Advertise on podcast: Opening Soon Presents: "The Build"

A restaurant can run on founder energy for a while. A restaurant group cannot. As Gio, Tania, and Carlos prepare to open El Camarón Peludo while overseeing several other concepts, they need managers, cooks, servers, trainers, and leaders who can protect the standards of the business without a founder standing nearby. Alice Cheng, co-founder and CEO of Culinary Agents, joins us to talk about the restaurant labor market, hiring for new openings, developing managers, and building career paths that help hospitality businesses retain great people. We also explore how operators can turn culture from something instinctive into something teachable. The goal is not to find employees who behave exactly like the founders. It is to give talented people the training, trust, context, and authority to lead in their own way.

A new restaurant may begin with a creative vision, but getting it open requires capital, cash-flow planning, and an honest understanding of risk. In this episode, Gio, Tania, and Carlos get into the financial realities of expanding a restaurant group. We talk about leases, construction, equipment, inventory, payroll, opening delays, and the expensive stretch when money is going out long before a restaurant begins generating revenue. Lauren Fernandez, founder and CEO of Full Course, joins us to explain the funding options available to restaurant operators, from bootstrapping and traditional lending to strategic investors and alternative financing. She shares common financial mistakes founders make while scaling and the questions every operator should answer before accepting outside capital. Because funding the next restaurant is not only about finding money. It is about choosing the right money for the business you are trying to build.

Restaurant technology should make the business easier to understand and operate. If it creates more friction, more dashboards, or more work for the team, what exactly is it helping? As the Ramirez group grows across multiple concepts, Gio, Tania, and Carlos can no longer keep every detail in their heads. They need connected systems that help them understand sales, menu performance, labor, inventory, margins, and what is happening when they are not physically in the restaurant. James Schonzeit, Head of Restaurants at Square, and Kristen Hawley, founder of Expedite, join us to discuss how growing restaurant groups should evaluate their tech stacks, where AI can genuinely help operators, and which parts of hospitality should always remain human. The best restaurant technology is often invisible to the guest. It gives the team better information, catches problems earlier, and creates more room to focus on the food, the people, and the vibes.

Scaling a restaurant group means bringing more people into the center of the business. That only works when authority, trust, and expectations are clear. This episode explores the partnership between Giovanni Cervantes, Tania Apolinar, and Chef Carlos Barrera as they build El Camarón Peludo together. They discuss how the partnership developed, how they divide responsibilities, what Carlos brings as a chef and first-time partner, and how they navigate creative decisions while protecting their friendship. We are also joined by Chintan Pandya and Roni Mazumdar of Unapologetic Foods, the restaurant group behind Semma, Dhamaka, Adda, and other acclaimed concepts. They share an honest look at building chef partnerships, assigning ownership, handling disagreement, and creating opportunities that are meaningful for both the chef and the larger restaurant group. Because adding a partner is not simply adding another set of hands. It changes how the business makes decisions.

El Camarón Peludo is not Taqueria Ramirez with seafood. It is a new full service restaurant with its own identity. In this episode, Tania and Chef Carlos Barrera take us inside the development of the group’s seafood-focused restaurant and wine bar in New York City’s West Village. We talk about why they chose seafood, how the menu evolved, what the physical space made possible, and how they are balancing playfulness with the discipline required to execute consistently. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson also joins the conversation with lessons from another high-pressure world where preparation, teamwork, and constant adjustment determine the outcome. From equipment and design decisions to aguachile and natural wine, this is what it looks like to turn a restaurant idea into something guests can actually experience.

Opening one restaurant is hard. Opening several at the same time requires a completely different operating system. Gio and Tania walk us through the opportunities that moved the Ramirez group from two restaurants toward four, including Soccerria, a new Taqueria Ramirez location in Carroll Gardens, and El Camarón Peludo in the West Village. They explain how favorable leases, strong partners, existing restaurant infrastructure, and a little bit of timing luck helped shape their expansion map. We also talk with Thomas McNaughton and Ryan Pollnow of Flour + Water Hospitality Group about growing a restaurant company thoughtfully. Together, we dig into sequencing restaurant openings, sharing resources across locations, knowing when an opportunity is actually worth pursuing, and building enough structure to grow without turning every concept into a copy and paste.

