Running Restaurants

In this episode we host Brenton Thomas, Founder of Twibi, in a conversation about effective digital marketing strategies for restaurants. Brenton advises starting with Google and Facebook ads due to their high return potential and suggests focusing on conversion tracking and consistent messaging across platforms. He recommends search campaigns and performance max campaigns for targeting high-intent customers and emphasizes the importance of optimizing Google My Business for local SEO. Brenton also touches on the value of high-quality photography and the challenges of adapting to algorithm changes, offering practical tips for small restaurants, including... - Recommendations for channel usage and budget allocation, emphasizing Google ads and Facebook ads - Importance of setting up conversion tracking on Facebook for ad optimization - Utilizing Google ads, including search campaigns and performance max campaigns - Emphasizing the significance of optimizing Google My Business profiles and local SEO - Incorporating short-form videos into performance max campaigns and focusing on lifestyle in video content - Value of portraying the dining experience through images and high-quality photography - Challenges of keeping up with evolving algorithms and privacy policies Timestamps and other highlights from the episode include: Digital Marketing Overview (00:00:32) Brenton gives an overview of Twibi's digital marketing services, including Google ads, Facebook ads, Instagram, and email marketing. Channel Recommendations (00:01:35) Brenton recommends Google ads and Facebook ads for restaurants, advises against using Twitter and TikTok, and suggests split testing between Google and Facebook ads. Facebook Advertising (00:02:33) Discussion on setting up conversion tracking on Facebook and optimizing for specific events like purchases and email collections. Google Ads Strategy (00:05:54) Brenton explains the importance of starting with a search campaign and utilizing performance max campaigns for Google properties. Local SEO and Business Citations (00:08:16) The importance of optimizing Google My Business profiles and utilizing local business citations for better visibility. Video Advertising (00:10:02) Brenton discusses the inclusion of video in performance max campaigns and its effectiveness in advertising. Content Creation for Restaurants (00:11:07) Tips on creating content that showcases the experience and lifestyle around the restaurant, rather than just the food. Keeping Up with Changes (00:12:44) Discussion on how to stay informed about algorithm changes in digital marketing, including utilizing email updates and working with agencies. Digital Marketing Tips (00:14:23) Brenton recommends starting with Facebook advertising and shares technical tips for tracking attribution in Google Analytics. Episode Host: Jaime Oikle - Episode Guest: Brenton Thomas Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.twibiagency.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this quick hit episode, Jason Brooks, Founder & CEO of HospiVation and author of the new book "Every Leader Needs Followers" provides a guide for conducting effective one-on-one meetings with team members. Brooks stresses the importance of listening over speaking, recommending a 35% speaking to 65% listening ratio for managers. Meeting should be divided into three parts: the first for the team member to share freely, the second for the manager to follow up on previous discussions, and the third for the team member to talk about their development and challenges. The approach aims to build strong relationships and empower team members to handle issues independently, minimizing the need for constant managerial oversight. Episode Highlights - How to have effective one-on-one meetings with team members - Importance of listening and engaging in meaningful conversations - Structuring the meeting into three segments - Manager talking for 35% and listening for 65% of the time - Encouraging team members to discuss personal interests, recent events, or work-related matters - Following up on previous discussions and addressing questions or concerns - Allowing team members to discuss their development, challenges, and areas for improvement - Building genuine relationships with team members - Fostering an environment of support and empowerment - Cultivating a team capable of handling issues independently FYI: This is a short snippet from episode #209: "Transforming Restaurant Managers into Leaders" - Click for full episode - https://www.runningrestaurants.com/articles/transforming-restaurant-managers-into-leaders More from Jason & Jaime at https://jasonebrooks.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

