What Smart Bar Operators Are Doing Differently with Jay Ashton & Domenic Pedulla

Episode notes

Running a bar or restaurant right now isn’t just hard, it’s overwhelming. Costs are up, regulations keep shifting, and somehow you’re still expected to master tech, lead a team, control inventory, and deliver unforgettable service at the same time. The truth? Most owners were never taught the business fundamentals before jumping in and the failure rate shows it. In this episode, Jay Ashton and Domenic Pedulla, hosts of the Late Night Restaurant Podcast, share what they’re seeing from the front lines of hospitality across Canada and beyond. They break down government pressure, rising alcohol taxes, tech resistance, lack of execution, and why education (not hustle) is the real separator between operators who survive and those who shut their doors. If you care about profitability, longevity, and building a bar or restaurant that doesn’t become another statistic, this conversation will challenge the way you think about running your business.