
RESTAURANT STRATEGY
The Restaurant Strategy podcast is dedicated helping independent restaurant owners increase the profitability of their restaurants. Hosted by industry expert, Chip Klose, the focus is split between operations and marketing... two episodes every single week. What would your life look like if your restaurant could deliver consistent, predictable 20% returns?
Latest episodes

Nov 20, 2023 • 1h 15min
Understanding the Impact of Marketing Research (ENCORE)
291 - Understanding the Impact of Marketing Research (ENCORE)
*****
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
*****
A few years ago I decided to go back to school to get my MBA, and one of my absolute favorite professors was Dr. Ernest Baskin. He attended University of Pennsylvania for undergrad and then got his Master's and PhD from Yale. His perspective is unique and I knew I wanted to bring him onto the show to talk about the importance of research.
Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with one of the smartest people I know.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernestbaskin/
*****
Currently the P3 Mastermind has more than 100 members enrolled, spread across 3 different groups. Our members are seeing huge transformations, often in the first 90 days. The system works, and yes it can work for you.
Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule
*****
THE P3 MARKETING SUMMIT (2024)
And don't forget to secure your ticket to the P3 Marketing Summit happening January 14-16, 2024 in Columbia, SC. This is a two-and-a-half day event that will take your marketing to the next level.
RESERVE HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/2024-marketing-summit

Nov 16, 2023 • 19min
Increase Profits with Second Beverage Sales
#290 - Increase Profits with Second Beverage Sales
*****
We are only selling 100 tickets to the P3 Marketing Summit...
SNAG ONE HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/2024-marketing-summit
Co-hosted by Chip Klose and Rev Ciancio, this is specifically geared toward independent owners and operators who are ready to level up when it comes to marketing.
3 days5 workshops2 parties
And there are only 40 spots left...
JOIN US: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/2024-marketing-summit
*****
We all want to make more money... but the very best way to do that is to focus in at a granualr level. Get your servers and bartenders to focus on increasing check average. The #1 way to do that is through second beverage sales. How do you get the second drink down? By getting them to finish the first one.
This episode is a highly tactical, highly actional lesson in driving more revenue!
*****
Are you ready to generate consistent, predictable, 20% returns? Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute strategy session to learn about my P3 Mastermind: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule
*****
AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY NEW BOOK: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/

Nov 13, 2023 • 1h 5min
Owners of East Nashville Hotspot, Noko
289 - Owners of East Nashville Hotspot, Noko
*****
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/
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: POPMENU
If you’re a restaurant owner you need a great website that not only looks beautiful, but helps drive more traffic and sales. Use POPMENU to take your business to the next level. Best of all, listeners of this show can lock in one, set monthly rate… and get $100 off their first month.
VISIT: https://popmenu.com/restaurantstrategy
*****
On Episode 289 I'm chatting with Jon Murray and Wilson Brannock, partners at East Nashville hotspot, Noko. Having come up through the ranks they vowed that when they finally had the chance to open their own place they would do things differently... and that's exactly what they're doing.
Tune in to learn about:
How they allocate merchandise revenue
Why they give every employee an annual "travel fund"
Their goal of providing 100% free health insurance in the next five years
Why they think "skyrocketing food costs" are total BS
These are two very smart, passionate guys who you can't help but root for. Oh, and guess what... we definitely don't see eye to eye on everything. It was fun doing a bit of sparring with them!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Website: https://www.nokonashville.com/about
Noko on FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086515181359
Noko on IG: https://www.instagram.com/nokonashville/
*****
Ready to learn more about my P3 Mastermind?Set up a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule

