Barry Sorkin is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Smoque BBQ in Chicago, IL. He got his first taste of the restaurant industry when he worked at Red Lobster as a bar tender and a manager in his 20s. He left the industry to pursue a career in journalism and IT. Feeling unsatisfied, he quit his job in 2005 and, with the help of 4 partners, opened Smoque in Chicago in December of 2006. Smoque quickly proved to be too popular and too busy for their space so they expanded their existing 3 years later. Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!! Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and get your first 30 days on me!  Connect with my past guest and a community of superfans. Subscribe to the Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel Join the private Unstoppable Facebook Group Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!) Favor success quote/mantra: No mantra. "Take it as it comes/don't get bored." In this episode with Barry Sorkin we will discuss: Business plans Management Labor and food cost Pricing BBQ Opening a restaurant Partnerships Delegation Today's sponsor: At Popmenu, we know that in today’s world, a great hospitality experience usually begins online. Keeping the conversation with guests going beyond the meal also requires simple, powerful, fun technology capable of expression through all kinds of channels. Our team takes pride in helping restaurants put their best foot forward digitally so they can focus on what they do best. We think PDF menus are super boring, we believe 3rd party platforms have had too much say in how consumers find their next dining experience and we deeply feel that sharing your beautiful menu doesn’t have to be so difficult, time-consuming and expensive. As a listener of the Restaurant Unstoppable, you'll receive $100 off your first month of Popmenu! Join the 60-day Restaurant Systems Pro FREE TRAINING. This is something that has never been done before. This 60-day event is at no cost to you, but it is not for everyone. Fred Langley, CEO of Restaurant Systems Pro, will lead a group of restaurateurs through the Restaurant Systems Pro software and set up the systems for your restaurant. During the 60 days, Fred will walk you through the Restaurant Systems Pro Process and help you crush the following goals: Recipe Costing Cards; Guidance in your books for accounting; Cash controls; Sales Forecasting(With Accuracy); Checklists; Budgeting for the entire year; Scheduling for profit; More butts in seats and more… Click Here to learn more. 7shifts is the team management platform for restaurants. From hiring to scheduling, training, and retaining, they’ve got the tools you need to help you run your business with ease. Better understand your restaurant, hit your labor targets, and keep your entire team connected. Plus, 7shifts integrates with POS and payroll systems you already use and trust! Join over 30,000 restaurants using 7shifts today. Restaurant Unstoppable listeners get 3 months for free. Sign up here: https://www.7shifts.com/unstoppable Knowledge bombs Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success? Determination What is your biggest weakness? Organization What's one thing you ask or look for when interviewing/growing your team? Character What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it? Labor Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team. Respect What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff? Treat people like family What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? Raving Fans by ken Blanchard Zingerman's Guide To Great Service by Ari Weinzweig GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM  What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations? xtrachef What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough? Thank their employees If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and