Navigating restaurant entrepreneurship has never been more complex, and understanding where your business stands is crucial for success in today's challenging market. In this episode, restaurant business consultant Matthew Mabel reveals a strategic framework that helps multi-unit restaurant operators identify exactly where they fall among three distinct categories of performance—and more importantly, what specific actions each group needs to take to move forward successfully. Whether you're experiencing significant growth, maintaining stability, or facing sales declines, this episode delivers the entrepreneurial clarity and actionable restaurant management strategies you need to plan for 2026 with confidence. Learn how successful restaurant businesses are adapting their approach based on their current performance level, why following industry-wide practices won't cut it anymore, and discover the crystal-clear roadmap to elevate your restaurant company to the next level of business success.
Key Topics Covered
- The three categories of restaurant operators in today's market: Winners (6-8% revenue growth), Stable Companies (1-2% growth matching menu price increases), and Floundering Companies (high single-digit sales declines)
- Why knowing which category your restaurant falls into is critical for planning 2026 strategy and operations
- Specific tactical advice for Winners: maintaining innovation, continuing to listen to guests, and avoiding complacency to prevent sliding into the Stable category
- Strategic focus for Stable Companies: identifying and finally implementing overlooked improvements in service, menu, social media, manager motivation, and cost management
- Bold approach for Floundering Companies: thinking big without barriers, reimagining major moves in guest experience, brand messaging, and fiscal practices
- Why following industry-wide restaurant practices won't move a company to the next level anymore—and why your approach must be connected to your current success level
- How today's margin of error in the restaurant business is thinner than ever
- The critical question: which leap will you make and when do you start?
Links Mentioned
Resources Mentioned
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
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