G. “Jim” Hasslocher — my client, who was founder and chairman of Frontier Enterprises in San Antonio — passed away back in November, 2015. Known to all as “Mr. Jim,” he began his hospitality career in 1947. Today, Frontier Enterprises operates 24 restaurants (most of which have been operating for decades) over four concepts. You … Continued
On January 8, 2016 David Bowie released his 25th album, Blackstar, which debuted on the charts at number 1. Two days later, he died from a cancer that, it turned out, he had been fighting for a year and a half. Blackstar was literally his pre-planned farewell to the world. You can’t go out any higher than number … Continued
We have all seen the forecasts. They are all the same: In the coming years there will not be enough employees to staff our restaurants. The idea of an ample labor supply is as archaic as phones connected to the walls by wires, 13-column pads, and the onion-skin booklets the credit card companies sent us … Continued
In this month’s QSR Magazine, I’m quoted in Kevin Hardy’s article — “For Restaurants, What’s Changed Under Trump?” — in which industry experts discuss what has changed for them during the Trump administration and how the upcoming midterm elections might affect them. With an election coming up, this piece is very timely. If you have … Continued
Eric Cacciatore recently stopped by my house to record an episode of his incredible, segment-leading podcast “Restaurant Unstoppable.” He was on a cross-country mission to talk to interesting, informed, creative, and significant restaurant people from coast to coast, and he was here to record episode 518. And that is not a typo: he has already … Continued
As a successful owner of a multi-unit independent restaurant company, you truly have won the lottery — with your company set up (or able to be set up) so you can make more money than you ever thought possible. Truly, I recommend you think of it that way. Why? Because being at the head of … Continued
When you own a successful multi-unit independent restaurant company — or any company, for that matter — that company becomes a reflection of you. What you do well, it does well. Your challenges are its challenges. One of my clients told another one of my clients, “When you work with Matthew to improve your company, … Continued
Your company is organized functionally. That sounds efficient, but it’s actually the exact opposite of what will get you the best result. Instead, organize by what your guests want. You have servers, cooks, bussers, hosts, general managers, managers, shift leaders, marketers, trainers, group salespeople, and office staff — all focused on their process: what their … Continued
Before you read, I wanted to share a free resource with you because you’re part of this community. Learn the 4 ingredients your restaurant business needs to maximize success. Download “Matthew Mabel’s Toolkit for Creating a Dream Restaurant Business“. No strings attached! Now – let me share what High School teachers know about your success. Recently I had a … Continued
Build your business, talk to your peers, and have some fun while you are at it — this weekend in San Antonio. Texas Restaurant Association Marketplace, the second largest industry event in the country, has morphed into part trade show, part conference, part party. It starts Sunday — in San Antonio, for the first time … Continued