About Us
About Us
We believe independent restaurants occupy a distinctive position in the world of business. They are visible, important and integral parts of the communities they serve. Unlike their chain counterparts, people often have a personal connection to one or more of their home grown restaurants. Independents have a local identity and are often one of the most tangible representations of an area's heritage, history and unique character.
While we recognize the risks, workload and challenges inherent in starting a restaurant, we believe there are proven insights and practices that can dramatically improve a restaurant's odds of success. This is what RestaurantOwner.com is all about -- dramatically improving your chances of real, sustainable restaurant and business success.
If you're an independent restaurant owner, we want you to know that we are serious about our Mission. We are committed to providing practical, proven insights and resources to enable you to build a better restaurant, a better business and most importantly, a better life for you, your family and entire team of associates.
Our Focus
In working with thousands of independent operators, we've observed and concluded that sustainable restaurant success is dependent on the understanding and application of skills in 3 key areas. Our resources are designed to improve the proficiency of restaurant owners and key personnel to become better business managers, implement effective systems and create a culture of hospitality, excellence and accountability.
Improving operator and management competence in these areas inevitably brings about a more consistent, higher quality guest experience, greater employee engagement and better financial results.
Our Responsibility
Tragically, every year thousands of independent restaurants fail. Often, the owner(s) had an insufficient understanding of what they were getting themselves into. Creating a restaurant from scratch and building it into a successful business is a lot more difficult than it might appear on the surface.
We provide free resources to help people comprehend what it takes to be successful and make a more informed decision about whether getting into the restaurant business is the best business and career choice for them. We consider it our duty to...
Our Team
Jim Laube
Founder
Founding RestaurantOwner.com in 1998, Jim is a seasoned expert in the restaurant industry. With a diverse background spanning from frontline roles to CFO roles, he brings unmatched expertise as a former advisor and CPA to independent restaurants. Having trained thousands of professionals on restaurant accounting and controls, Jim remains dedicated to developing valuable resources and training programs for independent restaurant success.
Joe Erickson
Chief Operating Officer
Joe brings his extensive experience in restaurant management to the forefront. With a background that spans Luther's Catering, Sunset Dinner Cruises, Bobby Mac's, Nicole's Cafe San Felipe, and Truluck's Steak and Stone Crab, he's consistently driven innovation. Joe's primary focus lies in creating streamlined systems and processes that enhance restaurant efficiency, elevate product utilization, and, most importantly, ensure a consistent and exceptional guest experience.
Eric Ellis
Chief Financial Officer
As the Chief Financial Officer, Eric expertly oversees accounting operations, financial reporting, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), and the enterprise resource planning system. His impactful presence spans the National Restaurant Association since 2012 and RestaurantOwner.com since 2023. Eric maintains a passion for helping his partners navigate complex business problems. He propels strategic initiatives and introduces streamlined budgeting and reporting processes, fueling continuous growth and achievement.
Sara Nickel Bray
Vice President, Workforce and Business Development
With over two decades of expertise in the industry, Sara brings a wealth of knowledge to her role overseeing strategy and operations. Since joining the team in 2023, she has focused on optimizing efficiencies and solutions for restauranteurs. A recognized workforce and industry expert, Sara regularly tackles pressing workforce and operational challenges. Her initiatives are aimed at achieving operational excellence, elevating guest experiences, and stimulating sustainable growth in the hospitality sector.
Chip Romp
Sr. Director, Workforce and Business Services
Chip oversees content and production. His career highlights encompass aiding in development of the Department of Labor's Hospitality Competency Model and five registered apprenticeship paths. A seasoned presenter, he contributes to U.S. Military, State Workforce Departments, and industry education initiatives. With extensive industry experience including VP experience at Ovation Brand and Fazoli's, Chip's leadership shines. He is a master trainer for the National Restaurant Association and the Council for Hotel and Restaurant Trainers.
Robin Boyce
Vice President, Marketing
Robin joined RestaurantOwner.com in 2023 to guide marketing strategy, with a special focus on promoting solutions to help restaurant operators thrive. Leading the National Restaurant Association's Business Services Marketing, he oversees global B2B and B2C brands. With progressive Sales and Marketing roles at British Petroleum (BP), Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Cars.com, and a Baruch College (CUNY) graduate with an MBA from Loyola University, he brings extensive knowledge to his role.
Jason Colon
Customer Service Manager
Jason is a seasoned professional in the field of customer service, demonstrating a profound commitment to crafting memorable experiences and cultivating robust client relationships. With over 15 years of industry experience, he has cultivated a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies inherent in customer interactions, refining his proficiency in delivering exceptional service. Jason brings a solid educational foundation to his endeavors as a University of Puerto Rico graduate with an MPA from Ana G. Mendez University (AGMU). He joined the National Restaurant Association in 2016 and the RestaurantOwner.com team in 2023, where he currently leads a group of service professionals characterized by positivity and a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
Josef Junek
Video Editor/Animator
Josef is pivotal in crafting comprehensive training videos and courses, excelling in post-production roles. With expertise spanning video and audio editing, motion graphics, animation, and visual effects, he enhances training content's quality and impact. He is a Houston Christian University film school BFA graduate in Cinematic Arts. Through his innovative visual approach, Josef educates and empowers independent restaurant owners, managers, and staff.
Jason Hershey
Video Production Manager
Jason leads production at RestaurantOwner.com, curating exceptional content. With a diverse background, his unique perspective drives resources for independent restaurant owners, managers, and staff. He crafts insightful training videos and courses, ensuring the Resource Library and Learning System feature compelling content. Jason empowers aspiring restaurateurs to build better lives and create restaurant success stories, fostering growth in the industry.
Kelli Laube
National Field Trainer
Kelli is a seasoned Hospitality Trainer with RestaurantOwner since 2011. Throughout her career, she has excelled in various front-of-house roles including Hospitality Director. Kelli's pivotal role involves aiding independent restaurant operators and teams via webinars, workshops, and training content. Simultaneously, she serves as a National Field Trainer at the National Restaurant Association, fostering successful teams and unforgettable guest experiences for restaurants.
