Restaurant Rockstars Podcast
433 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★ - 44 ratingsTips, tools & resources to help restaurant owners and managers Rock Their Restaurant! Engaging conversations with industry leaders and fellow restaurateurs.
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Episodes
MAKE THOUSANDS of NEW DOLLARS with Relationships
August 22, 2017 18:02 - 4 minutes - 9.14 MBEpisode #87 - I can’t tell you how many times I come across businesses of all types that sit around waiting for customers to come through the door… not only that, they’re spending thousands of dollars on traditional advertising. Spending, spending and hoping for the best! What a waste! Today’s episode throws that idea out the window and presents an easily actionable and proven way to bring thousands of new dollars in the door. All by building relationships with other non-competing busine...
How To Crush Restaurant Marketing With Erik Shellenberger
August 17, 2017 14:45 - 38 minutes - 71.3 MBEpisode #86 - Your time is valuable and this business is demanding, so I love having guests that cut right to the chase and spell out powerful nuggets of wisdom to help you run a super successful hospitality operation. My expert today, Mr. Erik Shellenberger weaves his decades of restaurant experience, from the trenches to management with a rare expertise in social media, web design and S.E.O., online reviews and brand building. He’s going to cut the fluff and give us the basic foundations ...
How I Started A Mug Club And Earned Almost $50K More A Year!
August 08, 2017 19:19 - 6 minutes - 12.4 MBEpisode #85 - Here’s a powerful idea that can bring your restaurant instant cash flow and build that all-important loyalty with your customer. If your restaurant sells beer & wine, I can show you how to increase your business and have your customers bring you more business. Imagine a club where your customers pay you up front for the privilege of belonging. You offer great value for their dollar, but you give customers many reasons to come in to your place, sometimes many times a week. Not...
The Secret To Finding + Keeping GREAT Restaurant Staff
August 04, 2017 19:14 - 6 minutes - 12.8 MBEpisode #84 - One of the biggest challenges you face as an operator or manager is staffing and turnover. Its a tough labor market No Secret, but it's all about your approach to finding great staff and keeping them. The wrong approach is thinking “I need someone NOW.. I’ll just place an ad in the paper and hang a help-wanted sign on the door”. That’s just a recipe for disaster. More than likely you’ll find someone that’s a morale killer with bad habits there just for the paycheck. Today’s...
8 Great Things To Tell Your Staff Today
July 27, 2017 02:08 - 23 minutes - 43.2 MBEpisode #83 - I have always believed that the restaurant business is a performance. Its entertainment and your guest experience is ultimately determined by how you as owner or manager set the stage. I’m a huge proponent of daily staff training and whether you spend ten minutes or a half hour or more with a pre-shift meeting, nothing is more important to making every dining experience an “event” that brings your customers back again and again. Once again, I’m collaborating with my good frie...
The Cash Is In Your Pocket Or Theirs
July 18, 2017 21:54 - 10 minutes - 14.1 MBEpisode #82 - Long ago, I learned “You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get”. Don’t be afraid to ask. Why? Because the most successful restaurants not only Sell a lot, they Save a lot! Its just smart business. What am I talking about? If you run a solid food cost in your restaurant, you can actually Trade for things you normally buy for pennies on the dollar. Think of it this way, instead of paying 100% for what you need, the trade cost to your restaurant is 35% or less. That’s a Win for everyo...
Staff Turnover...NEVER Again
July 10, 2017 22:13 - 6 minutes - 8.82 MBEPISODE #81 - STAFF TURNOVER....NEVER AGAIN Long ago, I decided turnover was too expensive, created too many headaches and was simply unacceptable in my operation. Turnover is a bitter pill and unfortunately a fact of life in many restaurants, but it doesn’t have to be. By shifting your strategy and approach, you too can create what I call your restaurant “Dream Team” which in turn will build your brand and give your restaurant a powerful advantage. In this week’s action-packed episode,...
These 3 Things Are Vital To Your Success
July 05, 2017 16:57 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBEpisode #80 - In my book, there is no more challenging business than running restaurants and I often call it the business of 1000 details. You’ve got ordering, inventory, finances, marketing. payroll and so many balls to keep in the air. So what should you focus on first? The Foundation of your restaurant! That is, building a great staff and creating loyal satisfied customers. In a business known for high-turnover and intense competition, this is the most important detail and the plac...
