#219 - James Beard Award Winning Chef, Gavin Kaysen *****  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 ***** This week's episode is brought to you by: 7SHIFTS 7shifts is the team management platform for restaurants. From hiring, to scheduling, training and retaining, they’ve got the tools you need to help you run your business with ease. Better understand your restaurant, hit your labor targets, and keep your entire team connected. Plus, 7shifts integrates with POS and payroll systems you already use and trust! Join over 30,000 restaurants using 7shifts today. Restaurant Strategy listeners get 3 months free. VISIT: https://www.7shifts.com/restaurantstrategy ***** Gavin Kaysen is a two-time James Beard Award winner, as well as the Chef/Owner of Soigné Hospitality in Minneapolis, MN. His restaurants include Spoon & Stable, Demi, and Mara. His new cookbook, "At Home," is going to be back in stock any day now...   IMPORTANT LINKS: Soigné Hospitality - https://staysoigne.com/ Gavin Kaysen - https://gavinkaysen.com/ At Home Cookbook - https://amzn.to/40gI2Mr    ***** What would your life look like if your restaurant could generate consistent, predicatble 20% profits? My guess is it would change everything for you. If you've been open for at least a year, are generating at least a million dollars in revenue, but struggle with profitability... Then set up a free 30-minute strategy session to learn more about my P3 Mastermind: (The 3 Ps stand for Profit, Process, Progress)  Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule   

#218 - The #1 Way to Get Predictable Profits *****  This week's episode is brought to you by: SPOTON You may think of them as a POS system, but SpotOn is so much more.  With SpotOn you get a seamless restaurant tech solution that actually boosts revenue and manages costs. Book a demo today and see how SpotOn is changing the whole game.  VISIT: https://www.spoton.com/chip ***** This week's episode is brought to you by: 7SHIFTS 7shifts is the team management platform for restaurants. From hiring, to scheduling, training and retaining, they’ve got the tools you need to help you run your business with ease. Better understand your restaurant, hit your labor targets, and keep your entire team connected. Plus, 7shifts integrates with POS and payroll systems you already use and trust! Join over 30,000 restaurants using 7shifts today. Restaurant Strategy listeners get 3 months free. VISIT: https://www.7shifts.com/restaurantstrategy   ***** Simply put... the only thing that matters in your business is PROFIT. Everything else is in service of that. I mean it. To be a bit callous: you serve great food, yes to bring people joy, but also to get them to rave about the meal to friends and family. You provide great service, yes to take care of people, but also to drive sales and make people want to return time and again. More covers = more revenue = more profit.  And profit is the key to everything.  Once you understand how to generate consistent, reliable profit everything else changes in your business.  So if you're generating revenue but struggling with profitability, this episode is for you!    ***** Same results, but a brand new name: The Restaurant Strategy P3 Mastermind The three Ps stand for PROFIT, PROCESS, and PROGRESS. (Our three pillars.)  Curious to learn more? Schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule 

#217 - How to Market Like a Beast with Rev Ciancio ***** 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: 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 ***** Rev Ciancio is one of the most brilliant restaurant marketers I've ever met. He works with hundreds of different concepts all over the country, and is here to share his perspective on the easiest ways that operators can level up their marketing. Do not sleep on this one!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revciancio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revciancio TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@revciancio Fun With Fries: https://www.instagram.com/funwithfries/   ***** Same results, with a new name: The P3 Mastermind ProgramThe 3 Ps stand for PROFIT, PROCESS, and PROGRESS -- our 3 pillars!  Learn more by setting up a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule

#216 - How to Create a First Class Training Program for Your Staff *****  This week's episode is brought to you by: SPOTON You may think of them as a POS system, but SpotOn is so much more.  With SpotOn you get a seamless restaurant tech solution that actually boosts revenue and manages costs. Book a demo today and see how SpotOn is changing the whole game.  VISIT: https://www.spoton.com/chip ***** This week's episode is brought to you by: 7SHIFTS 7shifts is the team management platform for restaurants. From hiring, to scheduling, training and retaining, they’ve got the tools you need to help you run your business with ease. Better understand your restaurant, hit your labor targets, and keep your entire team connected. Plus, 7shifts integrates with POS and payroll systems you already use and trust! Join over 30,000 restaurants using 7shifts today. Restaurant Strategy listeners get 3 months free. VISIT: https://www.7shifts.com/restaurantstrategy   ***** If we believe that our people are our greatest asset, then it stands to reason that we would want to invest in those assets. And yet, the way we train our employees is often lacking. Hard stop.  I've worked with hundreds of restaurants over the course of my career and most of them have substandard training practices.  And I understand why that is. I understand it takes time and money, both of which are often in short supply. And yet I believe there is a failsafe way to train our people to get the most out of them. Not just for our benefit, but for theirs as well. On today's episode I'm explaining a system for three levels of training.  Follow the blueprint and you will have created a first class staff.    ***** Same results, but a brand new name: The Restaurant Strategy P3 Mastermind The three Ps stand for PROFIT, PROCESS, and PROGRESS. (Our three pillars.)  Curious to learn more? Schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule 

