The night before Thanksgiving? 

You already know it's gonna be chaos. 

Servers stressed, kitchen buried, and everyone's moving a little too slow for the volume about to hit. 

But if you’ve got 10 minutes before doors open, I’ll show you exactly what to say to keep the shift tight and the team moving like they actually trained for this. 

No rambling meetings, no last-minute guesswork, just a quick briefing that keeps guests happy and the wheels from falling off. 

Let’s get to it. 

What You’ll Learn:
🌟 Why most pre-shift meetings backfire during peak nights like Thanksgiving Eve
🌟 The 3-minute setup that helps your team move like they actually trained
🌟 How the 'one-touch rule' cuts chaos and speeds up table turns
🌟 What to say when the kitchen's slammed but you still need guests to be is calm
🌟 The trick to handling 86s without letting it kill your sales
🌟 A simple timing move that quietly boosts tips and efficiency
🌟 The one thing your team needs to say when they’re about to drown

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"
Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant Intelligence
Business intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
https://www.quixspec.com

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Getting people through the door is hard, but getting them to keep coming back?

That’s where most bar owners drop the ball.

Discounts might feel like the move, but they’re quietly killing your margins and not building real loyalty.

This episode breaks down a smarter, cheaper way to lock in regulars by actually making them feel seen, no gimmicks, no stamp cards.

We’re talking real talk on recognition, retention, and how to use your POS data to turn first-timers into lifers.

If you want your bar to feel like their bar, this is the one to listen to.

What You’ll Learn:
🌟 Why discounts quietly cost more than they bring in
🌟 How to make regulars feel VIP without spending more
🌟 The one phrase that keeps bar customers coming back
🌟 About the hidden profit leak in your check averages
🌟 How to spot who’s really funding your bar through POS data
🌟 Why first-timers need 3 visits to become loyal
🌟 How to build emotional loyalty without being awkward

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"
Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant Intelligence
Business intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
https://www.quixspec.com

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

You can have a packed dining room and still be bleeding money, and most owners don’t realize it until it hurts.

The real problem isn’t that you’re not busy, it’s that you’re guessing which hours actually pay the bills instead of looking at what the numbers are quietly trying to tell you.

In this episode, I walk you through a simple 5-minute daily habit that shows you exactly which shifts are truly profitable and which ones are just keeping the lights on.

You’ll see how to spot your strongest dayparts, where labor is quietly eating your margins, and where small adjustments in hours, staffing, or promos could pay off big.

By the end, you won’t just feel busy, you’ll know, in black and white, when your restaurant actually makes money.
 
What You’ll Learn
🌟 Why a packed shift can still quietly lose you money.
🌟 How to break your day into four useful time blocks.
🌟 The 5-minute habit to see which hours really pay.
🌟 How to spot when labor costs are eating your profit.
🌟 Why some slow hours matter more than busy ones.
🌟 How to tell what each seat is actually worth.
🌟 A simple way to choose between cutting hours, staff, or promos. 

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"
Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant Intelligence
Business intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
https://www.quixspec.com

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Think your bar’s doing okay just because you’re busy? 

Think again. 

A packed house means nothing if your menu is underpriced, your costs are off, and you're bleeding money in ways you don’t even see. 

In this episode, Bruce Nelson, a CFO who’s helped countless bars fix their financial chaos, breaks down the money traps most owners fall into. 

We’re talking real numbers, not fluff, and how to actually price things so your profit isn’t a mystery. 

If you’ve ever looked at your bank account and thought, where the hell did the money go? This one’s for you.

What You’ll Learn
🌟 Why being busy still leaves most bars struggling to stay profitable
🌟 The one cost owners skip that silently kills their menu margins
🌟 How copying your competitor’s pricing can wreck your bottom line
🌟 The truth about overhead and how it eats your profit without warning
🌟 A smarter way to price that reflects your actual experience and brand
🌟 Why most “profitable” bars still feel broke at the end of the month
🌟 The key pricing shift that turns guesswork into sustainable cash flow

📌Get Bruce Nelson’s Book
🔴Grab “Restaurant Management: Myth, Magic, and Math” on Amazon, Audible or Kindle.
🔴Want a signed copy? Order at brucelnelson.com, shipping available in the lower 48.