How To Deliver An Amazing Customer Service Experience
June 22, 2017 14:31 - 6 minutes - 5.59 MBEpisode #79 - Being passionate about this business means having a passion for great service. After all, its the customer’s impression that counts and determines our ultimate success. The interaction and relationships your restaurant creates between your staff and your customer is job 1 every table, every time. Today’s episode shares a philosophy to exemplary service which was our restaurant Mantra for two decades. A simple acronym F.A.C.E.S. built our business and our brand and no other ...
Disaster May Be Around The Next Corner
June 13, 2017 19:42 - 28 minutes - 26 MBI’ve had my share of business interruptions and natural disasters.. Two weeks out from opening my very first restaurant, flood waters came right to the front door and stopped just short of the carpet. Years later, our POS system crashed one busy night and sent my 300 seat place into complete chaos. These were relatively minor occurrences, but when a major ice storm knocked out power for 3 critical weeks, my restaurant barely survived the loss of business. The point is, unless you can s...
Get “Bulletproof Or Die”!
June 06, 2017 21:18 - 7 minutes - 6.66 MB“Get Bulletproof” is an expression that completely applies to running restaurants. The controlled chaos that comes with so many moving parts and so many individual staff, often leads to the unexpected. This can either be a temporary bump in the road or complete disaster that turns everything upside down. The point is, to run a really strong restaurant, you need to be able to see around corners. This may be the biggest challenge in the restaurant business. Today’s episode is all about the...
A Financial Expert Tells All
May 31, 2017 20:28 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBEpisode #76 Many of you know that I have always been super focused on the numbers and most importantly - Profits! Now I know that many restaurant owners and managers can be overwhelmed with the numbers… This business is so challenging and can be all-consuming, and there really are a thousand ways to lose money in this business, so it only makes sense to dig deep, understand the basics and put a “PRO” in your corner! You can’t run an effective operation without a team and one vital person o...
Are Your Customers Peeved?
May 23, 2017 23:51 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MBI can’t emphasize enough the importance of putting yourself and your staff in the customers shoes. Best case, you create affinity and truly understand why your customers are drawn to your restaurant. Worst case: You may find out why customers aren’t coming back. This episode is all about customer Pet-Peeves. The most minute details affect the guest’s impressions of your operation and these impressions are lasting. They absolutely determine whether or not the guest returns. Once again, ...
WOW Your Customer Or Your Competitors Will!
May 16, 2017 18:57 - 7 minutes - 6.52 MBEpisode #74 - When I started my first restaurant I instinctively knew that to succeed I had to stand out from my competition and that meant dazzling my customers. It all started with plate presentations. Every dish had to have what I call “WOW Factor”. That is, when the plate was presented to the customer, they were amazed and exclaimed “WOW” to the other guests at their table. This was all about perceived value in the portion size, the look, the aromas, the garnish and just as importantl...
A Secret Weapon For Your Staff
May 09, 2017 18:42 - 5 minutes - 9.64 MBEpisode #73 - After starting and running restaurants for two decades, I’ve got your Secret Weapon! Listen closely to this episode. Many restaurants train their staff on Service, but few train their staff How to SELL! Face it, every table in your restaurant is valuable real estate and your entire Front of House staff need to recognize opportunity and maximize sales every table, every shift, every time. Otherwise, they’re leaving hundreds of dollars on the table (perhaps thousands each week...
Here’s A Profit Center More Profitable Than Your Restaurant!
May 01, 2017 20:19 - 37 minutes - 69 MBEpisode #72 As rocking as your place may be, you can’t have too many profit centers! You may have Take-Out, possibly Delivery, even the Retail Store, but have you thought about the power of Catering? The beauty of catering is you can do it during non-busy times or even before your doors open for dinner service. There are endless businesses out there with employees wanting a great lunch, not to mention weddings, retirement parties and events of all types. And did I mention the Profit? The...
