Often regarded as a nice little add-on, your "takeout" program is actually a juggernaut – and if you're not treating it like one, you're leaving serious money on the table. In this episode, Bruce Russo and Diane Armitage unpack how COVID cracked open the takeout game and why the smartest operators never looked back. From revenue pods that streamline your to-go ops, to eliminating the chaos of drivers loitering at the front desk, they walk you through the real infrastructure of profitable takeout. This isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about building a revenue stream that runs like its own department – one that boosts volume, improves guest experience and doesn’t cannibalize dine-in.

(0:00) – The Takeout Awakening - Why minimizing chaos starts with structure—and a quick intro to the minds behind the mic.

(1:15) – Revenue Pods: Your Secret Weapon - The underestimated goldmine hiding in plain sight (if you set it up right).

(4:13) – COVID Didn’t Kill the Industry – It Rewired It - How the pandemic forced design shifts that actually made restaurants smarter.

(10:24) – Sous Vide & the Speed Game - Why the smartest chefs swear by this method—and how it makes takeout shine.

(15:10) – Delivery Drivers ≠ Guests - How to reroute the chaos with smart tech, side doors, and zero front desk drama.

(19:00) – Keep Your FOH Sacred - The must-do strategies for keeping takeout from hijacking the front-of-house flow.

(25:48) – Don’t Sleep on This Stream - A final challenge: If takeout’s still a side hustle, it’s time to flip the script.