📌Work With Bruce
Learn more or reach out at brucelnelson.com

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"
Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant Intelligence
Business intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
https://www.quixspec.com

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

You’re probably undercharging your beers and overpricing your cocktails and not even realizing it.

If your pricing is based on “what everyone else is doing,” you're not being strategic, you’re just gambling with your margins.

This episode hands you a quick 4-step pricing audit you can run this week to spot hidden profit leaks and reposition your prices without scaring off regulars.

You’ll see exactly where your pricing doesn’t match your guest experience and how to charge more where it actually makes sense.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard but your bar still isn’t making what it should this is why.

What You’ll Learn
🌟 The 4-step pricing audit to uncover hidden margins
🌟 Why copying nearby bars could be draining 20% of your profit
🌟 The most common pricing mistake with premium vs. basic drinks
🌟 How to align your prices with the actual experience you’re offering
🌟 A simple way to mystery shop competitors and finally price with purpose 

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"
Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant Intelligence
Business intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
https://www.quixspec.com

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

And now, it's time for something different....

The Bar Business Podcast has joined with industry experts to bring you a new panel podcast every month, Party of Six: The Pulse of Bars and Restaurants. 

I am joined by some amazing folks for a casual yet insightful conversation, sharing stories and discussing what works and what doesn't in the hospitality industry. Check it out every month as we dive deep into the topics that matter to Bar and Restaurant owners. 

Dive into the world of bar ambiance with industry experts as they unravel the secrets to creating unforgettable guest experiences.

Discover how lighting, bar height, and music can transform a bar's atmosphere, making it a favorite spot for patrons.

Learn from the pros about maintaining a cohesive brand identity while adapting to customer preferences to keep them coming back.

Tune in to gain insights and practical tips on enhancing your bar's ambiance and building a loyal customer base.

Panelists this Month: 
Dave Nitzel - Co-Owner Dave and Dave Consulting, Best-Selling Author
Aoife Halliday - COO of Ruckus
Minakshi Singh - Co-Founder of Sidecar and the India Bar Show
Cliff Crider - Founding Partner of Stinger Compliance and Truck and Tap
Chris Schneider - Host of the Bar Business Podcast 

Key Takeaways

- Ambiance is crucial in creating a memorable bar experience.
- Lighting should be adjustable to match the time of day and mood.
- Bar height and seating comfort significantly impact guest satisfaction.
- Consistency in brand identity helps build a loyal customer base.
- Understanding the target audience is key to successful bar management.
- Adapting to customer preferences can enhance the bar's appeal.
- Attention to detail in ambiance elements is essential.
- Music selection should align with the bar's atmosphere.
- A cohesive brand identity prevents confusion among guests.
- Flexibility in programming can attract a diverse clientele.

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"
Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant Intelligence
Business intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
https://www.quixspec.com

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

You didn’t open a bar just to get stuck fixing toilets and covering last-minute call outs.

But if the business falls apart every time you’re not around, that’s not ownership, that’s just another job.

H Joseph Ehrmann spills how he built a bar in San Francisco that runs profitably while he lives states away in Boise.

We’re talking team retention for over 17 years, systems that don’t rely on hero shifts, and how to stop letting short-term fires kill long-term growth.

If your bar still needs you to survive, this episode shows you how to fix that.