#215 - A New Approach to Leadership and Staff Development with Jimmie Williamson ***** 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: 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 ***** Jimmie Williamson is not only a client of mine, but something of a mentor. He helps oversee operations at LTC Hospitality in Columbia, SC, where they've done some very non-traditional things. Leadership, education, and staff development are some of the subjects he's passionate about and so who better to talk to us about what they're doing down there in South Carolina? Jimmie's Email: jwilliamson@ltchs.com My Email: chip@chipklose.com   ***** Same results, with a new name: The P3 Mastermind ProgramThe 3 Ps stand for PROFIT, PROCESS, and PROGRESS -- our 3 pillars!  Learn more by setting up a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule

#214 - 12 Stupid Simple Marketing Hacks to Boost Revenue   *****  Have you gotten your Employee Retention Tax Credit yet? I am hosting an hourlong Q&A session with CPA Catherine Tindall on Monday, February 27th. If you don't know what this is or you're curious to see if you qualify for more money, then please sign up below.  It's TOTALLY FREE and happening only once!  SECURE YOUR SPOT: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/employee-retention-tax-credit   ***** This week's episode is brought to you by: DAVO Don’t let sales tax spoil your business. Stay on top of sales tax with automation from DAVO by Avalara so you can spend less time in the back office, and more time in the front of house. Click the link below to learn more and try DAVO free for the first month: VISIT: https://www.DAVOsalestax.com/restaurantstrategy ***** Most of the time we talk STRATEGY on this show. Which makes sense, right? Check out the name of the podcast. I do that because I think comprehensive planning is the secret to success for restaurants. But that's not to say there isn't a place for good old fashioned TACTICS.  So that's what today's episode is all about... 12 stupid simple marketing hacks that will move the needle in your business!  My Favorite Signature Creator: https://mysignature.io/   ***** Want to learn more about the Restaurant Accelerator Mastermind?  Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule 

#213 - Chatting with Pastry Chef Instructor and YouTube Influencer, Steven Konopelski *****  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 ***** This week's episode is brought to you by: 7SHIFTS 7shifts is the team management platform for restaurants. From hiring, to scheduling, training and retaining, they’ve got the tools you need to help you run your business with ease. Better understand your restaurant, hit your labor targets, and keep your entire team connected. Plus, 7shifts integrates with POS and payroll systems you already use and trust! Join over 30,000 restaurants using 7shifts today. Restaurant Strategy listeners get 3 months free. VISIT: https://www.7shifts.com/restaurantstrategy ***** Steven Konopelski has taken an unusual path to get to cooking, but it's that unique journey that makes his story that much more compelling. After a career as a ballet dancer and Broadway chorus boy, he became enamored with the culinary world. Specifically, the land of sweets. His Act 2 turned into something far bigger than he could've ever imagined and led him to working with some of the industry's biggest names including the one-and-only Claudia Fleming. He now works as an educator for the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, and is here to share his story.  ESCOFFIER SCHOOL LINKS: Website - https://www.escoffier.edu/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/escoffierschool Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/escoffierschools/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/escoffierschool LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/auguste-escoffier-school-of-culinary-arts/ STEVE'S LINKS:  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chefstevekonopelski/?hl=en TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@chefstevekonopelski YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SteveKonopelski    ***** Want to learn more about my Restaurant Accelerator Mastermind?  Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule    ***** I will be co-hosting a FREE Webinar with Catherine Tindall CPA on Monday, February 27 to talk all about the Employee Retention Credit. This is a government program that will soon expire, and we will be answering all your questions. SIGN UP FOR FREE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/employee-retention-tax-credit  

