In this episode, Emi Guerra sits down one-on-one with Otto Othman — CEO & founder of Pincho (formerly

Pincho Factory) — to talk about the real story behind building a burger brand from the ground up.

From launching with $77K and literally having $6.27 in the bank, to winning Burger Bash, scaling pains at “3

locations,

” and the moment Otto decided franchising wasn’t worth it (and bought stores back to regain control)

— this is a masterclass in growth, operations, branding, and hard-earned founder lessons.

Otto also breaks down the tech + systems Pincho uses to protect quality (real-time guest feedback, training,

AI tools), the COVID decision he’s most proud of, the $30K-in-the-bank wake-up call, and the risky rebrand

stunt that made everyone talk.

Watch if you’re into: entrepreneurship, restaurants, franchising, branding/rebrands, systems, leadership, and

real business war stories.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:10 Otto’s background (tech → nightlife → restaurants)

06:02 “We had $6.27…

” the opening week story

09:23 Early revenue growth + awards momentum

14:40 Burger Bash + what it changed

26:01 Why “3 locations” is where things break

32:11 COVID decision: people first

39:18 “Over my dead body” leadership rules + mistakes57:16 $30K left: the turning point + mentor playbook

01:04:37 The viral “Factory” rebrand stunt

01:09:37 The risk + aftermath of rebranding

01:12:00 Houston expansion (data-driven)

01:17:00 Rapid fire / final thoughts

Mr. Mauricio joins the Emi Guerra Podcast for a raw, unfiltered conversation about Miami nightlife, the rise of DJ culture, celebrity-filled nights, gambling struggles, and the untold story behind his decades-long career.

From spinning in legendary Miami clubs like Liquid, Mansion, and Opium Garden… to performing alongside industry icons… to rebuilding after personal battles — Mauricio shares the real journey behind the music, the hustle, and the life that shaped him.

🎧 In this episode, we dive into:

• The evolution of Miami nightlife
• Early days of DJ culture & mega-club history
• His biggest career breaks (and setbacks)
• The impact of gambling and nightlife pressure
• Working with celebrities & iconic DJs
• Radio, touring, and staying relevant for decades
• The truth about surviving in this industry
• What young DJs need to know today

This is the story behind the man who helped shape Miami’s sound — and the lessons he learned along the way.

🎙️ Guest

Mr. Mauricio — DJ, radio host, Miami nightlife pioneer

🎥 Host Emi Guerra

Industry Talks Hospitality Podcast

00:00:00 — Miami Roots & Early Life

00:03:30 — First DJ Steps

00:07:00 — Liquid & Club Breakthrough

00:10:30 — Opening for Legends

00:14:00 — Celebrity Moments

00:17:30 — Vinyl Era Stories

00:21:00 — New York Residencies

00:24:30 — Starting in Radio

00:28:00 — DJ Culture Changes

00:31:30 — Pitbull, Ross & Miami Icons

00:35:00 — Nightlife Celebrity Wave

00:38:30 — DJ AM & Personal Battles

00:42:00 — Gambling Struggles

00:45:30 — Rebuilding & Hustle Mindset

00:49:00 — International Gigs

00:52:30 — Small Rooms vs Mega Clubs

00:56:00 — Miami Nightlife Today

00:59:30 — Pet Peeves & DJ Respect

01:03:00 — Legacy & Giving Back

01:06:30 — True/False Round

01:10:00 — Final Thoughts

Connect with me on my instagram:

🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/ Connect with MR MAURICIO: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmauricio/

Listen to my podcasts on: 🍎Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837

🍏Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv

Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:

🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group: https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/

🏨The Wharf Miami: https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/

🏨The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/

🏨PIER 5: https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/

🏨JohnMartin’s: https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/

🏨Carousel Club: https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/

🏨Regatta Grove: https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/

🏨Riverside Wharf: https://www.instagram.com/riversidewharf/

Thank you for your support. If you aren’t already subscribed, do subscribe to the channel for our latest episodes. Cheers!

#MrMauricio #MiamiNightlife #DJCulture #EmiGuerra #IndustryTalks #HospitalityPodcast #MiamiDJ #NightlifeStories #DJLife #MiamiMusic #MiamiClubs #GamblingStory #UntoldStories #NightlifeIndustry #PodcastInterview #CelebrityDJ #MiamiIcons #MusicIndustryTalks #BehindTheMusic #RealConversations

Ignacio Garcia & Francesco (Grove Bay) go deep on scaling street-side and airport concepts, the 9-year

Bayshore Club saga, Michelin’s real P&L impact, and why “Main & Main” beats trendy addresses. It’s chef

artistry meets business math—no fluff, just playbook.

Chapters:

00:00 – What it really takes to open (lease, insurance, PR, IT, accounting, payroll).

00:00:37 – Founders’ origin stories: Shula’s CFO call + airports CFO path.

00:06:30 – Beauty & The Butcher: neighborhood anchor + $12 smashburger happy hour.

00:08:29 – Scaling count: ~24 units now; ~27 by next year (street-side + airports).

00:10:55 – Biggest miss: Brickell build “off paper” and the never-again lesson.

00:12:29 – Location rule: “Main & Main” all day (access, parking, visibility > vibes).

00:13:45 – Bayshore Club: referendum, lawsuits, multi-agency approvals—opened July 2022.

00:17:04 – Why it worked: scarce waterfront access + hometown insight.

00:17:57 – Chef partnerships: art × business; the “middle” that wins.

00:20:12 – Michelin moves money: best Stubborn Seed year (2022) + plaque halo.

00:22:29 – Airport ops 101: captive audience, different ordering, 20–40 min turns.

00:24:51 – Airports want local chefs/brands now (Raleigh example).

00:27:10 – Vegas expansion: Resorts World, bigger footprint, reverse open kitchen.

00:29:27 – Scaling across cities: corporate processes, app-based training, partner support.

00:33:06 – Market outlook: Miami saturation; Raleigh rising street-side.

00:45:05 – Regatta × Bayshore synergy: “we basically doubled neighborhood sales.

”00:49:08 – Giving back: Grove Bay Foundation—FIU hospitality scholarships (8 full rides/yr).

00:54:25 – One piece of advice: don’t just cook—master the business stack.

00:57:01 – Rapid fire: more hospitality, fewer gimmicks; influencers; robotics; training > ads.

balli/

Connect with me on my instagram:

🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/

Connect with Francesco Balli:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francesco

_

Connect with Ignacio Garcia-Menocal:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iggygarciamenocal/

Know more about Orlando Mendez: https://www.orlandomendezmusic.com/

Listen to my podcasts on:

🍎Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837

🍏Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv

Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:

🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group: https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/

🏨The Wharf Miami: https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/

🏨The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/

🏨PIER 5: https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/

🏨JohnMartin’s: https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/

🏨Carousel Club: https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/

🏨Regatta Grove: https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/

🏨Riverside Wharf: https://www.instagram.com/riversidewharf/