Restaurant Unit & Revenue Growth

What Restaurants Focus on to Ensure Annual Revenue Growth

February 28, 2018

There are always concepts that are growing, prospering, and building impressive results, outpacing the market. Yours ought to be one of them. For some others, something changed. Many long-time operators who had felt it was their birthright to see 4-5% annual increase every year got … Continued

Secrets the Smartest Restauranteurs Know About Targeting Guests

February 23, 2018

When you are the best choice for the guest’s occasion, your guest counts increase. But who is your guest? And what is the occasion? Why You Shouldn’t Panic When you think about how much competition is out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But don’t … Continued

Until infrastructure is in place, you can’t afford to grow.

June 25, 2015

Recently, a partner in a startup chatted with me in the dining room of his first unit. He has aggressive goals for growth and wanted to discuss his second unit. He asked, “What are the biggest mistakes you see groups like mine make at the beginning of their … Continued

Grow at your own pace. But GROW!

February 17, 2015

Growth. It is the impetus of capitalism. So how do you know you are growing at the right pace? Every restaurant company we work with has a growth plan and a growth strategy. There is no one out there standing still that we know of. … Continued

Want to know more about the industry? Ask the suppliers.

May 15, 2013

Growing sales? Growing units? Every entrepreneur I have ever known thinks about these things every day. And it turns out the people who sell to them are thinking about the same things on their behalf. In the B to B world, vendors and suppliers come … Continued

Beware success on a shoestring

February 2, 2012

The good news?  There’s a low barrier to entry in the restaurant business. The bad news?  Well, you know. Most people think inferior locations, service, food or atmosphere are the factors that most often doom a restaurant.   While those are all important, having enough cash … Continued

Good Basics Make Great Habits.

December 23, 2011

The keys to building revenue in every business are understanding the lifetime value of a customer and learning how to turn occasional users into habitual ones. So I was glad to contribute to a discussion of that kind of success for the cover story in … Continued

The Sky is Falling? The Sky’s the Limit!

October 24, 2011

I recently read a great article in The New Yorker about declinism, the idea that things are getting worse and are about to get even more so and we are all going down the drain. It pointed out that the ability for this pattern of … Continued

What tasted good in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.

October 20, 2011

You may have seen Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop in Vegas. Now, it’s coming to North Texas. The Dallas Business Journal recently wrote about their entry into the market. Staff Writer Steven Thompson asked me about its prospects. The sandwich restaurant segment is becoming focused on menu … Continued

To franchise? Or not to franchise?

October 17, 2011

Many of our clients have asked me about franchising the brands we are helping them to grow. Who wouldn’t think about that? The idea of plenty of mail-box money and growing a business through capital from franchisees is very attractive. My advice is clear. The … Continued

Crazy? I call it conservative.

October 7, 2011

Red Mango to grow by up to 100 stores by Steven R. Thompson / Staff Writer Dallas Business Journal 8/26 – 9/1/2011 Last week, Steve Thompson at the Dallas Business Journal quoted me in his story about Red Mango‘s plans for expanding by 100 stores … Continued