#212 - What's the Difference Between a Consultant and Coach?   *****  Have you gotten your Employee Retention Tax Credit yet? I am hosting an hourlong Q&A session with CPA Catherine Tindall on Monday, February 27th. If you don't know what this is or you're curious to see if you qualify for more money, then please sign up below.  It's TOTALLY FREE and happening only once!  SECURE YOUR SPOT: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/employee-retention-tax-credit   ***** This week's episode is brought to you by: DAVO Don’t let sales tax spoil your business. Stay on top of sales tax with automation from DAVO by Avalara so you can spend less time in the back office, and more time in the front of house. Click the link below to learn more and try DAVO free for the first month: VISIT: https://www.DAVOsalestax.com/restaurantstrategy ***** I get asked often... "Wait, you're a restaurtant COACH? Don't you mean, consultant?"  No. I used to consult, but have evolved my business over the past couple of years to focus on coaching. And there is a time and a place for both. But in my opinion there's enough confusion on the topic to warrant a deeper discussion. So on today's episode we're going to talk about the differences, and explain when you might use one over the other.  I hope you get a lot out of this one, and if you still have questions click the link below to set up a free call with me. Cheers!    ***** Want to learn more about the Restaurant Accelerator Mastermind?  Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule 

#211 - Let Your Community Market For You with Bestselling Author, Mark Schaefer *****  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 ***** This week's episode is brought to you by: 7SHIFTS 7shifts is the team management platform for restaurants. From hiring, to scheduling, training and retaining, they’ve got the tools you need to help you run your business with ease. Better understand your restaurant, hit your labor targets, and keep your entire team connected. Plus, 7shifts integrates with POS and payroll systems you already use and trust! Join over 30,000 restaurants using 7shifts today. Restaurant Strategy listeners get 3 months free. VISIT: https://www.7shifts.com/restaurantstrategy ***** Mark Schaefer returns to the show to talk about his newest book, Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy. We rehash some of the insights we uncovered on Episode #106 (when he first sat down to chat with me), and dive even deeper into the idea of community and what it means for restaurants.    EPISODE #106 WITH MARK: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restaurant-strategy/id1457379809?i=1000513907136 WEBSITE: https://businessesgrow.com/ MARK'S NEWEST BOOK: https://amzn.to/3RvHsHi MARKETING COMPANION PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-marketing-companion/id663933566   ***** Want to learn more about my Restaurant Accelerator Mastermind?  Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule    ***** I will be co-hosting a FREE Webinar with Catherine Tindall CPA on Monday, February 27 to talk all about the Employee Retention Credit. This is a government program that will soon expire, and we will be answering all your questions. SIGN UP FOR FREE: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/employee-retention-tax-credit  

#210 - Rethinking the Role of the Waiter *****  This week's episode is brought to you by: SPOTON You may think of them as a POS system, but SpotOn is so much more.  With SpotOn you get a seamless restaurant tech solution that actually boosts revenue and manages costs. Book a demo today and see how SpotOn is changing the whole game.  VISIT: https://www.spoton.com/chip ***** This week's episode is brought to you by: 7SHIFTS 7shifts is the team management platform for restaurants. From hiring, to scheduling, training and retaining, they’ve got the tools you need to help you run your business with ease. Better understand your restaurant, hit your labor targets, and keep your entire team connected. Plus, 7shifts integrates with POS and payroll systems you already use and trust! Join over 30,000 restaurants using 7shifts today. Restaurant Strategy listeners get 3 months free. VISIT: https://www.7shifts.com/restaurantstrategy   ***** Restaurants have been around for thousands of years, and yet the model we now use was basically invested 250 years ago in Paris, France. It has served us well, but I dare say... it's become inefficient and clumsy. The world is changing and technology has shifted every other major industry including travel, education, publishing, television, movies, and on and on. We are at an intersection right now and we have the choice. The choice about whether we will utilize technology to create a new way of doing things. Or whether we'll resist and suffer like so many of the industries I just mentioned. Think about Blockbuster when Netflix came along.  The railroads when Henry Ford introduced the first "affordable" car. Barnes and Noble when Amazon launched.  Travel agents when Expedia first hit the internet.  We have a choice, but the window is closing. On today's episode we're talking about how we can incorporate technology to do things better. And to free up our people to provide a level of service we've never seen before.    ***** Want to learn more about my Restaurant Accelerator Mastermind?  Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule