Restaurant Marketing School
480 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsCreated in partnership with Yelp for Restaurants, Restaurant Marketing School provides daily marketing tips, tricks and tools, giving restaurateurs the tools they need to communicate with their existing customers and reach an entirely new customer base.
Hosted by Michelin-rated restaurateur Josh Kopel, RMS brings a fresh perspective to traditional marketing in the hospitality space.
Each episode is only 4-7 minutes, providing bite sized, actionable information that listeners can implement in their restaurants that day.
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Episodes
How to Win with Hospitality
January 27, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 8.49 MBEvery restaurant owner and operator is looking for an edge over the competition. For most of us, the answer is hidden in plain sight. That answer, ironically enough, is the very reason we got into this industry. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton discuss how the level of hospitality we offer our guests is the ultimate competitive advantage and what that looks like in practical application. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing Schoo...
How to Discipline Your Staff with Support
January 26, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10.3 MBThere is a way to establish accountability within our teams without demotivating them. It’s a proven process which has become commonplace in countless industries. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton discuss how to bring those processes into our restaurants and kitchens, ensuring our teams are held accountable but feel supported at the same time. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: I...
How to Bridge the Gap Between the Front and Back
January 25, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 9.86 MBA restaurant is made up of many parts but, in order to achieve the highest levels of success, these individual parts must work in concert with each other. In this episode, Josh Kopel, a Michelin-rated restaurateur and Anthony Hamilton, an award winning chef, sit down to discuss the proven tactics they’ve used to bring front of house and back of house employees together. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Re...
How to Maximize Performance Within Your Teams
January 24, 2023 13:59 - 7 minutes - 9.7 MBMaximizing performance is a two-way street. If we want to get the most out of our teams, we have to give them everything they need to succeed. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton look at the tools leaders can use to support their teams as they strive for excellence. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to ...
How to Make Managing Costs a Winnable Game
January 23, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 7.94 MBWe spend so much time staring at our financial statements without an inkling of how to improve the numbers we see. Those days are done. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton provide winning strategies for managing your costs and scaling your restaurant’s profitability. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to...
How to Establish a Continual Improvement Process
January 20, 2023 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.5 MBAs entrepreneurs and restaurant owners, we are in a constant state of improvement. This process, though necessary, can exhaust us and our teams. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton discuss how these improvements can be adjusted to inspire our teams instead of wearing them down. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our...
How to Make Your Menu Easier to Execute
January 19, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10 MBIn our industry, labor is the killer of most businesses and most of that labor is being absorbed by the back of house. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton illustrate how innovations in menu engineering can streamline your restaurant’s operations and scale profitability. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is...
How to Use Your Specials Board to Move the Needle
January 18, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10.1 MBEverything you need to move product and create profit is within reach. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton discuss how a chalkboard and a little salesmanship can transform your restaurant into a money making machine. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with l...
How to Get Back to Basics on Effective, Trackable Marketing Campaigns
January 17, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 8.88 MBNo one becomes a restaurant owner because they’re passionate about marketing. Having said that, it has become painfully obvious that marketing is no longer optional within our industry. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton offer a step by step guide to planning and executing a winning marketing campaign. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed...
How to Flex as an Independent Operator In the Marketing World
January 16, 2023 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.4 MBIt’s easy to feel defeated when we look at the marketing campaigns of the big box restaurants that so many of us compete with. Having said that, the market is clamoring for new ideas and they want to hear what you have to offer. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton discuss how independent restaurant owners and operators can position themselves as a more attractive option for savvy consumers looking for what’s new and what’s next. _________________________________________________...
How to Keep Expectations from Ruining Relations
January 13, 2023 13:00 - 10 minutes - 14.7 MBOne of the greatest hurdles in our industry is the day to day frustration that we face in attempting to achieve a level of success that so few do. The path to success is not one we can travel alone and, as much as we need great people by our side, those people need a great leader at the helm. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton discuss the right and wrong way to set expectations for yourself and your team. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant...
How to Ensure Amazing Company Culture
January 12, 2023 13:00 - 10 minutes - 14.6 MBIn an industry where a positive company culture has always felt like a “nice to have,” it has become painfully obvious that it is a “need to have.” To ensure the survival of the hospitality industry, we must borrow the best practices from other industry leaders. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton discuss the essential elements of a positive company culture as well as tools and tactics that will improve culture without breaking the bank. ________________________________________...
