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