Episode 236

236 | Christin Marvin: Intentional Growth Strategies for Thriving Restaurant Groups

Published on: 20th August, 2025

As chefs and restaurateurs, we often dream of expanding our culinary empires.

To learn all the secrets of the framework to unlock successful scalability for your business visit https://www.IRFbook.com

But the journey from a single successful restaurant to a thriving multi-unit operation is fraught with challenges. 

How can we grow sustainably while maintaining the essence of what made us successful in the first place?

In this episode of Chef Life Radio, I sit down with Christen Marvin, author of "Multi-Unit Mastery, Simplify Operations, Maximize Profits and Lead with Confidence" to explore the intricacies of scaling independent restaurant concepts. We dive deep into the strategies that can help you transition from a lone culinary artist to a visionary restaurant group leader.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction and Appreciation

00:03:49 - Challenges of Restaurant Group Expansion

00:09:36 - Key Pillars for Successful Growth

00:15:05 - The Three Ps: People, Process, Profits

00:18:53 - Culture and Core Values in Restaurant Groups

00:22:08 - Effective Internal Communication

00:27:50 - Personal Growth and Overcoming Challenges

Navigating the Challenges of Expansion

We discuss the common pitfalls restaurant owners face when growing their businesses, including:

  • The struggle to let go of control and trust new team members
  • Balancing standardization with creativity across multiple locations
  • Maintaining consistent culture and values as the organization expands

The Human Element in Multi-Unit Success

Christen emphasizes the importance of:

  • Investing in people through training and development opportunities
  • Creating clear communication channels across the organization
  • Aligning core values with hiring practices and performance reviews

From Imposter Syndrome to Empowered Leadership

In a candid moment, Christen shares her personal journey of overcoming self-doubt and rediscovering her passion for the industry. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-reflection and continuous learning in leadership roles.

Whether you're contemplating opening your second location or aiming to build a restaurant empire, this conversation offers a roadmap for growth that prioritizes both profitability and the human experience. Tune in to gain insights that could transform your approach to multi-unit restaurant management and help you create a legacy that extends far beyond a single dining room.

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Stay Tall & Frosty and Remember to Lead from the Heart,

Adam

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About the Podcast

Chef Life Radio
For Chefs Who Want to Lead Without Losing Themselves
Chef Life Radio is not about working harder, optimizing systems, or hustling your way out of exhaustion.
It’s about restoring authorship.
Hosted by Chef Adam Lamb, Chef Life Radio explores the invisible emotional and leadership load carried by people who love their work, and quietly let that love become obligation.
Through reflective solo episodes and lived stories, the show names what most professionals feel but rarely articulate:
When responsibility becomes erosion
When endurance replaces choice
When leadership turns into self‑sacrifice
This isn’t motivation. It’s recommitment.

Chef Life Radio is for people who want to remain excellent without disappearing from their own lives — and who are ready to lead from clarity instead of depletion.

Register for the free monthly Culinary Leadership Lab: a live working space for chefs ready to lead without losing themselves @ https://link.cheflifecoaching.com/leadershiplab
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About your host

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Adam Lamb

Chef Adam Lamb is a culinary leadership coach and longtime industry veteran who helps chefs carry responsibility without burning out or betraying themselves.

After decades in professional kitchens, Adam’s work focuses less on “leadership skills” and more on restoring personal agency, clarity, and choice in high-pressure environments.

He is the host of Chef Life Radio and facilitator of the monthly Culinary Leadership Lab, a live working space for chefs ready to lead without losing themselves.

Find out more @ https://link.cheflifecoaching.com/leadershiplab