Looking Ahead: What’s Brewing in 2026: AI, Coffee, and the Power of Community

The $37,500 Fine You Didn't See Coming: Hospitality Compliance and Staff Training for Cafes and Restaurants, with Brendan Power

Hospitality veteran Brendan Power joins Phil Di Bella to demystify the complex world of industry compliance. From food safety to the latest seafood labelling laws, they explore how training isn't just a regulatory box-ticking exercise, but a vital tool for staff retention and brand authority. In this episode you will * Understand the essential food and liquor licences required before opening a hospitality venue. * Discover the difference between accredited courses and micro-credentials to better skill your team. * Learn about the upcoming July 2026 seafood labelling standards and how they affect your menu. * Identify the common compliance traps that lead to heavy fines for both owners and staff. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Secure a Food Licence First: Never attempt to open without a valid food licence; local councils can issue immediate fines or shut down operations. * Automate Monitoring: Use digital temperature probes that link to mobile devices to provide instant, auditable proof of food safety compliance to inspectors. * Mandatory Supervision: Ensure at least one certified Food Safety Supervisor (Level 2) is on duty at all times to meet regulatory requirements. * Universal RSA Requirements: Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training is mandatory for anyone serving alcohol, including staff in non-licensed venues handling BYO. * The RMLV Requirement: If the owner or licensee is not present on-site for the majority of the time, a Responsible Manager of a Licensed Venue (RMLV) must be appointed. * Seafood Transparency: Prepare for new country-of-origin labelling rules for seafood effective 1st July 2026 to ensure customer transparency. * Recruitment Strategy: Use accredited training as a "resume builder" to attract and retain high-quality talent in the competitive 18–24-year-old market. * Brand Authority: Displaying compliance certificates prominently helps build customer trust and signals that you take service standards seriously. BEST QUOTES * (05:28) "There's no excuse from a compliance [standpoint]... ignorance is not an excuse." * (08:14) "Every time you add a level of complexity, you add a level of cost." * (13:17) "[Outcomes] give them confidence. And there's nothing better than having someone behind a counter [where] you can sense their confidence." * (18:11) "You're messing with people's lives. It's not as though you're going to get a negative tick on Google." * (25:36) "The forward-facing stuff is still humans. Especially in hospitality." * (27:35) "Where your awareness goes, your energy flows." * (29:17) "Training is a retention and attraction strategy." ABOUT THE GUEST Brendan Power is a third-generation publican and seasoned hospitality entrepreneur with over 50 years of industry experience. He is the founder of Clear to Work, a specialised training provider focusing on regulatory compliance, food safety, and vocational skills. What you’ll learn from them today: How to navigate the ever-changing landscape of hospitality compliance to protect your business, avoid heavy fines, and empower your team through accessible online training. Guest Links * Clear to Work: www.clear2work.com.au [https://www.clear2work.com.au] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-power-mba-gaicd-a2816431/ BRANDS, TOOLS & RESOURCES * Clear to Work – Compliance and micro-credential training platform – www.clear2work.com.au [https://www.clear2work.com.au] * The Coffee Commune – Industry body and support network for hospitality professionals – www.coffeecommune.com.au [https://www.coffeecommune.com.au] * ASQA – Australian Skills Quality Authority (The national regulator for VET) – www.asqa.gov.au [https://www.asqa.gov.au] * Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) – Statutory authority for food standards – www.foodstandards.gov.au [https://www.foodstandards.gov.au]   This episode is essential listening for cafe owners, restaurant managers, and hospitality investors who want to protect their business from regulatory risk while building a more professional, loyal team. Whether you are a seasoned operator or a newcomer to the industry, Brendan Power provides a clear roadmap for navigating the complexities of modern hospitality compliance. Stream the full episode now on your favourite podcast platform. Recorded and Produced at our The Podcast Boss [https://thepodcastboss.com/] podcast studio in Brisbane