This is a short snippet from a recent webinar we hosted with Roger Beaudion of Restaurant Rockstars. Roger discusses how he used his "Difference Dollars" program to creating a culture of appreciation. Used in his restaurants for two decades, Difference Dollars rewarded employees for exceptional performance, fostering a positive culture. It encouraged a culture where excellence was recognized, motivating employees and naturally filtering out those who did not align with the restaurant's ethos. Episode Highlights: - Impacting a restaurant culture - Nomination process - Recognition ceremony - Power of a lasting impact on employee engagement - Influence on new employees - Overall effect on restaurant culture and employee engagement More from Roger & Jaime at https://restaurantrockstars.com/?ref=jaimeoikle & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode RunningRestaurants.com Founder Jaime Oikle hosts Jason Brooks, Founder & CEO of HospiVation who shares his expertise on leadership in the restaurant industry from his book "Every Leader Needs Followers." Brooks discusses the importance of understanding KPIs, the benefits of systematic leadership, and the need for effective delegation. He emphasizes the value of an "owner-like orientation" for new employees and the significance of one-on-one reviews for building team relationships. Brooks also highlights his goal to support Giving Kitchen by selling 10,000 copies of his book. The episode offers practical advice for restaurant managers to improve their leadership skills and make a community impact, including... - Importance of understanding key performance indicators (KPIs) and systematic leadership approach - Mastering KPIs and understanding brand-level, multi-unit, and store-level KPIs - Importance of breaking down large targets into smaller, manageable goals - Enhancing employee onboarding processes and instilling an ownership mentality - Effective delegation and structured training - Challenges of delegation and the impact of leadership mindset on team development - Engaging in one-on-one reviews and building relationships with team members - Leading with the right mindset: managing, leading, and coaching Timestamps and other highlights from the episode include: Mastering Your KPIs (00:05:45) Understanding and managing key performance indicators in the restaurant industry. Owner-Like Orientation (00:13:43) Improving the onboarding process by instilling an owner mentality in new hires. Delegate by Creating Mini Games (00:20:43) Effective delegation by prioritizing tasks, identifying strengths, and proper training techniques. Delegating (00:24:43) Reasons for poor delegation: lack of understanding, trust issues, power hoarding. Engaging with One-on-Ones (00:26:50) Importance of regular one-on-one check-ins, listening more than talking, building relationships. Leading with the Right Mindset (00:32:36) Differentiating managing, leading, and coaching mindsets, their tactics and styles. Supporting Giving Kitchen (00:37:09) Jason Brooks' mission to donate $30,000 in 30 days through book sales, and how to help. Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.jasonebrooks.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode RunningRestaurants.com Founder Jaime Oikle interviews Tony Smith, CEO and Co-founder of Restaurant365. They discuss the state of the restaurant industry, touching on concerns about a potential recession, the impact of inflation, and the ongoing labor challenges. They delve into the role of AI and data intelligence in restaurant management, including forecasting, inventory, and employee scheduling. They explore how technology can give managers time back by automating administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on guest experience and operate more like owners. The conversation also covered the significance of decision-making and leadership within the industry. Tony teases future developments for Restaurant 365, such as tip automation and enhancements to their workforce management suite. The episode concludes with a few book recommendations from Tony & Jaime. Timestamps and other highlights from the episode include: Current industry trends and concerns (00:00:44) Discussion about the uncertainty in the restaurant industry, potential recession impact, and the alleviation of inflation concerns. Restaurant 365's primary pillars (00:02:59) Overview of the three main areas: accounting, operational software, and workforce management, along with the focus on providing better intelligence tools. AI and data intelligence in the industry (00:04:19) Exploration of the applications of AI and machine learning in the restaurant industry, including sales forecasting, accounting functions, and employee training. Automating administrative tasks (00:06:34) The system's ability to give managers time back to focus on guest experience and important tasks, leading to them thinking more like operators. Empowering managers and operators (00:07:51) Discussion about how the system turns managers into operators, allowing them to make impactful decisions and have a more significant role in the business. Labor challenges and solutions (00:09:41) Addressing the labor crunch, wage inflation, and successful strategies for hiring, retaining, and incentivizing employees. Restaurant Transformation Tour and community involvement (00:11:25) Insights into the regional and national shows aimed at providing valuable information, bringing partners together, and fostering a sense of community within the industry. Cultural initiatives and employee engagement (00:14:09) The importance of a culture focused on growth and learning, investing in employees, and providing intrinsic value in the workplace. Prime cost control and profit management (00:16:07) Discussion about the significance of prime cost control, including food and labor costs, and its role in the overall profit and loss statement for restaurants. The profit and loss report (00:17:18) Discusses the significance and frequency of profit and loss reports in Restaurant 365, emphasizing its importance in the restaurant industry. New offerings and future plans (00:18:34) Highlights the recent release of tip automation and the expansion of workforce management suite, as well as the ongoing investment in business intelligence and machine learning. Decision-making and leadership (00:19:42) Tony shares his recent reading on decision-making, the impact of AI, and the importance of human nature in decision-making. Book recommendations and decision-making (00:21:38) Explains the concept of decision-making and betting, and additional book recommendations. Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.restaurant365.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

