Complexity Is A Killer: Chris Schultz on Cutting the Noise to Unlock Real Growth

Complexity Is A Killer: Chris Schultz on Cutting the Noise to Unlock Real Growth

April 28, 2026 · 37 min · Season 15 · Episode 188

About this episode

Chris Schultz discusses how simplifying operations can lead to real growth in restaurants.

What if the real reason your restaurant isn’t growing… is because you’re doing too much? Chris Schultz has built a career scaling cult brands without stripping away what made them special. Now, in his second appearance on the show—this time as CEO of Velvet Taco—he’s doubling down on a contrarian idea: most operators aren’t missing opportunities, they’re drowning in them. In this conversation, we get into why great leaders grow through subtraction, how to identify the signals your team is giving you, and why saying no is the real unlock for growth. If you’re chasing every new idea and still not seeing results, this episode will show you what to cut before it’s too late. To learn more about Velvet Taco and their approach to building a cult brand at scale, visit velvettaco.com and if you enjoyed this conversation, you could also listen to Chris’s previous appearance on the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. _________________________________________________________ Today's episode was brought to you by Square. If you want restaurant tech that actually supports how you run your restaurant, find out how Square can help at square.com/goodstuff . Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing…

People in this episode

Host: Josh Kopel

Guest: Chris Schultz

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

Square

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Velvet Taco, restaurantbusinessschool.com

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