Building Community Through Hospitality: Jeff Gigante's Blueprint for Upscale Casual Success

Jeff Gigante, founder of Next Level Brands, joins Restaurant Masterminds to share how his Tampa-based restaurant group generates nearly $40 million with just three locations through "laid-back luxury" hospitality. Learn his strategies for employee retention (4.5 weeks vacation for all leaders), community integration, technology adoption challenges, and expansion plans for 20+ restaurants. Discover how treating culture as CapEx investment and authentic community engagement drives exceptional performance in upscale casual dining. ~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → ~ rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more With Gusto’s easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto. Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights. Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit

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Building Community Through Hospitality: Jeff Gigante's Blueprint for Upscale Casual Success is an episode from The Takeout, Delivery, & Catering Show by Foodable Network.

This episode is 43:31 long.

This episode was published on Sep 4, 2025.

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