This is a short snippet from a recent webinar we hosted with Roger Beaudion of Restaurant Rockstars. Roger discusses the vital role of job descriptions in the restaurant business. He explains that clear, detailed job descriptions are crucial for setting expectations and ensuring employee accountability. Roger highlights the lack of comprehensive job descriptions in many restaurants, leading to employee confusion and poor performance. He details the components of an effective job description, including "key success factors" and precise responsibilities, and advocates for employee acknowledgment of these points to foster accountability. Additionally, Roger touches on the importance of outlining career advancement and cross-training opportunities, emphasizing that well-crafted job descriptions can enhance operational success and motivate staff. Episode Highlights: - Importance of job descriptions in the restaurant industry - Lack of comprehensive job descriptions in many restaurants - Key elements of a well-crafted job description - Identifying key success factors for each position - Outlining primary responsibilities with accuracy and detail - Creating a sense of accountability through job descriptions - Potential for career advancement and cross-training - Empowering employees and providing incentives - Benefits of investing time and effort into creating comprehensive job descriptions - Impact of job descriptions on employee performance and restaurant operations More from Roger & Jaime at https://restaurantrockstars.com/?ref=jaimeoikle & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

This is a short snippet from a recent webinar we hosted with Roger Beaudion of Restaurant Rockstars. Roger tells an almost unbelievable story of poor service that should open any operator's eyes. The clip highlights the fact that what your employees say & do can absolutely sabotage your business - so hire and train accordingly... More from Roger & Jaime at https://restaurantrockstars.com/?ref=jaimeoikle & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode of the Running Restaurants.com podcast Jaime Oikle interviews Ashley Bray about the Bar and Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas this upcoming March. They discuss the expo's events, education, exhibit floor, and networking parties. Ashley highlights several trends including: culinary cocktails with savory and functional ingredients, the rise of non-alcoholic beverages for wellness, as well as the importance of loyalty programs and employee retention for restaurants. The expo promises great industry educational and networking opportunities -- don't miss it! Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.barandrestaurantexpo.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode of the Running Restaurants.com podcast Jaime Oikle interviews Jonathan Rosa, president at Moura CFO. Jonathan shares his experience growing up in a restaurant family and working at Burger King headquarters. He discusses the financial challenges restaurant owners face and offers strategies to improve profitability, such as reviewing financial reports, managing costs, and calculating waste. He also emphasizes the importance of cash flow forecasting and exit planning. Other highlights include... - Differences between big corporate operations and independent restaurants - Slim profit margins in the restaurant industry - Tips for increasing restaurant margins, including raising prices and managing costs - Importance of regularly reviewing and analyzing financial reports - Story of a client improving gross profit through changes and monitoring inventory - The 80/20 principle and focusing on key systems and details - Importance of cash flow forecasting and waste calculation - Exit planning for restaurant owners and factors for a successful exit - Importance of building processes, systems, and delegating tasks for a profitable exit Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.mouracfo.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode of the podcast, Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com interviews Tom Rutledge, Managing Partner at RDMS Group. Tom is a former chef turned restaurant consultant. They discuss the challenges of restaurant management, including balancing costs, utilizing data, and adapting to the digital world. Rutledge emphasizes the importance of prime cost management, effective use of data, and creative menu planning. He also highlights the need for excellent customer service and effective management in driving revenue. The impact of the delivery economy on the restaurant industry is also discussed. Other highlights included: - The need for a comprehensive approach to restaurant management that combines accounting and operations - The challenge of restaurants not making as much money as they should, despite being busy - The importance of prime cost and finding the right balance between different cost factors - The affordability and importance of data collection for restaurants - The challenge of rising costs in the restaurant industry and the need for creativity in the value proposition and menu items - The impact of labor costs and the use of technology to reduce staffing needs - The importance of providing excellent customer service and effective management in controlling costs and driving revenue - The impact of the delivery economy on the restaurant industry and the need to adapt to the changing landscape. Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://rdmsgroup.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode of the podcast Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com speaks with Ho Chan Jang (CJ), Co-Founder & Exec Chef of Balance Grille. In this fast paced episode the two bounce around to a number of key restaurant operations topics including... - The backstory and journey of Balance Grille - Challenging the stigma surrounding Asian food and offering affordable options - Financial challenges and the importance of hard work and belief in one's concept - The role of technology in the restaurant industry, especially in the wake of COVID-19 - Systematization of operations and considerations for franchising - Ideal locations and types of franchise partners for Balance Grille - Marketing strategies, particularly through social media - Advice for new restaurant operators, including being hands-on and attentive to customer feedback Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://balancegrille.com, https://www.balancegrille.com/franchise & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Join Jaime Oikle from RunningRestaurants.com as he speaks with Zack Oates, Founder & CEO of Ovation. Zack's energy, enthusiam and passion are off the charts in this episode. So, what's the answer to the question posed, "What is the surprise way to drive sales & profits for restaurants?" It all starts with FEEDBACK says Zack... Listen in as we dig deep into... - Why making it easy for customers to give feedback is so important - How to turn 5 star feedback into more positive reviews and engagement - How to turn negative feedback around quickly and easily - How using customer feedback to find areas of retraining can make a big impact - Why having a system to manage bad experiences can be critical - Why getting off-premise (actually all) orders accurate and correct is a big deal - How to think about your customers to make your restaurant more profitable and successful - The three levels of customer loyalty: convenience, consistency, and connection. - and more... Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.ovationup.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com dig into the importance of implementing effective management systems in restaurants with Darren Denington & Alison Anne from the Restaurant Management 201 Workshop. They highlight the significance of trust, open communication, and accountability in building a successful management team. Darren breaks down different categories of systems in a restaurant, while Alison emphasizes the importance of a strong leadership team. The episode also touches on the importance of taking responsibility as a leader, staying organized, and the role of regular evaluation and updates of systems. Tune in and take your management skills to the next level! Episode highlights include: - Upcoming restaurant show appearance in Orlando Florida - Explanation of the importance of management systems in restaurants - Breakdown of different categories of systems in a restaurant - Emphasis on the importance of trust and open communication within a management team - Importance of building a strong leadership team - Importance of accountability and using an action list to track tasks - Importance of a strong culture and low turnover in restaurants - Emphasis on managers taking ownership and making changes for improvement - Importance of regular evaluation and updates of systems Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.restaurantmanagement201.