What changes when a beloved neighborhood restaurant becomes a growing restaurant group? In the Season Three premiere of The Build, we meet Giovanni Cervantes and Tania Apolinar, the founders of Taqueria Ramirez and Carnitas Ramirez. They share how a photography studio, a pandemic pivot, and a deep love of Mexico City taco culture led to one of New York City’s most celebrated taquerias. Now, Gio and Tania are entering Restaurant 201. They are opening multiple concepts, bringing on new partners, and figuring out how to grow without losing the food, energy, and sense of place that made people fall in love with Taqueria Ramirez in the first place. We talk about building their original team, dividing front- and back-of-house responsibilities, choosing opportunities carefully, and recognizing when a successful restaurant is ready to become something bigger. Welcome to Restaurant 201.

After months of planning, it all comes down to opening day — nerves, joy, and community collide. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda takes us behind the scenes of the final countdown. From a friends-and-family soft opening to the first customer reactions, this is the payoff of launching a restaurant in New York City. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square Listen to the full season here and get access to an exclusive TILIT and Square promo offer.Learn more about this episode hereConnect with Square: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squareLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/squareContact Sales: https://squareup.com/us/en/l/sales/contact Connect with TILIT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilitnyc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilitNYCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tilitnyc/The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Great service is as memorable as the food itself — and the buzz starts before the doors open. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda defines her restaurant’s steps of service and launches her pre-opening marketing strategy. From rituals to Instagram captions, it’s all about creating connections before day one. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square Listen to the full season here and get access to an exclusive TILIT and Square promo offer.Learn more about this episode hereConnect with Square: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squareLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/squareContact Sales: https://squareup.com/us/en/l/sales/contact Connect with TILIT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilitnyc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilitNYCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tilitnyc/ The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Restaurants run on people. Hiring, training, and planning payroll can make or break a business. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda shares how she’s building her team with intention. From creating a culture of equity to managing wages and building sustainable financial models, it’s a candid look at people-first growth in the restaurant world. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square Listen to the full season here and get access to an exclusive TILIT and Square promo offer.Learn more about this episode hereConnect with Square: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squareLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/squareContact Sales: https://squareup.com/us/en/l/sales/contact Connect with TILIT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilitnyc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilitNYCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tilitnyc/ The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Behind every smooth guest experience is technology that makes it all possible. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda sets up a Square-powered POS system that brings efficiency, data, and seamless retail to her new restaurant. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how tech and hospitality work hand in hand. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square Listen to the full season here and get access to an exclusive TILIT and Square promo offer.Learn more about this episode hereConnect with Square: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squareLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/squareContact Sales: https://squareup.com/us/en/l/sales/contact Connect with TILIT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilitnyc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilitNYCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tilitnyc/The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every dish tells a story. At Ramen by Ra, the menu is more than recipes — it’s a reflection of culture, innovation, and community. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda explores the process of menu creation. From broth to bao, she experiments with flavor, menu pricing, and neighborhood accessibility while balancing tradition with bold new ideas. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square Listen to the full season here and get access to an exclusive TILIT and Square promo offer.Learn more about this episode hereConnect with Square: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squareLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/squareContact Sales: https://squareup.com/us/en/l/sales/contact Connect with TILIT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilitnyc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilitNYCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tilitnyc/The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A restaurant isn’t just food. It’s an experience you can see, touch, and even taste. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda dives into the creative side of building a restaurant brand. From packaging to signage to merch, she shares how story, design, and sensory detail work together to shape the restaurant experience at Ramen by Ra. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square Listen to the full season here and get access to an exclusive TILIT and Square promo offer.Learn more about this episode hereConnect with Square: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squareLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/squareContact Sales: https://squareup.com/us/en/l/sales/contact Connect with TILIT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilitnyc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilitNYCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tilitnyc/ The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Permits, contractors, and design dreams — restaurant building isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda walks us through the realities of construction. From dealing with red tape to contractor surprises and design compromises, it’s a raw look at the literal building of Ramen by Ra’s next chapter. Explore Season 2 of The Build Listen to the full season here and get access to an exclusive TILIT and Square promo offer.Learn more about this episode hereConnect with Square: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squareLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/squareContact Sales: https://squareup.com/us/en/l/sales/contact Connect with TILIT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilitnyc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilitNYCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tilitnyc/ The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Real estate, leases, and the nerve-wracking search for funding — this chapter of Rasheeda’s journey shows the high stakes of restaurant expansion. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda takes us inside her hunt for the perfect East Village space. From negotiating lease terms to navigating loans, she reveals how she’s securing Ramen by Ra’s future home. Explore Season 2 of The Build Listen to the full season here and get access to an exclusive TILIT and Square promo offer.Learn more about this episode hereConnect with Square: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squareLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/squareContact Sales: https://squareup.com/us/en/l/sales/contact Connect with TILIT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilitnyc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilitNYCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tilitnyc/The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.