Episodes

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. Mike Ungaro, CEO of San Pedro Fish Market and co-creator of the Kings of Fish TV series, lays out a strategic 10-year plan to turn a legendary single-location seafood icon into a billion-dollar empire. From a humble 200-square-foot stand in 1956 to serving 2 million guests a year, the Fish Market has always been about more than seafood—it’s an experience. Now, Mike is doubling down on that legacy with a $20–$30 millio...

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco, joins Mike Ungaro to share the unlikely story of how three Chinese-American brothers built a Mexican-inspired restaurant—and became the face of a $100 million Merrill Lynch campaign. Before Wahoo’s became a household name, Wing was just trying to make rent. With no marketing budget he learned how to barter, hustle, and create content before “content” was even a thing. That sa...

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. Mike Ungaro opens up about the real work behind turning a legacy seafood business into a scalable, professional organization—without losing the heart of the family. For over 60 years, San Pedro Fish Market has operated on grit, instinct, and innovation. But as customer demand skyrocketed and two-hour lines became the norm, Mike realized something had to change. The systems that got them to $10M wouldn’t take them to $...

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Lisa Landsman, Head of Industry Engagement and SMB Success at Google, to talk about what it really takes for restaurants to thrive in the digital age. Lisa and her team are focused on helping small businesses—especially restaurants—get discovered and succeed online. From Google Business Profiles to new tools on YouTube and AI-driven ad strategies, she shares how tech is evol...

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro, CEO of San Pedro Fish Market, breaks down why smart sponsorships aren’t about blank checks. They’re about shared stories and lasting impact. From slinging seafood out of a 200-square-foot corner shop to building a brand featured on Amazon Prime, Mike shares how Kings of Fi$H became a reality and how aligning with the right partners is key to scaling a $30 million business.

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Kelly Esten, Chief Marketing Officer at Toast, the tech company powering over 140,000 restaurants worldwide. When San Pedro Fish Market had to relocate on short notice, Toast played a key role in helping the team get up and running. Toast has become an essential part of the brand’s next chapter. Mike and Kelly talk shop about restaurant tech, AI tools, and what it takes to s...

Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro is joined by longtime friend and former fish market employee Bob Nizich—now an accomplished attorney and entrepreneur with deep roots in San Pedro. Bob started working at the fish market when he was just 13, but his connection goes back even further—delivering envelopes for Grandpa Mackey and learning life lessons from some of the neighborhood’s most legendary characters. Today, he re...

Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with Diane Hund, Chief Marketing Officer at US Foods, to talk partnerships, innovation, and the tech-fueled future of foodservice from the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. From high-volume operations to high-tech marketing, Diane and Mike unpack what it really takes to stay competitive—and why the right partners make all the difference. Together, they explo...

Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Henry Ungaro joins his brother Mike to tell the wild, behind-the-scenes story of how San Pedro Fish Market didn’t just survive eviction—it turned a parking lot into a half-million-visitor pop-up empire. It’s 2023. The Fish Market is being forced out of its iconic waterfront location. No time, no blueprint, and no backup kitchen. What came next was sheer entrepreneurial willpower: a shipping-cont...

Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro shares the high-stakes origin story behind San Pedro Fish Market’s most legendary dish: the World Famous Shrimp Tray. It’s 1982. The family’s in deep—operating out of a parking lot, drowning in debt, and racing to open by Good Friday. Then El Niño hits, soaking their only seating and threatening everything they’ve built. What came next wasn’t luck. It was pure innovation. With some b...

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro is joined by longtime friend and business partner Albert Dweck—CEO of Duke Properties. When the family business was pushed out of its longtime home, Albert stepped in—not just to help, but to rebuild from the ground up. From negotiating multi-decade leases to scouting waterfronts and securing financing, he’s become a critical player in the next chapter of America’s most iconic seafood bran...

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro sits down with TV veteran Tim Wasmundt—executive producer of the Kings of Fi$H and the man behind the post production of hit shows like Bar Rescue and Iron Chef America. Tim is also the founder of Von Skye Productions. From navigating TV industry shakeups to telling powerful stories without scripts, Tim shares how his Hollywood background helped shape a family-run fish market into a nation...

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this epic third episode, Mike Ungaro—CEO of the legendary San Pedro Fish Market and star of the Amazon Prime docuseries “Kings of Fi$H”—takes you back to where it all began: a tiny seafood stand run by two determined teenagers in 1956. From a humble 200-square-foot shop to a 55,000-square-foot waterfront institution, hear the wild, untold story of how innovation, relentless hard work, and bold storytelling turned t...

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro—CEO of the legendary San Pedro Fish Market and star of the Amazon Prime docuseries “Kings of Fi$H”—pulls back the curtain on how a family business built its own media empire. Discover how Mike took control of San Pedro Fish Market’s narrative, harnessed the power of social media, and turned a local seafood landmark into a national brand—while setting Guinness World Records and making histo...

Welcome to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this powerful first episode, Mike Ungaro—CEO of the legendary San Pedro Fish Market and star of the Amazon Prime docuseries “Kings of Fi$H”—shares his raw and deeply personal entrepreneurial origin story. From shoveling ice and scaling fish as a kid to escaping corporate burnout in the insurance and banking industries, Mike walks you through his unexpected path back to the family seafood empire. Hear how he turned ...

Fi$H Factor speaks to business owners, entrepreneurs, and fans of San Pedro Fish Market who want a deeper connection to the real work behind running a multi-generational business. These viewers aren’t just tuning in for entertainment—they’re absorbing lessons they can apply, whether launching a startup, managing family dynamics at work, or building a lasting legacy. The podcast offers more than a highlight reel. It dives into the real struggles, milestones, and behind-the-scenes realities that h...