How to Avoid Employee Turnover
January 11, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10.6 MBThe only sustainable cure for ending the restaurant industry’s labor crisis is to maximize employee retention. Turnover is the biggest threat to both our restaurant’s profitability and our ability to scale. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton offer simple, proven strategies for ensuring that you keep the employees you currently have inspired and focused. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Resta...
How to Reduce Costs When You Can’t Raise Prices
January 10, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10.5 MBIt seems like we may have hit a ceiling when it comes to raising prices, especially with a recession on the horizon. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Anthony Hamilton discuss how to win the battle against ever-increasing costs by using proven techniques to improve efficiencies and eliminate waste. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurant...
Meet Anthony Hamilton
January 09, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 7.87 MBChef Anthony Hamilton has more than 20 years of restaurant and hospitality working experience, ranging from quick-service outlets to full-service catering to fine dining. He has held positions in all areas of the restaurant industry with most notably chef de cuisine, executive chef, corporate chef, chef/consultant, and director of operations. As a chef instructor and restaurant consultant, Hamilton offers a wealth of information gained through first-hand successes and failures in the hospita...
How and when to sell your hospitality business
January 06, 2023 13:00 - 6 minutes - 8.64 MBIt’s rarely discussed in our industry but there is an art to knowing when to sell your business and how to ensure that you get the most money for your restaurant. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss selling their own restaurant concepts and the lessons learned from those experiences. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is broug...
How to make delivery platforms work for you
January 05, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 7.59 MBOver the last year, it’s become clear that food delivery isn’t going anywhere. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss all of the ways restaurants can maximize their delivery revenue without cutting corners. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Y...
How to leverage your brand and diversify revenue
January 04, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 7.62 MBIf the pandemic taught us anything it’s that we must make money in more than one way to ensure the solvency of our industry. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss all of the ways that restaurants are leveraging their brand equity to bring in more revenue in more ways. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp ...
The type of hospitality concepts that will break through next
January 03, 2023 13:00 - 7 minutes - 9.79 MBEveryone wants to know what the future holds for our industry and, though the future is impossible to predict, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel do see trends emerging. In this episode, they discuss the concepts that are clearly winning the competition for butts in seats. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: ...
How and when to refresh your menu
January 02, 2023 13:00 - 5 minutes - 7.71 MBA restaurant’s greatest marketing tool is its menu. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss winning strategies to weaponize your restaurant’s menu to drive new business and increase customer frequency. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp fo...
How to manage burnout and fatigue
December 30, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 9.79 MBIt’s impossible to run a great company when you’re not living a great life. The mass exodus from our industry was the result of the unsustainable pace with which this industry requires us to work. But, as it turns out, it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel share the tactics and tools of successful owners and operators who have figured out how to achieve balance and offer a balanced life to their teams. For more information on Shaun and his company, v...
How to establish accountability with your team
December 29, 2022 13:00 - 5 minutes - 7.14 MBThe biggest hurdle within the restaurant industry is people. The search for great people and the efforts involved in keeping those people have made headlines internationally. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss how accountability can serve as our greatest tool to inspire great people to join our teams and how those practices can ensure we retain our existing team members. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ________...
How taking inventory can save you a fortune
December 28, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 9.88 MBMany times, the difference between making money and losing money comes down to doing the boring work. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss how taking inventory in a specific way can scale your restaurant’s profitability overnight. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few ...
How to choose the right POS system
December 27, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MBThe restaurant industry has been heavily influenced by “big data” over the last few years. More and more, owners and operators are dependent on technology to guide the trajectory of their businesses. An essential tool in that arsenal is their point of sale system and, in today’s episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss what one should look for when trying to find the right POS for their business. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com...
How and when to use QR codes
December 26, 2022 13:00 - 5 minutes - 7.54 MBPost-pandemic, our industry finds itself at an inflection point, attempting to determine what was a “pivot” and what has become an evolutionary change. Technology played a critical role in restaurants overcoming the limitations of social distancing and a lack of indoor dining, but what do diners expect from us today? In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss the prevalence of QR codes within the modern dining experience and how restaurants can use them to improve their customer ...
