The SaaS Cafe

TikTok & Loaded Taters - LA Spud Guys with William Lee Ep #6

In episode 6 of The SaaS Café, we're joined by William Lee, partner of LA Spud Guys. A fresh UK loaded potato pop-up in Los Angeles that's been making waves.
William discusses the early days in the streets and how social media revolutionized their business. He also explains his background in online retail and how his expertise has helped convert social media traffic to sales, allowing LA Spud Guys to open their first brick-and-mortar location. 
Curious to learn more? Check out their website: https://spudguysla.com/
 
 
Timestamps:00:00 Show Highlights01:04 Intro & Restaurant History05:00 E-Commerce Background08:00 Restaurant Consulting10:00 Joining LA Spud Guys12:45 Adapting to the LA Market20:50 Owner Relationship Dynamic23:45 TikTok and Social Media31:26 Finneas & Influencer Visits34:32 Impact of Great Hospitality39:00 Customers Traveling to Try41:30 Tech Stack 45:40 Approach to Delivery Apps53:00 Franchising Long Term54:40 Concept Ideas for LA Spud Guys57:00 Final Banger59:00 Internet Food Debate Topics01:03:30 Future Plans and Hours01:06:00 Random Ideas and Chat
 
🎧 Prefer the video version? Check it out on YouTube: https://https://youtu.be/xnNTyvMBrUA
We hope you enjoyed the episode. Please leave us a review and share your thoughts in the comments!
#podcast #restaurant #motivation #techinnovation #technology

From Lockdowns to Lineups - Art Andreasyan of Bread and Breakfast Ep #5

In episode 5 of The SaaS Cafe, we're joined by Art Andreasyan, co-founder of Bread & Breakfast, a two-location Armenian/Mexican fusion restaurant in North Hollywood and Burbank, California.
 
Art shares his experience of finally owning his own business, only to be immediately blindsided by the COVID-19 pandemic. They survived on the back of a viral Instagram post, but now face massive egg costs amid the 2nd Bird Flu wave. Still thriving, can anything take this business down?
 
Curious to learn more? Check out their website: https://breadandbreakfastla.com/
Timestamps:
00:00 Show Teaser
01:05 Guest Intro
03:07 Business Origin & Early Operation
07:44 Restaurant Life During Covid Lockdown
12:00 Preserving The Original Location
14:25 Educating People On Armenian Meats
15:50 Building a Breakfast Business & Operating Hours
20:21 Social Media & 40m+ Viral Post
33:24 Technology Choices
38:51 Catering Trend in Restaurants
40:30 Social Media Impact & Importance
44:45 Review Strategy & Philosophy
55:20 Crazy Egg Prices
1:00:50 Food Supplier Price Gouging
1:02:12 Forced Price Increases & Consumer Fatigue
1:07:00 Future For Bread & Breakfast 1:09:07 Final Banger
1:11:04 Internet Food Debate Questions & Random Food Discussion
1:19:48 Outro & Wrap Up
 
Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/nAnh4IuBX3A
We hope you enjoyed the episode. Please leave us a review and share your thoughts in the comments!#podcast #restaurant #motivation #techinnovation #technology

A Bus, A Vision, and A Lot of Dough - Andy Krkyan of "Pizza on Bus" Food Truck Ep#4

In episode 4 of The SaaS Cafe, Andy Krkyan, founder of Pizza on Bus, joins us. A food truck concept with a unique twist, it's a full-sized pizza kitchen on a decommissioned school bus!
Andy opens up about his journey from traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants to the food truck industry and his experience building restaurant kitchens. We delve into the real cost of owning and operating a food truck, from regulations, parking, and dispel people's misconceptions about the business.
 
If you'd like to check out Pizza on Bus, view their website here: https://www.pizzaonbus.com/
Check out the full video version: https://youtu.be/P_gtw5m9MLQ
 
We hope you enjoyed the episode. Please leave us a review and share your thoughts in the comments! #podcast #fooddelivery #techinnovation #thesaascafe #businessmindset #entrepreneur #pizza #foodtruck

Blood, Sweat & Garlic Sauce - Armen Martirosyan of Mini Kabob EP #3

In episode 3, we sat down with Armen Martirosyan, the heart and hustle behind Mini Kabob, a family-run Armenian restaurant tucked into a tiny corner of Glendale, CA. Passed down from his father after nearly 30 years, Armen has carried the torch—sharing the warmth of his culture while navigating the emotional and physical toll of restaurant life.
In this episode, Armen discusses the often untold realities of running a small restaurant in Los Angeles. From burnout and mental health struggles to the legacy of family ownership, he brings honesty, humor, and heart to the table.
Key Discussion Topics:
1 – The legacy of Mini Kabob and taking over the business from his father
2 – The realities of restaurant ownership and how it impacts mental health
3 – Challenges of operating a small restaurant in a competitive, high-cost market
4 – The role of technology in modernizing and sustaining the business
If you'd like to check out Mini Kabob, view their website here: https://mini-kabob.com
🎧 Prefer an audio version? Find us on all platforms here: https://thesaascafe.podbean.com
We hope you enjoyed the episode. Please leave us a review and share your thoughts in the comments!
#podcast #fooddelivery #techinnovation #thesaascafe #businessmindset #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneur #mediterranean

Below The Boulevard - Lida Danielyan of Café Amara EP#2

In episode 2, we sat down with Lida Danielyan, the owner of Café Amara, a cozy underground gem tucked beneath the buzz of Beverly Hills. With no prior restaurant experience and a background in customer service, she shares what inspired her to leap into hospitality.
We explore lessons learned as a first-time operator, how her perception of the restaurant industry shifted, and the unique challenges she faces with such an unusual location.
Key Discussion Topics:
1 - Why did you buy Cafe Amara, and how did your customer service experience play a role?
2 - What lessons did you learn as a first-time restaurant operator? Did your perspective change about the industry? 3 - What challenges does Cafe Amara's unique location cause?
4 - What role has technology played in the growth of the business?
If you'd like to check out Cafe Amara, view their ordering website here: https://food.orders.co/cafeamara
Check out the full video of this episode on our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYQGSXHugLU
We hope you enjoyed the episode. Please leave us a review and any suggestions you may have for future shows!

A Slice of Technology - Armond Zarookian of Slash Pizza #1

What happens when an engineer decides to open a pizza shop? We sat down with Armond Zarookian, owner of Slash Pizza, to hear how he tackled the transition into the restaurant world. From handling tough competition to leveraging new technology, Armond shares valuable insights from his first-time restaurant journey.
 
Key Discussion Topics:1 - Why the restaurant business, and how did your background impact day-to-day operations?2 - Lessons learned as a first-time restaurant operator? Advice to others.
3 - Does size matter? Competing with major chains.
4 - How technology helped evolve Slash Pizza for the modern customer.
 
If you'd like to check out Slash Pizza, view their ordering website here: Slash Pizza
 
We hope you enjoyed the episode. Please leave us a review and any suggestions you may have for future shows!