

RESTAURANT STRATEGY
Chip Klose
The Restaurant Strategy podcast is dedicated helping independent restaurant owners increase the profitability of their restaurants and grow. The show is hosted by industry expert Chip Klose, who asks the question: What would your life look like if your restaurant could deliver consistent, predictable 20% returns?
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 5, 2026 • 16min
Why Not Raise Prices Every Single Month?
#522 - Why Not Raise Prices Every Single Month?
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: MARGIN EDGEVISIT: https://www.marginedge.com/lp/chip
This week's episode is brought to you by: RESTAURANT SCALE SECRETSVISIT: https://restaurantscalesecrets.com/Chip
*****
In this episode Chip walks you through a simple framework he teaches to all of his clients: Popcorn Pricing.
You should be raising prices on your menu every single month. But not on every dish... just a handful of dishes. By understanding the real time plate costs of what you serve you can use pricing as a tool to maintain profitability. Every month, you should be increasing the prices of 5-10% of your items.
*****
If you want to snag a copy of Chip's book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset... CLICK HERE: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/
If you're ready to learn more about the P3 Mastermind... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/p3-mastermind-program
If you want a free 30-day trial of our Restaurant Foundations Membership Site... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/Foundations-b
If you want to leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts... CLICK HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809

Feb 2, 2026 • 16min
Busy Isn't the Same as Productive
#521 - Busy Isn't the Same as Productive
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: KICKFINVISIT: https://kickfin.com/demo/
This week's episode is brought to you by: AJINOMOTOVISIT: https://ajinomotofoodservice.com/
*****
Busy Isn’t the Same as Productive
In this episode Chip walks you through a simple framework for how you can get out of the day-to-day and start being the CEO your restaurant needs. Ultimately there is only one way to tell if your brand is ready to grow: You need to take a 90-day sabbatical. Step away and let the team in place handle everything! Sounds crazy, right? But it's the only way. If you want to work up to it, trying getting off the grid 1 day a week for the next 3 months. By the end you'll be ready for your 90-day sabbatical.
*****
If you want to snag a copy of Chip's book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset... CLICK HERE: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/
If you're ready to learn more about the P3 Mastermind... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/p3-mastermind-program
If you want a free 30-day trial of our Restaurant Foundations Membership Site... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/Foundations-b
If you want to leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts... CLICK HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809

Jan 29, 2026 • 19min
Good Is No Longer Good Enough
#520 - Good Is No Longer Good Enough
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: MARGIN EDGEVISIT: https://www.marginedge.com/lp/chip
This week's episode is brought to you by: RESTAURANT SCALE SECRETSVISIT: https://restaurantscalesecrets.com/Chip
*****
Good food and good service is no longer enough. That's table stakes. To succeed you need to think bigger.
*****
If you want to snag a copy of Chip's book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset... CLICK HERE: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/
If you're ready to learn more about the P3 Mastermind... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/p3-mastermind-program
If you want a free 30-day trial of our Restaurant Foundations Membership Site... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/Foundations-b
If you want to leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts... CLICK HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809

Jan 26, 2026 • 26min
8 Ways to Increase Revenue (Without Spending a Dime on Marketing)
#519 - 8 Ways to Increase Revenue (Without Spending a Dime on Marketing)
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: KICKFINVISIT: https://kickfin.com/demo/
This week's episode is brought to you by: AJINOMOTOVISIT: https://ajinomotofoodservice.com/
*****
THE BOTTOM LINE
Let's recap these eight strategies:
Fix your menu mix - guide guests to high-margin items
Stop giving away add-ons - charge for upgrades
Engineer your drink menu - create premium beverage options
Implement strategic pricing tiers - use price anchoring
Maximize table turns - increase efficiency without rushing
Capture the check - train staff to upsell appetizers and desserts
Build a strategic takeout program - treat it as a profit center
Implement minimum requirements - value your premium seating
*****
If you want to snag a copy of Chip's book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset... CLICK HERE: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/
If you're ready to learn more about the P3 Mastermind... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/p3-mastermind-program
If you want a free 30-day trial of our Restaurant Foundations Membership Site... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/Foundations-b
If you want to leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts... CLICK HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809

Jan 22, 2026 • 19min
8 Bold Predictions for the Future of Restaurants
#518 - Eight Bold Predictions for the Future of Restaurants
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: MARQII
MARQII is your one-stop-shop for listings management and reputation management. Collect reviews in one place to make responding easy and effortless and win the SEO game to land at the top of more search results. Win back guests and put more butts in the seats with Marqii.
VISIT: https://marqii.com/
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: RESTAURANT TECHNOLOGIES
Simplify and automate your back of house operations with RESTAURANT TECHNOLOGIES and their cooking oil management program. These guys take the dirtiest job out of your kitchen!
VISIT: https://www.rti-inc.com/
*****
PREDICTION #1: Technology Will Amplify Humanity, Not Replace It
PREDICTION #2: Data Integration Will Become The Ultimate Competitive Advantage
PREDICTION #3: The "Me-Me-Me Economy" Will Demand Hyper-Personalization
PREDICTION #4: Experience Will Trump Everything Else
PREDICTION #5: The High-Low Format Will Dominate
PREDICTION #6: Value Will Be Redefined (And It's Not About Price)
PREDICTION #7: Health-Conscious Customization Will Become Standard
PREDICTION #8: Community Connection Will Beat Transaction Optimization
*****
If you want to snag a copy of Chip's book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset... CLICK HERE: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/
If you're ready to learn more about the P3 Mastermind... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/p3-mastermind-program
If you want a free 30-day trial of our Restaurant Foundations Membership Site... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/Foundations-b
If you want to leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts... CLICK HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809

