If you tell yourself that your restaurants appeal to everyone aged 4-74 – or anything similar to that – that is wrong. If you tell yourself that you compete with all restaurants – wrong again. One of my clients was telling me these things, and it was only by going beyond that kind of thinking that … Continued
I was having a drink with one of my clients and we were talking about the roles he and his wife were taking in their own business—which was very successful by any measure. They were working a lot. A lot. And seemingly forever. “We’ve decided we will work like dogs until we turn 50. Then … Continued
The people who brought you to the first level of growth will not be the ones who will amp it up to the next level. Bring in outside perspectives. A ton of my work involves helping people find the right experienced leaders, enrolling and hiring those leaders, and coaching them (and their new bosses) to … Continued
2023 gave us steep interest rate increases, a shortage of experienced workers, and breaking the record type summer heat. But there’s one more thing 2023 provided: clarity on where to focus so we can build and grow successful independent companies like the ones that you own and I work with. I’ve selected five especially popular or meaningful … Continued
For my best clients, it doesn’t matter what curveballs life throws at them. They stay on a strong growth curve regardless—remaining in control of their destiny and putting the right information to work. And when you do that, great things happen, like jumping from 5 units to 21, or reinvigorating revenue at a brand that … Continued
Lately, I’ve worked with my clients so much on their 2024 plans that, in my mind, I’m already there. So I’m constantly surprised when I see a date that says 2023. It feels like something from the past. Adopt the same attitude and put maximum energy into planning for a breakthrough. Positively approach changes for … Continued
Every restaurant closing or personnel change has a backstory you never read about in a magazine. So much goes unsaid and unprinted. As an insider, I know. You may, too. Challenges in the Restaurant Industry I have heard a lot of talk and read a lot of texts lately about Brian Reinhart’s D Magazine article, … Continued
Are you working hard this holiday season – feeling the frustrated pull of your family asking you to peel a few days here or there so everyone can be together? Or are you more like many of my clients, who have structured their business so that trusted and responsible people are able to run it … Continued
I can’t make it through a single day without someone talking to me about how much they need to hire or develop more talented managers. On many days it’s multiple someones. One nice part of our business right now that can help? Clarity. We know what people want in order to stick around and work … Continued