Welcome to Staying Hungry, the podcast where fire-tested entrepreneurs pull back the curtain on what it really takes to survive, thrive, and stay hungry in today's world. In Episode 106: "30 Years of Steak, Sweat, and Straight Talk," we sit down with Willie Degel - the no-BS restaurant mogul, former TV host, and founder of the iconic Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse - for a raw and unfiltered conversation spanning grit, gratitude, growth, and grilling.From a tough Queens upbringing to Food Network fame, Willie walks us through three decades of hustle in the restaurant game, the brutal truths of managing modern employees, and how dry-aged steak became his love language. With equal parts hard-earned wisdom and hard-hitting reality checks, this episode is less of a business talk and more of a masterclass in entrepreneurial survival philosophy.Whether you're in hospitality, business, or just trying to keep your edge in a softening world, this is your dose of real talk. No fluff. Just facts - and a few laughs.[00:00] Intro[05:23] From Newspaper Routes to Building Empires[12:47] Willie’s Rise: Discipline, Family, and the Power of Hard Work[24:15] The Harsh Truth About Running Restaurants Today[30:55] The Uzi of the Food Network: Willie’s TV Journey[42:10] Managing Entitled Employees vs. Building Loyal Teams[56:33] Why Dry-Aged Steak is an Artform (and Weapon)[01:10:20] Franchising, Failure, and the Real Cost of Success[01:23:45] Family Legacy, Grandkids, and Mentorship[01:40:10] The Restaurant Business: Past, Present & Future[01:55:50] Staying Hungry: Final Thoughts + Willie's 10 Commandments

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