About this episode

Lisa W. Miller and Melissa Doolin Koehne discuss the pressures facing the restaurant industry and the importance of maintaining joy and culture amidst challenges.

The restaurant industry is under pressure: rising costs, labor challenges, tighter margins, and more data than ever before. But what if some of the tools meant to help are stripping away what matters most?JOY In this episode of The Business of Joy , Lisa W. Miller sits down with restaurant industry leader Melissa Doolin Koehne to explore the tension operators are facing right now: how to protect culture, people, and purpose while navigating an unforgiving business environment. Melissa brings decades of experience - from her early days at Carl’s Jr to leadership roles at Black Box Intelligence, launching her own company Elevate 4, and serving as Chairman of the Board for the Texas Restaurant Foundation. Together, they dig into: • How cost-cutting can unintentionally erode brand soul • Why “back to basics” may not be enough anymore • The role of data - when it helps and when it hurts • Why youth should be viewed as the future pipeline, not a labor problem • What truly drives retention, confidence, and long-term leadership in restaurants This is a candid conversation for operators, executives, and anyone thinking about the future of hospitality.

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