
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 31, 2022 • 17min
Pick One Thing & Do It Well
#151 - Pick One Thing & Do It Well
***** Want to get $500 off my new digital course, RESTAURANT RECHARGE? Send me an email and I'll get you an exclusive promo code! CONTACT chip@chipklose.com
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This week's episode is brought to you by: VIRTUAL RESTAURANT GROUP
They offer innovative, turnkey delivery-only brands that you're able to easily operate out of your existing restaurant with very little disruption to your current operation. Onboarding is super easy, with recipe guides, and step-by-step training for you and your staff. Visit the link below and use the promo code CHIP2021 to get started. That link is in the show notes
VISIT: https://www.virtualrestaurantgroup.com/chip
*****
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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In his NY Times bestseller Good to Great, Jim Collins introduces this idea of "The Hedgehog Concept." It's a venn diagram with three overlapping circles... each asking a specific question. The most important of the three goes like this: "What's the one thing you can be the best in the world at?"
That's what I want to talk about today. Remember that the opposite of great isn't bad. As Jim Collins suggests in his book, the opposite of great is very good. Let's challenge ourselves to be remarkable.
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Want to get $500 off my new digital course, RESTAURANT RECHARGE? Send me an email and I'll get you an exclusive promo code! CONTACT chip@chipklose.com

Jan 24, 2022 • 53min
INTERVIEW with Josh Kopel, Host of the Full Comp Podcast
#150 - INTERVIEW with Josh Kopel, Host of the Full Comp Podcast
This week's episode is also sponsored by STOCK MFG.
With Stock you get all the style of retail, with the price, continuity, and customer service of a traditional uniform vendor. They offer an assortment of everyday items that are ready to ship with no minimum order quantity, and can also create custom uniforms to fit any aesthetic.
Visit: stockmfg.co/chip to get get started.
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Josh Kopel is a restaurauteur, content creator, and host of the Full Comp Podcast. I had the great fortune of appearing on his show, and will soon be the guest host on the new season of his other show, Restaurant Marketing School. But I had the great fortune of sitting with him to chat all about the state of the industry.
You'll see over the course of this conversation that we disagree about some things, but what we share is a passion for this industry... and a desire to help those who have built their life around it. I hope you enjoy this one!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Full Comp Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/full-comp-the-voice-of-the-restaurant-industry-revolution/id1506823506
Josh's website - https://joshkopel.com
Josh's FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/milliondollarrestaurant
*****Register for my FREE webinar on January 24 and 25 all about the Two Secrets to Restaurant Profitability: www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/webinar

Jan 17, 2022 • 40min
Looking 5 Years Into the Future
#149 - Looking 5 Years Into the Future
This week's episode is also sponsored by STOCK MFG.
With Stock you get all the style of retail, with the price, continuity, and customer service of a traditional uniform vendor. They offer an assortment of everyday items that are ready to ship with no minimum order quantity, and can also create custom uniforms to fit any aesthetic.
Visit: stockmfg.co/chip to get get started.
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The "restaurant" has gone basically unchanged over the past two centuries, and yet because of the pandemic the world is changing at incredible speeds all around us. Retail, travel, medicine, education, and more... all of it has been upended due to technology and changing consumer behavior over the past twenty years. And yet the restaurant industry resisted. But we can no longer afford to resist the call.
On this week's episode I'm walking you through the inevitable changes that will reshape our industry. We can utilize them to make more profitable businesses, or we can get left in the dust.
Technology
Convenience
Compensation
Behavior
*****Register for my FREE webinar on January 24 and 25 all about the Two Secrets to Restaurant Profitability: www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/webinar