How to create a great work culture
December 23, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 9.74 MBHappy employees ensure happy guests but, in today’s evolving industry, it’s difficult to determine what policies will make our employees happy. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss the strategies they’ve used to ensure their teams feel heard, supported, and fulfilled. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp...
How to establish incentives that work
December 22, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10.1 MBThe hospitality industry has been more “stick” than “carrot” for generations but that does seem to be changing post-pandemic. Rather than managing by fear, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel use this episode to provide practical incentives that owners and managers can use to inspire their teams to do great work. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is ...
How to create a positive employee experience
December 21, 2022 13:00 - 6 minutes - 8.73 MBHappy employees create happy customers. It’s impossible to get one without the other. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss the tactics and tools they use to ensure that their employees are inspired, supported, and providing that same experience to their customers. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for...
How to compose a killer a job description
December 20, 2022 13:00 - 4 minutes - 6.25 MBTo hire the right person for a role, we need a clear vision of what the roles and responsibilities of that role will be. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss the essential elements of a job description that creates clarity for both you and your potential candidates around the job that needs to be done. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketi...
How to cut costs when building a restaurant
December 19, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 9.72 MBIf there’s one universal truth, it seems to be that restaurant construction tends to run over time and over budget. But, after countless buildouts, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel have devised a plan that actually reduces costs throughout the process. In this episode, the duo run listeners through this proven process. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing S...
How to determine the right size for your next concept
December 16, 2022 13:00 - 6 minutes - 8.36 MBRestaurants are getting smaller and more dynamic as a result of the pandemic. Bigger isn’t always better and choosing the right size for your next concept is critical to ensuring your success. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel provide a formulaic guide for determining the square footage you need to be successful. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant M...
How to post the right job ad
December 15, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 9.95 MBTo catch the right fish, you need the right lure. So many of us are advertising the job we’re trying to fill, instead of advertising the companies we’ve created. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss best practices for posting a job ad targeted towards your ideal candidate. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by...
How to ensure you’ve got the right equipment
December 14, 2022 13:00 - 6 minutes - 9 MBIt never fails that after spending thousands of dollars on expensive equipment, we find that what we have is not what we need to successfully operate our restaurants. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel run through the checklist they use to ensure that every dollar invested in a piece of equipment is not wasted. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Mark...
How to “wow” in the first 60 seconds
December 13, 2022 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBThe first minute that a customer engages with your restaurant sets the tone for the rest of the experience. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss useful tactics to ensure that your team “wows” your customer base from the moment they walk in. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 20...
How to drive accountability and maintain standards
December 12, 2022 18:30 - 6 minutes - 8.86 MBExecuting at a high level is about more than having great people. There must be alignment within your ranks as it relates to standards and accountability. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss tools and strategies for establishing standards, ensuring compliance and driving accountability within your leadership team and line level employees. For more information on Shaun and his company, visit https://www.openpantryconsulting.com/. __________________________________________...
How to lead through organized process
December 09, 2022 13:00 - 10 minutes - 15.1 MBThe way we lead influences our team’s ability to follow. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel run through their proven process for launching new initiatives with their teams and tracking the success of those initiatives. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with ...
How to onboard your staff correctly
December 08, 2022 13:00 - 6 minutes - 9.36 MBWhen we look at the most successful restaurant brands in the world, we see one constant: a maniacal focus on employee development. That developmental process starts the moment a new employee walks through the door and there are a few things we can do in the first few weeks of their employment to ensure that they’re successful in their role. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel run through best practices when it comes to employee onboarding. ________________________________________...
How to build a brand handbook
December 07, 2022 13:00 - 6 minutes - 9.57 MBEveryone knows what an employee handbook is. It’s an amalgamation of every rule and procedure your team must follow to succeed at their job. A brand handbook is different but no less important. In today’s episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss what goes into a brand handbook and how it will help you better serve your team, your customers, and your brand. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurant...
How to win in the first 6 weeks of opening
December 06, 2022 13:00 - 6 minutes - 9.06 MBThe first 6 weeks that your restaurant is open will set the tone for the next 12 months. There are several practical steps you can take in those early days to set yourself up for success. In this episode, Shaun de Vries and Josh Kopel discuss the winning strategies they’ve developed to ensure that when we grand open, we stay open. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred e...