Pay Day Superannuation: What You Need to Know Now

The Australian Taxation Office is introducing the biggest shift to superannuation in years, moving from quarterly payments to a "Payday Super" model. Linda Dang, CEO of e.Advisory, joins Phil Di Bella to explain how hospitality businesses must adapt their cash flow and payroll systems before 1 July to avoid daily compounding penalties.   WHY LISTEN * Understand the Mandate: Learn exactly what Payday Super means for your weekly or fortnightly pay cycles. * Avoid Penalties: Discover how the ATO's new penalty regime compounds interest on a daily basis for late payments. * System Upgrade: Identify which payroll softwares automate award compliance and super distribution. * Cash Flow Strategy: Get practical advice on transitioning your bank balance to handle more frequent outflows. * Data Integrity: Understand why the 28-day "buffer" for fixing errors is disappearing. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Start Early: Do not wait until 1 July; implement payday super payments now to identify system errors and adjust cash flow expectations. * Audit Your Data: Ensure all employee TFNs and super fund details are 100% accurate, as "bad data" is the primary cause of payment failure. * Use Modern Payroll: Transition away from manual tracking to software like FoundU, Tanda, or Deputy to manage complex hospitality awards and automated super calculations. * Prepare for the Double-Hit: In July, businesses must pay both the final June quarter super and the new payday super simultaneously. * Manage the "Stapling" Rule: Employers are responsible for checking the ATO portal to find an employee's "stapled" fund if they don't provide details. * Beyond Super: Track every tax invoice and expense daily rather than monthly to maintain a true picture of "liquid cash". * Expert Integration: Treat bookkeeping and accounting as an investment that removes the "admin burden," allowing owners to focus on front-of-house growth. BEST QUOTES * [00:02:22] "Payday super, essentially paying super as you pay wages." * [00:03:33] "ATO's number one focus has always been on workers' superannuation. It is their number one red flag." * [00:03:45] "They're happy for you to owe them money. But certainly not happy for you to owe your workers money." * [00:07:21] "We just have to assume it's going to be tough. Okay. Yeah. So it's expect the worst, right?" * [00:09:18] "It gets compounded every single day... 0.03% every single day if you don't pay super in time." * [00:12:13] "Accounting and bookkeeping is always an investment. It takes the admin burden off a business owner." * [00:14:01] "The money coming into your cash register... is not yours until you've paid all your expenses." ABOUT THE GUEST Linda Dang Linda is the CEO and Founder of e.Advisory and a hospitality accountant turned business growth consultant. With over a decade of experience, she combines a background in hospitality management with financial expertise to help SMEs navigate complex compliance and growth hurdles. What you’ll learn from them today: How to transition your business to the Payday Super model and use payroll technology to automate compliance.   Links: * Website: advisory.com.au [https://advisory.com.au] * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/management-advisors-pty-ltd/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managementadvisors/ BRANDS, TOOLS & RESOURCES * e.Advisory – Linda Dang’s accounting and business growth firm – advisory.com.au [https://advisory.com.au] * The Coffee Commune – A collaborative hub for the coffee and hospitality community – coffeecommune.com.au [https://www.coffeecommune.com.au] * Xero / MYOB – Accounting software with integrated payroll features. * FoundU / Tanda / Deputy – Specialist payroll and workforce management software for hospitality. * HostPlus / Australian Super – Superannuation funds offering free employer portals for small teams. * QuickSuper – A free clearinghouse alternative for teams of five or fewer. SHARE-WORTHY MOMENTS * [00:02:44] The "Insolvency" Safeguard: Why the government is mandating weekly payments to protect employee retirement funds. * [00:03:53] The Death of the Free Clearinghouse: Why the ATO is retiring its Small Business Superannuation Clearinghouse. * [00:04:52] Software vs. Spreadsheets: Why hospitality owners cannot afford to manually calculate 7 AM vs. 7 PM award rates anymore. * [00:07:02] The 20-Day Grace Period: The one-time "leeway" for new employees before penalties kick in. * [00:08:18] What is "Stapling"? How to find an employee's super fund when they don't know it themselves. * [00:09:57] The Queensland Outlook: Why 500,000 businesses are currently underprepared for 1 July. * [00:13:37] The BAS Myth: Why you can't actually "reduce" your BAS and what you should focus on instead. TIME-STAMPED RUN-DOWN * [00:00:43] – Introduction to Linda Dang and e.Advisory. * [00:02:03] – The 1 July Deadline: Defining the Payday Super mandate. * [00:02:56] – The Cash Flow Impact: Why businesses must start the transition now. * [00:03:33] – ATO Red Flags: Why super is the most "dangerous" debt to hold. * [00:03:56] – Clearinghouse Shutdown: Why the old free system is being retired. * [00:04:46] – Payroll Tech Stack: Comparing FoundU, Tanda, and Deputy. * [00:05:25] – Award Complexity: Automating 7 AM vs. 7 PM hospitality rates. * [00:06:43] – Errors & Penalties: The 20-day rule for new employee data. * [00:08:18] – Stapled Super: How to find lost accounts via the ATO portal. * [00:09:12] – Daily Interest: Understanding the 0.03% compounding penalty. * [00:12:09] – Investment vs. Cost: The real value of outsourced bookkeeping. * [00:13:50] – Know Your Numbers: Why liquid cash isn't profit. * [00:15:04] – Where to find Linda Dang and e.Advisory. If you are a cafe owner, hotelier, or small business operator, this episode is your essential survival guide for the upcoming ATO changes. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or via the Coffee Commune to ensure your business remains compliant and your cash flow stays healthy. Produced by The Podcast Boss: thepodcastboss.com

