Here in Texas, the high temperatures have finally dipped all the way down to the eighties. That means October and the State Fair, pumpkin spice, and a countdown to the holidays that’s shorter than any reasonable person would expect.
If you pay attention you know to start thinking critically about next year.
2027 starts now as top operators start their organizational conversations about next year’s plan.
With my clients, we discuss:
- Improving cost management by refining accounting systems, financial literacy, and information sharing.
- Achieving better single-unit economics by raising up General Managers so they can take full responsibility for increased performance at their individual locations – and also help ownership feel relief that they are not called on to do too much.
- Inspiring people by bottling culture and making sure people sip from those bottles every day.
- Building guest count through a focus on service and hospitality that proves to be an emotional add-on to steps of service.
- Maintaining growth by understanding the different needs of newer and older restaurants in the same brand.
- Increasing revenue through a catering business that not only responds to customers who reach out but also reaches out to customers – creating new opportunities.
- Engaging and captivating guests through culinary trends that call for menu updates.
- Offsetting the rising costs of so many items – the costs of which we cannot control – by emphasizing purchases of what you do control.
How to Outpace the Market
The people who have a clear vision of the most important things they will accomplish in 2027 substantially outpace those who just want to cope with a challenging market and others who feel victimized by market conditions.
With high gas prices, an upcoming election that serves as the starting line for the next presidential election, continued inflation, and a guest who scrutinizes every decision to spend money in restaurants with the care of a forensic scientist, I cannot forecast an improved environment next year.
Simplicity Foreshadows Success
If you have learned lessons this year and have been keenly aware of your business and that of your competitors, you know what to pivot to next year. Make it four things instead of 10. Be realistic, and focus.
The time you spend now putting your 2027 plan together can make the difference between getting an A on your 2027 report card and settling for a C – or worse.
