Most bar owners track sales, labor, and inventory.

But very few ask if they’re tracking bar prime cost the right way.

In this episode, we break down bar prime cost, how to calculate it, and why it matters more than sales alone when it comes to profitability.

You’ll learn how labor cost plus cost of goods sold can reveal problems earlier, from overstaffing and overpouring to waste, bad inventory numbers, and rising vendor costs.

If you’re a bar owner, hospitality leader, or restaurant operator, this episode will help you better understand one of the biggest drivers of bar profitability and show you how to use prime cost as a real management tool.

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell".
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Why is your bar still stuck… even though you’re working nonstop?

Here’s the truth most owners avoid:

It’s not your staff.
It’s not your marketing.
It’s you.

In this episode, franchise turnaround expert Mike DeJong breaks down the pattern he sees over and over again:

Owners are becoming the bottleneck in their own business.

You’ll hear why most bar owners stay trapped in operator mode, constantly busy but never actually moving forward, and how their own habits, decisions, and mindset are the real thing holding everything back.

This isn’t a “tips and tricks” episode.

It’s a reality check.

If you’re tired of being stuck in the day-to-day, constantly putting out fires, and wondering why your bar isn’t growing…this one’s going to hit.

If you want to go deeper with Mike:

You can download his book Grow Smart for free or connect with him directly.

👉 mikedejong.com
👉 mike@mikedejong.com

He also offers a free strategy session where he’ll walk you through what’s actually holding you back and give you a plan to fix it.

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell".
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

What worked before…
doesn’t work anymore.

Same bar. Same drinks.
But something’s off.

The crowd is different.
And they’re not drinking the way they used to.

Most bar owners think it’s a traffic problem.

It’s not.

You’re running a bar built for the past while Gen Z is playing by new rules.

In this episode, we break down how each generation actually drinks, spends, and chooses where to go and why Gen Z is shifting everything from what people order to when they show up.

If your bar feels inconsistent and you don’t know why…this will change how you see your business.

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell".
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

One night you’re busy.
Next night? Dead.

No pattern. No consistency.
All you can do is hope that people will show up.

Most bar owners think it’s a marketing problem.

It’s not.

You just haven’t given people a reason to come in.

In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Carr from Geeks Who Drink to break down how programming, like trivia, bingo, and weekly events, actually drives consistent traffic and higher spend.

If your weeknights are unpredictable and you’re tired of guessing what works… This will change how you think about your bar.

Connect with Brian Carr:

👉 Geeks Who Drink – https://www.geekswhodrink.com/
👉 Jeopardy! Bar League – https://www.jeopardybarleague.com/

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell".
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Why do so many bar owners generate decent revenue… yet still feel like they’re constantly behind on money?

Most people assume the fix is pushing for more, more customers, more sales, more growth. But that approach usually just creates more pressure without solving what’s actually broken.

The real problem is how your money is being managed.

In this episode, we walk through how to build a forward-looking budget that gives you control, so your cash is allocated with intention and profit is planned, not left to chance.

You’ll learn how to structure your revenue into clear categories, separate owner pay from actual profit, and set flexible cost percentages that move with your sales, so you can stop guessing and start making smarter financial decisions.

If you’re putting in the hours, bringing in money, but still not seeing real results at the end of each month, this episode will help you take back control.

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell".
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Step into the vibrant world of hospitality with our latest episode, where we explore the dynamic India Bartender Show and the essence of joy in the industry. This episode promises to captivate anyone passionate about bars, culture, and community.

Discover how the India Bartender Show is reshaping perceptions with its focus on education, community, and cultural expression. Hear from industry leaders about the shared values of joy, love, and generosity that drive hospitality. We also discuss our favorite industry books.

Imagine being part of a community that values passion and data equally, where emerging markets like India are setting new standards. This episode offers a unique perspective on how international bar scenes are evolving and the role of storytelling and cultural history in hospitality.

Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation. Subscribe to our podcast for more episodes that celebrate the creativity and humanity at the heart of hospitality. Share this episode with friends and colleagues who are as passionate about the industry as you are.

Our Favorite Business and Hospitality Books:

• Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
• Joy of Mixology by Gary "Gaz" Regan
• Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, and David Kaplan
• Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
• The Cocktail Balance 2.0 by Stan Hucnick
• Dishoom by Shamil Thakrar, Kavi Thakrar, and Naved Nasir
• Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Roberts
• Good to Great by Jim Colins
• StrengthsFinder by Marcus Buckingham
• Restaurant Success by the Numbers by Roger Fields
• The Bar Shift, Hospitality DNA, A Tale of Two Taverns by Dave Nitzel and Dave Domzalski
• How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business, Menus that Sell by Chris Schneider

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell".
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Why are so many bar owners making good money… but still ending every month with nothing left?

Most bar owners think the answer is more sales, more customers, more volume… but that’s actually the slowest and most expensive way to fix a profit problem.

Instead, this episode focuses on building a forward-looking budget that actually controls your cash and locks in profit first.

From breaking your revenue into real categories to setting cost percentages that flex with your sales, you’ll learn how to stop reacting and start making decisions that protect your margins.

If you’re a bar owner who’s tired of working nonstop and still not seeing real profit, this will show you how to finally take control of your numbers.

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell".
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant

Why are so many restaurants busy… but still not making enough money?

In this episode, we break down a simple but overlooked strategy that can increase your revenue in as little as 48 hours without more customers, more marketing, or more traffic.

Most bar and restaurant owners are stuck chasing new customers, thinking that’s the only way to grow. But in today’s market, that’s the slowest and most expensive move you can make.

Instead, this episode focuses on a smarter approach: increasing how much each guest spends.

From optimizing your guest check average to using simple psychological triggers inside your service and menu, you’ll learn how small shifts can drive immediate profit without raising prices or changing your concept.

If you're a bar owner, restaurant operator, or hospitality professional who feels busy but underpaid, this episode will show you exactly where your money is leaking and how to fix it fast.

🔴 Learn More: 🔴

📌 Want a personalized bar growth plan?
Book your FREE STRATEGY SESSION here
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session

🚨 Want a stronger team and better bar culture?
Grab the free Bar Culture Workbook now
→ https://barbusinesspodcast.com

📢 Get FREE ACCESS to a group that understands the bar business
→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/barbusinessnation

🚀 Snag my books "How to Make Top-Shelf Profits in the Bar Business!" and "Menus that Sell".
→ https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/

Our Partners:

Dining Alliance
Dining Alliance helps foodservice operators of all sizes unlock real savings and earn CashBack through our industry-leading rebate program.
https://mydiningalliance.com/register/easy/?c=cjps&segment=Restaurant