Turn Payments Data into Profit. Margins Don’t Lie, with Aaron Prosser

In this episode of Bean There Done That, Phil Di Bella sits down with Aaron Prosser (Beyond Payments) to unpack why “gut feel” isn’t enough anymore — especially with café margins hovering around the 3–4% mark. They explore how linking payments + POS data can sharpen staffing, improve cash flow, optimise menus, and build loyalty that actually sticks. * “Complacency is not a strategy. Complacency is your strategy for death.” — Phil Di Bella * “Increasing your margin by one to two per cent… that’s huge. It’s like an owner’s salary.” — Aaron Prosser * “If you don’t take action, nothing happens. If you don’t change, nothing changes.” — Phil Di Bella Key topics & themes * Data → analysis → strategy → execution as the survival loop for modern hospitality * Why linking payments data with item-level POS data is where the “magic” happens * Customer profiles and tokenisation: knowing repeat visits and spend without re-asking every time * Menu engineering + inventory insights to protect margin and reduce waste * Labour as the biggest lever: rostering against real-time sales (and avoiding compliance traps) * Cash flow pressures (including Payday Super from 1 July 2026) and why settlement speed matters * The future: face + palm payments entering the Clover ecosystem via Wink Practical takeaways (you can apply this week) * Link payments + POS so you can see repeat visits, average spend, and what actually sells (not what you think sells). * Watch labour in real time: sales vs wages is the lever with the most movement — and it’s measurable. (Droppah integrates with Clover and is free up to 10 employees.) * Engineer the menu with margin + velocity: keep high-margin items visible, scrap low-margin/low-sales time-wasters, and build smart bundles. (Inventory tools like Restoke focus on live costing + integrations.) * Protect cash flow: faster settlement and offline payments reduce the “one outage = one bad day” risk. * Prepare for Payday Super (if you’re not already paying super more frequently): it’s scheduled to start 1 July 2026. Links & resources mentioned * Beyond Payments: https://beyondpayments.com.au/ [https://beyondpayments.com.au/] * Aaron Prosser (LinkedIn): https://au.linkedin.com/in/aaron-prosser-873b32209 [https://au.linkedin.com/in/aaron-prosser-873b32209] * Clover POS (Australia): https://www.clover.com/au/ [https://www.clover.com/au/] * Fiserv (Clover parent company info): https://www.fiserv.com/en-nl/who-we-serve/clover.html [https://www.fiserv.com/en-nl/who-we-serve/clover.html] * Wink × Clover biometric payments (press release): https://investors.fiserv.com/news-releases/news-release-details/clover-introduces-identity-based-payments-transform-everyday [https://investors.fiserv.com/news-releases/news-release-details/clover-introduces-identity-based-payments-transform-everyday] * Droppah × Clover integration (free up to 10 employees): https://www.droppah.com/au/integrations/clover [https://www.droppah.com/au/integrations/clover] * Loyalzoo: https://loyalzoo.com/ [https://loyalzoo.com/] * Restoke: https://www.restoke.ai/ [https://www.restoke.ai/] * ATO Payday Super: https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/new-legislation/in-detail/superannuation/payday-superannuation [https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/new-legislation/in-detail/superannuation/payday-superannuation] * Fair Work Payday Super update: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/news/payday-super-new-rules-starting-1-july-2026 [https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/news/payday-super-new-rules-starting-1-july-2026] * Fair Work Ombudsman (MADE Establishment case): https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2019-media-releases/july-2019/20190718-made-establishment-eu-media-release [https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2019-media-releases/july-2019/20190718-made-establishment-eu-media-release] * The Coffee Commune: https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/about-us/ If you’re running a café (or any transaction-based business), this episode is a blueprint for getting back control: know your numbers, fix the leaks, and buy yourself time back on the floor. Listen to Bean There Done That on your favourite podcast app Produced by The Podcast Boss https://thepodcastboss.com/