Nov 9, 2023 • 21min
The 3 Things You Need to Do During a Slowdown
#288 - The 3 Things You Need to do During a Slowdown
*****
We are only selling 100 tickets to the P3 Marketing Summit...
SNAG ONE HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/2024-marketing-summit
Co-hosted by Chip Klose and Rev Ciancio, this is specifically geared toward independent owners and operators who are ready to level up when it comes to marketing.
3 days5 workshops2 parties
And there are only 40 spots left...
JOIN US: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/2024-marketing-summit
*****
I'm not convinced that we're heading toward a recession... but markets are cyclical and I've been around long enough to know that we will hit one eventually. And certainly, many restaurants have felt a slowdown over the last couple of months. So, something is up...
But that doesn't mean we just roll over and take it. In fact, there are three things all restaurants need to do when facing a slowdown. I share those three on today's episode.
*****
Are you ready to generate consistent, predictable, 20% returns? Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute strategy session to learn about my P3 Mastermind: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule
*****
AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY NEW BOOK: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/

Nov 6, 2023 • 1h 6min
Anthony Bucco, SVP of Culinary Operations for Landmark Hospitality
287 - Anthony Bucco, SVP of Culinary Operations for Landmark Hospitality
*****
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/
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: POPMENU
If you’re a restaurant owner you need a great website that not only looks beautiful, but helps drive more traffic and sales. Use POPMENU to take your business to the next level. Best of all, listeners of this show can lock in one, set monthly rate… and get $100 off their first month.
VISIT: https://popmenu.com/restaurantstrategy
*****
Anthony Bucco has built an incredible resume over the last two and a half decades and now heads up the culinry department at one of the largest catering companies in the NYC area, Landmark Hospitality. We talk about marketing, profitability, hospitality, and more... all on today's epiode.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Landmark: https://landmarkhospitality.com/
Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-bucco-912b0519/
*****
Did you know I offer a money-back guarantee on the Mastermind I run?Learn more by setting up a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule

Nov 2, 2023 • 20min
The Value of Creating Value (ENCORE)
286 - The Value of Creating Value (ENCORE)
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: TRIPLESEAT
Revolutionize your private event planning with Tripleseat's all-in-one platform. Boost new booking sales by 30%, generate more leads, create contracts, BEOs, and more. Plus listeners of the show get a discount when you sign up.
VISIT: https://tripleseat.com/restaurantstrategy/
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by the P3 Marketing Summit
3 days, 2 parties, and 5 different workshops with some of the smartest marketers in the country. Are you ready to level up? Grab your tickets now. Premier Access Early Bird pricing ends on October 31. Do not miss your chance to snag one of just 100 seats to this thing!
VISIT: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/offers/4nbUSttN/checkout
*****
We add value at every step of the way. As the produce gets further from the field, it touches more hands... and the people do something to the fruit. Those people need to be compensated. And in order to turn a profit, we must pass on that expense.
That, in a nutshell, is the reality of running a restaurant. The questions is... are you charging enough for the value you provide?
*****
Everything changes when your restaurant starts generating consistent, predictable, 20% profits every single month. Are you ready to level up? To bring your restaurant to where you know it should be? Just imagine how consistent profit would change your like.
Schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule
*****
And don't forget to snag a copy of my new book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset.
ORDER HERE: https://amzn.to/3EXniQR

Oct 30, 2023 • 1h 23min
Interview with Restaurant Consultant, Ken McGarrie (ENCORE)
285 - Interview with Restaurant Consultant, Ken McGarrie (ENCORE)
*****
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
*****
Ken McGarrie is one of the smartest (and nicest) people I know in this industry. He's built decades of experience training teams and then wrote a book about everything he's learned along the journey. The book is great and this interview is great. I'm having Ken back on the show in a couple of months, and I thought this might act as a primer to introduce him to you. He initially appeared on the show back on Episode 122 and I imagine that many of you weren't listening back then. So here he is!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
KORGEN HOSPITALITY - https://korgenhospitality.com
The Surprise Restaurant Manager (Amazon for 99 cents) - https://www.amazon.com/Surprise-Restaurant-Manager-Ken-McGarrie-ebook/dp/B093P5GGBV/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1625858274&sr=8-1
The Surprise Restaurant Manager (The Strand paperback for $14.99) - https://www.strandbooks.com/product/9781736282304?title=the_surprise_restaurant_manager
*****
Currently the P3 Mastermind has nearly 100 members enrolled, spread across 3 different groups. Our members are seeing huge transformations, often in the first 90 days. The system works, and yes it can work for you.
Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule
*****
THE P3 MARKETING SUMMIT (2024)
And don't forget to secure your ticket to the P3 Marketing Summit happening January 14-16, 2024 in Columbia, SC. This is a two-and-a-half day event that will take your marketing to the next level.
RESERVE HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/2024-marketing-summit

