In this episode of Big Ideas For Restaurants, host Sam Young reveals how restaurant owners can use a Digital Scratch-Off Game to drive foot traffic, boost check averages, and create direct customer communication—all without expensive ads or deep discounts.

✅ Turn slow nights into high-profit rushes

✅ Give customers a reason to order more

✅ Create viral, user-generated content that promotes itself

✅ Build an SMS & email list—so you’re not dependent on ads

🚀 Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Guests scan a QR code to play the game during slow, non-peak times.

2️⃣ They have a 1-in-6 chance of winning a BIG prize—like a free meal.

3️⃣ The other five prizes offer smaller incentives that drive return visits or upsells.

4️⃣ Guests order more food, hoping they’ll win, increasing ticket sizes across the board.

5️⃣ The restaurant builds a direct SMS & email list—creating free, direct marketing for the future.

Unlike generic discounts, this gamified approach creates excitement, encourages larger orders, and builds long-term guest relationships.

🔥 Want to see it in action?

👉 Play the game now at BigIdeasForRestaurants.com/scratchoff and claim your exclusive offer!

💡 What if you could boost revenue, pack your restaurant on slow nights, and build a VIP list—all without spending a dime on ads or running deep discounts?

In this episode of Big Ideas For Restaurants, host Sam Young reveals how Boca Raton restaurants can use the exclusive Big Ideas Digital Scratch-Off Game to:

✅ Increase the average ticket size—by making guests order more

✅ Fill seats during slow times—by creating a fun, exciting experience

✅ Create direct SMS & email communication channels with guests

✅ Generate buzz & social shares—without deep discounting

🚀 Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Guests scan a QR code at the table when their check arrives.

2️⃣ They tap the red button to play the digital scratch-off.

3️⃣ They have a 1 in 6 chance of winning a free meal—or another exclusive prize.

4️⃣ The prize is instantly sent to their phone and redeemed immediately or saved for a future visit.

5️⃣ The restaurant collects their SMS & email info, creating a direct, ad-free way to communicate!

💡 What makes this game so powerful?

Unlike a boring 17% discount, a 1-in-6 chance to win your whole meal free creates real excitement—and gets guests to order more, increasing their total spend.

🎰 Want to try it out?

👉 Go to BigIdeasForRestaurants.com/scratchoff and play now!

🔥 SPECIAL BONUS: Win a press release promoting your restaurant’s game! Listen for details in the episode.

📥 Not ready to build your own list? We include list management as part of the service—OR use our zero-cost option through our partnership with WelcomedGuest.com.

🚀 Tune in now & discover how Boca Raton restaurants are using gamification to grow their business!

Based on listener interest, we're expanding upon gamification in restaurants. Welcome to episode 7: How to Gamify Your Restaurant & Make Dining More Fun (While Driving More Sales!). Want to boost customer engagement, increase repeat visits, and drive more sales—without relying on discounts or ads? In this episode of Big Ideas For Restaurants, host Sam Young sits down with Eric Herman, founder of Big Ideas, to talk about gamification in restaurants and how a Digital Scratch-Off Game can help you: Grow your SMS, email, and VIP list—on autopilot. Turn one-time guests into repeat customers with fun, interactive rewards. Increase sales without deep discounting. Use AI & automation to engage customers and bring them back. With restaurant competition fiercer than ever, gamification is the secret weapon smart operators are using to stand out, build loyalty, and increase customer retention. How does it work? Customers scan a QR code, then scratch off a digital ticket for a chance to win exclusive offers—like free appetizers, BOGO drinks, or VIP perks. The customer has to opt in to claim their winning prize. Then, an AI-powered hostess follows up automatically, reminding guests to return and use their reward! Want to see it in action? Try the Digital Scratch-Off Game now at BigIdeasForRestaurants.com/scratchoff.

How Restaurants Are Using a Digital Scratch-Off Game to Build SMS, Email & VIP Lists – Without Ads or Third-Party Fees.

💡 Want more customers coming back—without relying on Facebook, Google, or expensive third-party apps?

In this episode of Big Ideas For Restaurants, host Sam Young sits down with Eric Herman, founder of Big Ideas, to discuss how restaurants and bars can use a Digital Scratch-Off Game to build their SMS, email, and VIP membership lists on autopilot.

