When restaurant burnout hits its peak, what comes next can be your most powerful transformation. In episode 130 of The Restaurant Prosperity Formula podcast, I flip the script, literally. Longtime restaurateur and community favorite Bob Cady takes over the mic to interview me in a deeply personal and insightful conversation. We dive headfirst into the mindset challenges that make or break independent restaurant owners, the pivotal moments that lead to transformation, and why systems alone won’t save your business unless your brain is in the game. Whether you're exhausted from years in the trenches or just hitting your stride, this episode is a raw and energizing look at what it really takes to create a prosperous, sustainable business.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – America’s Best Restaurants: https://dsp.coach/ABR-podcast

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

Ever wonder why some restaurants seem to hum along like a perfectly tuned engine while others grind through each shift with staff drama and burnout? In this episode of “The Restaurant Prosperity Formula” podcast, I dig into one of the most overlooked drivers of restaurant profitability and long-term success: staff well-being. This isn’t fluff. It’s about results — better retention, higher morale, and ultimately, more money in your pocket. You’ll learn why mental health, work-life balance and building a culture of safety and recognition aren’t just good intentions — they’re mission-critical strategies for thriving in today’s restaurant industry.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – America’s Best Restaurants: https://dsp.coach/ABR-podcast

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

What does it take to save a restaurant that’s drowning in costs, even when customers love your food and rave about your beer? In this episode of the Restaurant Prosperity Formula Podcast, I sit down with Ian McCall of ISM Brewing to unpack his journey from overwhelmed restaurateur to confident, profitable business owner. Ian’s story is a wake-up call for every restaurant and bar owner who thinks passion alone is enough to survive. In this episode, we reveal the behind-the-scenes struggles Ian faced and the game-changing moves he made to transform his brewpub into a success story—proving that with the right systems and mindset, you really can take control of your restaurant and your life.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – America’s Best Restaurants: https://dsp.coach/ABR-podcast

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

When restaurant owners dream of freedom from the grind — financial, operational and emotional — what they really need is a system. In episode 127 of the “Restaurant Prosperity Formula Podcast,” I sat down with CJ Lewis, co-founder and COO of Jolt, a restaurant operations platform that has redefined how accountability, food safety and systems should work in the real world. If you’ve ever struggled to get your team to follow checklists, keep temps in line or stay consistent without you breathing down their neck, this episode is for you. Lewis shares how Jolt was born out of frustration — and a $10,000 ice cream meltdown — and how it’s evolved into a must-have for restaurant operators serious about success.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – America’s Best Restaurants: https://dsp.coach/ABR-podcast

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

What happens when the coach becomes the one in the hot seat? In this episode of “The Restaurant Prosperity Formula,” we shake things up with a special “Flip the Table” segment. This time, the questions come from restaurant owner Jeff Fitter, a straight-shooting operator with a knack for digging deep and cutting through the fluff. If you’ve ever wondered how restaurant coaching works behind the scenes, how to become a stronger leader in your restaurant, or how to truly build a business that serves your life — not the other way around — this is the episode for you.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – America’s Best Restaurants: https://dsp.coach/ABR-podcast

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

Let’s be real — this industry is tough. In today’s podcast episode of The Restaurant Prosperity Formula, I dive deep into one of the most make-or-break elements of restaurant success: the guest experience. With fewer guests walking through the door and competition tighter than ever, delivering a memorable visit isn’t optional — it’s survival. Episode 125 is a masterclass in creating experiences so remarkable your guests can’t wait to come back. I explore what truly defines hospitality, why vague standards are your silent killer, and how lazy hiring — not “this generation” — is often the real problem. Whether you’re struggling to retain staff or haunted by bad Yelp reviews, this episode is your roadmap to turning things around.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

In this episode 124 of “The Restaurant Prosperity Formula” podcast, I sit down with longtime friend, client and now colleague, David Militello. Militello is a restaurant owner in South Haven, Michigan, and one of the first five members I ever coached. Over the years, he’s evolved from a struggling operator to a master of restaurant systems and now serves as a member mentor in my group coaching program. In this episode, Militello shares his journey from burnout to balance, the lessons he’s learned about leadership, and why the shift from operator to owner is so critical. Listeners will hear what it really takes to implement systems, build empowered teams and stay disciplined even when the restaurant world pulls you in a thousand directions.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com

In this episode of The Restaurant Prosperity Formula podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark McShaffry, a seasoned restaurant owner with nearly 40 years of industry experience. After starting his career with Houston's, McShaffry eventually took the leap into independent ownership, opening The Backyard Grill in 2001. Since then, he’s grown to operate multiple concepts, including Creekwood Grill and Aero Crafters, all while becoming deeply rooted in his community.

In this conversation, McShaffry shares his journey from corporate manager to thriving multi-unit owner, the tough lessons he learned along the way, and why systems, leadership and continuous learning have been the keys to his long-term success. If you’re a restaurant owner who wants to grow, get your life back and achieve true prosperity, you won’t want to miss this inspiring episode.

🖥️ Get My Latest Training Video: https://dsp.coach/training-opt-in

👍 Book a Call ­– https://dsp.coach/podcast-ryan-call

Sponsor – Margin Edge: http://www.marginedge.com/dsp

Visit my website for more information about my restaurant coaching program: www.davidscottpeters.com