In this episode of the No Fixed Agenda podcast presented by Bubs Naturals, hosts Jeff Stoner and Omar Hernandez are joined by Billy Daniels, the owner of American Heroes and Brew in Carlsbad, California. Billy recounts his experiences growing up in a restaurant-focused family and his journey to create a unique dining establishment that honors service members, including firefighters, police, military, teachers, and therapists. The discussion delves into the practice of displaying service memorabilia, the challenges of running a community-centered restaurant, and the impact of California's minimum wage increase. Reflecting on the resilience of Generation X, Billy also talks about his aspiration to expand American Heroes through franchising, the importance of trademarking, and future projects.

00:00 Introduction to No Fixed Agenda Podcast

00:42 Guest Introduction: Billy Daniels

04:39 Billy's Background and Restaurant Concept

06:39 The Journey to Carlsbad

09:22 American Heroes and Brew: Honoring Service Members

13:26 Challenges and Rewards of the Restaurant Business

15:44 Community Engagement and Personal Stories

30:05 Impact of Minimum Wage on Fast Food Industry

35:06 The Future of Labor in Fast Food

35:19 Service Fees and Food Pricing

36:42 Transparency in Business Practices

37:22 Challenges of Running a Restaurant

40:57 The Impact of Fuel Costs

46:58 Sourcing Quality Ingredients

49:01 The Value of Authenticity

50:37 The Reality of Minimum Wage Increases

54:04 Generational Differences in Work Ethic

54:28 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

57:20 The Importance of Communication

01:02:35 Future Plans for American Heroes