In this episode of Restauranttopia, we explore creative ways to elevate your guests' dining experience and keep them coming back for more. From interactive menus and themed nights to customer spotlights and unique partnerships, we share actionable ideas to help you entertain, engage, and delight your customers. Don't miss this deep dive into the strategies that will set your restaurant apart in 2024!

Show Notes: Episode 161 "Are You Not Entertained?!?"

Key Topics:

• Strategies to create engaging, memorable dining experiences.
• Post-pandemic trends impacting consumer behavior and restaurant operations.
• How to elevate perceived value amidst rising costs.

Pro Tips:

• Interactive Engagement: Introduce customer-driven activities like interactive menus, ordering systems, and specials voting to involve diners in the experience.
• Event Programming: Organize unique in-house events such as chili cook-offs, fantasy sports drafts, trivia nights, and dating mixers.
• Customer Spotlights: Highlight regular customers through social media to foster loyalty and broaden reach.
• Entertainment Nights: Implement themed nights like live music, open mic, or drag queen bingo to attract diverse crowds.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Partner with local entertainment venues, artists, or organizations to create mutually beneficial promotions.

Actionable Steps for Restauranteurs:

1. Understand Your Customers: Analyze your customer base to determine what experiences resonate most—whether it’s private wine dinners or family-friendly events.
2. Be Persistent: Try new ideas at least three times before deciding their success. Consistency and iteration matter.
3. Leverage Social Media: Encourage customers to share their experiences using branded hashtags and creative prompts.
4. Use Dead Space Creatively: Repurpose underutilized spaces for workshops, cooking classes, or community events.
5. Enhance Dining Moments: Add small touches like tableside guacamole or chef’s tables for a personalized experience.
6. Partner for Success: Collaborate with vendors for themed dinners or local businesses to attract their customer base.

Ideas to Explore:

• Culinary classes where guests make their own appetizers.
• Themed tasting nights like tequila and cigar pairings.
• "Be the Show, Not the Commercial": Create content around experiences instead of just advertising.

Final Thoughts: As local operators, embracing these strategies ensures you remain competitive, foster customer loyalty, and enhance profitability. For a detailed list and further ideas, visit restauranttopia.com. Share your successes with us to inspire others!

In this episode, the Restauranttopia team explores how to attract, engage, and retain top talent by treating employees like valued customers. From creating a standout workplace culture to leveraging marketing strategies in recruitment, discover actionable tips and insights to build a loyal and motivated team in today’s competitive labor market.

Treating Employees like customers: Episode 160

Episode Highlights:

• Shifting Mindset: Treat your employees as you would customers—market to and retain them effectively.
• Culture Matters: Employees value workplace culture and want to work where they feel supported and valued.
• Marketing to Talent:
  • Highlight your business's strengths during interviews.
  • Use targeted platforms (e.g., Indeed, Facebook) to attract the right candidates.
• Retention Strategies:
  • Daily interactions ("table touches") to build relationships.
  • Recognize achievements—small gestures like quality uniforms or hats matter.
  • Offer loyalty rewards and stay-on bonuses.
• Flexibility & Structure:
  • Accommodate employees' work-life balance needs.
  • Set clear expectations and deliver on promises.
• Autonomy & Growth:
  • Empower employees to own their roles.
  • Provide feedback and incorporate their ideas.
• Consistency in Leadership: Combine respect with approachability to build strong teams.

Pro Tips:

1. Recruiting: Spend strategically on platforms like Indeed and experiment with creative approaches like including job ads in to-go orders.
2. Retention: Regularly ask employees what they enjoy or dislike about the job and make improvements.
3. Scheduling: Use scheduling software to create flexibility while maintaining operational efficiency.

Actionable Steps for Restaurateurs:

1. Evaluate and improve your workplace culture—ask your team for honest feedback.
2. Update job ads to reflect your business's unique values and environment.
3. Implement a recognition program to celebrate employee achievements.
4. Invest in tools to streamline scheduling and improve flexibility for employees.
5. Follow through on promises to build trust and loyalty within your team.

How to buy or sell a restaurant with Brad Ruth.

https://restauranttopia.com/episode-159-how-to-buy-or-sell-a-restaurant-with-brad-ruth/

https://restauranttopia.com/episode-158-diving-deep-into-the-restaurant-marketing-mindset-with-chip-klose/

Welcome back, dear readers, to our latest episode recap. This time, we had the pleasure of hosting the insightful Chip Klose, author of "The Restaurant Marketing Mindset." With Brian Seitz and Anthony Hamilton guiding the conversation, this episode was nothing short of a culinary marketing masterclass!