Print Money In Your Restaurant With Cash Cows
April 26, 2017 18:52 - 4 minutes - 7.8 MBEpisode #71 - The Bottom Line is: Your restaurant Needs Cash Cows and you can’t have too many! What’s a Cash Cow you ask? Any food or beverage menu items that have a high “perceived value” with guests, cost very little to put on the plate, are very popular and most important very profitable. This is how you make money in the restaurant business folks! Not only that, but you can actually Maximize your profits by giving cash cows away to build new business! You heard that right, of course...
Explode Your Restaurant’s Marketing Firepower!
April 21, 2017 20:41 - 39 minutes - 53.6 MBEPISODE #70 Nothing is more important than your restaurant’s hard-earned reputation. Whether you’ve been in business for years or just starting out, you must know that online reviews are critically important to your restaurant’s reputation and continued success. Social media and the influence of the internet are changing daily and if your restaurant is Not engaging your customers through these channels regularly each week, you can be sure your competitors are! But no worries, I’ve got you...
"Paramount Service" Knows NO Price Point!
April 13, 2017 18:00 - 7 minutes - 13.4 MBEpisode #69 - Many people expect that just because they’re dining in a five-star restaurant that they’re going to get great service… in contrast, you might not expect good service in a diner. Fact is, regardless of price, concept, menu or customer expectations, your restaurant absolutely must strive to offer a level of service that I call “Paramount”. I’ve always believed that great service is not just up to the waitstaff, but the entire front and back of house team. It takes everyone in a...
Secrets From A 5-Star Kitchen w/ Rachel Wiener of the St. Regis Deer Valley
April 06, 2017 20:27 - 47 minutes - 87 MBEpisode #68 - In the world of reality TV and in many real world kitchens, hot-tempered chefs attempt to extract the best from their subordinates through a combination of attitude and intimidation. Despite best intentions over the years, I’ve had my share of this type of leadership and I have to say its time has passed. Restaurants first and foremost are about the customer experience and the culture of hospitality should not be limited to the front of house. Enter Chef de Cuisine Rachel Wie...
Could You Leave Your Restaurant? Exit Strategy Part 2
March 28, 2017 18:15 - 10 minutes - 19.8 MB#67 Could You Leave Your Restaurant? Exit Strategy Part 2 - Do you dream of changing your life and doing something different? Maybe you’ve run your restaurant for years and its time to retire. You’d like to Sell and get “Top Dollar”. Maybe you want to open another unit or even franchise your concept or you just want to work on the big picture and actually enjoy being a customer in your restaurant, instead of working there. You have a “system” if you can leave your restaurant for a week, ...
Never Quit, Never Say Die
March 22, 2017 14:12 - 47 minutes - 65.9 MBEntrepreneurship has always captivated me… the freedom to have a dream, follow it and make it reality. Its called the path less travelled for a reason - its difficult, but true entrepreneurs persevere despite tremendous odds. If the passion burns bright and strong enough, you can achieve any dream, any goal. Today’s guest Mr. Jim Palmer is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, as well as a marketing and business building expert. Despite tremendous life challenges, Jim has the philosophy of “Never...
How To Absolutely Dominate The Competition
March 17, 2017 13:54 - 52 minutes - 71.5 MB#65 - On any given day, industry headlines are ripe with falling sales and restaurant closures, both chain and indie. No surprise with rising costs, heavy competition, staff issues, a fickle public, etc.. it just goes on and on. Point is, if you’re not staying ten steps ahead of your competition, you can be sure they are. This is a tough business, but its not about survival. Its about knocking it out of the park and WINNING Big! I love working with my friend and industry “Pro” Jaime ...
The Money’s Either In Your Pocket Or Theirs!
March 09, 2017 12:58 - 20 minutes - 37.9 MB#64 - To run a really profitable restaurant, you have to pay attention to the key financial details. Problem is this can be a hassle. Many operators and managers just plain Hate the numbers and important processes like taking regular inventory and running food cost. So here’s simple solution. One of your restaurant’s biggest costs, if not “The Biggest” is your Food and Inventory. Restaurants carry thousands of dollars of food at any given time and new orders must be placed several times ...
