Tag Archives: Savage Restaurant Success

Episode 174: From Cringe Posts to Killer Growth with Bruce Irving



Most restaurant owners think they’re doing “marketing.”
But what they’re actually doing is noise.

In this raw and real conversation with Bruce Irving—founder of Smart Pizza Marketing and one of the most respected voices in restaurant marketing—we pull back the curtain on what’s really holding restaurant owners back.

We talk about the outdated tactics that make you look desperate, the cringe-worthy content that’s pushing guests away, and the simple moves that actually create momentum and drive growth.

This isn’t another fluffy conversation about social media trends or the next shiny tool.
This is a masterclass in clarity.

You’ll learn:

  • What Bruce would do if dropped into a failing pizzeria with only $1,000 and one week to save it

  • The most common marketing mistakes that make restaurants look like amateurs

  • How to create a brand story people actually care about—and want to follow

  • The difference between visibility and relevance (and why most restaurant owners get this wrong)

  • The mindset shifts required to play the long game in an industry addicted to shortcuts

And just to keep it interesting—we also dive into some fun curveballs:
What’s Bruce’s spirit animal?
What’s the weirdest DM he’s ever received from a restaurant owner?
What advice would he give his younger self starting Smart Pizza Marketing?

This episode is full of real talk, bold insights, and practical wisdom from someone who’s not theorizing from the sidelines—he’s been in the game for decades, helping restaurants build brands that last.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or just stuck trying to figure out what actually works…
This is your wake-up call.

Listen to Episode 174 now.
And start moving from cringe posts to killer growth.

Want to see if coaching is right for you and your restaurant?

Apply for a 1:1 Profit Recovery Call with my team.


Episode 171 – Leadership Drive Profits with Bo Bryant



Welcome to The Restaurant Coach™ Podcast. It is the cure for the common restaurant. I’m Donald Burns, The Restaurant Coach®, author of the Your Restaurant Sucks trilogy and Ingredients:Creating TOTAL Restaurant Success in 90-Days, creator of the TRC Method™, and founder of TRC Nation.

In this high-impact episode, I sit down with Bo Bryant—known across the industry as The Restaurant Giant. Together, we unpack the undeniable truth: your restaurant’s profits are a direct reflection of your leadership. Period.

Bo and I dive deep into the real reasons restaurant owners get stuck in survival mode, why systems won’t save you if your leadership sucks, and how to lead with clarity, conviction, and culture. We talk about the difference between managing chaos and leading transformation. If your team isn’t thriving, if your margins are bleeding, if you feel like you’re doing everything right but still losing—this episode is your wake-up call.

Because leadership isn’t a soft skill.
It’s a bottom-line skill.

Tune in and discover why sharpening your leadership is the fastest way to boost profitability, build a culture of excellence, and finally take back control of your restaurant—and your life.

Want to find out where your leadership gaps are stealing your profits?
Head over to www.TheRestaurantCoach.com and book a complimentary 1:1 Strategy Session with me personally.


Episode 169 – From Struggling to Savage with Michael Kontras



Most restaurant owners think they can figure it out on their own… until they hit a wall. HARD.

Michael Kontras from Bailey’s Seafood was grinding day and night, drowning in the chaos, and stuck in the same endless cycle.

Then he made a game-changing move—he got a coach. And everything shifted.

In this episode, Michael gets real about what it took to break free from the struggle, the brutal truths he had to face, and how having a coach gave him the clarity, systems, and strategy to scale his restaurant like never before.

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and want a REAL plan to turn your restaurant into a powerhouse, head over to www.TheRestaurantCoach.com and book a complimentary 1:1 strategy session with me personally.

Let’s get your restaurant (and life) where it’s meant to be.

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Episode 168 – From Special Ops To Restaurant Coach



Ready to 4X your restaurant’s revenue?
► https://www.therestaurantcoach.com/

From combat zones to restaurant battlefields.

As a former Air Force Pararescueman, I will teach you how to improve your restaurant’s survival strategy.

Warrior-level restaurant leadership strategies that cut through the chaos.

No fluff, just hardcore tactics to stop spinning your wheels and start dominating your market. Military precision meets restaurant management.

Learn how to lead your team, build unbreakable systems, and scale your business without burning out.

If you want the full playbook on growing your restaurant to 4X revenue and finally spending your time working on the business rather than in it, then…

CONNECT WITH ME:
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Ready to Get On The Path To Profits…

Grab my TRC Vault Titanium Deal NOW! 


Episode 167 – Stop Running From The Pressure



Ready to 4X your restaurant’s revenue?

► https://www.therestaurantcoach.com/

Think pressure is just pain?

Let’s break that mindset.

Pressure is a privilege – it’s the fire that forges greatness.

