Rephonic
Artwork for The Return
Hospitality
Leadership
Guest Experience
Bar Taco
Hospitality Industry
Labor Cost
Hiring
Location Intelligence
Site Selection
Covers Per Labor Hour
Real-Time Data
Opus Training
Loyalty Programs
Fourth Place Concept
Ovation
Curiosity
Culture
Sales Per Labor Hour
Restaurant Industry
Elliott Group

Most hospitality shows sound like a conference panel that never ends. Everyone nods along. Nobody actually risks anything. You forget it before you reach your car.

The Return runs the other way.

I spent my career on the floor, not in a studio, and that's the whole point. Every episode picks a fight the industry would rather avoid. The guest matters more than the employee. Margin erosion isn't a ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes11Founded4 months ago
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BusinessManagement

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Artwork for The Return

Latest Episodes

We measure the wrong things in this business and then act shocked when the math quits on us.

Covers. Average check. Labor as a percentage. Every one of them looks backward, and every one of them can be juiced for a quarter while the real problem kee... more

In this episode, JJ Perino of TwoTen Strategy discusses the evolving approach to site selection, emphasizing the importance of understanding what locations communicate about a brand beyond traditional metrics.

He explores how data, customer behavio... more

This episode explores the challenges of hiring and talent retention in the hospitality and restaurant industry with Rikin Lakhani, a seasoned operator and recruiter.

It emphasizes the importance of trust, understanding the candidate's holistic prof... more

Jim Taylor challenges traditional labor cost metrics in restaurants, emphasizing the importance of understanding labor as an output rather than an input.

This conversation explores innovative approaches to managing labor, improving employee satisfa... more

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Recent Guests

JJ Perino
Founder of TwoTen Strategy, focused on location intelligence and brand strategy
TwoTen Strategy
Episode: How Location Shapes Brand Perception
Rikin Lakhani
Advisor on talent and leadership in hospitality, part of the Elliott Group, and operator in hospitality ventures
The Elliott Group / Hospitality operator
Episode: The Hidden Challenges of Hiring in Hospitality: Beyond Resumes
Jim Taylor
Founder of Benchmark 60; author of Bold Operations
Benchmark 60
Episode: The Labor Lie...
Brandon Coleman
Leader who has guided major brands through instability and growth
Episode: The Biggest Threat to a Turnaround Isn't the Business. It's the Leader
Landon Lynch
Leadership psychologist and author contributing expertise on leadership psychology, identity, and growth.
Episode: The Most Underrated Leadership Skill Nobody Is Training For
Zach Oates
CEO of Ovation
Ovation
Episode: Your Feedback Is Lying to You
Curt Goldman
Founder/partner at Bar Taco brand, beverage expert
Bar Taco
Episode: Less Is More: Why Simplicity and Authenticity Are Winning the Beverage Game
Peter Newlin
Creative thought leader in hospitality and conceptual mind behind Gastamo concepts
Gastamo (guest company/initiative)
Episode: The Fourth Place: What It Actually Takes to Make Guests Feel at Home
Scott Lawdon
Co-founder of Bar Taco, brand-builder known for making people-focused, unsexy decisions that guests feel
Bar Taco
Episode: Why the Guest Experience Is Still the Only Real Advantage

Host

Anthony
Host of The Return

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why the Guest Experience Is Still the Only Real Advantage
Q: What is the best piece of advice you wish you had taken earlier in your career?
Not to run two concepts at once and to heed mentorship; focus and trusted guidance are crucial for sustainable growth.
Why the Guest Experience Is Still the Only Real Advantage
Q: What moment or lesson most changed how you serve guests?
Learning from Barcelona about zoning and staying in your area to ensure servers can engage meaningfully with guests, which helps staff shine and guests feel attended to.
Why the Guest Experience Is Still the Only Real Advantage
Q: What do you think a common belief about building a great restaurant brand that is actually wrong?
Overstandardization kills soul; brands need human quirks and a personal touch to connect with guests, which is essential for a lasting brand identity.
Your Feedback Is Lying to You
Q: What is the most recommended or gifted book?
Unreasonable Hospitality, followed closely by Set in the Table; both emphasize the power of exceptional service and thoughtful leadership in hospitality.
Your Feedback Is Lying to You
Q: What has been your best purchase under $100?
A pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses recommended by a colleague, which symbolizes practical, high-quality daily gear that supports a busy lifestyle, much like reliable tools in hospitality operations.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Professions
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Return

What is The Return about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show targets hospitality operators, executives, and practitioners who want tough, on-the-floor strategies rather than polished conference-room chatter. Episodes frequently challenge conventional wisdom around labor, guest experience, brand strategy, and leadership, often featuring practitioners who've built or turned around restaurants, hotels, and concepts. The conversations mix data-driven insights with real-world storytelling, practical frameworks, and hard questions about value creation, culture, and guest loyalty. A standout feature is the emphasis on human-centred leadership, with guests ranging from talent advisors and brand builders to operators and psychologists, all focused on actionable takeaways rather than abstract theory.... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Return?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Return. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Return and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Return get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Return?

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How many subscribers and views does The Return have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Return has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Return?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Return:

1. The Daily

How many episodes of The Return are there?

The Return launched 4 months ago and published 11 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Return?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Return from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Return. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Return?

Recent guests on The Return include:

1. JJ Perino
2. Rikin Lakhani
3. Jim Taylor
4. Brandon Coleman
5. Landon Lynch
6. Zach Oates
7. Curt Goldman
8. Peter Newlin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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