Looking Ahead: What’s Brewing in 2026: AI, Coffee, and the Power of Community

In this episode of Bean There Done That, host Phil Di Bella and Rai Esat, General Manager of International Coffee Traders, look ahead to 2026 and unpack what café and hospitality owners can expect – and how to not just survive, but thrive. They explore the growing role of AI as a productivity tool, the ongoing challenges of retention, attraction and productivity of staff, and why community, emotional connection and a strong “why” will separate the winners from the strugglers. Phil and Rai discuss shifts in customer behaviour, shrinking disposable income, the real cost of sustainability, and the dangers of poorly executed government regulation. They also share practical ideas like smaller-format cafés, building-centric kiosks, memberships, and pantry items as new revenue models. The episode closes with two powerful themes for 2026: perseverance and recomposition – doing the mental work, applying the lessons of 2025, and recomposing your business around what actually works. Key Topics & Themes * AI’s role in reducing workload and boosting productivity * Retention, attraction and productivity as the defining staffing challenges * Why emotional connection and community will be the ultimate differentiators * The rise of coffee raves and non-alcohol social gatherings * Hiring for attitude rather than skill * The upcoming customer segmentation tool for hospitality * The real economic weight of sustainability * Government regulation causing unintended industry ripple effects * Smaller cafés, kiosks, memberships and new emerging models * The “three flawless visits” rule for customer loyalty   About Our Guest Rai Esat is the General Manager of International Coffee Traders and a key leader within The Coffee Commune. With extensive experience across coffee, operations and hospitality, Rai offers a practical, data-driven view on building smarter café models, improving customer experience and growing sustainably in challenging economic conditions. Key Takeaways * AI helps reduce mental load and streamline workflows * Staffing challenges persist, but hiring for attitude reduces long-term pressure * Emotional engagement outperforms discounting in a tight economy * Understanding customer segments prevents misaligned café concepts * Sustainability is valuable but costly – and must work for all parties * Government decisions can disrupt supply chains and pricing * Smaller footprints and kiosks will dominate new openings * After three flawless visits, a customer becomes a loyal regular * Mindset work underpins perseverance and success in 2026 Links & Resources Mentioned * The Coffee Commune [https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/] * International Coffee Traders [http://www.ict.coffee/] * My Mate’s Place (Coffs Harbour) [https://www.instagram.com/mymatesplace/] * Books referenced: * Psycho-Cybernetics [https://www.google.com/search?q=psycho-cybernetics&rlz=1C5MACD_enAU1119AU1119&oq=Psycho-Cybernetics&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBwgCEC4YgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyBwgGEC4YgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyBwgJEC4YgATSAQcyMzVqMGo0qAIAsAIB&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8] * The Go-Giver [https://www.google.com/search?q=the+go-giver&rlz=1C5MACD_enAU1119AU1119&oq=The+Go-Giver&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEC4YgAQyBwgJEAAYgATSAQczNzZqMGo5qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8] * Dr Joe Dispenza’s mindset concepts [https://www.google.com/search?q=Dr+Joe+Dispenza%E2%80%99s+mindset+concepts&rlz=1C5MACD_enAU1119AU1119&oq=Dr+Joe+Dispenza%E2%80%99s+mindset+concepts&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigAdIBBzI3MGowajmoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8] * Growth mindset principles [https://www.google.com/search?q=growth+mindset+principles&rlz=1C5MACD_enAU1119AU1119&oq=Growth+mindset+principles&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgBEAAYgAQyDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgEEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyBwgFEAAY7wUyCggGEAAYgAQYogQyCggHEAAYogQYiQUyBwgIEAAY7wUyCggJEAAYgAQYogTSAQcyMzhqMGo5qAIGsAIB8QV-XKD43IbPFg&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8] Time-Stamped Key Points 00:35 – Welcome to 2026 & setting your outcomes 01:57 – Introducing Rai Esat & the theme: What’s brewing next? 02:13 – AI as a game-changer in hospitality 02:42 – Retention, attraction & productivity: the big three for 2026 04:04 – The power of a strong “why”: My Mate’s Place story 04:50 – Value, connection & emotional engagement in a tough economy 06:09 – Staff engagement & hiring for attitude 07:30 – Craving connection: events and networking 08:11 – 7am coffee raves & the health-focused generation 08:53 – Serving unmet needs & solving problems 09:35 – Emotional connection & fighting for the dollar 09:46 – Customer segmentation tool: a hospitality game-changer 11:04 – Building from the outside in 12:33 – Keywords for 2026: perseverance & recomposition 14:27 – Trends: smaller cafés, shorter leases & lower staffing 15:20 – Prices, tax and disposable income 16:19 – Sustainability: ideals vs economic reality 18:34 – Government mandates & unintended consequences 22:13 – Focus back on opportunity & growth 22:25 – Loyalty, micro-interactions & the 3-visit rule 23:20 – Apartment boom & the return of the kiosk 24:44 – Membership models for cafés 25:13 – Community & the human element 26:17 – Final thoughts: experimentation, sustainability & new models    Press play on your favourite podcast platform and get ready for a practical, insightful look at the year ahead. Produced by The Podcast Boss  [https://thepodcastboss.com/]

