The Puzzle – Day 189 – This Stuff Is HARD!

Owning a business is tough. Every entrepreneur faces moments of doubt and stress, wondering, “What was I thinking?” But the key to success lies in mindset. Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?

A thermostat sets the temperature—it stays consistent despite external factors. In contrast, a thermometer reacts to the environment, constantly changing based on external pressures. As business owners, we must strive to regulate our responses, maintaining focus despite challenges.

The Entrepreneurial Journey
From sole proprietorship to managing a large team, the entrepreneurial path is often filled with unexpected hurdles. While growth brings success, it also introduces new challenges—risk, responsibility, and relentless pressure. Every day, entrepreneurs juggle issues like cash flow, client relationships, and team management. Yet, these tough moments shape us, helping us refine our business and leadership strategies.

Building a Business Around Your Life
As Matt Plapp shares in his podcast, it’s essential to align your business with your lifestyle goals. Business ownership is not just about profit; it’s about achieving balance. Reflecting on why we do this, entrepreneurs should design ventures that fuel their passion while fitting into their desired life structure.

Embrace Imperfection and Build Resilience
No business will run perfectly. There will always be some level of chaos—whether it’s a bad sales day, negative reviews, or internal conflict. Learning to accept the imperfection while focusing on the larger 75-80% of things going right is crucial for long-term success.

Share the Struggles
Opening up about struggles—whether with employees, clients, or fellow entrepreneurs—can be hard but is necessary. Candid conversations about the challenges of business ownership help us all grow. By supporting each other, we can navigate the entrepreneurial grind more effectively.

Takeaway: Whether you’re owning a restaurant or any business, keep your mindset strong, lean into the hustle, and don’t forget to ask for help when you need it. Keep regulating your temperature—be the thermostat.


This blog post encapsulates the themes of entrepreneurship, mindset, and resilience discussed in episode 761 of Restaurant Marketing Secrets with Matt Plapp.

Unlock the Power of Storytelling: How Sharing Your Journey on Social Media Builds Your Brand

Instead of me just saying “Grow Your Brand,” Here’s how telling your story on social media actually works

A couple of weeks ago, my good friend @kraakje made me some badass custom Jordan 1’s. She added many specific details about me—the perfect shade of orange, a nod to “Deez Nutz,” and even the logo from the restaurant where my wife and I had our first date. But here’s the thing: I didn’t tell her any of that directly.

So how did she nail it?

Because I’ve been telling my story, and my brand’s story, on social media for so long that it was all right there for her to see, she didn’t have to ask because I’d already shared everything that mattered to me.

Telling your story online might seem simple, but almost no one is doing it right. People want to connect with your brand, they want to follow your journey. Now is the time to start sharing your story on social media. It’s what will set you apart

Want to learn how to boost your social media engagement and tell your restaurants story? Check out my daily blog and podcast on Restaurant Marketing That Works for more insights, and stories like this. Link below!
https://restaurantmarketingthatworks.com/
#shorts

Continue reading

Day 188 – The Puzzle – My 1st Article For A New Weekly Series For PMQ Magazine

Hey restaurant owners! If you’re looking to drive more sales while building a brand that lasts, I’ve got a gem for you. The team over at PMQ put together an article that breaks down the exact strategies you need to Attract, Build, and Retain your customer base. It’s packed with actionable tips on everything from birthday marketing to building a customer database. Trust me—this is a must-read for anyone serious about taking their pizza business to the next level. Check it out here: PMQ Article

Let’s get after it!

Capturing Attention: The Key to Skyrocketing Your Restaurant’s Sales

ATTENTION, ATTENTION, ATTENTION…..

That’s the most effective way to grow your restaurant’s sales. When we visit restaurants, we do live videos to build hype around the restaurant. It brings thousands of views every single time and boosts the restaurant’s sales.

Are you looking to boost your sales? Then click the link below to apply to be featured on the ABR Roadshow.
https://americasbestrestaurants.com/get-featured
#shorts

Continue reading

Day 187 – The Puzzle – Embracing Technology Like Chat GPT

This is easy it can be for you; it’s as simple as a few sentences in CHAT GPT.

The image above is of a test I did to show you how to use tools like CHAT GPT at a very basic level to help with your marketing. 

Here’s the results from that request.

Here are five Facebook post ideas Matt Plapp would recommend to drive customer engagement and comments:

  1. “What’s your go-to pizza topping?” – Simple, relatable, and invites everyone to share their favorites. People love talking about their preferences.

  2. “Caption this!” – Post a fun photo from your restaurant and ask followers to come up with the best caption.

  3. “Tag a friend who owes you a pizza!” – Encourage interaction by inviting people to tag friends for a fun, friendly call-out.

  4. “Flash Poll: Thin crust or deep dish?” – A quick poll that sparks opinions and conversation.

