We've just come through one of the most incredible time periods in our lives, where states restricted the way we could operate our businesses because of the COVID-19 virus. It was necessary to save lives and to flatten the curve, but we all know it hurt us in a big way.

The restaurant industry was hit particularly hard by COVID-19, but the silver lining is there’s an opportunity for you to make real change right now in your business. 

As a restaurant owner, you are going to need to...

I'm feeling pretty good because I've been on the phone with restaurant owners just like you for the last seven weeks, and you've turned a corner. It was pretty bad for a few weeks, but you are proving your reputation for resilience. 

One of the main reasons you’re still standing is you have learned to pivot your business. I’ve seen restaurant owners do all kinds of things they never thought they’d do, including running a to-go BBQ parking lot business to creating a...

It’s been six weeks since the states shut down restaurants and other hospitality outlets. Our rules of business changed. And if you've been following me, you've seen me go from an extremely somber, depressed mood, just like you as operators, to upbeat and positive. At this point, I’m seeing this all as a real opportunity for us. Those restaurants that are still open and have learned to pivot, to change their business, have figured out a way to run leaner. You're in a position to...

I’ll tell you what, here in week five, my energy levels are up. Your energy level should be up because if you've made it this far. If you're in this week five, then I think you’re going to make it. I didn't say you weren’t going to come out of this wounded. I didn't say you were going to make money, but you're going to make it.

That's huge, because anecdotally, I have no research, no information to provide you, but my belief about 25% or more of independent restaurants, are...

We’re now in week four of the coronavirus pandemic. The new restrictions due to the pandemic are the new reality of running a restaurant. And it's been interesting. If your doors are still open, you did it. You adapted. Maybe you added curbside, moved to delivery and added the apps. Maybe you pivoted and created a grocery store/restaurant. I’ve talked to a lot a restaurant operators who are gathering money, almost like a charity, and then using the money to provide meals to first...

It's week 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic and restaurants are among the hardest industry hit by the cultural shift to stay-at-home recommendations and orders. How can you can make it through this pandemic and major change in how to operate a restaurant?

There is a restaurant segment that isn’t suffering during this time: quick-serve restaurants, including pizzerias, who already had delivery and/or a drive through. For most of these restaurants, sales are booming.

But the rest...

If you’ve ever searched the Internet for the best restaurant software for your restaurant, you know there are a lot of options available. The goal of restaurant software is to use it to increase your profits and simplify your life. Watch this video, or keep scrolling for suggestions to find the best restaurant software for your restaurant and why you need it.

There are so many options out there for restaurant software. I want to help you sort through what you’re looking for and...

This is an unprecedented time for the hospitality industry, and I've been talking to a lot of people in different areas: associations, restaurants, food distributors, restaurant vendors, POS dealers and more who are all making massive adjustments in their operations. 

There is no single answer to how to move forward. But I'm seeing some great examples of innovation and ingenuity. Below are a bunch of examples for you to consider along with some resources.

Okeechobee Steakhouse:...

This pandemic, COVID-19 virus, is crippling our industry. My heart goes out to you as you worry about your employees, your vendors, your family and your community. I know one of the biggest questions you have is will your restaurant survive this crisis. What I have to tell you here should help you make some clear decisions.

Before you get too far into this, let me first be clear that the advice I’m offering here is for the week of March 16, with many cities and states shutting down...

If you’ve watched any of my tip videos, read any articles I’ve written, or heard me speak on a stage at a food show, you’ve heard me mention Restaurant 101. What do I mean by Restaurant 101? Watch this video, or keep scrolling, for the breakdown of what I mean by Restaurant 101.

If you're familiar with the information I share with you on a regular basis, you know I'm here to help you make more money, get your life back and have a management team know their job. When you...