9 Restaurant Holiday Logistics Tips: Guide for a Profitable Festive Season In this episode of Making Dough Show, we're exploring the intricate dynamics of holiday logistics within the restaurant business, presenting 9 expert tips to ensure a successful and stress-free festive season. As Q4 approaches, a pivotal period for the industry, these insights aim to empower restaurant owners with practical strategies. The first crucial step is making decisions about your holiday operating days and...

Mastering Customer Service: How to Exceed Expectations Even on Your Worst Day | Restaurant Owner Tips Welcome to a transformative episode of Making Dough Show, where we unravel the secrets of mastering customer service in the face of personal challenges. In this enlightening discussion, we delve into the universal truth that everyone, even the best of us, has bad days. Join us as we explore the expectations placed upon us, whether we're working the kitchen or serving guests, and how those...

Conflict and Friction in Business: A Success Philosophy | Restaurant Owner Tips Join us in this insightful episode of Making Dough Show, where we delve into the nuances of business philosophy in the restaurant industry. In this episode, we share valuable experiences and discuss the importance of having a clear perspective to navigate challenges. Learn about different business philosophies, including the "growing lean" approach, and gain insights into managing chaos, embracing imperfection,...

Welcome back to another episode of Making Dough Show, your go-to guide for thriving in the restaurant business! As we gear up for the winter season, we've compiled 9 indispensable tips for restaurant owners and managers to conquer the unique challenges that cold weather brings.  First and foremost, we emphasize the importance of proactive weather monitoring using professional apps to stay ahead of storms and make informed decisions. Safety is our priority, striking a balance between keeping...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Making Dough Show, where we delve into the critical aspects of the restaurant business. In today's discussion, we focus on the pivotal distinction between startup costs and operating costs, providing invaluable insights for prospective restaurant owners. Startup costs, encompassing everything from permits to equipment, are dissected in detail. Gain practical knowledge from our experiences, having successfully launched restaurants with budgets...

Welcome to Making Dough Show, your ultimate resource for mastering the art of restaurant success! In this episode, we uncover the critical skills every restaurant owner must possess. From honing inventory mastery to mastering vendor negotiations and ensuring meticulous HR compliance, we've got you covered. Discover the secrets to efficient inventory management, where understanding costs and implementing uncounted systems can transform your restaurant's financial health. Learn the art of...

WATCH:  FREE training all about Decoding the Restaurant Startup Cost if you are planning on opening a restaurant in the next 36 months: https://www.mattengasu.com/startupcost Welcome to a new episode of Making Dough Show, where we uncover the secrets to restaurant success! In this episode, we address the five critical reasons restaurants often fail and provide actionable insights to help you thrive in the competitive culinary world. Join us as we explore the importance of operational...

Discover the secrets behind customer psychology during the festive season in this episode of Making Dough Show. In this episode, we unravel the secrets behind customer psychology during the festive period and share practical tips to elevate your restaurant's offerings. From creating emotional connections through nostalgic experiences to crafting seasonal specials and considering dietary preferences, we've got you covered. Learn how to influence your customers' choices, revamp your catering...

In this podcast episode of Making Dough Show, we explore the significance of being seen and known in the restaurant industry. We discuss the book "Be Seen" by Jen Gottlieb and its influence on prioritizing visibility. The narrative shares experiences that illustrate how a conscious decision to embrace visibility can lead to valuable opportunities. We emphasize the importance of connecting with customers, vendors, and influencers and contributing to the community. Social media is highlighted...

Welcome to another episode of the Making Dough Show, where we delve into the intricacies of the restaurant business during the holiday season. With the arrival of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, and New Year's, managing holiday staffing challenges becomes paramount. In this episode, we share valuable staffing tips to help you navigate the unique demands of the holiday season in the restaurant business. We discuss holiday staffing needs, cross-training, flexible scheduling,...

In this latest episode of Making Dough Show, I share 10 tips for new managers in the restaurant industry. Whether you're starting a new management position or transferring to a different location, these tips will help you navigate the challenges of being a new manager. I discuss the importance of setting expectations, building relationships with your team, and empowering them through knowledge. I also emphasize the value of harnessing collective insights and casting a vision for your team. By...

In this new episode of Making Dough Show, I discuss the importance of consistency in the food industry, specifically focusing on how to ensure consistent food quality throughout multiple restaurants and shifts. I share five tips that can help you achieve food consistency, including the need for training, portion control, standardized recipes, and visual aids. By emphasizing these key points and implementing them in your restaurant, you can provide your customers with a consistently excellent...