2025 Wrap Up. Café Reality Check: Adjustment, Relentless Costs & What Comes Next, With Raihaan Esat

2025 was not a “business as usual” year for cafés. It was a year of adjustment.   In this final episode of Bean There, Done That for 2025, Phil Di Bella is joined by long-time collaborator and one of Australia’s top coffee minds, Raihaan Esat, General Manager of International Coffee Traders. Together, they unpack a relentless year for café owners: rising costs across the board, shifting consumer psychology, the comeback of instant coffee, and why knowing your numbers and your customers is now non-negotiable.   They dig into: * Why 40–50% of a menu price is wages * How automation helps (and where it ruins the café experience) * The move from “customers” to “guests” * Menu simplification, disposable income and ham & cheese croissants * Government and council support that actually moved the needle * Innovation from farm to cup and sustainable pricing for coffee farmers   Phil closes with a challenge: grab a pen and map out what December 2026 looks like for you, your café, your family and your community. In this episode: * 2025 in one word: “Adjustment” * Psychological load on café owners * Moving from “the game has changed” to “this IS the game now” * Looking ahead to 2026 as a year of recomposition * Relentless costs & a new normal * Every major cost going up at once for the first time in decades * Wages at 40–50% of the menu price * 75% growth at Coffee Commune with flat profit: a real-world example * Why many product-based businesses have had to accept margin cuts * Automation vs humans behind the bar * Super-automatic machines, milk systems and “out-automating” each other * The shift to using tech in the background to guarantee consistency * Why trying to remove the barista turns coffee into a commodity * “We don’t need to out-automate each other, we need to out-human each other.” * Emotional engagement & the ‘guest’ mindset * Moving from “customers” to “guests” in language and behaviour * Red Bull, luxury brands and the power of emotional connection * First Name Fridays and Tasman’s guest experience in the café * Knowing your numbers & your audience * P&L, cash flow and understanding demographic + geographic reality * Disposable income at record lows and what that means for menus * Back to basics: bacon & egg rolls, ham & cheese croissants, muffins * Upcoming market segmentation project from Coffee Commune * Where people are actually drinking coffee now * Total coffee consumption up, in-café consumption per person down * At-home and office drinking on the rise * The quality and value of modern instant coffee * Government, councils & collaboration that actually helps * New state government focus on small and medium business in Queensland * Moreton Bay and Gold Coast councils funding training for café owners * 18% uplift from council-backed Coffee Commune training programs * Collaboration between independent cafés to pool purchasing and cut costs * From farm to cup: sustainability & paying farmers properly * Farmers returning to coffee as prices become sustainable again * Direct relationships and paying equitably at origin * Why prices needed to rise gradually, and what happened when they didn’t * Community, awards & impact * Coffee Commune as a place of collaboration, not “another coffee brand” * 1,700+ members, 1,200 cafés and 75% growth across the community * ICT coffees and roasters winning national and global awards * Phil representing hospitality around the 2032 Brisbane Games table * Final challenge for listeners * “Life is measured in moments – go and create some amazing ones.” * Sometimes you’re the pigeon, sometimes you’re the statue * Grab pen and paper and write down what December 2026 looks like: * Professionally * For your family * For your circle of friends   Links mentioned: * Connect with Raihaan Esat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raihaan-esat-081147a9/ * Learn more about International Coffee Traders: https://ict.coffee/ * Coffee Commune: https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/ [https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/] Produced by The Podcast Boss [https://thepodcastboss.com/]