
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

Jan 9, 2023 • 59min
Leadership 101 with KRP CEO, Troy Hooper
#201 - Leadership 101 with KRP CEO, Troy Hooper
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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
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Troy Hooper is the CEO of Kiwi Restaurant Partners, a management and consulting firm serving the hospitality industry. Put simply, they excel at taking small brands and turning them into big brands. And he's speaking about the common threads that all successful companies have in common. Tons of insights from one of the smartest people in the industry... and HINT HINT... he thinks success has a lot to do with leadership.
KIWI RESTAURANT PARTNERS: https://www.krpusa.com/
TROY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtroyhooper/
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Ready to learn more about the Restaurant Accelerator Group Coaching Program?
Click the link to set up a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session with me: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule

Jan 5, 2023 • 55min
Everything I Believe About Running Restaurants
#200 - Everything I Believe About Running Restaurants
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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
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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
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Can you believe it? We made it all the way to Episode 200, and what a wild ride it's been!!
On today's show I'm sharing everything I believe about running a successful restaurant. If you're new to the podcast this will give you a really good foundation for moving forward. If you've been with us from the beginning, this will be a great refresher. Running restaurants is not for the faint of heart, but it also isn't rocket science.
I'm on a mission to help owners and operators build restaurants that work as hard as they do. Driving profit is simple - not necessarily easy - and it shouldn't be as elusive as it often is. Today's episode is about the building blocks you need to succeed, and the strategy I know you can craft.
RESTAURANT BUDGET: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/offers/GPgAjMU3
Want my Marketing Plan Template or my Marketing Calendar? Email me: chip@chipklose.com
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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

Jan 2, 2023 • 1h 6min
Talking Beverage & Branding with Rob Day
#199 - Talking Beverage & Branding with Rob Day
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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
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Rob Day is the Marketing Director for Jack's Abby Craft Lagers. He's responsible for both the distribution of the brand, but also the marketing for the brewery experience. Because of that, he's uniquely qualified to speak to both sides of the discussion. He brings years of experience to the table and has a lot of insights to share... specifically: how we get build better relationships with our vendors to get the support we need.
JACK'S ABBY: https://jacksabby.com/
ROB DAY ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robjday/
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Ready to learn more about the Restaurant Accelerator Group Coaching Program?
Click the link to set up a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session with me: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule

Dec 26, 2022 • 36min
Goal Setting for the Year Ahead
#198 - Goal Setting for the Year Ahead
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This week's episode is brought to you by: MARGIN EDGE
Take control of your costs with using MarginEdge. Best of all? Listeners of this show get to try MarginEdge FREE for 30 days. 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
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What we do is extraordinary, and no... not everyone could do it. Let's celebrate that for just a second, and use that to propel you forward into your best year yet. With just a bit of planning, you can crush the competition... and I'm going to give you the tools to do it. All on Episode 198 of the podcast!
RESTAURANT BUDGET: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/offers/GPgAjMU3
Want my Marketing Plan Template or my Marketing Calendar? Email me: chip@chipklose.com
*****
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

Dec 19, 2022 • 57min
Reconnecting Our People with 7shifts Founder, Jordan Boesch
#197 - Reconnecting Our People with 7Shifts Founder, Jordan Boesch
*****
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
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Ours is a people business and 7shifts is trying to reinvent how we connect to our employees. Their industry-leading software is hands-down the best on the market, and on today's episode the company's founder explains exactly how they got where they are. More importantly, Jordan explains how his upbringing prepared him for the product he would eventually build. Tons of insights on today's episode.
VISIT: https://www.7shifts.com/restaurantstrategy
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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

