Making Dough Show | Restaurant Show

Hosted by Making Dough Show | Restaurant Show

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Episodes

226

Latest episode

Oct 2025

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About the show

How do I grow my restaurant sales? What actually works in restaurant marketing: messenger bot, mobile marketing, email, Facebook ads, monthly promotions, events, fundraisers.. How do I track the results? How do I lower food cost and labor so we are more profitable? How do we retain staff? These are some of the topics covered in this show hosted by restauranteurs, engineers, chief ops and marketing officers Matthew and Hengameh Stanfield. They believe every restauranteur deserves owning a PROFITABLE restaurant that does not own them. Got questions? Email us at makingdoughshow@gmail.com

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60 recent

October 13, 20256 min

How to Get Your Restaurant staff to Follow the Cleaning Checklist | Restaurant Management Tips

JOIN Our FREE Facebook Group today: https://www.facebook.com/groups/10075401142519206How to Get Your Restaurant staff to Follow the Cleaning Checklistou don’t have a cleaning problem — you have a management problem.In this video, I break down why your team keeps ignoring the cleaning checklist, and how to fix it for good.We’ll cover:Why checklists stop working after 3 daysHow to inspect what you expectThe system we use at Mattenga’s to keep stores consistently cleanHow to build habits instead of headachesIf you’re tired of repeating yourself, this will change how you manage your restaurant.

September 22, 20259 min

238- The Competitive Edge Every Restaurant Needs!

JOIN the Restaurant Growth Lab FREE Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18rseCPBZ6/Are you charging too much… or not enough?In this episode, we’ll show restaurant owners how to quickly uncover hidden opportunities by comparing their menu, pricing, and catering offers against the competition. This isn’t boring “competitive analysis” — it’s a 30-minute exercise that can save you thousands and help you win more customers.You’ll learn:How to spot gaps in your menu that competitors are fillingWhy some restaurants dominate with bundles and catering while others miss outThe simple spreadsheet method to compare sizes, toppings, portions, and pricing in minutesHow to position your restaurant so guests see you as the best value in townIf you’ve ever wondered why the chain down the street keeps pulling in customers or if you’re leaving money on the table, this episode will give you the tools to fight back.Don’t just run a restaurant — outsmart your competitors.

August 25, 202512 min

237- Let's Plan all your restaurant SEPTEMBER Promotions together!

Join our FREE Facebook Group the Restaurant Growth Lab today: https://www.facebook.com/groups/10075401142519206How to calculate your MONTHLY SALES GROWTH %: 2025 August % Growth =(2025 Month Sales – 2024 Month Sales) / (2024 Month Sales) × 100

June 20, 20255 min

236- COTROLLING Restaurant Costs Is EASY If You Focus on This ONE Thing

✅ Join our free Facebook group for restaurant owners: Restaurant Growth Labhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/10075401142519206Want to control food and labor costs without the chaos?The best way to do it is simple: give your managers a budget and hold them to it.In this video, I break down:– How to calculate your weekly sales projection– How to set a realistic labor budget– How to create a purchase budget that actually worksIf you’re tired of guessing and reacting, this is the system that gives your team clarity—and your bottom line relief.Have questions? I’d love to help.Email me directly at Community@Owner.comLet’s build a business that runs profitably every single week.✅ Join our free Facebook group for restaurant owners: Restaurant Growth Lab⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/10075401142519206⁠

June 16, 20257 min

235- 3 RESTAURANT MARKETING Strategies That Actually Work in 2025

🔗 Join my free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/10075401142519206What’s Actually Working in Restaurant Marketing (Right Now)In this video, I break down 3 restaurant marketing strategies that are driving real results in 2025:✅ Cold email outreach with complimentary food drops✅ Smart email & text marketing that brings customers back✅ Tapping into your local Facebook groups for free exposureNo fluff—just practical tactics you can act on today.📍15-Minute Action Step:Use Google Maps to find 5 local businesses, schools, or large employers near you.Send out 10 cold emails using the script I share in the video.👉 Drop a comment once you’ve sent your emails—let’s track what’s working together.Cold Email Script Mentioned in the Video:Subject: Can we drop off some complimentary pizza for your team?(Watch the video or check the pinned comment for the full template.)If you’re a restaurant owner looking to grow sales without relying on third-party apps or expensive ads, hit subscribe. I post weekly content to help you grow your restaurant like a pro.🔗 Join my free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/10075401142519206

June 5, 20257 min

234- RESTAURANT SALES Projections Formula | Sales Forecasting

JOIN THE FREE FB Group Today: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18GyuCEkER/In this video, I break down exactly how we project restaurant sales for the upcoming week and month—step by step. Whether you're a new restaurant owner or scaling to multiple locations, accurate restaurant sales forecasting is critical to staying profitable.You'll learn:1- How we calculate weekly and monthly restaurant sales projections2- The method we use to forecast based on historical data, trends, and seasonality3- How we use sales projections to set our food purchase budget4- How we plan our labor budget around projected sales to control prime cost5- How we create targeted marketing and sales strategies to actually hit our numbersStop guessing. Use real data to make smart decisions in your restaurant. Whether you’re managing one store or scaling a brand, this system will help you run lean, make more profit, and plan like a pro.https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18GyuCEkER/

April 11, 202510 min

233- 😱 DAVE Portnoy Caught Us Off-Guard | 4 Lessons That Could SAVE Your Restaurant