Meet Shaun de Vries of Open Pantry
December 05, 2022 18:47 - 5 minutes - 7.91 MBShaun de Vries has spent the last 20 years influencing the restaurant industry abroad through his company, Open Pantry Consulting. With a diverse background in multiple tiers of dining, Shaun is joining the show this month to share the actionable tips, tools, and tactics he’s used to help struggling restaurants maximize profitability through stronger marketing, operations, and leadership. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to...
How to combat the restaurant labor shortage
November 25, 2022 13:00 - 6 minutes - 9.6 MBIndustry-wide we’re feeling the impact of the labor crisis, but we’ve all seen that some restaurants have no problems at all sourcing and retaining great employees. In this episode, Jamie Oikle and Josh Kopel discuss best practices when it comes to finding and retaining great talent. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal i...
How to avoid leasing mistakes with new leases & renewals
November 24, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 9.85 MBStarting off on the right foot is the easiest way to ensure success in the restaurant industry and that starts with securing the right lease for your business model. Jamie Oikle is a leasing expert and shares powerful tools and tips to ensure that the lease you get is a lease you’ll love. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our g...
How to leverage tech in your restaurant
November 23, 2022 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBIn today’s competitive environment, everyone is looking for an advantage. For many of us, the latest technology can give us that edge over our competitors. In this episode, Jamie Oikle and Josh Kopel discuss their favorite tech tools to level up your restaurant and business operations. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal...
How to get the most out of delivery and online ordering
November 22, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10.3 MBSelling isn’t limited to the four walls of our restaurants. We should be using the same sales tactics that we use at the table on the tablet. In this episode, Jamie Oikle and Josh Kopel share their best practices for increasing sales via delivery and online ordering. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools ...
How to maximize the value of online reviews
November 21, 2022 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBIgnoring something rarely makes it go away. The sooner we begin to see online reviews as an opportunity rather than a burden, the busier we’ll become. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Jamie Oikle run through proven strategies to field positive reviews, negative reviews, and everything in between. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants...
How to become an essential part of your community
November 18, 2022 13:00 - 7 minutes - 9.87 MBIndependent restaurants weave the fabric of our local communities. They’re where families and colleagues go to celebrate and commensurate. One of the most effective marketing tactics available is to become the centerpiece of your local neighborhood. Accomplishing this task may be simple, but it isn’t easy. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Jaime Oikle run through the tactics, tools, and strategies they’ve used to scale brand awareness and loyalty through community activations. _______________...
How to inspire salesmanship in your team
November 17, 2022 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.4 MBIs your front of house team just taking orders or are they selling? Salesmanship is not a “nice to have,” it must become a requirement of employment. But salesmanship is a skill that needs to be taught and honed over time in both your leaders and your line-level employees. In this episode, Jaime Oikle and Josh Kopel discuss the essential elements of a great sales pitch and how to work it into your steps of service. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Mar...
How to build culture into the fabric of your restaurant
November 16, 2022 13:00 - 6 minutes - 9.55 MBCulture is king. There is no world that exists where someone is running a great business without a great culture. Having said that, few take the time to clearly define what team culture looks like in practical application. In this episode, Jaime Oikle and Josh Kopel unpack the steps required to build and implement a world-class culture in your restaurant. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In J...
How to get the most out of loyalty and rewards programs
November 15, 2022 13:00 - 6 minutes - 8.73 MBWe need to stop bribing our customers. We give too much and get too little. The solution is to redefine what “value” means to us and to them. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Jaime Oikle unpack the right and wrong way to run loyalty and reward programs to make sure you and your customers are getting the most out of the relationship. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred ...
How to build marketing hooks into your restaurant copy
November 14, 2022 13:00 - 5 minutes - 8.22 MBMarketing hooks are the unspoken hero of sales copywriting. These are the words and phrases that turn “lookers'' into “buyers”. In this episode, Josh Kopel and Jamie Oikle share the most compelling marketing hooks in their arsenal to convert attention into butts in seats. ____________________________________________________________ Restaurant Marketing School is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build t...