S1E3 - Science not politics with Toby Lyle

Episode Note

Toby Lyle, owner of the Burgundy Lion Group, shares his journey in the hospitality industry and the lessons he learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of treating restaurants as businesses and the need for a strong work ethic. Toby discusses the challenges of opening and running multiple venues, including the importance of finding good talent and the complexities of managing finances and permits. He also expresses his frustrations with the government's handling of the pandemic and calls for transparency and support for the hospitality industry. Toby shares his favorite venues and his last go-to meal and drink.\

Takeaways

• Treating restaurants as businesses is crucial for success in the hospitality industry.
• Finding good talent and nurturing their growth is essential for the long-term success of a restaurant.
• Opening and running multiple venues comes with its own set of challenges, including financial management and obtaining permits.
• The government's handling of the pandemic and lack of support for the hospitality industry has been frustrating for restaurant owners.
• Supporting local restaurants by ordering directly from their websites can help them overcome the high fees charged by delivery apps.

Timestamps

00:00 Fortunate to find job at W Hotel. 05:58 Middle to high end Italian restaurants in neighborhood. 07:54 Incorporating company, negotiating leases, getting permits quickly. 09:49 Hospitality industry lacks clear career growth path. 15:44 Unexpected passion for British culture in Canada. 17:40 Lack of on-site owner led to failure. 20:22 Dirty London pub serves incredible, mind-blowing food. 25:37 Support for restaurants, bars, and hospitality industry. 26:01 Quebec pandemic response critique and restaurant struggles. 31:13 Legault uses selective studies to support ideas. 34:37 Adapting plans for protest, go online instead. 37:30 Support local restaurants, order directly, benefit them.

To learn more about the guest:

Burgundy Lion Group

• Pub Burgundy Lion- https://www.facebook.com/PubBurgundyLion https://www.instagram.com/burgundylion/ burgundylion.com
• Brit & Chips- https://www.facebook.com/britandchips https://www.instagram.com/britandchips britandchips.com
• Bishop & Bagg- https://www.facebook.com/bishopandbagg https://www.instagram.com/bishopandbagg bishopandbagg.com
• Wolf & Workman- https://www.facebook.com/wolfandworkman https://www.instagram.com/wolfandworkman wolfandworkman.com

Ca ne va pas bien movement

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canevapasbienqc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canevapasbienm.legault
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/canevapasbien

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Join us every Tuesday as we interview the best hospitality professionals from around the world to find out what they do, and how they succeed.