Remember the days leading up to the presidential election? And the days after it? World-championship LeBron James levels of uncertainty – like much of the year 2020. Reminds me of a telephone negotiation I just completed. The person on the other end of the call said to me, “What we really need on this is … Continued
Earlier in the year, I expected to be writing by now about the lessons we learned during the COVID crisis. I mean, we knew going into this that it wasn’t going to be a sprint. We always thought it would be a marathon. But it turns out we’re in an ultra-marathon. When the COVID-19 crisis … Continued
In 2020 you need all the help you can get. Here is help for you that takes next Monday at 2 PM CDT (registration link at the bottom of the page). Read below about Denny Law Group’s annual industry event, free and this year, virtual. David Denney hosts me and a panel of other experts … Continued
Last week I spoke to multiple operators who reflected on the process they used a year ago to set their goals for 2020 – and how those goals currently lie in a hundred pieces on the floor due to COVID-19. Usually around this time of year, I talk to my clients about planning for next … Continued
Remember your former long-time guests? The ones you have not seen since March? Think of all their names and faces now. While they may seem like just a memory at this point, they’re more than that – they represent your life’s work…and your future profit. So surprise them; get in touch with them to revive … Continued
Restaurateurs who barely gave a thought to to-go and delivery before this year are now relying on them to help their restaurants produce any kind of revenue approaching historical norms. For that to happen, though, customers need to perceive your to-go and delivery as fast, efficient, accurate, and safe – from easy online ordering to … Continued
When you log on to your favorite news site to see that 25% or 40% or 85% of restaurants will not survive this mess, you feel depressed and downright disturbed. (By the way, I predict the lower number.) As of today here in Texas, though, most restaurants can go back to 75% capacity – up … Continued
Qualifying for a potential PPP2 loan is critical to survival planning. Congress is working with a formula where PPP2 loans, if they happen, reward people who could not (or did not) open after the shelter-in-place orders – or had central business district or tourist locations. Those restaurants need the help. On the flip side, qualifying … Continued
2020 has taken its place as the best year of our lifetimes to honor the American worker. Like everything else, Labor Day has taken on the personality of what we got this year-not what we typically encounter. With no experience to fall back on, we expect there will never be anything like it again, … Continued
Any restaurant owners out there who want to feel better? If so, I recommend spending some time right now improving your restaurant company with the future in mind. Restaurant owners who live in the middle (or wherever we exist now) of this pandemic feel a lot better when they focus on the future, remember that … Continued