How to Get Younger in Your Dining Room
Restauranttopia: A Show for Local Independent Restaurants
Release Date: 08/05/2023
Restauranttopia: A Show for Local Independent Restaurants
Today’s Data for Tomorrow’s Restaurant: What the Numbers Are Still Telling Us Podcast: Restauranttopia Data Source: Circana 📝 Episode Show Notes — Part Two In Part Two of Today’s Data for Tomorrow’s Restaurant, the Restauranttopia team continues breaking down fresh Circana data — shifting from what’s happening to what operators should actually do next. This episode goes deeper into consumer behavior trends, traffic shifts, pricing pressure, and why headline sales numbers can be misleading if you’re not looking at the right metrics. 🔍 What We Dig Into in Part Two ...
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What Today’s Data Says About Tomorrow’s Restaurant Episode Description: What if “flat” traffic isn’t bad news — but a wake-up call? In this episode of Restauranttopia, Brad and David break down fresh industry insights from a recent Circana (formerly NPD) foodservice conference and translate national data into real-world strategies for independent restaurant operators. From shifting consumer behavior and third-party delivery fatigue to protein-forward menus, mocktails, gaming culture, and the rise of fast casual and fine dining, this conversation cuts through the noise...
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In this episode of Restauranttopia, Brian and Dave dig into one of the most overlooked — yet most powerful — tools in restaurant operations: employee appreciation. Customer appreciation gets plenty of attention, but retaining great staff requires consistent, genuine recognition. With hiring still competitive and turnover costly, this episode focuses on simple, legal, and meaningful ways restaurant owners and managers can show gratitude that actually sticks. No big budgets. No complicated programs. Just practical ideas you can implement immediately. What You’ll Learn in This Episode •...
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Episode: 184 Financial Resiliency: Preparing for the Next Disruption In this episode of Restaurantopia, Brian and Dave break down what restaurant owners should be doing right now to strengthen their financial position before the next economic downturn hits. From interpreting economic indicators to tightening your operational systems, this episode is packed with timely, practical insights that independent operators can take action on today. Whether the slowdown arrives in six months or a year, the restaurants that prepare will be positioned not only to survive — but to grow. Key...
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AI in Your Restaurant: How Operators Can Save Hours, Increase Profit, and Build Smarter Systems Today https://restauranttopia.com/ Episode Summary In this high-energy, highly practical episode, Brian Seitz and Dave Ross break down the real-world, right-now ways AI can support restaurant operators. Whether you’re hesitant, curious, or already all-in, this conversation will help you understand how to use AI to cut time-wasting tasks, improve menu performance, strengthen training, and build your own custom GPT to run sharper operations. AI isn’t a trend — it’s the next major shift in...
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6 Financial Mistakes That Are Killing Your Restaurant (and How to Fix Them) In this episode of Restaurantopia, the guys break down six common financial mistakes that can quietly (or not so quietly) destroy your restaurant’s profitability. Brian Seitz leads the conversation with Anthony Hamilton and Dave Ross, bringing his experience from restaurant acquisitions and financial consulting to uncover what so many operators are doing wrong — and how to turn it around. From mixing personal and business finances to overleveraging debt, this is a no-nonsense, practical guide to tightening up your...
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In this episode of Restauranttopia, the crew dives deep into culture — not just within your restaurant walls, but in every corner of your business ecosystem. Inspired by Cameron Mitchell’s book Yes is the Answer. What’s the Question?, Dave, Brian, and Anthony unpack how a restaurant’s mission and culture extend to employees, guests, purveyors, investors, and the community. From the dangers of ignoring toxic high performers to the power of making vendors raving fans, this conversation highlights practical strategies and real-life stories that restaurant operators can implement today....
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Restaurant owners and managers: want more profitable menus and a stronger culture? In this episode, the crew digs into a simple, powerful idea—moving frontline ideas from the break room to the boardroom. Anthony shares how a young dishwasher created a signature chicken-tender sauce (thanks to a happy smoked paprika mistake) that became a hit with guests. We also spotlight fryer safety, dirty oil’s hidden costs, and how better oil management lifts food quality, reduces risk, and saves money. Brought to you by a device that helps clean fryer oil, clean the fryer, and improve BOH safety and...
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In this timely episode of Restauranttopia, we sit down with Jamie, the CFO of a prominent restaurant group, to unpack the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) and explore how it directly impacts restaurant owners, CFOs, and operations leaders. As one of the most talked-about pieces of legislation in 2025, the BBB is bringing major changes to restaurant financial planning, labor compliance, and vendor relationships. Jamie provides a clear and insightful breakdown of the new bill’s implications—from tax advantages and cost controls to restaurant labor law updates and long-term forecasting. Whether...
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Investing isn’t just about money—it's about prioritizing your people, tools, and time to create a restaurant that thrives long-term. In this episode, we discuss how great restaurant leaders think about investment differently, with a focus on vision, leadership, and long-term growth. In this episode of Restauranttopia, we dive deep into the topic of investment in the restaurant industry—not just financial investment, but also in people, tools, time, and vision. We explore: Why traditional ROI calculations are sometimes short-sighted. The importance of investing in your team’s...
info_outlineEpisode 152 How to Get Younger in Your Dining Room
https://restauranttopia.com/episode-152-how-to-get-younger-in-your-dining-room/
How to Get Younger in Your Dining Room
Offering a unique experience: Young diners are often looking for something that sets a restaurant apart from others. This could be a unique menu, a cool atmosphere, or a fun theme. Restaurants should consider offering something that will appeal to this demographic and make their establishment stand out from the crowd.
Providing shareable options: Young diners are often social and enjoy sharing food with friends. Restaurants can cater to this by offering shareable options such as small plates or appetizers that are perfect for groups.
Being social media savvy: Young diners are active on social media, and restaurants can use this to their advantage by creating visually appealing dishes that are "Instagram-worthy" and encouraging guests to share their experiences online.
Offering vegan and vegetarian options: Many young diners are health-conscious and may follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. Offering plant-based options can attract these customers and show that the restaurant is conscious of dietary restrictions and preferences.
Providing technology-based solutions: Young diners are often tech-savvy and appreciate the use of technology in restaurants, such as online ordering, mobile payments, and loyalty programs that can be accessed through a mobile app.
What not to do…
Providing affordable options: Young diners are often on a budget, so offering affordable menu options can make the restaurant more appealing. Restaurants can offer special deals, happy hours, or lunch specials to attract this demographic.
By incorporating these strategies, restaurants can attract young diners and create a loyal customer base for years to come.
When trying to attract younger restaurant customers, there are some things that should be avoided. Here are a few examples:
Being too gimmicky: While it's important to offer a unique experience, being too gimmicky can turn off younger customers who are looking for authenticity. Restaurants should be careful not to overdo it with trendy themes or menu items that feel forced.
Ignoring dietary restrictions: Younger customers are more likely to have dietary restrictions or preferences, such as vegan or gluten-free diets. Ignoring these needs can turn off potential customers and limit the restaurant's appeal.
Neglecting social media: Younger customers are active on social media and use it to make dining decisions. Neglecting social media or having a weak online presence can make the restaurant appear out of touch or unappealing.
Not providing good value: Younger customers are often on a budget and expect good value for their money. Restaurants that charge high prices without providing quality food and service will struggle to attract this demographic.
Offering limited options: Younger customers value choice and variety, and restaurants that offer limited menu options or lack flexibility with substitutions may not appeal to this demographic.
Not being eco-conscious: Younger customers are increasingly concerned with sustainability and the environment. Restaurants that don't prioritize eco-conscious practices may be seen as outdated or unappealing to this demographic.