Jan 10, 2022 • 1h 15min
INTERVIEW with Bret Csencsitz, Owner of the Relaunched Gotham Restaurant
#148 - INTERVIEW with Bret Csencsitz, Owner of the Relaunched Gotham Restaurant
*****
Register for my FREE webinar on January 24 and 25 all about the Two Secrets to Restaurant Profitability : https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/webinar
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: VIRTUAL RESTAURANT GROUP
They offer innovative, turnkey delivery-only brands that you're able to easily operate out of your existing restaurant with very little disruption to your current operation. Onboarding is super easy, with recipe guides, and step-by-step training for you and your staff. Visit the link below and use the promo code CHIP2021 to get started. That link is in the show notes
VISIT: https://www.virtualrestaurantgroup.com/chip
*****
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
*****
Gotham opened in 1984 and heralded in a new era in American dining. It has a Michelin star, multiple James Beard Awards, and more 3-star reviews in The New York Times than any other restaurant in history (6 total). The restaurant was an institution here in New York City until the pandemic abruptly forced it closed in March 2020. After more than 36 years, the original owners decided to walk away.
But Managing Partner, Bret Csencsitz decided to pick up the baton. He spent the last 2 years planning its rebirth and it has risen like the phoenix. Same address, same layout, but a whole new feel. Vibrant art populates the place, and interesting new spaces make it feel brand new.
On this week's episode I talk to him about opening a restaurant in the current climate, and how exactly you begin to think about relaunching a brand as beloved as Gotham.
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Register for my FREE webinar on January 24 and 25 all about the Two Secrets to Restaurant Profitability : https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/webinar

Jan 3, 2022 • 26min
A System for Everything in Your Restaurant
#147 - A System for Everything in Your Restaurant
*****
Interested in joining my mastermind group, RESTAURANT ACCELERATOR? Click the link below and schedule a FREE strategy session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: VIRTUAL RESTAURANT GROUP
They offer innovative, turnkey delivery-only brands that you're able to easily operate out of your existing restaurant with very little disruption to your current operation. Onboarding is super easy, with recipe guides, and step-by-step training for you and your staff. Visit the link below and use the promo code CHIP2021 to get started. That link is in the show notes
VISIT: https://www.virtualrestaurantgroup.com/chip
*****
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
*****
The difference between the "big guys" and the "little guys" is pretty simple: SYSTEMS. The big chains know what they should be making and they empower their management teams to achieve ambitious goals. On this week's episode I want to talk about building systems in key places around your business.
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Interested in joining my mastermind group, RESTAURANT ACCELERATOR? Click the link below and schedule a FREE strategy session: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/schedule

Dec 27, 2021 • 1h 8min
INTERVIEW: The Return of Shawn Walchef, King of Smartphone Storytelling
#146 - The Return of Shawn Walchef, King of Smartphone Storytelling
This week's episode is also sponsored by STOCK MFG.
With Stock you get all the style of retail, with the price, continuity, and customer service of a traditional uniform vendor. They offer an assortment of everyday items that are ready to ship with no minimum order quantity, and can also create custom uniforms to fit any aesthetic.
Visit: stockmfg.co/chip to get get started.
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Shawn Walchef is the host of the Digital Hospitality Podcast and the owner of Cali BBQ in San Diego, CA. He first appeared on the show back on Episode 130 and I just had to have him back to talk all about how to get more social in the new year. We're talking about how to tell compelling stories so that the world discovers you and becomes part of the tribe. Well worth the listen!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Digital Hospitality Podcast: https://calibbq.media/podcast-episodes/
Cali BBQ: https://calibbq.media
*****Join my FREE webinar on January 3rd and January 4th all about the Two Secrets to Restaurant Profitability: www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/webinar

Dec 20, 2021 • 30min
The Power of Routine
#145 - The Power of Routine
This week's episode is also sponsored by STOCK MFG.
With Stock you get all the style of retail, with the price, continuity, and customer service of a traditional uniform vendor. They offer an assortment of everyday items that are ready to ship with no minimum order quantity, and can also create custom uniforms to fit any aesthetic.
Visit: stockmfg.co/chip to get get started.
*****
How do you prepare for the year ahead? Some rely on resolutions, while others set a series of ambitious goals. There is no wrong way to do it, but as scientists continue to study the subject of motivation and goal-setting we are getting a clearer picture of the best ways we can set ourselves up for success. For those who need a little inspiration I’m going to share some ideas and insights from a few of my favorite thought leaders. Links to all of the articles and books are listed below!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
HBR Article - "To Achieve Big Goals, Start With Small Habits": https://hbr.org/2020/01/to-achieve-big-goals-start-with-small-habits
MAKE YOUR BED by Admiral William H. McRaven: https://amzn.to/32btrcr
ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear: https://amzn.to/3mkf9ND
HBR Ideacast Episode 716: https://hbr.org/podcast/2019/12/the-right-way-to-form-new-habits
BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://amzn.to/3sfvqqZ
*****Join my FREE webinar on January 3rd and January 4th all about the Two Secrets to Restaurant Profitability: www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/webinar