The Heart & Soul Of A Restaurateur
February 22, 2017 13:30 - 26 minutes - 49.1 MBEpisode # 63 - You know this business is all about passion… the blood, sweat, tears and hard knocks that define a triumphant restaurateur. Mr. Chris Lowes or “C Lo” as he likes to be called is the embodiment of this business. He fell into restaurants because of a dream, then unexpectedly had the bottom fall out beneath him and he had a “dig deep” decision to make - Go forward or quit defeated and suffer the consequences. I remember well over 20 years ago before I opened the doors to my fi...
Would Your Restaurant Win An Oscar?
February 15, 2017 02:25 - 4 minutes - 5.83 MBEpisode #62 - When your doors open for business each day, its like the curtain going up and suddenly its “Showtime”! Think of your staff not as hosts, bussers, bartenders and servers, but as actors and actresses on stage ready to delight the customer not just with the products you sell, but the service you provide. Delivering amazing dining experiences with consistency and flair is the key to a long sustainable business that prints money. I knew right from the get-go when I opened my first...
What Would Happen if You Left Your Restaurant??
February 03, 2017 02:13 - 8 minutes - 14.5 MB#61 - I learned a long time ago that you have a “System” if you can leave your restaurant for a week, a month or a year or more and its just as successful if not better than before you left. How can you get such a powerful formula for your operation? Well, its all about working “ON” your restaurant Now, so you decide how or even if you work “IN” your restaurant tomorrow. I get that this business can be all-consuming, but if you don’t put systems in place now, you’ll be spinning your whe...
Why & When You Should Close Your Restaurant
January 27, 2017 03:05 - 22 minutes - 30.4 MBEpisode #60 - I’m hoping you’ve been listening to my last series of Podcasts where I’ve covered vital “Systems” to Rock Your Restaurant. If you missed any, go back and have a listen.. They all work together to put money in your bank account. In this latest episode, my friend and industry PRO Jaime Oikle of www.runningrestaurants.com and I discuss why you should probably close your restaurant one or two days a week. Unless you’re in Las Vegas or a major destination with constant traffic, ...
Recipe For Disaster In Your Restaurant
January 10, 2017 01:08 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBEpisode #59 - I’m doing a series of Podcasts covering vital “Systems” to Rock Your Restaurant, so if you missed the last few go back and have a listen.. They all go together in sequence and they’ll put money in your bank account. My friend and industry PRO Jaime Oikle of www.runningrestaurants.com and I are discussing simple tools you can use immediately to lower your costs, dial in your restaurant’s critical numbers and make more money! So many restaurants are Not taking a regular Invent...
How To Tell If Your Menu Is Printing Money Or Losing Money
January 03, 2017 01:45 - 14 minutes - 19.8 MBEpisode #58 - In my last few episodes we’ve been covering vital tools to Rock Your Restaurant! My friend and industry PRO Jaime Oikle of www.runningrestaurants.com and I are showing you some simple systems you can use immediately to lower your costs, dial in your restaurant’s critical numbers and make more money! In my last episode #57 we calculated your Profit per Dish in every category. Now armed with this powerful information, the Product Mix Report (PMIX) is the “key” that shows your...
Find Out NOW if Your Least Profitable Menu Items are Your Biggest Sellers!
December 28, 2016 00:58 - 21 minutes - 29 MBYou’ve got to listen to my next series of Podcasts and this one in particular… I’m working with my friend and industry PRO Jaime Oikle of www.runningrestaurants.com and together, we’re going to Rock Your Restaurant! In these next few podcasts, we’ll take you on a profit maximizing ride covering some simple systems you can use immediately to lower your costs, dial in your restaurant’s critical numbers and make more money. Stay tuned for the bottom line skinny! In my last episode we coste...
How to Save 4% on your Food Cost - Do This Now!
December 21, 2016 15:51 - 24 minutes - 37.7 MBEpisode #56 You’ve got to listen to my next series of Podcasts… I’m working with my friend and industry PRO Jaime Oikle of www.runningrestaurants.com and together, we’re going to Rock Your Restaurant! We’re going to take you on a profit maximizing ride covering some simple systems you can use immediately to lower your costs, dial in your restaurant’s critical numbers and make your operation super-efficient. So many restaurants I’ve worked with are actually pricing their menu compared to wh...
