What does it take to build a regional hospitality empire from scratch — and then buy out your biggest competitor? In this episode of Launch Spotlight, host Eddie the Chef sits down with David Schmidt, the visionary entrepreneur behind three thriving venues in Bairnsdale, Victoria’s East Gippsland: Mr. D Food & Coffee, Aroma Coffeehouse & Eatery, and the Catering Events Co.

Dave’s story began with a simple observation: regional cafes were closing at 2pm and leaving locals with nowhere to go. Rather than accept the status quo, he opened Mr. D with a bold commitment to trading seven days a week, from early morning until 6pm — a model the locals questioned but ultimately embraced. Over nine years, that instinct to push boundaries has shaped everything from his extended trading hours to his menus, his staffing philosophy, and his approach to growth.

One of the episode’s most compelling moments is Dave’s account of acquiring Aroma — a business he’d always identified as his fiercest competitor. When a broker called out of the blue one Saturday afternoon, Dave didn’t hesitate: there was only one café in Bairnsdale he’d ever want to buy, and it had just come on the market. He shares how the acquisition was handled amicably, how the community reacted — with both congratulations and scepticism — and why the two venues remain deliberately distinct despite the common ownership.

COVID tested everything. Dave opens up about watching Daniel Andrews announce the first lockdown on a Sunday night and telling his 26 staff it’d “only be a couple of days.” Fortunately, a renovation months earlier had already introduced a dedicated takeaway window and online ordering — giving Mr. D a critical head-start when dine-in vanished overnight. He’s candid about the financial pressure of carrying staff with no government support in those early weeks and the mental toll of sole ownership across three businesses.

The conversation covers the innovations that set Dave apart in a regional market: partnering with Code Black specialty coffee (now moving 86 kilos per week at Mr. D alone), using AI tools to match staffing levels to sales data and weather patterns, and managing a rotating team of 40+ personalities across all three businesses. He also shares the launch of the Catering Events Co. — a fully equipped mobile catering operation born from growing demand for high-end external events.

Dave doesn’t shy away from the harder truths. He speaks candidly about the mental health challenges of running a seven-day operation solo, the importance of building better structures earlier, and the $25,000 annual community grants budget his businesses quietly run — no social media announcements, just quiet commitment to giving back. His advice to his younger self? Don’t try to do everything at once. Delegate, focus, and build your structure from day one.

With plans for a potential fourth venue already forming, David Schmidt is proof that regional Australia is where real innovation happens — one bold idea at a time.