Should you add Vegan options to your restaurant menu? Why and what are the best practices? In this video, we discuss the importance of offering vegan toppings and vegan options in our pizza business. While some may question the need for catering to the vegan community, we believe that customer satisfaction and meeting their dietary needs should be a top priority. Join our team's conversation as we explore the reasons behind this decision and the positive impact it can have on our...

As active members of the chamber of commerce and passionate entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand the importance of taking action to ensure the growth and prosperity of our businesses. Join us as we discuss effective tactics to boost your business and make a lasting impact in your community. In this episode of Making Dough Show, we recount a conversation with a fellow restaurant owner and shed light on the significance of proactive efforts in driving success. It's not enough to simply hope...

In this new episode of Making Dough Show, we delve into the dilemma of wanting to be a good listener in a leadership role, only to realize that constantly hearing problems may not be the best approach. Join us as we explore a business environment where team members believe they're being valuable by bringing problems to their leader's attention, unaware that it's not the key to success. Discover the importance of shifting the focus from problems to solutions and empowering your team to think...

Are you struggling with employee attendance and managing shift coverage? Watch this new episode of Making Dough Show and learn effective strategies for dealing with workplace challenges such as last-minute call-outs, no-call no-show situations, and maintaining accountability in the workplace. Discover valuable insights on employee scheduling, team communication, and documentation of policies to create a reliable and cooperative workforce. From streamlining time-off requests to empowering...

In this new episode of Making Dough Show, we delve into the notion that respect is earned, but it's not always the whole story. As a business owner or manager, you may find yourself in situations where you feel that others are not giving you the respect you deserve. However, it's important to understand that respect goes beyond just earning it from others. Self-respect plays a vital role in creating a positive and respectful work environment. Join us as we explore the significance of...

In this thought-provoking episode of Making Dough Show, we delve into the challenging decision of firing a customer in the restaurant industry. As a seasoned restaurant owner, I recount my recent experience of having to let go of a customer and provide valuable insights and practical tips on how to handle such delicate situations. In the fast-paced world of food service, we process thousands of orders each week, serving a diverse range of customers. However, occasionally, we encounter...

In this episode of the Making Dough Show, I share my experience of being featured on a local TV segment as a restaurant owner. Join me as I discuss the importance of making attempts to get on TV, being prepared for the opportunity, and embracing discomfort for personal growth. I also highlight the significance of branding and investing in your restaurant's image. Learn from my reflections and get inspired to take the leap to showcase your food and business on local television! Download: The...

Are you aware of your blind spots as a business owner? In this episode of the Making Dough Show, we delve into the critical topic of identifying blind spots in your restaurant business which is often overlooked. Cash management, product management, and discounts/promo codes can all become vulnerable areas if not properly addressed. Join us as we discuss these blind spots and share practical strategies to identify and address them. Learn how to implement checks and balances, record keeping,...

In today's episode of Making Dough Show, we discuss an important topic that affects restaurant owners everywhere: the impact of government funding and competition in the market. We've observed a significant increase in new restaurant openings, driven by the injection of funds such as PPP and ERTC money. This influx of capital has led to expansions and fierce competition in various neighborhoods and markets. Now, more than ever, it's crucial to evaluate how these developments affect your...

In this episode of Making Dough Show, we explore the importance of streamlining restaurant operations. As a fellow restaurant owner, I understand the passion and dedication required in this industry. Success comes from continuous improvement, not quick fixes. Streamlining your restaurant is a continuous process, a journey that requires patience and perseverance. It's essential to break free from the notion that there's a quick fix or a magic solution. Success in this field is built through...

In this episode of Making Dough Show, we share another shocking and embarrassing story from one of our restaurants, emphasizing the importance of caution and conducting background checks when hiring. The story revolves around a staff member we will call “John”, who had a parole officer and was revealed to be a sex offender, leading to his dismissal. The incident took us by surprise as we had no knowledge of John's criminal background during his two months of employment. The situation was...

Are you struggling with team accountability in your restaurant? In this episode of Making Dough Show,  we delve into the importance of having a clear accountability chart for your management team. Without a defined structure, confusion and friction can arise, leading to tasks left undone and disagreements among team members. By implementing an accountability chart, you can assign roles, responsibilities, and clear lines of accountability. In this video, we share our own accountability chart...

In this episode of Making Dough Show, we share an embarrassing story of how one of our team members stole from us and sold our gift vouchers for his own profit. We also reveal how we discovered the theft and the lessons we learned from this experience. By watching this video, you'll learn how to protect your business from theft and fraud, and why it's important to communicate the true cost of running your business to your team members. Don't be naive, but also don't be too paranoid. Find the...