Embrace the grind, push through the doubt, and let pressure transform you into an unstoppable force.

In this episode, I will reveal how the top players in the game leveraged pressure to build legendary careers and legacies.

It’s time to step up and embrace what separates the warriors from the weak.

Are you willing to step up and dominate, or will you let pressure crush you?

The choice is yours. If you want the full playbook on growing your restaurant to 4X revenue and finally spending your time working on the business rather than in it, then…

CONNECT WITH ME:
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Ready to Get On The Path To Profits…
Grab my TRC Vault Titanium Deal NOW!


Episode 166 – Broken Bonds Broken Life



Ready to 4X your restaurant’s revenue?
► https://www.therestaurantcoach.com

Is your restaurant running you instead of you running it?

Your life is like a car with four crucial tires: body, being, balance, and business.

When even one tire is underinflated, everything falls apart.

I will break down why most restaurant owners are heading for a crash by neglecting these key areas.

From physical health to spiritual well-being, relationships to financial growth.

Get the hard-hitting truth about what it takes to thrive in the restaurant game.

Stop the wobble before it’s too late.

Join the 8-week Restaurant Growth Challenge and build systems that give you your life back while creating consistent profits.

If you want the full playbook on growing your restaurant to 4X revenue and finally spending your time working on the business rather than in it, then…

CONNECT WITH ME:
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Ready to Get On The Path To Profits…

Grab my TRC Vault Titanium Deal NOW! 

 


Episode 165 – Being Married to The Restaurant Is Killing You



Ready to 4X your restaurant’s revenue?
► https://www.therestaurantcoach.com

Is your restaurant taking a toll on your family?

Discover the true cost of being “married to your restaurant” – and how to finally create the balance and success you deserve.

This powerful coaching session lays it all on the line, pulling no punches about the sacrifices restaurant owners often make at the expense of their families.

If you want the full playbook on growing your restaurant to 4X revenue and finally spending your time working on the business rather than in it, then…

CONNECT WITH ME:
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Ready to Get On The Path To Profits…

Grab my TRC Vault Titanium Deal NOW! 

 


Episode 164 – This Is WHY Your Restaurant Is Stuck



Ready to 4X your restaurant’s revenue?
► https://www.therestaurantcoach.com/

Evolve or die.

It’s not just a catchy phrase—it’s God’s law for restaurant success.

The world has changed, and if you’re clinging to outdated strategies, you’re on a fast track to extinction.

In this episode, I will explain why adaptability is crucial in today’s fierce restaurant industry.

I will share my insights on overcoming resistance to change and offer actionable steps to transform your mindset and business.

This is a no-nonsense guide to identifying what’s holding you back and embracing innovation to thrive in our rapidly evolving market.

Don’t get left behind—I’ll show you how to stay ahead of the curve and secure your restaurant’s future.

If you want the full playbook on how to grow your restaurant to 4X revenue, and finally move to spending your time working on the business rather than in it, then…

CONNECT WITH ME:
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Facebook
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LinkedIn

Ready to Get On The Path To Profits…

Grab my TRC Vault Titanium Deal NOW! 


Episode 163 – Reinvent or Get STUCK



Ready to 4X your restaurant’s revenue?
► https://www.therestaurantcoach.com/

The version of you that got you this far?

It’s not enough to take you further.

In this episode, I explain why your current habits and mindset might be holding you back from reaching new levels of success in the restaurant industry.

I’ll share my insights on the importance of continuous growth, facing your fears, and embracing change to evolve into your best self.

Get ready for practical strategies on self-awareness, identifying what’s limiting you, and creating a plan for personal and professional transformation.

It’s time to overcome stagnation and advance your restaurant business.

If you want the full playbook on how to grow your restaurant to 4X revenue, and finally move to spending your time working on the business rather than in it, then…

CONNECT WITH ME:
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Facebook
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LinkedIn

Ready to Get On The Path To Profits>

Grab my TRC Vault Titanium Deal NOW! 


Episode 162 – The Shift and Drift



Ready to 4X your restaurant’s revenue?
https://www.therestaurantcoach.com

Break free from the cycle of hype and disappointment in your restaurant business.

In this episode, I will share the reasons why temporary motivation fades and how to create lasting change.

Get actionable strategies to overcome fear, commit to daily progress, and build a fail-safe system for success.

Stop drifting back to old habits and learn how to transform your restaurant for good.

This episode cuts through excuses and shows you how to face your challenges head-on.

Don’t miss out on the keys to genuine, lasting transformation for your restaurant.

If you want the full playbook on how to grow your restaurant to 4X revenue, and finally move to spending your time working on the business rather than in it, then…

CONNECT WITH ME:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn

Ready to Get On The Path To Profits>

Grab my TRC Vault Titanium Deal NOW!