Dec 12, 2022 • 27min
Killer Gift Ideas for Restaurateurs
#196 - Killer Gift Ideas for Restaurateurs
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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
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Let's face it... if you don't give your family some suggestions, they're gonna get you crap this holiday season. So I've put together some ideas for you. Books, movies, stocking-stuffers, and more. Link to everything below...
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
Purple Cow by Seth Godin - CLICK TO BUY
Setting the Table by Danny Meyer - CLICK TO BUY
Start with Why by Simon Sinek - CLICK TO BUY
Drive by Daniel Pink - CLICK TO BUY
Atomic Habits by James Clear - CLICK TO BUY
Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller - CLICK TO BUY
Post Corona by Scott Galloway - CLICK TO BUY
Delivering the Digital Restaurant by Orsbourne & Sandland - CLICK TO BUY
Everybody Writes by Ann Handley - CLICK TO BUY
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel - CLICK TO BUY
DOCUMENTARY IDEA
Spinning Plates - LEARN MORE
HATE READING?
Audible Membership - LEARN MORE
Subscribe to Blinkist - EXPLORE TITLES
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Create Merch on Zazzle - START CREATING
FOR THE EARS
Bluetooth Speaker - BUY ON AMAZON
LEVEL UP THIS SEASON
Restaurant Recharge 8-Week Program - START LEARNING
*****
Ready to learn more about the Restaurant Accelerator Group Coaching Program?
Click the link to set up a FREE 30-minute Strategy Session with me: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule

Dec 5, 2022 • 1h 2min
Using Data to Create More Meaningful Connections with Brightloom CRO, Kellie Zimmerman
#195 - Using Data to Create More Meaningful Connections with Brightloom CRO, Kellie Zimmerman
*****
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
*****
Kellie Zimmerman is the President and CRO of a company called Brightloom, and they're helping restaurants use their data to actually drive more revenue and build stronger relationships with their guests. We get into a lot of good stuff on this episode, including personalization and the need for outside-the-box thinking. Listen in!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Free Data Health Report - https://go.brightloom.com/data-health-report
Brightloom - https://www.brightloom.com/
*****
Ready to learn more about the Restaurant Accelerator Group Coaching Program?
Click the link to set up a FREE 45-minute Strategy Session with me: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule

Nov 28, 2022 • 47min
Leadership in Turbulent Times
#194 - Leadership in Turbulent Times
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: MARGIN EDGE
Take control of your costs with using MarginEdge. Best of all? Listeners of this show get to try MarginEdge FREE for 30 days. 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
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The listeners of this show are -- for the most part -- leaders. Do you run a business? Are you responsible for other people? Do you fret about motivation and productivity? Do you have trouble getting others to do what you want? You're a leader. And I understand how hard of a job that is.
On today's episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite ideas... mindset shifts for leveling up your leadership. Below you'll find all of the links to my favorite books on being a great leader.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
"Leadership in Turbulent Times" - https://amzn.to/3XERXdQ
"Start With Why" - https://amzn.to/3OFXVXU
"Setting the Table" - https://amzn.to/3u5J0wY
"Drive" - https://amzn.to/3UcLVhG
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Want to learn more about my Restaurant Accelerator Mastermind?
Click the link to schedule a FREE 45-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule

Nov 21, 2022 • 1h 5min
Bringing Intentionality to the Hiring Process with Talroo CEO, Thad Price
#193 - Bringing Intentionality to the Hiring Process with Talroo CEO, Thad Price
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: MARGIN EDGE
Take control of your costs with using MarginEdge. Best of all? Listeners of this show get to try MarginEdge FREE for 30 days. 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
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We're at a breaking point with restaurant staffing, and my guest on this week's show has some insights to share. Thad Price is the CEO of Talroo, which takes an advertising approach to finding great talent. Tune in for a bunch of great nuggets!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Talroo Website - https://www.talroo.com/
Talroo on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/talroo-official/
Thad on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thad-price-2368b/
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Want to learn more about my Group Coaching Programs?
Click the link to schedule a FREE 45-minute Strategy Session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule
Last chance to get $500 off my Restaurant Recharge Program! Want the promo code?
E-mail me directly and I'll send it: chip@chipklose.com

Nov 14, 2022 • 42min
Your Marketing is Broken (Here's How to Fix It!)
#192 - Your Marketing is Broken (Here's How to Fix It!)
*****
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
*****
I spend most of my week talking with restaurant owners from all over the world, and so it's easy for me to spot trends. There are certain things that all (or most) successful restaurants do. Likewise, there are things that all struggling restaurants have in common. On this week's episode I'm sharing a Top Ten List of sorts... the 10 things that are broken with your marketing.
But here's the best part... I'm also sharing the 10 best ways to fix what's broken!
*****
Ready to learn more about the Restaurant Accelerator Group Coaching Program?
Click the link to set up a FREE 45-minute Strategy Session with me: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule