In this episode, Johnny Kincaid interviews Brian Buxton of Fingers,
Fork, Knife & Spoon about his diverse career path and experiences in the car business and restaurant industry. Brian shares how he
transitioned from detailing cars to starting his own dealership and the challenges he faced along the way. They also discuss the potential future of Wolf's Barbecue and the debate on tipping in the restaurant industry. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of following your passions and the social aspect of dining out. Brian Buxton discusses the impact of tipping on work ethic and how it can encourage or discourage employees from going above and beyond. He also addresses the issue of mandatory tipping and the expectation of tips even for counter service. Johnny emphasizes the importance of understanding the human factor and being considerate towards servers who may be dealing with personal challenges. He suggests that tipping should not be solely based on the bill and encourages leaving positive reviews for exceptional service. Johnny also mentions future topics and
restaurant news.
Takeaways
Following your passions can lead to unexpected career paths. The
restaurant industry is not just about the food but also the social
experience. Tipping is a complex issue with different perspectives and cultural differences. Perceived value plays a significant role in the cost of dining out. Tipping can influence work ethic and incentivize employees to provide better service. Mandatory tipping and the expectation of tips for counter service can be controversial. Tipping should be seen as a suggestion and not solely based on the bill. It is important to consider the human factor and be understanding towards servers. Expressing gratitude and leaving positive reviews can make a difference in the service industry.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:54 Brian Buxton's Background and Career
03:25 Reinventing Yourself and Following Your Passions
04:50 Influence of Childhood and Pop Culture on Career Choices
08:19 Transition from Detailing Cars to Starting a Dealership
09:51 The Importance of Control in the Car Business
12:06 Potential Future of Wolf's Barbecue
13:19 Considerations for Buying a Restaurant's Recipes and Name
15:10 The Social Aspect of Dining Out
17:31 The Cost of Dining Out and the Value of the Experience
20:58 The Debate on Tipping in the Restaurant Industry
32:56 The Psychology of Tipping and Perceived Value
40:42 The Impact of Tipping on Work Ethic
42:17 The Issue of Mandatory Tipping
43:12 Tipping as a Suggestion
44:04 Blaming Servers for Food Quality
45:14 Understanding the Human Factor
46:16 Dealing with Bad Service
47:28 Who to Tip and When
48:28 The Living Wage Debate
