Josh Kopel on Mastering Marketing

#94.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Josh Kopel, restaurateur, consultant, speaker, and former President of the California Restaurant Association, whose story is one of transformation, from building a multimillion-dollar restaurant empire in Los Angeles to rethinking the way hospitality businesses are built and run.

Kopel is best known for founding a Hollywood bar that became a local legend, launching a Michelin-awarded fine dining restaurant, and building an award-winning fast-casual brand. But by early 2020, he was burned out. With the pandemic looming, Josh sold everything—not as an exit, but as an evolution.

What came next was FULL COMP, a podcast born out of a commitment to rebuild the industry from the inside out. Paring his own experience with candid conversations with industry legends, Josh codified the systems, strategies, and stories that drive long-term success in hospitality. Those insights became the Restaurant Scaling System: a step-by-step framework helping restaurant owners regain control, increase profits, and build businesses that don’t burn them out.

In 2025, Josh launched the 5-Day Restaurant Profitability Masterclass—a free, high-impact crash course that distills decades of lessons into five focused sessions. It’s not theory; it’s a practical blueprint for restaurateurs ready to stabilize their operations, grow sustainably, and finally enjoy the freedom they’ve earned.

During the episode, Josh shares valuable insights on understanding customer needs, the power of teaching over doing in consulting, and effective strategies to boost profitability through targeted marketing and customer engagement. He also discusses the concept of product-market fit and how restaurants can harness AI to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.

Links and resources 📌

Visit meez: https://www.getmeez.com

Follow meez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getmeez

Follow Josh on instagram: @joshlsharkey

Visit Josh Kopel: https://joshkopel.com/

Visit Josh on Instagram: @joshkopel

To sign up for my free 5 Day Masterclass: https://pages.joshkopel.com/masterclass

To connect with Josh on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuakopel1/

Audio chapters:

00:00 - The Importance of Marketing Skills
07:28 - Navigating the Restaurant Industry During Crisis
10:53 - The Journey of a Restaurateur
14:40 - Understanding Customer Needs
19:47 - Teaching Over Doing in Consulting
24:10 - The Profit Stack Strategy
31:27 - Overcoming Overwhelm in Business
34:44 - The Power of Focus and Accountability
38:31 - Building a Culture Code for Success
46:43 - Understanding Product Market Fit in Restaurants
53:34 - Leveraging AI for Business Efficiency