Jan 19, 2026 • 14min
8 Leadership Tips for 2026
#517 - Eight Leadership Tips for 2026
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: DAVO
Automate your sales taxes using DAVO BY AVALARA. The software integrates with most POS systems. It sets aside your sales taxes, files on time, and submits payments before the deadline.
VISIT: https://davosalestax.com/RestaurantStrategy
*****
Be predictably calm. Chaos happens. Great leaders don’t add to it—they absorb it and steady the room.
Set the standard in public, correct in private. Praise loudly, coach quietly. Your culture listens to how you handle both.
Decide faster than you feel ready. Indecision is more exhausting to a team than a wrong call that gets corrected.
Say “thank you” more than you think you should. Effort noticed is effort repeated—especially in a high-stress environment.
Coach the why, not just the what. People don’t commit to tasks; they commit to purpose.
Protect your best people from burnout. The schedule is a leadership tool, not just a staffing solution.
Own the misses—out loud. Accountability from the top gives everyone else permission to improve.
Work on the business in front of your team. When they see you planning, training, and improving—not just firefighting—they follow suit.
*****
If you want to snag a copy of Chip's book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset... CLICK HERE: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/
If you're ready to learn more about the P3 Mastermind... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/p3-mastermind-program
If you want a free 30-day trial of our Restaurant Foundations Membership Site... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/Foundations-b
If you want to leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts... CLICK HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809

Jan 15, 2026 • 15min
What is GOOD Marketing?
#516 - What is GOOD Marketing?
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: MARQII
MARQII is your one-stop-shop for listings management and reputation management. Collect reviews in one place to make responding easy and effortless and win the SEO game to land at the top of more search results. Win back guests and put more butts in the seats with Marqii.
VISIT: https://marqii.com/
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: RESTAURANT TECHNOLOGIES
Simplify and automate your back of house operations with RESTAURANT TECHNOLOGIES and their cooking oil management program. These guys take the dirtiest job out of your kitchen!
VISIT: https://www.rti-inc.com/
*****
Marketing is define by 3 questions:
- What's the product?- Who is it for? - How to you reach them?
Good Marketing is then defined by your focus, specificity, and intention.
This episode explains how to do that.
*****
If you want to snag a copy of Chip's book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset... CLICK HERE: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/
If you're ready to learn more about the P3 Mastermind... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/p3-mastermind-program
If you want a free 30-day trial of our Restaurant Foundations Membership Site... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/Foundations-b
If you want to leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts... CLICK HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809

Jan 12, 2026 • 12min
Embracing the Abundance Mindset
#515 - Embracing the Abundance Mindset
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: DAVO
Automate your sales taxes using DAVO BY AVALARA. The software integrates with most POS systems. It sets aside your sales taxes, files on time, and submits payments before the deadline.
VISIT: https://davosalestax.com/RestaurantStrategy
*****
The Scarcity Mindset says that there's so much much to go around. One single pie with only so many pieces.
The Abundance Mindset says that if you have the recipe, you can just bake more pies. There's always more than enough to go around.
In the year ahead I want you to change your thinking to change your life.
*****
If you want to snag a copy of Chip's book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset... CLICK HERE: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/
If you're ready to learn more about the P3 Mastermind... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/p3-mastermind-program
If you want a free 30-day trial of our Restaurant Foundations Membership Site... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/Foundations-b
If you want to leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts... CLICK HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809

Jan 8, 2026 • 29min
How to Optimize Your Restaurant for AI Search
#514 - How to Optimize Your Restaurant for AI Search
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: MARGIN EDGE
Take control of your costs with using MarginEdge. Best of all? No contract. No setup fee. Free and unlimited training and support.
VISIT: marginedge.com/chip
*****
Rev's LinkedIn Newsletter Post About AI SEARCH: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/secret-sauce-winning-ai-search-restaurant-ciancio-teewe
FAQ Page Example: https://handcraftburgers.com/faqs
Rev's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revciancio/
Rev's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@revciancio
Rev's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/revciancio/
*****
If you want to snag a copy of Chip's book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset... CLICK HERE: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/
If you're ready to learn more about the P3 Mastermind... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/p3-mastermind-program
If you want a free 30-day trial of our Restaurant Foundations Membership Site... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/Foundations-b
If you want to leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts... CLICK HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809

Jan 5, 2026 • 16min
The Best Way to Map Out the Year Ahead
#513 - The Best Way to Map Out the Year Ahead
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: KICKFIN
Thousands of restaurants across the country use Kickfin to send instant, cashless tip payouts, directly to their employees’ bank accounts, the second their shift ends. Get in touch today for a personalized demo and see how restaurants and bars across the country are tipping out with Kickfin.
VISIT: https://kickfin.com/demo/
*****
It's not nearly as cut-and-dry as you think.
*****
If you want to snag a copy of Chip's book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset... CLICK HERE: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/
If you're ready to learn more about the P3 Mastermind... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/p3-mastermind-program
If you want a free 30-day trial of our Restaurant Foundations Membership Site... CLICK HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/Foundations-b
If you want to leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts... CLICK HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809