Oct 26, 2023 • 35min
The 10 Biggest Mistakes That Keep Restaurants from Hitting 20 Percent Profits (ENCORE)
284 - The 10 Biggest Mistakes That Keep Restaurants from Hitting 20 Percent Profits (ENCORE)
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: TRIPLESEAT
Revolutionize your private event planning with Tripleseat's all-in-one platform. Boost new booking sales by 30%, generate more leads, create contracts, BEOs, and more. Plus listeners of the show get a discount when you sign up.
VISIT: https://tripleseat.com/restaurantstrategy/
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by the P3 Marketing Summit
3 days, 2 parties, and 5 different workshops with some of the smartest marketers in the country. Are you ready to level up? Grab your tickets now. Premier Access Early Bird pricing ends on October 31. Do not miss your chance to snag one of just 100 seats to this thing!
VISIT: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/offers/4nbUSttN/checkout
*****
Listen carefully... profit is the only thing that matters in your business. And I believe there are 10 major blocks that independent owners must break through to generate consistent, predictable 20% returns. This is an encore presentation of one of our most donwloaded episode EVER!
*****
Everything changes when your restaurant starts generating consistent, predictable, 20% profits every single month. Are you ready to level up? To bring your restaurant to where you know it should be? Just imagine how consistent profit would change your like.
Schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule
*****
And don't forget to snag a copy of my new book, The Restaurant Marketing Mindset.
ORDER HERE: https://amzn.to/3EXniQR

Oct 23, 2023 • 1h 6min
Interview with Hans Luttmann, Managing Partner at Rossoblu LA
283 - Interview with Hans Luttmann, Managing Partner at Rossoblu LA
*****
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
*****
Hans Luttmann is like me... he took the side door in to the industry. And that gives him a unique perspective on the how he approaches his work. On today's interview we talk about staffing, leadership, profitability, marketing, and more. I love his apporach and the unique sense of humility he brings to the conversation. Can't wait for you to hear it!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Rossoblu LA - https://www.rossoblula.com/Fotografiska NYC - https://www.fotografiska.com/nyc/Veronika - https://www.fotografiska.com/nyc/dining/veronika/
*****
Currently the P3 Mastermind has nearly 100 members enrolled, spread across 3 different groups. Our members are seeing huge transformations, often in the first 90 days. The system works, and yes it can work for you.
Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule
*****
And don't forget to secure your ticket to the P3 Marketing Summit happening January 14-16, 2024 in Columbia, SC. This is a two-and-a-half day event that will take your marketing to the next level.
RESERVE HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/2024-marketing-summit

Oct 19, 2023 • 25min
How to Crush Your Marketing Goals
#282 - How to Crush Your Marketing Goals
*****
We are only selling 100 tickets to the P3 Marketing Summit...
SNAG ONE HERE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/offers/4nbUSttN/checkout
Co-hosted by Chip Klose and Rev Ciancio, this is specifically geared toward independent owners and operators who are ready to level up when it comes to marketing. This is a 3-day event with five workshops and two parties.
And half the tickets are already gone. Get Premier Access Early Bird Pricing...
JOIN US: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/offers/4nbUSttN/checkout
*****
Most independent restaurant owners suck at marketing. It's a fact. But they don't have to. In fact, we have something a lot of the big groups and chains lack... personality. Real live people have created real live restaurants. With personality and perspective. We know who we are; we simply need to get better at understanding who we're for.
On Episode 282 I want to introduce you to two simple frameworks I use with all of my clients to help you CRUSH your marketing in the year ahead.
*****
Are you ready to generate consistent, predictable, 20% returns? Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute strategy session to learn about my P3 Mastermind: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule
*****
AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY NEW BOOK: https://www.therestaurantmarketingmindset.com/