HUNGRY.

Ever wondered what it takes to run a top-rated gastropub? Brendan from The Unruly Pig breaks down why Michelin-starred restaurants often struggle to make money, dealing with sky-high costs for fancy ingredients and skilled chefs⁠. What's super interesting is how they've cracked the code at The Unruly Pig. While fancy Michelin spots might serve 45-60 people on a Saturday night, they're pumping out 100-120 covers⁠. But here's the clever bit - they've actually simplified their menu over time, focusing on doing fewer dishes really well instead of trying to please everyone⁠.It's a brilliant look at finding that sweet spot between high-end dining and running a profitable business, all while keeping the locals happy and attracting food tourists from across the country♨️Still bloody HUNGRY? Course ya are. Each week I spend 15 hours writing my newsletter. It’ll take you 5 mins to read. Full of wisdom from the biggest names in food and drink. Subscribe here - https://hungryfeast.beehiiv.com/🍲 ============= ON THE MENU ============= Michelin-level quality comes with high costs: High labor costs for skilled chefs and expensive ingredients make it difficult to be profitable at the Michelin-star level⁠⁠​Volume vs. quality balance: While Michelin restaurants typically serve 45-60 covers on a Saturday night, The Unruly Pig serves 100-120 covers while maintaining high quality⁠Menu simplification is crucial: They learned to reduce menu size over time to maintain consistency and quality, rather than trying to please everyone⁠Customer flow management: Controlling the flow of orders and not overwhelming the kitchen is essential for maintaining quality⁠Local focus with tourist appeal: While they attract food tourists as the #1 gastropub, their core business relies on local Suffolk customers and London weekend visitors⁠ ============================================ 🌟Espresso's are powered by our sponsor Unleashed!🌟 1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking? Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!! 2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder? Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow. 3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love Unleashed. Your fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee 4. Do yourself a favour. Feel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat. Click this magical link: https://hubs.la/Q023F_V90 🤝 Let's Connect!►Let’s link-up here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)  🤝 Let's Connect!►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/)►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

Recently, I’ve had to really really DIG IN.Grind. Grind. Chew glass.Wade in. Full send. Gary delivers a Masterclass in Grit & Sales Our conversation really helped me.I know it’ll help you, too. ON THE MENU: 1. Why going bankrupt is a death by a thousand paper cuts - but it’s the best day of your life too2. Sell. Sell. Sell. Why too many brands skip Challenger Brand “Leg Day” - you HAVE to get good at sales3. Why “Denial” is both very good and bad in business + how to use the power correctly4. How Challenger Brands can launch SUCCESSFULLY in Ireland: “The Irish market is way more complicated”5. Be GRATEFUL: Why the UK grocery market is the best in the world vs. Australia and USA vs. France6. VITHIT’s Brand Code: Look great. Be great. Taste great7. Zoom out + Embrace GENUINE optimism: “Failures are little steps on the ladder to success”8. Why the Irish punch above their weight in business: “Storytelling is in the Irish blood” - The storyteller is the most important person in the world (Steve Jobs)9. Is the David Lloyd the greatest distribution point of all time? “How do you catch your shopper on their journey?”10. “If you focus so much on a closed door, you’ll never see the open door right next to you”11. Why “Insecurities” are a modern-day problem: “If you ask, What’s wrong with me? You’ll find something”12. How to build a brand WITHOUT VC funding and why brands with HUGE VC funding are going BUST!!!13. The Rolling Stones brand-building rule: Pick a dead category and innovate there.14. How to deal with people fcking you over: Don’t leave yourself open + Get the fck on with it15. How to survive when you’re in the shit: “You only need to win once” + “Just keep going, it’s a never-ending fight”🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvellous Sponsors🌟A massive shoutout to our incredible sponsors who make HUNGRY possible:►MKJ IGNITE: (https://www.mkjignite.com) ►Big Fish: (https://bigfish.co.uk/) ►HC Consulting: (https://www.hc-consult.com) ►North Star: (www.northstarbc.co.uk)🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

 Tarquin's Cornish Gin is a perfect example of how passion, creativity, and strategic spending can transform limited resources into a successful food and drink brand.Driven by obsession and love for the craft, Tarquin Leadbetter refused to outsource, instead mastering the distillation process himself. His approach combined resourcefulness—like affordable local branding and budget-friendly equipment from Portugal—with a commitment to quality and authenticity. Key Takeaways:Leveraged a tight budget creatively to establish the brand.Focused on hands-on craftsmanship rather than outsourcing.Prioritized spending on impactful areas, like branding and stock.Create a standout gin by balancing unique flavor profiles.  🌟Espresso's are powered by our sponsor Unleashed!🌟 1. What on earth is Unleashed, I hear you asking?Unleashed is Inventory management software that talks to your financial and eComm software. We use it daily at Islands. It's BANGING!! 2. Why Unleashed will change your life as a foodie founder?Cut admin time in half. Save money. Lots of money. Get lucid clarity on margins. Be all over cash flow, after all cash is king. Manage stock and cash flow. 3. The biggest brands in FMCG love love UnleashedYour fave brands like Candy Kittens, Tiny Rebel, TRIP use religiously. Tarquins Gin, Three Spirit, Minor Figures, The Turmeric Co., Volcano Coffee 4. Do yourself a favour. Feel free to reach out to the utter legends Josh and Bryony at Unleashed, book in a 20 min chat with this magical link. Even if nothing comes of it, it's worth having a chat. Click this magical link: https://hubs.la/Q023F_V90 🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)

In 2016, I read Business For Punks.One of the greatest business books of all time. And, a huge inspiration to start HUNGRY. Total honour to sit down with James Watt, BrewDog founderThis is a F*CKING BANGER!!!!!!Deffo watch on Youtube if you can, first time we’ve recorded in 4K cinematic a.k.a grown up cameras. ON THE MENU: 1. The Swimming with Sharks Gratitude Rule: “there’s a 100 billion to 1 chance of you being here so GO FOR IT” 2. Why Good founders solve problems, but Great Founders use obstacles to find a different way of thinking3. Be thankful for obstacles “obstacles are the way you differentiate, find magic + show the world what you’re really made of” 4. BrewDog “Challenge Everything” Dogma = Einstein “blind faith in authority is the greatest obstacle is truth”5. BrewDog “Speed” Dogma = “You set the speed of your company, you set the deadline” 6. BrewDog “Speed” Dogma = “We count time in dog years” “Brands don’t understand the impact of speed” 7. . BrewDog “Dogs on Deck”” Dogma = “You simply HAVE TO BE where the action is “8. Nassim Taleb Speed Barbell: “Speed speed speed + accept 20% of the time you’ll be going wrong + Use your customer to course correct”9. . Seneca Barbell: pure action + pure reflection = Pain + reflection = progress10. Why BrewDog Will Never Hire Blue Chip Losers ever again 11. Why Competition is a Gift From God - but NEVER focus on the competition 12. Barnacles On a Boat Rule: Don’t just put systems in, a straight jacket of policy13. Why James Has Two Desks: Analogue vs. Digital “you can’t create the future looking at an inbox”14. Question One: If I spend this £1 do I get a 10x return vs. competitors?15. Question Two: What could you do that would kill your business?16. Question Three: What is 5 craziest random things I can do right now to grow by business 17. Why Founders MUST accept: Your Team will NEVER think like a founder + Your head is different vs your team18. Fire Fast Rule: "If you were running a marathon you wouldn’t wait till mile 22 to take the stone out"19. Why Brands Fail in Supermarkets: “You didn’t fail because of the supermarket listing, you put something on shelf that wasn’t good enough”20. How BrewDog Used Price Laddering Psychology to go Premium Mainstream 21 . Price Laddering: “You need hooks to bring people into brand” + “Value perception” + “Create margin enhancing opportunities”22. Why Staying successful is harder then getting successful "everyday re-earn your success"23. REMEMBER: You Don’t Own Your Brand Your Consumer Does 23. Elon Musk Advice for Food & Drink Founders “Don’t do sales” + “Cut the crap committee”============================================== 🌟 HUNGRY's Absolutely Bloody Marvellous Sponsors🌟A massive shoutout to our incredible sponsors who make HUNGRY possible:►MKJ IGNITE: (https://www.mkjignite.com) ►Big Fish: (https://bigfish.co.uk/) ►HC Consulting: (https://www.hc-consult.com) ►North Star: (www.northstarbc.co.uk)🤝 Let's Connect! ►Let’s link-up here ​ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pope/) ►Stalk me here ​ (https://www.instagram.com/_hungry.pod/)