say86 Hospitality Podcast

The say86 Hospitality Podcast – your deep dive into the trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the hospitality industry. From expert hospitality industry insights to real-world success stories, we’ve got your industry covered! 🎙️✨

say86 Hospitality Podcast is a business podcast hosted by say86 - Tim Mills, with 36 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

say86 - Tim Mills hosts say86 Hospitality Podcast, a business show with 36 episodes published.

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  say86 Hospitality Podcast

  How Restaurants Really Make Money

  Aug 14, 202632 min

  In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim takes a closer look at how restaurants really make money and why a busy dining room does not always mean a profitable business. Using a £100 restaurant bill as the starting point, he follows where the money actually goes, from VAT and ingredients to wages, rent, utilities, technology and the countless smaller costs that quietly shape the success of a restaurant. The episode also explores why empty seats matter, how menus are designed, the difference between genuine hospitality and simply selling more, and the common mistakes that can undermine an otherwise popular business. Drawing on more than thirty years in the industry, Tim explains what the strongest operators do differently and why understanding the numbers is just as important as delivering great food and service. Ultimately, this is not only an episode about restaurant profit. It is about the people, planning, leadership and attention to detail behind every meal. Whether you work in hospitality, dream of opening your own restaurant or simply enjoy eating out, this episode will change the way you look at the bill, the menu and everything happening behind the scenes.

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  say86 Hospitality Podcast

  The Story of Coffee: How One Bean Changed the World

  Aug 11, 202645 min

  How did one small bean become one of the most influential products on Earth? In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim explores the extraordinary story of coffee, from its legendary beginnings in the forests of Ethiopia to the London coffee houses that helped shape modern business, journalism and global trade. The episode follows coffee’s journey from mountainside farms to the cups we drink every day, uncovering the people, craftsmanship and complex global supply chain behind every brew. Tim also looks at how brands such as Starbucks, Costa and Caffè Nero transformed coffee into a lifestyle, before independent roasters introduced a new generation to speciality coffee, provenance and flavour. This is much more than the history of a drink. It is a story about hospitality, innovation, culture, economics and human connection, while also exploring the challenges facing coffee today, including climate change, rising prices and changing consumer expectations. Pour yourself a cup and discover why coffee has never really been about coffee alone.

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  say86 Hospitality Podcast

  Why Actors Make Brilliant Hospitality Professionals

  Jul 24, 202653 min

  In this episode of the say86 podcast, Tim speaks with actor, coach, speaker and Metaforyou founder Terence Leclere about his journey through acting, immersive theatre and human experience design. Terence explains how acting gave him a deeper understanding of presence, confidence, doubt and the human need to feel seen, while also sharing some brilliant stories from his work across film, television, theatre and major immersive events. A large part of our conversation explores the striking similarities between actors and hospitality professionals. Both have to read the room, adapt in the moment, communicate through body language and create an experience that feels natural, even when a huge amount of preparation has taken place behind the scenes. Terence talks about the methodologies behind truthful performance, including improvisation, imaginary circumstances and the importance of being present rather than simply trying to appear perfect. We also discuss authenticity, service, artificial intelligence and why genuine human connection may become even more valuable as technology advances. From working with hotel teams and bartenders to helping create experiences for major entertainment brands, Terence shares some fascinating lessons about making people feel welcome, understood and part of something. It is a conversation that will resonate with anyone who has ever worked on the floor, led a hospitality team or understood that great service is not simply about what you do, but how you make people feel. www.terenceleclere.com

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  say86 Hospitality Podcast

  Why would anyone open a restaurant?

  Jul 11, 202655 min

  Why would anyone open a restaurant when costs are rising, margins are tightening and the industry demands relentless commitment? In this episode of The Business of Hospitality , Tim Mills explores the emotional pull that continues to draw chefs, families, entrepreneurs and investors into one of the toughest, and most rewarding businesses in the world. Drawing on a lifetime in hospitality, Tim shares the lessons that rarely appear in textbooks: service is what you do, hospitality is how you make people feel; consistency matters more than occasional brilliance; and the strongest businesses are built on trust, curiosity, calm leadership and hundreds of small decisions made well. He also examines the real challenges facing operators, from recruitment and burnout to supplier relationships, technology, profitability and the danger of building a business that only works when the owner is present. Ultimately, this is an honest but optimistic look at why restaurants still matter. They create jobs, support communities and become the backdrop to some of life’s most important moments. Whether you already work in hospitality or dream of opening your first venue, this episode is a reminder that you are not simply serving food—you are building a team, earning trust and creating a place where memories are made.

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  say86 Hospitality Podcast

  Are We Replacing Hospitality with Technology?

  Jun 25, 202625 min

  This episode wasn’t planned. Two LinkedIn posts, one about McDonald’s touchscreen kiosks and another about QR code ordering in restaurants, unexpectedly sparked one of the biggest hospitality debates I’ve ever been part of. What started as a discussion about technology quickly became a much bigger conversation about customer experience, human interaction and what hospitality should actually feel like. In this episode, I explore why so many people believe technology is shifting more of the work onto the customer, while operators are under increasing pressure to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Drawing on hundreds of comments from customers, operators and technology providers, I look at where touchscreens and QR ordering genuinely improve the experience, where they create unnecessary friction, and why context is so important. A quick-service restaurant has very different objectives from a neighbourhood pub or full-service restaurant, so should they really be using the same approach? This isn’t an anti-technology podcast. Quite the opposite. It’s a discussion about finding the right balance between innovation and hospitality. As our industry continues to embrace AI, digital ordering and automation, how do we make sure we don’t lose the human touch that guests value most? I’d love to hear your thoughts after listening—join the conversation on LinkedIn and let me know where you think technology enhances hospitality, and where it might be replacing it.

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