Renowned Restaurateur Michael Mina’s Secrets to Exceptional Guest Experiences

Chef Michael Mina stands out in the culinary world for his exceptional cooking skills and his unwavering commitment to guest experience and innovative management. His philosophy centers on the belief that every detail matters, and is evident to any customer that attends a MINA Group establishment, including his restaurants inside of the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi Stadium.

Watch now to learn about the importance of the guest experience, building a management company, and embracing new technology for the future.

#entrepreneur #toast #restaurants #minagroup

Chapters:

[03:43] - The Andre Agassi Filet Story

[11:38] - Emergence of the Mina Group

[15:55] - Partnering with Aisha Curry for International Smoke

[32:55] - Opening Bourbon Steak in New York

[34:23] - Tailgating Inside of Levi Stadium

[41:24] - Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

SPONSORS:

RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS IS PRESENTED BY TOAST —

Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

• Toast AllIn1 Restaurant POS

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OVATION WAS VOTED THE #1 GUEST FEEDBACK PLATFORM FOR RESTAURANTS —

Visit to learn how Ovation’s Guest Feedback Platform actually drives revenue with actionable insights.

• Ovation Guest Feedback Platform

Episode Links:

The MINA Group Online

The MINA Group Instagram

Chef Michael Mina Instagram

Chef Michael Mina The Cookbook

Chef Michael Mina LinkedIn

Takeaways:

The Importance of Guest Experience - When it comes to hospitality, Michael Mina knows it is in the details. He believes that obsessing over the details translates into customers knowing they are cared for at his restaurants.

Building a Restaurant Group - Starting a restaurant management company was a bit off the beaten path for Michael Mina at first. But leaning into his passion has allowed him to build a portfolio that includes over 30 restaurants.

Embracing Technology in the Restaurant Industry - It is difficult to build the right tech stack for a restaurant, and even more difficult to break out of your comfort zone when trying new tools. Michael Mina has had to adjust with the implementation of new solutions, such as Toast.

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ABOUT CHEF MICHAEL MINA —

Born in Cairo, Egypt, and raised in Ellensburg, Washington, Chef Michael Mina began his culinary journey at the Culinary Institute of America and honed his skills at Aureole in New York City. Early in his career, he partnered with Chef George Morrone to open AQUA in San Francisco, where he quickly gained acclaim, serving as executive chef from 1993 to 2002 and earning multiple James Beard Awards. Mina's vision led to the founding of MINA Group, which operates over 30 restaurants globally. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including a Michelin star at MICHAEL MINA, and has been featured in major media outlets. He has also cooked for three U.S. Presidents and served as a judge on Hell’s Kitchen and MasterChef.

ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS —

Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Kim Malek, Meredith Sandland, Jon Taffer, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online.

Published by Entrepreneur Media

Produced by Cali BBQ Media