Food and beverage venues are the lifeblood of our neighbourhoods and communities, but staying afloat can be a tough game. Now more than ever, innovation and experience is invaluable for anyone in hospo.

Coolroom Confessional is a fun, practical series where in each episode, we help one Square hospitality seller through a major issue they’re facing in their business.

We hear from founders and learn their business story, the problem they’re facing, and how it impacts them. We will learn from industry experts and other business owners who have soared - or failed and learned! Throughout each episode , we keep coming back to our award-winning host and culinary heavyweight Melissa Leong and our Aussie business owners as they react to what they’re learning in real time.

Whether it is a global chain, a hatted restaurant or ma and pa coffee shop, hospitality businesses and their staff are providing a true service to the community - and this is our way of empowering them.

Launches on the 23rd of October 2024.

Brought to you by Square & AMEX.

Learn more: https://square.com/go/coolroom-confessional

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Featuring: Georgie Smith from G’s Jaffles and Mo Saad from Fricken

Solo operator G is thinking about expanding her food truck business, but doesn’t know if now is the right time. She and Fricken Chicken’s co-founder Mo talk building a team and shifting from food truck to venue.

Learn more about the show: https://square.com/go/coolroom-confessional

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Featuring: Patrick Fisher from Bernies Bar and Gareth Whitton from Tarts Anon

Patrick Fisher sees the purpose in Bernies Bar, a beloved LGBTQ+ institution, but the restaurant part of the business isn’t thriving. He looks to a top chef for menu inspiration to bring diners inside. Will it work as the beloved bar approaches crunch time?

Learn more about the show: https://square.com/go/coolroom-confessional

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Featuring Isaac & Lorenzo from Pasta Prego and Benji Terkalas from Kosta’s Takeaway

Isaac and Lorenzo are best mates from primary school but they’ve got an issue: they are looking to open their second venue and are looking to start a prep kitchen. Thankfully Benji has been there and done that, with four locations including one HQ.

Learn more about the show: https://square.com/go/coolroom-confessional

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Featuring Christopher Norris from Opus Coffee Brewers and Joseph Vargetto from Mister Bianco

Chris visits coffee shops... And buys them. He is very good at setting up a cafe, but he admits that just 10 weeks out from accidentally opening two more venues at once, he doesn’t know just how it will go running it all on his own. Cue restaurateur Joe Vargetto who has some advice for Chris at the pointy end before launch day.

Learn more about the show: https://square.com/go/coolroom-confessional

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Featuring Martin Rehak from Bridges Belgian Dining and Joel Valvasori from Lulu La Delizia

Setting up shop in a tourist destination should be a no-brainer, especially when you have a delicious menu and even better beers, but what happens when the audience doesn’t know what you do?

Learn more about the show: https://square.com/go/coolroom-confessional

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Featuring Isaac & James from Margaret River Roasting Co and Nick Palumbo and Donato Toce from Gelato Messina

A dynamic duo from Margaret River meet their future selves, in the form of Gelato Messina founder Nick Palumbo and "Gelato King" Donato Toce. They talk all things wholesale: how to make the maths add up on big deals and the out of pocket investments that drive values over the bottom line. And we discover how Mel knows so much about Messina's marketing.

Learn more about the show: https://square.com/go/coolroom-confessional

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Featuring Adetokunboh “Ade” Adeniyi from Little Lagos and Reynold Poernomo from KOI Dessert Bar

Adetokunboh Adeniyi took a big swing when he tried to recreate Little Lagos' Sydney success in Brisbane – and it cost him big. He joins KOI Dessert Bar's Reynold Poernomo and host Melissa Leong as they share lessons from loss. In the spirit of Coolroom Confessional, the trio share candid revelations about how racism has impacted their careers and the joy of being where you are celebrated.

Learn more about the show: https://square.com/go/coolroom-confessional

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.