 What You’ll Learn
🌟 The system tweak that let him move states without losing control
🌟 Why his managers never left and what most owners overlook
🌟 The hidden price of fresh juice that’s killing your margins
🌟 How a dive bar pivoted into a cocktail destination mid-recession
🌟 The real reason most bar teams burn out or bail
🌟 What bartenders do that quietly ruins customer retention
🌟 The data tool he’s testing to catch problems before they show 

🔴 Connect with H Joseph Ehrmann 🔴
🧑‍💼 Owner, Elixir SF | Partner, Fresh Victor | Consultant at Cocktail Ambassadors
🌐 Website: www.cocktailambassadors.com
🍸 Bar: www.elixirsf.com
📷 Instagram: @elixirsf
📘 Facebook: Elixir Saloon

🔴 Learn More About Fresh Victor 🔴
🌐 Website: www.freshvictor.com
📷 Instagram & TikTok: @freshvictorcocktails
📦 Order: Available via Sysco, US Foods, PFG or direct shipping to lower 48

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"
Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant Intelligence
Business intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
https://www.quixspec.com

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Most manager meetings turn into story time, complaint hour, or a total waste of everyone’s energy.

You walk out with nothing but a mental list and a few “we should probably” statements that never happen.

This episode breaks down a dead-simple 30-minute meeting format that forces clarity, accountability, and actual progress.

You’ll get a step-by-step system to cut the noise, spot real issues before they become fires, and hold your team to what matters without micromanaging.

If your weekly meetings feel like déjà vu with no results, this is the fix.

What You’ll Learn
🌟 The one meeting setup that stops chaos in 30 minutes
🌟 Why “let’s circle back” is killing your momentum
🌟 The simple tool that makes follow-through visible and real
🌟 How to fix repeated problems without another long talk
🌟 The real reason your team drops tasks without meaning to
🌟 What to do when meetings become group therapy sessions
🌟 How to make accountability automatic without micromanaging 

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"
Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant Intelligence
Business intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
https://www.quixspec.com

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Too many bar owners don’t take documentation seriously until it’s too late.

They assume verbal instructions, digital trails, or “just remembering” is enough to protect them. It’s not.

In this episode, we break down the real reason why lack of documentation quietly leaves your business exposed to lawsuits, fines, and insurance nightmares.

You’ll get the 5 must-have document types that every bar should be storing from training logs to incident reports to vendor contracts and how to organize them in a way that actually protects your ass.

Plus, we’ll walk you through how to set up a low-effort physical and digital system that works even if you hate paperwork.

If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling for proof after something went wrong, this episode will show you how to never be unprepared again.

What You’ll Learn

🌟 The five documents every bar owner should have ready at all times
 🌟 The hidden legal time bombs inside sloppy or missing reports
 🌟 How to build your “CYA cabinet” the right way
 🌟 A simple hybrid filing system that protects your ass without killing your time
 🌟 The one document that matters most when someone threatens legal action
 🌟 How to train your managers to document things properly every single time

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"
Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant Intelligence
Business intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
https://www.quixspec.com

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Too many bar and restaurant owners rely on gut feel to judge staff performance and profit.

A packed house doesn’t mean you’re making money and a friendly server doesn’t always mean a top performer.

In this episode, Geoffrey Toffetti reveals how data, not guesswork, uncovers hidden revenue leaks, lazy service habits, and quiet performance killers.

You'll learn how top hospitality brands are using AI, psychology, and POS metrics to spot gaps, train smarter, and increase revenue without more hours or more guests.

If you’ve ever asked, “Why are we busy but still broke?” This is your wake-up call.

What You’ll Learn

🌟 The hidden 30% revenue gap between top and bottom staff
 🌟 Why your team might be underperforming without knowing it
 🌟 Language swaps that boost upgrades without “selling”
 🌟 How AI catches theft, discount abuse, and revenue leaks
 🌟 Why upgrades outperform upselling every time
 🌟 Unlocking extra effort from staff without burnout
 🌟 How better staff treatment leads to better guest service

🔴Connect with Geoffrey Toffetti 🔴
💼 CEO, Frontline Performance Group 
🌐 Website: www.frontlinepg.com
🔗 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gtoffetti

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my book "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!"
Learn 75+ strategies to run it more profitably
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

QuixSpec Bar and Restaurant Intelligence
Business intelligence that actually works! Make confident, data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
https://www.quixspec.com

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant