On The Delo EP174 - From Bars to Beer Brands: Mike Myers’ Wild Ride Through Arizona Hospitality

Dive into Episode 174 of ‘On the Delo’ as David DeLorenzo welcomes Mike Myers—the “Mike Myers of Hospitality”—for a no-holds-barred origin story spanning nightclubs, gyms, and iconic restaurant concepts across Arizona. From sneaking into college bars with a fake ID to launching a beer brand inspired by legendary gold, Mike walks us through every triumph, hard lesson, and late-night hustle, unfiltered.

Hear how bootstrapping gyms led to massive exits, what really happened when he inherited a struggling bar, and why building community (and owning the dirt under your restaurant) is the secret sauce to survival. Get the behind-the-scenes tales of Rusty Buckle, Dutchman’s Gold Lager, and the brand-new Back Alley Barbecue, powered by a MasterChef winner. 

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to scale in the hospitality world—or just want to steal a few mindsets from a guy who’s failed and risen more than once—this is can’t-miss.

Chapter Guide (Timestamps):(0:00 - 1:11) Kicking Off #174: Introductions, Age, and the Hospitality “Mike Myers”(1:12 - 4:35) Bay Area Beginnings: Nightclubs, Football, and the Accidental Door Gig(4:36 - 6:47) The Gym Business: Scaling Anytime Fitness and Private Equity Exit(6:48 - 8:20) Arizona Bound: Recession Lessons and the Bar Buyout Adventure(8:21 - 11:37) Sink or Swim: Learning to Run Sports Bars and the Real Lessons of Restaurant Life(11:38 - 14:16) Big Business Moves: Distribution, Margins, and Corporate Life at US Foods & Cisco(14:17 - 17:23) Building Hospitality First: Team, Food, and the Secrets of Scalability(17:24 - 20:03) Reviews & Reality: The Human Side of Running a Restaurant(20:04 - 23:41) Turning Setbacks Into Systems: Surviving Mother’s Day Meltdowns and Major Pivots(23:42 - 28:07) The Power of Local: Partnership, Networking, and Community-Driven Growth(28:08 - 33:22) From Tenant to Owner: Jumping into Real Estate Development(33:23 - 43:50) Dutchman’s Gold: Brewing Liquid Treasure and Building a Beer Brand from Scratch(43:51 - 46:42) EXCLUSIVE: Launching Back Alley Barbecue with MasterChef’s Sean O’Neill(46:43 - 51:47) Rapid Fire: Metallica, Muscle Cars, and Why Mindset Wins Every Day

👉 Love true stories of reinvention, grit, and hospitality done right? Hit SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode, and share your favorite takeaway in the comments! 

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