Dominate Your Competition With Personalized Guest Service
December 13, 2016 04:39 - 21 minutes - 40.3 MBEpisode #55 - It's all about Service today. Your customers expect it and your restaurant has to deliver it. If not, your competition certainly will. I’ve always believed that providing superior guest service is your restaurant’s Top Competitive Advantage. Treating every guest like a regular is simple in theory, but much harder in execution - Until now. Listen as I interview Joel Montaniel, the head of SevenRooms.com who has developed a cutting-edge app that allows your restaurant, hotel...
TOP TIP - How To Sell More Gift Cards This Holiday Season
December 07, 2016 13:47 - 3 minutes - 4.98 MBEpisode #54 - It's the Holidays and there’s no better time to sell more Gift Cards. This time of year is a literal cash injection in your business that can bring in hundreds even thousands of extra dollars in the next 3 weeks! Listen to this episode as I give you some simple and very effective marketing ideas to make your cash register ring this holiday season… you might even learn a few secrets you can use all year long to boost your sales and build your restaurant’s brand. I’m talking ...
A Simple App That Rocks Your Beverage Sales And Trains Your Staff
December 06, 2016 01:54 - 27 minutes - 50.2 MBEpisode #53 - I hope you listened to my earlier episode about the Uncorkd APP. It gets even better! Listen to part 2 as we talk about Beverage Menu Analytics and how you can use Uncorkd to boost your sales and marketing firepower. Uncorkd is a tablet based wine & beverage program that takes the intimidation out of wine & spirits for your customer. Its loaded with 100,000 different beverages, so I’m pretty sure you’re going to find your wine & beverage list included. Better yet, you’ll f...
This Chain Has it Dialed & Your Restaurant Can Too!
November 29, 2016 01:08 - 6 minutes - 8.78 MBI’ve always believed there are 3 very important elements to any successful restaurant - Food, Service & Ambiance and to really get the buzz going for your place, you’ve got to nail all three. I happened to visit a well-known major chain restaurant recently and the experience really knocked my socks off and my kids were pretty impressed too. They wanted to take our server home with them, but I’ll get to that. As soon as we walked in the door, a giant display case of desserts reminded me of ...
Are There Leaks In Your Restaurant's Labor Costs?
November 22, 2016 17:38 - 9 minutes - 13.2 MBYou know that Labor cost is one of your restaurant’s biggest expenses alone without all the common employee abuses that happen every week in this business. When I started my first place, I had employees who’d clock in early and stand around. I had employees clock in co-workers even when they weren’t on the schedule and the list of potential losses go on an on. Until I put a stop to it! I often talk about the critical “Systems” that make your restaurant more money and more efficient. Well ...
Boost Your Beverage Sales & Train Your Staff With One Simple App
November 16, 2016 13:41 - 15 minutes - 29.4 MBWhenever I come across a new system that makes a restaurant more money while enhancing the guest experience, I’ve got to tell you about it. So here goes: Uncorkd is a tablet based wine & beverage program that takes the intimidation out of wine & spirits for your customer. Its loaded with 100,000 different beverages, so I’m pretty sure you’re going to find your wine & beverage list included. Better yet, you’ll find descriptions of each wine, beer and spirit… tasting notes, pairings tha...
Is Hospitality A Lost Art?
November 07, 2016 23:25 - 6 minutes - 9.41 MBEpisode #49 Top Tip - Is Hospitality A Lost Art? A good friend of mine is a chef and he’s owned several fine dining places. I owned family casual restaurants.. Makes no difference we both agree that true service is a lost art. Decades ago, gas stations would wash your windshield and check your oil and restaurants would treat you like you were family. I dine out all the time and usually the food is good and its a comfortable atmosphere, yet the service always seems to go sideways… now I’...
Testimonial - Opening a New Restaurant With The Academy
November 02, 2016 02:58 - 11 minutes - 19 MBA great success story from The Restaurant Rockstars Academy!
Why The Absolute Best Servers Assume The Sale
November 02, 2016 01:49 - 6 minutes - 8.32 MBEpisode #48 - I’ve noticed that many restaurants train their staff on service, but not Sales - Why? Think about sales as the lifeblood of your restaurant and Service and Sales naturally go together…you can’t have one without the other. And isn’t your goal to make as much money in your restaurant as possible? I hope so! Every day your restaurant gets new first time customers in the door that know nothing about what makes your restaurant special… or what they’ll enjoy. So its up to your st...
