In this episode of the Restaurant Success Podcast, Matthew Mabel tackles a critical question facing many restaurant entrepreneurs today: is playing it safe actually the riskiest business strategy of all? For multi-unit independent restaurant owners navigating a flat market, the comfort of stability can mask the slow deterioration of brand strength, business performance, and net worth. Matthew provides the context restaurant operators need to calm their nerves, explains why the downside risk of doing nothing outweighs the fear of taking action, and lays out the specific steps owners can take right now—from setting attainable growth goals to honestly evaluating their management teams and operations—to get their restaurants back on a forward trajectory and achieve six to eight percent annual growth.

Key Topics Covered

• Why playing it safe is the riskiest move for restaurant owners in today's market
• The downside risk of doing nothing: brand deterioration, declining performance, and shrinking net worth
• Context for the current restaurant industry landscape and why your staying power is an accomplishment
• Setting reasonable, attainable goals for guest count, revenue, and profit growth
• Evaluating whether your multi-unit management team has the talent to drive results
• Four existential questions every restaurant entrepreneur should ask about their operations, concept, marketing, and learning and development
• How the best independent restaurant groups are growing six to eight percent annually

Links Mentioned

• Restaurateur's Essential Guide to Developing Powerful General Managers
• How to Clarify the Best Way Forward for Your Restaurants

Resources Mentioned

• Website: www.surrender.biz
• Free initial consultation available

Connect with Matthew Mabel

Matthew works with owners of successful, independent, multi-unit restaurants to improve:

• Profit growth
• Sales optimization
• Guest count increase
• Unit expansion
• Employee engagement
• Brand loyalty

How to Support the Show

• Subscribe to the Restaurant Success Podcast and Newsletter
• Rate and review the show
• Visit www.surrender.biz for additional resources