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.

203: Effective Strategies for Maximizing Restaurant Profits

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.

204: Financial Tips for Restaurant Owners

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.

205: Preview: 2024 Bar and Restaurant Expo - Plus Hot Trends

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.

206: The Formula for Getting Service Horribly Wrong

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.

207: Getting Job Descriptions Right at Your Restaurant

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.

208: Trends, Challenges & Opportunities: With Tony Smith of Restaurant 365

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.

209: Transforming Restaurant Managers into Leaders

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.

Quick Hit: "Building an Unbreakable Restaurant Culture" (Ep 210)

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.

Quick Hit: "Effective 1-on-1 Meetings" (Ep 211)

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.

212: Effective Digital Marketing Strategies for Restaurants

Helping restaurants be more profitable! From marketing tips & operational insights to customer service how-tos, team building secrets & technology tidbits, RR delivers the key tools and techniques to help restaurant owners & managers solve the great mystery of running a profitable restaurant.

Running Restaurants Podcast

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