This Restaurant App Is A Game Changer
October 25, 2016 01:05 - 21 minutes - 39.2 MBDrop whatever you’re doing and get this Free App now… Running a restaurant is the most challenging business I know.. so many details, so many hours… Its hard to stay organized until Now! You know I’m all about systems and efficiency to run a super profitable restaurant - so listen up. In today’s podcast I speak with Konstantin Zvereff from a company called BlueCart. The BlueCart platform is a one-stop shop for everything you buy from food, to alcohol, even dry goods all with just On...
TOP TIP - Are You Hiring The Wrong People With The Wrong Approach?
October 21, 2016 00:38 - 5 minutes - 7.01 MBLots of restaurants hire in a pinch for the wrong reasons with the wrong approach. I see want ads all the time for desperate restaurants seeking experienced people... "Wanted Experienced Cook.. Experienced Server" - Why? Most of the time, these people usually don't work out - No wonder turnover is so high in the restaurant business. Instead, I always hired for personality, approach and a true desire to serve the public. It's made all the difference in my successful restaurants and it will ...
Part 2 - Your Burning Questions Answered with Jaime Oikle
October 18, 2016 01:00 - 33 minutes - 46.5 MBIn my last episode, my friend and fellow industry Pro Jaime Oikle of www.runningrestaurants.com suggested we ask our listeners for their most challenging questions. You responded and the Q & A session was super powerful. These questions apply to any restaurant and our answers will help you solve critical problems and significantly improve your operation. I think you'll really relate to the challenges these restaurant owners are facing - maybe you’ve had them yourself! Take a listen to Burni...
Part 1 - Burning Questions From Restaurant Owners With Jaime Oikle
October 13, 2016 00:38 - 16 minutes - 22.5 MBListen as Jaime Oikle of Running Restaurants and I answer burning business questions submitted by restaurant owners.
TOP TIP Why Fast Food And Full Serve Restaurants Don't Mix
October 13, 2016 00:32 - 4 minutes - 5.99 MBWhen you eat out in other restaurants, if you’re anything like me you critique the operation - from food to service and ambiance… Funny how we can have a critical eye and think “I can do it better”! But in your own restaurant, do you regularly look at the thousands of details - essentially seeing what the guest sees? If not, you might have a fast-food approach… get them in , get them out and present the check! Not to say that fast-casual operators don’t care about your experience - they ...
Systemize Your Restaurant Right From The Start!
September 27, 2016 20:37 - 27 minutes - 50 MBToday’s podcast episode features my very first Restaurant Rock Stars “ACADEMY” customer. Much like me 22 years ago, he quit a secure job to follow a distant dream to start his very first restaurant - WITHOUT any restaurant Experience! My guest in this cast, Mr. Colton Shoults is killing it in his first few weeks of business with lines out the door, a dedicated hard-working staff, happy customers singing his praises and a growing bank account. What’s his secret? “SYSTEMS”! Colton is a s...
What Sales Stars Customers Are Saying
September 15, 2016 01:33 - 6 minutes - 12.9 MBMultiple customers explain how Sales Stars has been an invaluable training tool for their waitstaff + servers.
Top Tip - Fix What's Broken Or You'll Repeat Your Mistakes
September 14, 2016 12:40 - 3 minutes - 4.58 MBI get it. As restauranteurs we think we’ve got it all covered, but a fresh perspective can really improve your operation. Don’t get so close to your restaurant to think that everything’s great - even if you’re busy. Take a few key members of your team, step outside and look at your restaurant from the guest’s perspective. Then, walk in the door, put your “customer hat” on and look at everything and I mean everything as your guest will see it and experience it! On the inside: - what’s ...
Don't Hire Another Employee Until You Hear This!
September 02, 2016 01:13 - 4 minutes - 4.53 MBThis is a high-turnover business, but I’ve got the solution. Don’t hire another person in your restaurant til you listen to my latest episode. You can’t simply fill openings and forget about help-wanted ads… that’s the way to find average people, who will deliver average guest experiences, average food & drink and lead to nothing but problems in your restaurant. Instead focus on a new approach. Hire for attitude, approach and desire to serve the public. Front of House or Back of House… ...