  5. “Tell us about your first time at our restaurant!” – Let customers share their experiences and memories, driving engagement through personal stories.

These posts not only spark conversation but also help build a deeper connection with your audience!

But you can take it a Few steps further.

Here are five custom Facebook posts for Wyatt’s All American Grill in Eagan, Minnesota, designed to drive engagement:

  1. “Eagan, help us settle the debate! What’s the best topping for your Wyatt’s burger? 🍔👇 Let us know your favorite!”

  2. “Caption this!” – Post a fun picture of your staff in action or a crazy food shot, and ask: “Give us your best caption for this shot! Winner gets a free app! 🤩”

  3. “Tag a friend who owes you a meal at Wyatt’s! We’re ready to serve up some All-American goodness.” 🇺🇸

  4. “Flash Poll: Loaded fries or onion rings? Tell us which side steals the show at Wyatt’s!” 🍟🧅

  5. “Remember your first visit to Wyatt’s? Share your memory with us in the comments! We’d love to hear your story!” 🥰

These posts will create conversation and drive customer interaction with the Wyatt’s brand!

Here are five custom football-themed Facebook posts for Wyatt’s All American Grill that can tie into the NFL, high school, and college football seasons:

  1. “Game day’s here! What’s your go-to snack while watching your favorite NFL team? 🏈 Wings, burgers, or loaded nachos? Tell us in the comments! 🍔🍗”

  2. “Caption this!” – Post a shot of a high-energy crowd at Wyatt’s watching the game and ask: “What’s going through this fan’s head during the big play? Best caption wins a FREE app! 🏆”

  3. “Tag your football crew! Who’s joining you for the big college game this weekend at Wyatt’s?” 🏈🍻

  4. “High school football under the lights! Who’s your hometown hero? Drop their name in the comments and show some local love! 🙌”

  5. “Game day poll: Who’s taking home the ‘W’ this weekend—your favorite NFL or college team? Let’s hear your predictions!” 🏆

These posts tap into football excitement and engage customers with local, college, and NFL enthusiasm.

THAT WAS EASY

My friends, that took me under 5 minutes to do. Think about what else is possible with a little elbow grease.

Now get to it!

Why Wendy’s Social Media Strategy Works:Lessons for Restaurants

You might look at Wendy’s social media and think “what the hell?”

If you think consumers get on social media to see your boring food pictures or to hear about your specials you’re sadly mistaken. They want to be entertained!

Wendy’s gives consumers what they want on social media which will continue to keep them relevant in the algorithm.

Check out the link below to get more restaurant marketing secrets👊
https://restaurantmarketingthatworks.com/
#shorts

Continue reading

Day 186 – The Puzzle – We All Just To Be Big Rockstars

Let’s face it: we are all our own worst critics. We have dreams and aspirations, and many days, we wonder if we will ever achieve them.  

Certain songs speak to me; this is one of them.  We all want that “rockstar” life.  And we feel like we’re doing what it takes to get there, but we often seem stuck, or like we’re moving in slow motion.  And social media doesn’t help us at all. We see other lives that we think are real when, in fact, most of them are worse off than us.  

Today’s message: keep your head up.  Focus on what you can control: YOU!  

And every day, take more steps forward than backwards. 



The iPhone Revolution: Transforming Restaurant Marketing with Free Online Marketing in 2024

As of 2024, the iPhone is the most powerful marketing tool. Unlike in 1999, when you had to pay for all of your advertising, now you can create content online FOR FREE to attract more eyes to your restaurant and drive sales.

Looking to learn more about how to drive massive engagement through social media? Then check out my free daily blog and podcast featured on Restaurant Marketing That Works where I teach you how to effectively run a business.
https://restaurantmarketingthatworks.com/
#shorts

Continue reading

Day 185 – The Puzzle – You Can Build A Brand Like McDonalds

Before you read this blog, CLICK HERE and watch the commercial first.

Now that you’ve watched it, let’s discuss how this level of brand recognition is an opportunity for any restaurant.  

The McDonald’s commercial showcases the strength of its brand globally. The good news is that you only need to create this within a few miles. 

Imagine if you went up to ANYONE within 5 miles of your restaurant and could tell them your restaurant’s name, and they’d know SOMETHING about it.  It’s not that freaking hard.  It’s called using the marketing tools you have available today, every day, for a few years.  Avery at Little Italy in Groveport, Ohio, is a great example.  Over the past three years, he’s gone from sucking at social media to DOMINATING, and I’d be willing to bet this little experiment would work great with him.  And, looking at how he’s grown his sales since then, I’d say that’s proof that it works. 

Now, it’s up to you to experiment. Decide TODAY to pick up your phone and start creating and telling your story.

Facebook

Instagram

X

LinkedIn

YouTube

Email

Texting

Phone Calls

Networking Events

Community Events

Whatever the opportunity, you need to dominate it for a few years, and I promise it will pay off.