Restaurant Collective Workshop: Collaborate, Connect and Thrive
Join us for an interactive workshop designed exclusively for local restaurant owners and operators. The Restaurant Collective Workshop brings together culinary entrepreneurs to collaborate on common challenges, share insights, and discover the resources available to support business growth and resilience.
This hands-on event will include Jim Toth from Chick-Fil-A Temecula as our keynote speaker, facilitated discussions, peer-to-peer learning, and direct access to industry experts, business development tools, and support organizations. Whether you’re navigating staffing shortages, exploring marketing strategies, or seeking funding opportunities, this workshop is a chance to work on your business, not just in it.
Let’s build a stronger, more connected restaurant community together. Free to attend for all local restaurant entrepreneurs and employees. Registration is encouraged as seating is limited.
MEET OUR SPEAKER
Jim Toth, Owner Chick-Fil-A Temecula
Jim is the owner of a Chick-fil-A franchise, which he purchased in September 2014 after retiring from the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Since taking over, his business has seen over 20% year-over-year sales growth for eight consecutive years. He is passionate about developing people and systems, analyzing data to optimize sales and profitability, and fostering leadership through his self-developed “Culture Trinity,” which focuses on cultivating servant leaders. This leadership philosophy carries over from his military background to his business today.
In the USMC, Jim was a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter pilot, serving on multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He also served in staff roles and flew the President of the United States while assigned to HMX-1, the Presidential Helicopter Squadron. Jim holds a BA in History from Ithaca College (1995) and a Master’s in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego (2017). He is married to Heather Toth and has two children, Greg and Grace.
MEET OUR RESOURCE PANELISTS:
Jay Allis, Business Consultant, SBDC
Areas of Expertise:
Experience:Jay has worked for corporate and independent restaurants and caterers for over 25 years. In that time, he has worked at Michelin-starred establishments, worked with world-class chefs, served celebrity clientele, and traveled the country practicing his trade. He started as a busboy and worked his way up to Sous Chef, Kitchen Manager, and Executive Chef. He brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge to help business owners start, operate, and streamline their foodservice operations.
Patrick Flaherty, Business Consultant, SBDC
Experience:Patrick has more than 40 years of experience in operations and sales management, and 20 years of experience in the outsourced human resources field. He is currently an HR instructor at several universities and founded an HR consultancy firm in 2014. Patrick holds senior HR certifications from industry associations.
Robert Kirkpatrick, Business Consultant, SBDC
Areas of Expertise: Commercial and industrial real estateExperience:Robert has extensive experience in commercial real estate serving in several senior management positions including President & CEO at The Rancon Companies, a large multi-faceted real estate company with brokerage offices in SoCal and developer/owner of $300+ million (per SEC) of commercial real estate. Robert also served as President and COO of CataList Homes, Vice Chairman of the Board and Director of Fallbrook & Community National Bank, and was the President and Co-founder of Benchmark Escrow, a full-service escrow company in Los Angeles County.
Paul Nolta, Director, Inland Empire SBDC
Areas of Expertise
Experience:Paul Nolta has been a part of the Inland Empire SBDC for over 16 years. Paul is currently serving as the director and overseeing all operations at his center. Additionally, he is on the leadership team for the Inland Empire Center of Entrepreneurship (IECE). Paul is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a graduate of San Francisco State University. Paul has an extensive background in financial analysis, business planning, and leadership.
Esther Phahla, CPA, CTS, MST, President/CEO, Esther N. Phahla, CPA, A Professional Corporation
Esther Phahla is the Founder and President/CEO of Esther N. Phahla, CPA, A Professional Corporation. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Tax Strategist (CTS) dedicated to helping small business owners and individuals design an optimal tax strategy through year-round proactive tax planning to help them keep more of what they earned because: It’s Not How Much You Make, It’s How Much You Keep $$$. Esther is a frequent contributor of tax content to the Financial Section of The Valley Business Journal and a frequent speaker and trainer at seminars. She is the author of two tax planning books: “Why Didn’t My CPA Tell ME THAT” and “10 Most Expensive Tax Mistakes that Cost Business Owners THOUSANDS”. She has over 20 years of experience working with small business owners and real estate investors on tax reduction strategies and business growth to help them focus on what they do best knowing that they have a Trusted Advisor throughout the year to keep them updated on tax law changes that affect them.
Robert Rosenstein Founder and Managing Shareholder, The Law Offices of Rosenstein & Associates
Robert B. Rosenstein is the founder and managing shareholder of Rosenstein & Associates, a law firm specializing in business law, tax issues, and litigation. Practicing since 1979, he is licensed in California, multiple federal courts, and the U.S. Tax Court. He holds degrees from CSU Northridge and Southwestern Law School. Robert has served on ABA committees, contributed to its Legal Guide for Small Business, and is on the ABA Advisory Panel. He’s a longtime Judge Pro-Tem, and active in the Temecula Valley business and nonprofit community, including serving on the Chamber of Commerce board, and supporting groups like Habitat for Humanity. A husband and father of five, Robert values ethics, professionalism, and community service.
Jason Tang, Development Manager, Riverside County Workforce Development
Jason Tang serves as a Development Manager for Riverside County Workforce Development overseeing the Business and Community Career Services units where the mission is to build our local workforce by nurturing strong industry partnerships and preparing individuals with the necessary training and skills required to thrive in today's active job market. Jason has served in multiple roles during his almost 10 year career with Riverside County -- from Housing to Communications, economic development and now workforce development the past 5 years. Jason loves working with the business community where he can help them access the services that many aren’t aware even exist. Jason is a small business owner himself, has been married for 21 years, has four children, two dogs, a cat, a turtle, and 10 chickens.
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