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com has the pleasure of hosting Adenah Bayoh, the founder of Brick City Vegan, who shared her inspiring journey from Liberia to Newark, New Jersey, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Adenah's passion for providing great vegan food and options for urban communities drives her vision for the restaurant. We also discuss how Adenah communicates with her employees, implements feedback, and utilizes social media for marketing. Highlights include... - Adenah Bayoh's background and restaurant journey - The concept of Brick City Vegan - The challenges of running a niche restaurant - Adenah's passion for providing vegan food and options for urban communities - Communication and feedback sessions with employees - Implementing feedback in the restaurant - Marketing strategies, including social media and word-of-mouth - and more... P.S. Adenah's messages to fellow restaurant operators at the end are pure gold nuggets! Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://brickcityvegan.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode of the podcast Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com welcomes Seek Hannemann, the owner of Seven Brothers Burgers. Seek shares the story of how his family started the business in Hawaii and discusses their emphasis on the concept of aloha and creating a family-like atmosphere for customers. The two hit on various topics and shared a number of insights and lessons including... - Story of how Seven Brothers Burgers started and grew through franchising - Emphasis on the concept of aloha and creating a family atmosphere for customers - Creative use of social media, including YouTube shorts and Instagram reels - Focus on providing quality food and exceptional experiences to attract and retain customers - Loyalty program with incentives and engagement through email marketing - Importance of finding the right people for franchise growth, aligning with company values - Expansion plans in Utah, Arizona, Idaho, and Hawaii Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://sevenbrothersburgers.com, https://www.sevenbrothersfranchise.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode of the podcast Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com interviews Christine Shindler, the co-founder and CEO of PathSpot, a health and safety operating system for restaurants. Christine shares her background in biomedical engineering and how she became interested in improving hand hygiene in the restaurant industry as well as the future of food safety. Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.pathspot.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com delves into the secrets of effective restaurant management with Darren Denington & Alison Anne and what it takes to develop strong leadership at your restaurant. They talk about the crucial traits and skills needed for success in the restaurant industry. You'll discover the power of effective leadership in creating a positive and profitable dining experience. Tune in and take your management skills to the next level! Episode highlights include: - Challenges in the Restaurant Industry - Leadership vs. Management - Building Strong Systems - Team Building and Employee Engagement - The Importance of Praise and Encouragement - Building a Phenomenal Management Team - The Importance of a Good Dining Experience - Building Trust Through Consistent Positive Experiences - Management's Role in Creating a Positive Work Environment Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.restaurantmanagement201.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com interviews Megan Rosen, Chief Development Officer of Next Brands. While traditional real estate can be economically challenging for restaurant expansion, Next Brands twist on locations and build out is working well by transforming shipping containers into successful quick-serve restaurants. Highlights from their conversation include... - Development and design of the modular container concept - Discussion of key costs targets to help ensure profitability - Potential cost savings and fast development times - Strategy and benefits of offering slightly higher wages to attract quality employees who want to be part of the brand's culture - Being better positioned for economic downturns - The differentiating factors of the Beef-a-Roo franchise brand - Benefits of grassroot marketing and community involvement - Why you need to capture customer data and build loyalty programs - And more... Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.nextbrands.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Join Jaime Oikle from RunningRestaurants.com as he speaks with Dom Diana, CEO and founder of Slice Factory, the family-focused and welcoming Chicago-based pizza franchise and home to Chicago's original jumbo slice. We discussed the history of Slice Factory, their expansion and franchising plans, and the competitive pizza market in Chicago. Highlights from their conversation include... - The history of Slice Factory, from its beginnings in 1998 to its rebranding in 2013 and expansion plans - The decision to rebrand Slice Factory and the challenges of franchising & finding the right franchisees - The competitive pizza market in Chicago - The qualities Dom looks for in potential franchisees - How baking a massive 28-inch pizza is part of their branding success - Handling the challenge of staffing by building a fully automatic pizza robot to aid back of the house labor - How technology has helped Slice Factory streamline their operations, shave off 6 points & become more profitable - Slice Factory's social media presence, with a focus on TikTok and Instagram The episode provides valuable insights into the pizza industry and the importance of technology and social media in running a successful restaurant business. So, grab a slice of pizza and tune in to learn more! Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.slicefactory.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Are you struggling to keep your restaurant staff motivated and happy? In this episode restaurant consultant and author Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars shared his insights on creating a positive company culture and incentivizing employees. Roger believes that a strong culture goes beyond a mission statement and includes the vibe & camaraderie of good people. To achieve this, he suggests starting with a complete job description and key results for every employee to ensure accountability and clarity of expectations. He also incentivizes his staff with recognition and rewards programs for going above and beyond their responsibilities. Keeping good employees happy is crucial, especially in today's labor crisis. Roger stresses the importance of asking for feedback and fixing any issues that may be hindering their job satisfaction. He also encourages flexibility and reasonable raises to show appreciation for their hard work. Roger's approach to staffing and company culture is centered around creating a positive and supportive environment for his employees, which ultimately leads to better performance and guest experiences. He even shares his experience of implementing a recognition program in his restaurant to appreciate and acknowledge the efforts of his staff. As Roger says, "If you take care of your people, they'll take care of your guests." So, if you're looking to create a positive company culture and incentivize your employees, tune in to this episode now! Find out more at https://restaurantformula.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor Popmenu - https://popmenu.com/running

Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars runs through a number of ways to easily boost your restaurant's sales & profits. Every time we go through this topic in our webinars I'm reminded of the staggering amount of money left on the table by most restaurants!!! You've got a CAPTIVE AUDIENCE eager to BUY...make sure your staff is taking full advantage of every sales opportunity... Your bottom line will thank you for it... Find out more at https://restaurantformula.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor Zinch - http://financingthatworks.com

Join Jaime Oikle from RunningRestaurants.com as he speaks with Brendan Sweeney, CEO & Co-Founder of Popmenu about all the cool stuff they're doing for restaurants. They discuss the importance of having all marketing touchpoints in one place, the frustration with PDF menus on restaurant websites, and the evolution of restaurant websites. Brendan emphasizes the importance of utilizing technology to enhance the customer experience and increase sales, and he suggests that cross-selling, upselling, and recommending pairings should be built into the ordering process. Other highlights from our conversation include... - How Popmenu got started - How tech is helping bridge gaps in marketing for restaurants - Getting restaurant websites & online ordering right - How to know your customer better and why that's important - The power of the marketing flywheel - Doing your menu right online to be a powerful sales tool for your restaurant - The importance of having an efficient & effective off premise ordering/takeout/delivery capability - and more... Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.popmenu.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor Zinch - https://financingthatworks.com

Join Jaime Oikle from RunningRestaurants.com in a great chat with Lucy Logan of Menu Calc about where their business is today and how they are helping so many restaurants with their menus. The pair hit on a lot during a fun talk, including... - How to increase sales and profits by targeting menu & dietary preferences - How automatic real time menu updating is helping restaurants save time and dollars (and be more accurate) - The impact of calorie counts and ingredient tracking for restaurants - How pivoting from compliance focused to insights focused has changed Menucalc - Leadership lessons - Lucy's business book recommendation - and more... Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.menucalc.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor Popmneu - https://popmenu.com/running