Dec 13, 2021 • 1h 18min
INTERVIEW with Brendan Sweeney, Co-Founder of PopMenu
#144 - INTERVIEW with Brendan Sweeney, Co-Founder of PopMenu
*****
Secure your spot for my FREE upcoming webinar: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/webinar
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: VIRTUAL RESTAURANT GROUP
They offer innovative, turnkey delivery-only brands that you're able to easily operate out of your existing restaurant with very little disruption to your current operation. Onboarding is super easy, with recipe guides, and step-by-step training for you and your staff. Visit the link below and use the promo code CHIP2021 to get started. That link is in the show notes
VISIT: https://www.virtualrestaurantgroup.com/chip
*****
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
*****
PopMenu is taking the tech world by storm, providing compelling solution for chefs and operators. They've been a longtime supporter of this show, and I'm glad to be able to bring this conversation to you... all about their incredible journey and the jaw-dropping new features they've just released.
EXPLORE POPMENU: https://popmenu.com/restaurantstrategy
*****
Secure your spot for my FREE upcoming webinar: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/webinar

Dec 6, 2021 • 22min
Setting An Intention for The Year Ahead
#143 - Setting An Intention for The Year Ahead
*****
INCREASE REVENUE BY 10% WITH OUR FREE E-BOOK: https://chip-klose.mykajabi.com/revenue
*****
This week's episode is brought to you by: VIRTUAL RESTAURANT GROUP
They offer innovative, turnkey delivery-only brands that you're able to easily operate out of your existing restaurant with very little disruption to your current operation. Onboarding is super easy, with recipe guides, and step-by-step training for you and your staff. Visit the link below and use the promo code CHIP2021 to get started. That link is in the show notes
VISIT: https://www.virtualrestaurantgroup.com/chip
*****
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
*****
Are you ready for 2022? On this week's episode I'm showing you four things to do to get ready for the new year. Build a budget, cost out your menu, organize your marketing efforts, and commit to changing the culture in your restaurant. Get clear on your goals and attract people who can help you execute that vision. I want 2022 to be your best year yet, and I can show you ways to prepare... but you've gotta meet me halfway and put in the work!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Three Template Bundle - https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/offers/YwT7zcFy/checkout
*****
INCREASE REVENUE BY 10% WITH OUR FREE E-BOOK: https://chip-klose.mykajabi.com/revenue

Nov 29, 2021 • 50min
INTERVIEW with Carl Orsbourn & Meredith Sandland, Co-Authors of Delivering the Digital Restaurant
#142 - INTERVIEW with Carl Orsbourn & Meredith Sandland
This week's episode is also sponsored by STOCK MFG.
With Stock you get all the style of retail, with the price, continuity, and customer service of a traditional uniform vendor. They offer an assortment of everyday items that are ready to ship with no minimum order quantity, and can also create custom uniforms to fit any aesthetic.
Visit: stockmfg.co/chip to get get started.
*****
Carl and Meredith have written a book that is both limely and timeless. Delivering the Digital Restaurant tracks the events that got us to this moment and maps out a future that offers all kinds of incredible opportunities for operators who are hungry for change. The key to profitability, they say, is wrapped up in our ability to rethink what we do and how we do it. Convenience and individuality is going to be paramount in the next decade, and those who fail to recognize that will fail to exist.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Order directly from Carl & Meredith: https://www.deliveringthedigitalrestaurant.com
Order the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1645439488/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1645439488&linkCode=as2&tag=restauran0e69-20&linkId=226fe096b8c05fd35f94dd228478def1
Continuing Education: https://www.learn.delivery
*****Join me for a FREE 3-day challenge starting on Monday, November 29... get ready for the year ahead so 2022 can be your most profitable one yet: https://www.restaurantstrategypodcast.com/challenge