R45bRx7vxeZk_nju5h81 Secret Recipe Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLW4UYm6kED8F2ofac5dnYiY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get an inside look at restaurant operations, kitchen workflow, and brand strategy at Black Angus Steakhouse—an iconic steakhouse serving premium steaks for over 60 years. In this episode of CHOMP, we take a look behind the scenes to uncover how Black Angus grew from one location into a national steakhouse brand known for operational consistency, menu execution, and guest satisfaction. We sit down with Matt from Black Angus to talk growth strategy, multi-unit restaurant management, and how they deliver bold flavors at scale. Go inside the kitchen to see how they maintain quality with a controlled steak aging process, flame-grilled precision, and strong back-of-house systems. You’ll also see how Black Angus blends tradition with innovation—leveraging restaurant technology to enhance the dining experience, streamline front-of-house operations, and improve labor efficiency. If you’re a restaurant owner, GM, or hospitality leader looking to sharpen your systems, this episode is full of actionable insights. Free E Book Guide: Definitive Guide to Employee Retenion https://restaurantassociation.com/library/Definitive-Guide-To-Employee-Retention.pdf 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 00:18 Meeting Matt 02:28 Black Angus History 04:03 Signature Cocktails 06:19 Restaurant Atmosphere 09:08 Popular Dishes 12:28 Managing Costs 13:18 Hiring Insights 13:35 Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YouTube Playlists Chomp! Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLX2R45bRx7vxeZk_nju5h81 Secret Recipe Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLW4UYm6kED8F2ofac5dnYiY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this episode of CHOMP, we're diving into the heart of the pizza revolution with Sgt. Pepperoni, the local pizza joint that's taking the pie game to new heights. Led by founder Jeff Roberts, this concept blends old-school pizza traditions with a modern twist, creating unforgettable flavors that keep customers coming back for more. Join us as we sit down with Jeff to explore the origins of Sgt. Pepperoni and how his childhood pizza shop grew into the thriving business it is today. We’ll take you behind the counter to see how their signature New York-style pizza is made, from dough to toppings, and hear about the dedication to quality ingredients and bold flavors that sets them apart. Beyond the food, Sgt. Pepperoni is deeply committed to giving back to the community. For the past 11 years, Jeff and his team have donated to CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County), supporting pediatric care and helping families in need. It’s clear that the heart of the business isn’t just about pizza. Free E-book A Guide: How To Handle Absenteeism With Employee Absence Management https://restaurantassociation.com/lib... 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 01:23 Behind The Scenes 04:53 Pizza Showcase 07:34 Community Focus 14:44 Giving Back 16:25 Conclusion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YouTube Playlists Chomp! Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLX2R45bRx7vxeZk_nju5h81 Secret Recipe Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27icnkQZXLW4UYm6kED8F2ofac5dnYiY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------