Such a timely and important topic. Join Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com for a great chat with Chef Steve Konopelski of the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts about BOH staff. How to find, hire, train & retain. It's an excellent collection of tips for any restaurant operator or chef to follow for growing their team effectively. Chef Steve has appeared on the Food Network, had his wedding cakes featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, and The Knot and owned a Bed & Breakfast plus a bakery. Chef Steve is a current Chef Instructor for Baking & Pastry Arts at Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. He has extensive experience in the restaurant industry and won numerous awards including: Best Chef on the Eastern Shore of Maryland 2017, Best Dessert on the Eastern Shore 2016, Winner and Recipient of a $25,000 prize - Haunted Gingerbread Showdown on Food Network, 2018 We hit on a lot about hiring, training and retaining BOH staff, including... - Interviewing tips from both sides of the table - Tips for finding & retaining staff - Why it's important to "Be unapologetically you!" - The power of looking for teachable moments when training/interviewing kitchen staff - Why getting to know candidates as a human first is so important - Finding out what else they bring to the table beyond kitchen skills - Big intangible skill: Having high level of awareness as to what is happening around you - Pro tip: Let folks know how important and valuable they are on a regular basis - The "We not I" philosophy - and more... Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.escoffier.edu & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor Zinch - https://financingthatworks.com

In this episode, Jaime Oikle of Running Restaurants.com speaks with Carl Orsbourne, COO at Juicer and Co-Author of Delivering the Digital Restaurant. Some of what they hit included... - What's in the book - The why behind restaurants need to embrace digital - How to manage third party ordering sites effectively - Why to think about customer data as the new oil - How dynamic pricing is starting to come into the restaurant market - Tips for boosting profits - How to maximize kitchen potential with offers - The continuing trend of ghost kitchens - and more... Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.juicerpricing.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor Popmenu - https://popmenu.com/running

In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com speaks with Dave Fink, Founder and CEO of Postie. After the conversation with Dave it's clear that direct mail is no longer what it use to be. A quote on the Postie website says, "Shhh... Direct mail is the best kept secret in marketing." An intriguing reversal of a lot of modern digital marketing thinking... Dave & Jaime get into... - The targeting ability and power of direct mail - How direct mail can now be dynamic & fast - How and why to find "Look a like" audiences - Using segments as an important strategy - How direct mail can be used effectively for reactivations - Why you need to think of your data as "liquid gold" - The importance of staying busy and appearing busy as a restaurant - and more... Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.postie.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor Zinch - https://financingthatworks.com

Jaime Oikle from RunningRestaurants.com revisits with Anne Gannon, Founder of The Largo Group, on a variety of quick tax and accounting tips for restaurants. They hit on... - Typical accounting mistakes and oversights that restaurants make - The importance of a weekly forecast look - The key numbers that go into an effective weekly forecast - The four big areas that restaurants need to pay attention to - Getting depreciation right - Getting your tax return to tell the whole accurate story of your restaurant - Long term strategy tax planning to have a successful business exit - Why breaking out the various parts of your restaurant's revenue is beneficial - Why weekly accountability is the best recipe for success - And more... Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.thelargogroup.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor Popmenu - https://popmenu.com/running

Building a brand and growing it is never easy. But having a fun culture and a niche product make it all the more exciting. Join Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com as he talks with Sam Fonseca, COO at Roll-Em-Up Taquitos, the nation's first taquito-focused franchise, about their brand's origin and growth. Before joining the Roll-Em-Up Taquitos team, Sam spent years in the restaurant and food industry working at popular spots like In-N-Out, Raising Cane's, and Dave's Hot Chicken. They hit on... What about the Roll-Em-Up Taquitos business model makes them so successful Maintaining a successful franchise during uncertain economic times Ideal frachissee partners Digital & social marketing Having tik tok success And more... Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.rollemup.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor zinch - https://financingthatworks.com

Delivery & Takeout for restaurants is no longer optional. (If it ever really was...) Getting it right can be a challenge though. In this episode Jaime talks with Scott Landers, Co-founder & Sustainability Engineer at Figure 8 Logistics. They talked about optimizing menus, menu engineering, sustainability & minimizing waste, maximizing check size & making delivery profitable. Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.figure8.delivery & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor popmenu - https://popmenu.con/running

Have you costed your menu? Do you know your profit per item? Roger Beaudoin of Restaurat Rockstars runs through a quick example with tips for how you to best implement at your restaurant. Don't miss these tips... Find out more at https://restaurantrockstars.com/?ref=jaimeoikle & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor Zinch - http://financingthatworks.com