Dave Portnoy showed up unannounced at Mattenga's Pizzeria—and we weren't ready! 😱HERE IS THE EPISODE on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XG1pD9dLjE&t=1sIn today's episode, I'm sharing the 4 essential lessons every restaurant owner must know from our surprise visit by Barstool Sports' own Dave Portnoy. From compromising on recipes to mastering your one-minute story—learn from our experience to ensure your restaurant thrives under pressure.🔥 Here's what you'll learn:Why compromising your standards could cost you bigHow to ensure your restaurant is always spotlight-readyThe power of clearly telling your story in one minute or lessWhy genuine hospitality matters more than ever✅ SUBSCRIBE for more real-world restaurant strategies and behind-the-scenes insights!#DavePortnoy #RestaurantOwner #MattengasPizzeria #RestaurantTips #PizzaReview

September 5, 202410 min

232. Turning Complaints into Loyalty: The Art and Science of Customer Complaints

Download for FREE: The 37 Restaurant Systems PDF https://mds.mykajabi.com/37-restaurant-systems Watch: ULTIMATE Restaurant Marketing System Assessment for Maximum Profit https://youtu.be/LHlAb-HOWdM Watch: 10 Steps to Master Monthly Restaurant Marketing with AI Power! https://youtu.be/J_wu4bCUC5M Turning Complaints into Loyalty: The Art and Science of Customer Complaints. In today's episode of the Making Dough Show, we’ll dive into a crucial skill for any restaurant owner: how to transform a complaining customer into a loyal guest. Is it really possible to win over fussy customers? Customer complaints can be a goldmine for growth when handled right. I'll also break down how to calculate the lifetime value of your customers and share key strategies for resolving complaints that lead to lasting loyalty. Stay with me until the end as we explore the art and science behind turning complaints into opportunities for building stronger relationships with your guests! 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert advice on restaurant management, leadership, and operational mastery! LET'S CONNECT: SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@makingdoughshow SUBSCRIBE to our Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/makingdoughshow CONNECT on Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hengamstanfield/ #restaurant #restaurantmanagement #restaurantmarketing #restaurantmanager #makingdoughshow

August 22, 202411 min

231. Must-Know Tips for New Restaurant Managers: Succeed in Your First 90 Days!

Download for FREE: The RESTAURANT MANAGER SCORE SHEET at https://mds.mykajabi.com/restaurantmanagerscoresheet Watch: The Ultimate Guide to Restaurant Success: 37 Must-Have Systems https://youtu.be/OdZMuOBcGIU Watch: 5 Menu Engineering Secrets | Boost Your Restaurant Sales https://youtu.be/gbZWdZvxgEw Watch: ULTIMATE Restaurant Marketing System Assessment for Maximum Profit https://youtu.be/LHlAb-HOWdM Must-Know Tips for New Restaurant Managers: Succeed in Your First 90 Days! Welcome to another insightful episode of Making Dough Show! 🍕 In this episode, we share 10 essential tips for new restaurant managers. Whether you’re transitioning to a new location, stepping into a management role for the first time, or simply looking to refine your leadership skills, these practical strategies will help you navigate new environments and build strong teams. Key topics include: Discover, Don’t Dictate: Learn why observation and understanding are crucial in your first weeks. Building Genuine Relationships: Tips on connecting with your team without overwhelming them. Mastering Procedures: The importance of diving deep into existing processes before making changes. Vision Casting: How to inspire and motivate your team by setting clear goals. Steady and Systematic Changes: Prioritize and implement changes that have the highest impact. Celebrating Milestones: Recognize and appreciate team achievements to foster a positive work culture. Tune in to discover actionable insights that will set you up for success as a new manager! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tips on running a thriving restaurant business. LET'S CONNECT: SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@makingdoughshow SUBSCRIBE to our Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/makingdoughshow CONNECT on Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hengamstanfield/ #restaurant #restaurantmanagement #restaurantmarketing #restaurantmanager #LeadershipTips #NewManager #PizzaBusiness #RestaurantOperations #TeamBuilding #MakingDoughShow #VisionCasting #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessGrowth #SanAntonio

August 19, 202421 min

230. 10 Best Customer Service Experiences in Restaurant Industry

Download for FREE: The 37 Restaurant Systems PDF https://mds.mykajabi.com/37-restaurant-systems Watch: The Ultimate Guide to Restaurant Success: 37 Must-Have Systems https://youtu.be/OdZMuOBcGIU Watch: ULTIMATE Restaurant Marketing System Assessment for Maximum Profit https://youtu.be/LHlAb-HOWdM Watch: 10 Steps to Master Monthly Restaurant Marketing with AI Power! https://youtu.be/J_wu4bCUC5M 10 Best Customer Service Experiences in Restaurant Industry In this episode of the Making Dough Show, I’m diving into the 10 best customer service practices that can either make or break your restaurant. We all know how crucial customer service is—more than fancy decor or menus. It leaves the first and last impression on your guests. I’ll be covering everything from greeting and farewelling standards to building rapport using the F.O.R.M technique, and ensuring top-notch quality control. If you're in the restaurant industry, these tips can help you elevate your operations and enhance the customer experience. Tune in to learn actionable strategies you can implement with your team this week. Don't miss out on how you can start making more dough by refining your customer service standards! 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert advice on restaurant management, leadership, and operational mastery! LET'S CONNECT: SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@makingdoughshow SUBSCRIBE to our Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/makingdoughshow CONNECT on Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hengamstanfield/ #restaurant #restaurantmanagement #customerservice #restaurantmarketing #restaurantmanager #makingdoughshow