In this episode of ‘Hospitality & Politics,’ powered by the New York City Hospitality Alliance, Andrew Rigie chats with Jeffrey Bank, CEO of the Alicart Restaurant Group (Carmines and Virgil’s), and Bill Bonbrest, former Chief Performance Officer at Tao Group and current president of the NYC Hospitality Alliance. The conversation covers the evolution of the restaurant industry, exploring changes from a historical perspective and examining current challenges, including regulatory issues, and labor dynamics. The dialogue also highlights the importance of building a supportive organizational culture, the role of mentorship, and the need for effective advocacy to ensure the sustainability of independent restaurants.

https://www.thenycalliance.org/

TIMESTAMPS: 

00:00 Introduction to Hospitality and Politics

00:09 Meet the Founding Members

00:31 Humorous Beginnings

01:15 Jeff and Bill's Early Days

02:27 State of the Restaurant Industry

03:50 Challenges and Changes in Hospitality

05:46 Owner's Mindset and Employee Development

08:08 Training and Culture in Restaurants

13:36 Consistency and Growth Strategies

22:06 Importance of Location and Leases

27:18 Support and Advice for Restaurateurs

31:06 Joining the Alliance: A Community of Like-Minded Individuals

31:21 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Hospitality

31:50 Bill's Journey: From Cornell to Carmines

33:47 Mentorship and Networking in the Restaurant Industry

36:29 Spotlight on Emerging Restaurateurs

39:23 Challenges and Realities of Running a Restaurant

40:45 Navigating Regulatory Hurdles in New York City

41:57 The Impact of Outdoor Dining Regulations

45:58 Advocacy and the Role of the Hospitality Alliance

58:01 The Future of the Restaurant Industry

01:02:03 Concluding Thoughts and Predictions

#newyorkcity #restaurant #politics #hospital #business #smallbusiness