Fi$H Factor With Mike Ungaro

Your Restaurant Needs To Be Using AI. Convo with Matt Wampler, CEO of ClearCOGS

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets real-world strategy. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Matt Wampler, co-founder and CEO of ClearCOGS and host of the Restaurant AI podcast, to talk about how AI and predictive analytics are changing restaurant operations. From forecasting prep and labor to reducing waste and improving profitability, Matt shares how restaurants can use data to stop reacting and start planning ahead. Mike also connects the conversation back to the real-world challenges of running San Pedro Fish Market, where preparation, forecasting, and guest demand can make or break the day. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How predictive analytics helps restaurants make smarter operational decisions - Why AI should support operators, not replace human judgment - How better forecasting can improve food quality, labor, and profitability - Why restaurant operators need to start paying attention to AI now Episode Links - Matt Wampler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjwampler/ - Clear COGS: https://www.clearcogs.com/ - The Restaurant AI Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-ai/id1818590384

Bigger Than A Restaurant

Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets real-world strategy. In this episode, Mike Ungaro shares the vision behind Kings Of Fi$H and breaks down how restaurants, media, products, merchandise, and storytelling all work together to build a modern hospitality enterprise.  Inspired by a business mind map created by Walt Disney, Mike explains how San Pedro Fish Market, Kings Of Fi$H Media, the Fi$H Factor podcast, nationwide shipping, branded products, and future locations all connect back to one mission: celebrating food, family, and community. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why modern restaurant brands must think beyond four walls - How storytelling and media help drive loyalty and awareness - Why products and merchandise extend brand reach - The importance of building an ecosystem, not just a business - How a larger vision creates opportunities for partnerships and growth

Strategy and Execution: How to Build What Others Can’t

Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets real-world strategy. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Scott Choppin, Founder and CEO of Urban Pacific Group, to break down what it really takes to develop projects, solve complex problems, and build in industries where timelines are long and stakes are high. From growing up in a real estate family to leading innovative workforce housing developments, Scott shares how his approach to strategy and execution has shaped his career. The conversation dives into the realities of development, navigating bureaucracy, aligning stakeholders, and why most projects succeed or fail long before construction even begins. Scott also explores how AI is beginning to transform the development industry, why most operators are behind, and how those who adopt it early will gain a massive competitive advantage. From autonomous agents to real-world applications, this episode highlights the intersection of technology, leadership, and long-term thinking. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why great strategy and great execution must work together to succeed - How real estate development is ultimately a business of constant problem solving - The concept of “product-market fit” and how it applies to building projects - Why workforce housing is an overlooked opportunity in today’s market - How AI will reshape operations, decision-making, and competitive advantage - The importance of controlling your narrative when explaining innovative ideas Learn more about Scott Choppin - Website: https://www.urbanpacific.com - Follow Scott on X: https://x.com/scottchoppin Subscribe, leave a review, and follow @KingsOfFish and @SanPedroFish for more real stories on building business, leadership, and legacy.

How To Double Your Business

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets real-world strategy. In this episode, Mike Ungaro breaks down the 12-part framework that has guided his growth as an operator, leader, and entrepreneur for over two decades. Simplified into a “sketch map” by Eric McDermott, this system outlines how to design your life, build your business, and increase your income in a rapidly changing world. From defining ambition and aligning philosophies to building networks and creating value, Mike shares how this framework has helped drive consistent growth, navigate uncertainty, and build long-term success at San Pedro Fish Market. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How defining your ambition shapes your decisions and direction - Why building a strong network is key to scaling and gaining freedom - How strategy, offers, and storytelling drive revenue - How to reverse engineer problems using a proven system Learn more about Eric McDermott - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emcdermott/ - Find Eric McDermott’s books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BWYVVLN5 - Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nextpectations Explore the full AJI program and resources: https://www.aji.com Subscribe, leave a review, and follow @KingsOfFish and @SanPedroFish for more real stories on building business, leadership, and legacy.

Guac on the Rock: Tequila, Food, and Bringing People Together

Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where family legacy meets entrepreneurial grit. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Alan Ruesga-Pelayo to talk about building a brand rooted in culture, connection, and the simple act of bringing people to the table, alongside the global momentum of Teremana Tequila, founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. What started as a simple idea, guacamole, tequila, and shared moments, became Guac on the Rock, a program designed to drive traffic to restaurants while creating unforgettable guest experiences. Alan shares how the initiative grew from a one-week test into a month-long activation across multiple cities, all while staying true to its mission: supporting operators and bringing people together. From partnering with San Pedro Fish Market to expanding into new markets, this conversation highlights how Teremana and “The Rock” have helped turn a grassroots hospitality idea into a scalable, culture-driven movement. In this episode, you’ll learn about: - Why simple, shareable experiences like Guac on the Rock resonate with guests - How Teremana built a program that directly supports restaurant operators - The power of aligning a brand with culture, authenticity, and community - How partnerships can turn a promotion into a meaningful guest experience - Why bringing people together at the table is still the most powerful idea in hospitality Episode Links * Learn more about Teremana Tequila: https://teremana.com/ * Explore the Guac on the Rock program: https://teremana.com/pages/guac-on-the-rock Subscribe now, leave a review, and follow us on social @KingsOfFish and @SanPedroFish for more behind-the-scenes stories from America’s seafood royalty.