Order Now

https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/

A Glimpse into "The Restaurant Marketing Mindset"

The restaurant industry is notorious for its harsh statistics. Many establishments struggle to even stay afloat. So, when a veteran like Chip Klose comes forward with years of hands-on experience and academic know-how, it's time to sit up and take notes.

In his latest book, Klose discusses the importance of shifting our mindset and implementing actionable steps when it comes to restaurant marketing. As he rightly points out, having a great culinary experience is just one part of the puzzle. Without effective marketing, even the best dishes might go unnoticed.

Order Now

https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/

About Restauranttopia

Restauranttopia is your go-to podcast for everything restaurant related. From operations to marketing, and everything in between, we bring experts from all corners of the restaurant world to share their insights, experiences, and tips to help you succeed in this dynamic industry.

Robin Gagnon is the Co-Founder and CEO of We Sell Restaurants, a brand that has carved an unparalleled niche in the industry as the nation's leading and only business broker franchise focused on restaurants. Under Robin’s leadership, We Sell Restaurants has grown to 45 states where it dominates the restaurant for sale marketplace and franchise resales, delivering on the founder’s vision to Sell More Restaurants Than Anyone Else. We Sell Restaurants was named one of the most influential suppliers and vendors in the country by Nation’s Restaurant News and has earned a position on INC 5000’s list of fastest growing privately held companies. Franchisees of We Sell Restaurants surveyed by Franchise Business Review placed it 25th in the nation in franchisee satisfaction. 

Robin is the Chair of the Women’s Franchise Committee of IFA. She is also an MBA and Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) in addition to her CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) designation from the International Business Brokers Association. She co-authored Appetite for Acquisition, a small business book award winner in 2012 and contributes frequently to industry press appearing in Forbes, QSR, Modern Restaurant Management, Franchise Update, and others. Entrepreneur has named her to their list of the “Top Influential Women in Franchising.”  

About We Sell Restaurants 

We Sell Restaurants is the nation’s largest business broker franchise focused exclusively on the sale of restaurants, with 20 years of experience in helping buy, sell and lease hospitality locations. We Sell Restaurants and its franchisees have sold thousands of restaurants across the country and maintain a listing inventory of more than $200 million online at their powerhouse restaurant for sale marketplace, including independent and restaurant franchises for sale. We Sell Restaurants is offering franchise opportunities for their brand in select market areas. For more information, visit www.wesellrestaurants.com.

https://restauranttopia.com/episode-154-preparing-your-business-for-sale-with-robin-gagnon-of-we-sell-restaurants/ 

Welcome to another exciting episode of Restauranttopia! In today's episode, we dive deep into a topic that every restaurateur should be well-acquainted with: Preparing your restaurant for sale. We're privileged to have Robin Gagnon, co-founder of "We Sell Restaurants", with us to demystify the process. Whether you're contemplating selling or merely want to be ready for the future, this episode is a goldmine of insights.

Key Takeaways:

1. What is an Exit Strategy?
   • Robin defines an exit strategy as a planned approach to transitioning out of your business, either through selling, merging, or closing down. Having a strategy in place ensures you get the best possible outcome when you decide it's time to step back.
2. When to Start Preparing?
   • Robin's advice? Start now. It's never too early to have a plan. The sooner you begin preparations, the more control you have over the sale conditions, maximizing the potential value of your restaurant.
3. Understanding Restaurant Valuation
   • A restaurant's value isn't just about its current revenue. Robin delves into the multiple factors that influence a restaurant's worth, including location, brand reputation, customer loyalty, and more.
   • Tools and metrics used in the valuation process to provide a clear picture of what your business is worth on the market.
4. The Process of Listing and Selling
   • From choosing the right time to list your restaurant to negotiating the final deal, Robin breaks down the steps involved.
   • Tips on presenting your restaurant in the best light to attract potential buyers.
   • Understanding the role of brokers and how they can ease the selling process.
5. Critical Record Keeping Requirements
   • Just like in any other business, keeping detailed and accurate records is essential. Robin highlights the kinds of records prospective buyers are most interested in and why.
   • The importance of maintaining organized financial statements, licenses, lease agreements, employee contracts, and other pertinent documents.

Closing Thoughts

Selling your restaurant can be an emotional journey. It's more than just a business transaction; it's parting with a place you've poured your heart and soul into. But with the right preparation and guidance, as provided by Robin in this episode, you can ensure your restaurant's legacy continues and that you reap the rewards of your hard work.