✅ Turn casual visitors into repeat customers

✅ Capture direct customer data without relying on ads

✅ Boost engagement and excitement with gamification

✅ Send exclusive offers, promotions & VIP perks—directly to customers’ phones

With third-party delivery apps taking massive cuts and ad spend getting more expensive, independent restaurant owners need a better way to keep guests engaged and coming back.

This fun, gamified scratch-off game encourages customers to opt into your restaurant’s SMS or email list in exchange for a chance to win exclusive prizes, allowing you to build a high-value customer list—free from third-party fees and algorithms.

🎧 Want to see how it works? Go to BigIdeasForRestaurants.com/scratchoff and play for yourself!

📥 Get your own Digital Scratch-Off Game set up today and start growing your customer list!

🚀 Tune in now and discover how the smartest restaurants are using gamification to grow their businesses—without relying on ads!

Welcome back to Big Ideas For Restaurants! I’m your host, Sam Young, and today’s topic is one every single restaurant owner cares about—how to get more customers without spending a fortune on ads.

Now, if you’ve ever felt like you’re throwing money at Facebook, Google, or third-party delivery apps—only to see little to no return, then this episode is for you.

The best restaurants aren’t the ones spending the most money on marketing—they’re the ones who have smart, cost-effective customer attraction strategies that work without a massive budget.

I’m going to show you how to increase foot traffic, fill seats, and drive repeat visits—all while using organic, automated, and word-of-mouth strategies that cost little to nothing.

The restaurant industry is changing fast—and the smartest restaurant owners are leveraging automation to save time, cut costs, and dominate their market. Are you keeping up?

In this episode of Big Ideas For Restaurants, host Sam Young reveals:

✅ 10 restaurant tasks you MUST automate today

✅ How automation reduces labor costs & boosts efficiency

✅ The secret to faster service, better reviews & repeat customers

✅ Why automation isn’t just for big chains—and how independent restaurants can use it to compete & win

PLUS: Get the free checklist – "10 Restaurant Tasks You Should Automate Today"!

Download it now at 👉 BigIdeasForRestaurants.com/automation

🚀 Want expert help setting up automation in your restaurant? Book a free instant demo today

Best Restaurant POS System? SkyTab vs. Clover vs. Toast – Find Out Which One Wins!

Looking for the best POS system for your restaurant? In this episode of Big Ideas For Restaurants, Sam Young compares SkyTab, Clover, and Toast to help independent restaurant owners choose the right POS system to increase profits, improve efficiency, and streamline operations.

Discover why SkyTab POS is the #1 choice for restaurant owners who want:

Zero upfront costs & lifetime hardware warranty

Lower processing fees & built-in marketing tools

Tableside ordering, online reservations & takeout integration

PLUS: Listener-Only Offer – Process more than $30,000 per month Claim thousands in Incentives if you qualify

Sign up for a free demo at BigIdeasForRestaurants.com/skytab-pos and tell them Sam Young from the podcast sent you!

How an AI Hostess Can Transform Your Restaurant – A Game-Changer for Independent Restaurant Owners

Are you an independent restaurant owner looking for a game-changing solution to increase efficiency, improve guest experience, and boost revenue?

Running an independently owned restaurant comes with endless challenges—missed calls, staffing shortages, rising food costs, and keeping customers coming back. What if there was a way to solve all of these problems while increasing revenue and improving guest satisfaction?

Enter the AI Hostess—your front-of-house powerhouse that never calls in sick, never puts customers on hold, and ensures every guest interaction is flawless, professional, and efficient.

In this episode of Big Ideas For Restaurants, host Sam Young sits down with Eric Herman, founder of Big Ideas AI, to explore how AI impacts every essential area of restaurant success, also known as the Delectable Dozen:

✅ AI & Automation – Handle unlimited calls at once, manage reservations & waitlists, and automate guest interactions seamlessly.

✅ Customer Acquisition & Retention – Create personalized experiences, follow up with guests, and drive repeat business.

✅ Customer Service – Never miss a guest request, provide instant answers, and set the stage for a 5-star experience before customers even arrive.

✅ Staffing & Scheduling – Solve labor shortages, reduce workload on employees, and ensure round-the-clock coverage.

✅ Cash Flow & Credit – No more missed calls = no more lost revenue. AI pays for itself by increasing bookings & efficiency.