In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com talks with Roger Beaudoin of Restaurant Rockstars about the importance of knowing your break-even number. They discuss both why you need to know your number and how to calculate it. Find out more at https://restaurantrockstars.com/?ref=jaimeoikle & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor popmenu - https://popmenu.con/running

The power of video has come a long way! In this episode Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com talks with Rish Gupta, Co-founder and head of product at Spot AI, which has an AI camera system to make restaurants safer & smarter. It was fascinating to learn everything the system can do - from visibility across multiple locations to capturing "training moments" and spotting waste and theft to, of course, incident and accident management. Lots of other cool features as well. It really is "the easy button for video footage..." Be sure to check out the episode... Find out more at https://spot.ai & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. Thanks to episode sponsor popmenu - https://popmenu.con/running

Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com gets with Chef Shawn Edelman of The Halal Guys on their explosive growth. From covering their "carts on the street" origin story to franchise expansion plans the two hit on lots of key topics including expansion & franchising, simplicity, efficiencies, labor market challenges, career growth, takeout/delivery & more... Find out more at https://thehalalguys.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Great interview with Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com & Kevin King, President of Donatos Pizza. They get into many aspects of the business including building a brand and its footprint, expansion of digital options, pandemic lessons, franchising, training & more. Find out more at https://donatos.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Great conversation with Alison & Darren about their new Restaurant Management 201 Program. They have put together a comprehensive restaurant management training program that is going to benefit a bunch of operators in 2023 in such a positive way. Check out our conversation around what the program looks like and be sure to sign up for it before sessions start in mid January. Find out more at https://restaurantmanagement201.com and https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Great in-depth restaurant business session with Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com & Andy Diamond, President of Angry Crab Shack. A lot of ground covered in this one including... * How the brand got started * The way the brand's atmosphere plays into their success * How they build fun into the restaurant's DNA * What makes a successful franchise formula * How to bring people in & bring them back * The importance of establishing long-term relationships with local charities * Showing career growth opportunities and more. Find out more at https://angrycrabshack.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com gets with Catherine Tindall of Dominion Enterprise Services in this episode of the podcast to talk all about the Employee Retention Credit (ERC.) Important Tax & Finance topic for restaurants as they cover what the ERC is and how is it calculated as well as who's eligible for it and how to file for the credit. They also hit on some key overall tax planning tips that restaurants should be aware of. Don't miss it! Find out more at https://dominiones.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com gets with Yelp's Small Business Expert Emily Washcovick in this episode of the podcast to talk all about restaurants and online reviews. As Yelp's Small Business Expert, Emily is in the unique position of having spoken with thousands of restaurant owners about the challenges they face and strategies they employ to overcome them – not to mention discuss their perspectives on online reviews, both good and bad. She demystifies online reviews and shares info to empower restaurant owners to leverage reviews for marketing and customer service transparency. Emily talks about taking an active role regarding online reputation so business owners can foster deeper connections with customers. “Don't fear the review” is her mantra – by not engaging with reviews, businesses are missing out on an incredible opportunity. Emily is absolutely fantastic in this episode! Don't miss it! Find out more at https://business.yelp.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Join Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com & Andrew Pudalov, CEO of Rush Bowls in a wide ranging conversation about the restaurant business, including: The business origin story; Pioneering a model; Pandemic impacts & learnings; The move to franchising; Mentorship & leadership; Fighting against the "perfect storm" challenging restaurants; Finding, keeping and rewarding great employees; Marketing & loyalty & data; And a whole lot more... For more go to https://www.runningrestaurants.com & https://rushbowls.com.

Great episode for restaurant marketing! We get into the whys & hows of doing birthday marketing well for your restaurant. I'm so passionate about this topic, we've partnered to offer Birthday Marketing programs for our restaurant operator audience! Check out the tips & advice in this episode and then get in touch with us about getting your birthday marketing program going - https://www.runningrestaurants.com/categories/birthday-marketing.

