No 1 Tip to Motivate Restaurant Managers Feb 21, 2023

A restaurant owner who builds a team of reliable and accountable restaurant managers is primed for success. When you have a team of people to lead, it gives you as the restaurant the freedom to work on the bigger, more strategic business moves. So, how do you keep this team of restaurant managers...

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7 Things to Look for When Interviewing for Restaurant Managers for the Kitchen Feb 14, 2023

Over the past 20 years of coaching restaurant owners, one thing has not changed: the challenge of finding the right kitchen manager or chef for your restaurant. It’s pretty easy to convince yourself you found the right person to later find out they’re a disaster of a choice....

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The Secret to Finding Good Restaurant Managers for the Kitchen - Ep 65 Feb 08, 2023

Hiring a restaurant manager is a challenge, but there’s no greater challenge than finding the right kitchen manager. A lot of restaurant owners look to chefs as an ideal manager in the kitchen. After all, they are people destined to help create an experience in a restaurant that results in...

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What to Expect from Restaurant Leadership in the Kitchen Feb 07, 2023

Is it better to hire a chef as a restaurant manager in the kitchen? The short answer is that there's only one difference between a chef as a manager in the kitchen and a manager with general kitchen knowledge. Regardless of which type of restaurant manager you hire for the kitchen, here...

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Why Your High Restaurant Food Cost Is Probably Your Fault Jan 31, 2023

After coaching restaurant owners since 2003, I can tell you with 100% certainty that what almost every restaurant owner wants to know is how to control food cost. It doesn't matter if they’re brand new to the restaurant business, or they’re a seasoned veteran, food cost challenges...

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How to Beat Down Rising Food Cost in Your Restaurant - Ep 64 Jan 25, 2023

I have been coaching independent restaurant owners since 2003 and I can tell you with 100% certainty that what almost every restaurant owner wants to know is how you can control your food cost. It doesn’t matter if you're brand new to the restaurant business or you’re a seasoned...

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Kitchen Systems Every Restaurant Needs to Use to Lower Food Cost Jan 24, 2023

Here's your restaurant owner reality check. If your food cost is higher than you think it should be, I’m willing to bet you're not managing your kitchen correctly. It means you don't have the right systems in place to control your food cost and if you have recipe costing cards, you don't...

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How to Make Your Restaurant Stand Out in a Sea of Competition Jan 17, 2023

How can you make your restaurant stand out in the sea of competing restaurants – other independents and the overbearing chain restaurants? The restaurant business is hard, and all the competition can make it downright scary. If I were to count the number of restaurants, just restaurants...

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Machine vs Human: Who Predicts Restaurant Sales Better Jan 11, 2023

When I first started developing operational systems in restaurants, I relied heavily on spreadsheets. Excel was revolutionary, and I pushed that program to the max. Spreadsheets were the best way to organize the systems, track numbers, track inventory and do all kinds of operational tasks in the...

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9 Restaurant Numbers to Know to Be Successful Jan 10, 2023

Running a restaurant by the numbers can be a challenge if you don't know what numbers you need to know in the first place. Off the top of your head though, I bet you can name three without even thinking: food cost, labor cost and your profit loss. While there are many more numbers to know, I want...

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How to Make Restaurant Accounting Easier Jan 03, 2023

Restaurant accounting… do I really need to say more? It's a challenge. No matter if you're doing it yourself, or you're farming it out, most of the numbers and reports you have are worthless when it comes to running your business. Don't get me wrong. You’re getting your taxes paid,...

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How This Restaurant Owner Earns Respect and Loyalty from Her Employees Dec 28, 2022

If you’re interested in learning how to own a restaurant with a great atmosphere for guests and employees, I want to introduce you to Gina Sidebottom, my guest for this episode. Gina's family has owned Maria's Mexican restaurant, which was started by her mother, Maria, in 1992. They love...

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