✅ Banking & Borrowing – A streamlined, tech-forward business makes securing loans & investments easier.

✅ POS & Payment Processing – AI connects with POS systems for seamless ordering, reservations, and payment coordination.

✅ Inflation & Food Costs – Fill more seats, optimize table turnover, and maximize revenue per shift.

✅ Reviews & Reputation – Reduce negative reviews, improve guest communication, and ensure a professional, friendly response every time.

✅ Delivery Done Right – Automate takeout & delivery orders, answer customer inquiries, and eliminate miscommunications.

✅ Gamification in Restaurants – Increase customer engagement with AI-driven loyalty programs & special promotions.

✅ Promotions – AI proactively promotes events, specials, and deals, turning callers into paying guests.

🔗 Want to hear AI in action? Visit BigIdeasForRestaurants.com to listen to real recordings and even call Jessica, the AI Hostess, yourself!

🎧 Tune in now for exclusive listener-only discounts and find out why AI is the key to unlocking your restaurant’s full potential! 🚀

Welcome to the very first episode of Big Ideas For Restaurants! If you’re an independently owned restaurant owner or bar operator looking for practical strategies to grow your business, you’ve just found your new favorite podcast.

I’m Sam Young, your host and fellow advocate for restaurant success. This podcast is designed to deliver big ideas in bite-sized portions, packed with actionable tips you can digest in just 5 to 10 minutes—perfect for your commute, a quick break, or even while prepping for service.

Why You Should Tune In Every Week

✔️ Exclusive Listener-Only Offers – I’ll drop special discounts and promo codes inside every episode. While show notes and general offers are available to all, you’ll have to listen in to unlock the best deals.

✔️ Expert Advice & Insights – Some episodes will feature guests and industry experts sharing insider knowledge on restaurant technology, AI solutions, customer engagement, delivery logistics, POS systems, and much more.

✔️ Fast & Actionable Content – Every episode is designed to give you clear, actionable strategies that you can implement immediately to increase sales, reduce food costs, and improve efficiency.

The Delectable Dozen for Restaurant Success

Now, let me introduce the backbone of this podcast: The Delectable Dozen for Restaurant Success. These are the 12 essential areas where restaurant owners win—or lose. Every episode will focus on one of these key topics, providing you with expert insights and step-by-step strategies to help you level up your business.

📌 Here’s what we’ll be covering:

1️⃣ AI and Automation – How to use AI and automation to streamline operations, reduce labor costs, and improve efficiency.

2️⃣ Customer Acquisition & Retention – Proven marketing techniques to attract new customers and turn first-time guests into loyal regulars.

3️⃣ Customer Service – Creating memorable guest experiences that keep people coming back.

4️⃣ Staffing and Scheduling – Hiring, training, and managing restaurant employees while reducing turnover.

5️⃣ Cash Flow and Credit – Managing cash flow, increasing restaurant profitability, and smart financing options.

6️⃣ Banking and Borrowing – Choosing the right banking partners and small business loans for restaurant growth.

7️⃣ POS and Payment Processing – Selecting the best restaurant POS system and reducing processing fees.

8️⃣ Inflation and Food Costs – Strategies to manage rising food costs and increase profit margins.

9️⃣ Reviews & Reputation – How to get more 5-star reviews and manage online reputation.

🔟 Delivery Done Right – Maximizing third-party delivery and in-house takeout strategies.

1️⃣1️⃣ Gamification in Restaurants – Engaging customers with loyalty programs and promotions that keep them coming back.

1️⃣2️⃣ Promotions – Creating marketing campaigns and restaurant promotions that fill seats and increase revenue.

How to Stay Connected & Get More Resources

📌 Find this show at: bigideasforrestaurants.com – Click on the "Podcast" link to listen, subscribe, and grab your show notes.

📌 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode – Each week, I’ll break down one of the Delectable Dozen into easy-to-implement strategies that help your restaurant thrive.

📌 Join the Conversation – Follow us on social media and let me know what topics matter most to you!

🔥 Next Episode Preview: Next week, we’re diving into AI and Automation in Restaurants—how to use smart technology to streamline operations and boost profitability.

🎧 Don’t forget: Listen in each week for exclusive discount codes and special offers you won’t find anywhere else!

👉 Big ideas, big results—let’s make your restaurant unstoppable!