Good one on tap for you... Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com gets with Travis Talbot, Principal & Lead Strategist of Hospitality Arts as the two circle around a variety of restaurant topics including: Market niches -- Hooks & how they set you apart -- Company culture and positioning -- Social media tips -- Menu engineering -- The COVID Catalyst -- Removing friction points -- and more... Lots of good stuff in this one...Check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.hospitalityarts.group & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Always great to talk with Tony Smith, CEO of Restaurant 365 about the business. Tony shares a solid and refreshing take on building a company culture that any restaurant business can use to better attract and retain staff -- everyone's biggest challenge these days. We hit on a lot including: Tony's back story & how tech has changed over time -- How operators can build a strong team and workplace culture that prioritizes retention -- The importance of Mission and Vision -- Showing growth path & career development to staff -- Data Driven Accountability -- Key aspects of having Mentors in the business -- AI & Robotics -- Ghost Kitchens -- Building powerful habits -- and more. Lots of good stuff in this one...Check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.restaurant365.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

A lot of marketing and tech talk packed into this one! Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com gets with Phil Crawford, CTO at CKE Restaurants, parent company of Carl's Jr and Hardee's including... Pandemic impacts on QSR -- Importance of push to tech -- Loyalty & Rewards -- Drive thru opportunities -- What's coming with AI & Robotics -- Ghost Kitchens -- Digital ordering, menu boards & kiosks -- Future growth -- and more... Lots of good stuff in this one...Check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.carlsjr.com, https://www.hardees.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com. (Editor's Note: The session was recorded in May 2022 & aired in August 2022. At one point, the interview mentions Matthew Walls as head of development. Mr. Walls is no longer with the company.  The end of the interview mentions an upcoming movie promotion tie-in. That was related to the release of Jurassic World Dominion.)

Refreshing stuff with Stratis Morfogen of Brooklyn Chophouse, Brooklyn Dumpling Shop and the author of the new book Be a Disruptor. We talk about breaking rules & conventions, NYC restaurant life in the age of COVID, timing & execution, franchise growth, mob stories and more. Plus the interview pretty much starts with the "F" word...so there's that... You'll enjoy this one...Check it out... Find out more at https://www.brooklynchophouse.com, https://www.brooklyndumplingshop.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Want to hear about what explosive growth looks like? Join Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com as he talks with Bob Anderson, President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill about where they are now and the rapid growth that's planned. You have to have a lot of systems in place & working successfully to target aggressive growth as they are so it was great to take a peek inside their plans. Check it out... Find out more at https://www.thegreatgreekgrill.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com visits with Ben Pryor, Head of Innovation at SpotOn about their recently released report, Maximizing Profits. They walked through a number of screen grabs from the report talking about the biz and opportunities to enhance profits. Lots of good insights...Check out the episode... Find out more at https://www.spoton.com/Maximizing-Profits.pdf & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com gets with Bo Davis, Co-Founder & CEO of MarginEdge. As both an experienced restaurant operator and tech entrepreneur Bo brought great insights to the episode. It's more important than ever to capture every nickel and dime possible for your restaurant's profits and there's no doubt that tech is leading the way to help make that possible. You'll enjoy our fun conversation as we talk math & profits & menu costs & more...Find out more at https://www.marginedge.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com visits with Michel Falcon, author of People First Culture and Founder/CEO of Brasa Peruvian Kitchen. The two uncover a bunch of valuable gold nuggets on the power of people development in your restaurant business. How do you start, grow and make future expansion plans in a pandemic? Well, Michel has the formula and I promise that some of it will be eye opening!!! You absolutely don't want to miss this! Check it out... Find out more at https://www.brasaperuvian.com, https://www.michelfalcon.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

This was a fun one for me as we got to mix softball, life and restaurants into an episode. Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com gets with Bill Hoopes from Capital Tacos and Florida PGF Softball for a wide ranging conversation. Bill's story is inspirational in many ways and I'm beyond sure that he's going to be successful in his new venture with the energy, passion & leadership he brings to the table. I think you'll find many parts of this episode resonate for you. Find out more at https://www.capitaltacos.com, https://www.playflpgf.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com visits with Ola Sars, Founder & CEO of Soundtrack Your Brand in this fun episode about how aspects of music at a restaurant or bar can be a powerful differentiating factor. Ola has a long & storied past in the music business so it was great to get his insights on what can work well for restaurants & bars. Check it out... Find out more at https://www.soundtrackyourbrand.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.

OK, hold on...Jaime Oikle of RunningRestaurants.com zips through a lot of powerful marketing tips for your restaurant with David "Rev" Ciancio of Branded Strategic Hospitality and Handcraft Burgers & Brew. They roll though a lot of marketing content for restaurants in a short time so have those notebooks out! They hit on how to build digital into the DNA of a restaurant, social media & a special section just on Tik Tok for restaurants. Do not miss this! Find out more at https://www.brandedstrategic.com, https://www.handcraftburgers.com & https://www.runningrestaurants.com.