Why Being Creative in the Food Industry Keeps Everyone Included

What does it look like when an Austin restaurant prioritizes employee well-being just as much as profit? For L’Oca d’Oro, it looks like becoming one of Austin’s most respected restaurants and a leading voice for change in the local hospitality industry.

In this episode of the Changing Austin podcast, powered by Amplify Credit Union, L’Ocad’Oro cofounder Adam Orman shares how the award-winning Austin restaurant built a sustainable business model rooted in fair wages, paid sick leave and community impact. Drawing from years of experience in restaurants across the country, Orman and business partner Fiore Tedesco created L’Oca d’Oro with a mission to support both staff and customers while helping shape the future of Austin’s restaurant scene.

Throughout the conversation, Orman reflects on the evolution of Austin restaurants over the last decade, the growing challenges of affordability in Central Texas, and how independent restaurants continue to adapt amid rising costs and rapid growth.

He also discusses the restaurant industry’s role in local policy conversations, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses, and why restaurants are increasingly expanding into Austin’s surrounding communities.