Well, Jon Taffer fans, it's time to pour yourself a big cocktail. bar rescue is back, so let's give a shoutout — erm, we mean “cheerful encouragement” — and let's get started!
Premiering on Paramount Network on Sunday, February 25th at 10pm ET, the show features everyone's favorite hospitality pitbull as he visits bars across the country to help struggling owners and employees close their doors. We will help you get back to work before you can. And this season, in a new twist, Taffer brings together an all-star roster of nightlife, bar, and restaurant experts, including actor Danny Trejo and Las Vegas nightspot guru Dustin Dry, to solve problems. I decided to bring more heat to the kitchen.
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entrepreneur After filming an incredible 250 episodes, we spoke to the outspoken motivator and business mastermind about his thoughts on the latest in the bar industry (are you ready for robot bartenders?) and what he thinks. I asked him what made him so excited every time. He walks into a bar in desperate need of rescue (hint: it has more to do with family than booze.) Below are some highlights of that conversation, edited for length and clarity. Shown below.
How about some AI with your fries?
“When you go to conventions and restaurant shows, people talk about robotics and AI as solutions to the human labor that owners are struggling to hire,” Taffer says. “I think in the next five to seven years, many restaurants will become heavily robotic, from ordering to delivery to preparation. AI is already being used to do everything from interpreting data to identifying trends. It’s widely used in stores” — but I think we’re going to start seeing a fair amount of it in the front of the house as well. For example, ordering via a conversational tablet. . ” Robots are already running fryers and flipping burgers, and there's no doubt there will be more in the future. And the interesting thing about robotics is that it has variable costs and it becomes a fixed cost. There are fixed equipment costs and fixed maintenance costs, which reduces your burden. Some of the surprises that happen in the industry. ”
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But humanity is not finished yet.
“Robotics and AI are certainly useful in the home, but great restaurants are all about connectivity,” Taffer continues. “Customers aren't connected on a tablet; they're connected with great waiters, chefs, and owners. At Taffer's Tavern, we have very high-tech equipment in the back of the house, but we don't have any technology in the front of the house. .We designed the concept to protect that connectivity, and the thing to think about is that there are three types of menus: Voluntary menus are people who don't want to eat a hot dog just because it smells good. There is a convenience menu in the lobby restaurant.
influence bar rescue
“Purdue University studied restaurant reality shows like ours. kitchen nightmare and restaurant impossibleand evaluated the success rate of each. bar rescue “We had double the success rate of all the other shows,” Taffer said. “And that means a lot to me because behind these establishments there are people. The owners of these bars are paying their mortgages and taking care of their families. So the bar's success. means we're helping kids get into college. We're making a really positive difference in people's lives.”
benefits of helping others
“Years ago, I opened my own restaurant, Alamo Grill, in the Mall of America,” Taffer says. “We were opening a second restaurant in Kansas City, so we needed to choose a training team. I chose a prep cook, a line cook, servers, and a host. We put together a team and hit the road. We had a dishwasher guy named Theo who was a local kid. The prep cook quit, so we moved Theo into that position. He was really great. We have a big meeting in Kansas City with 80 new hires. “The trainers introduce themselves, and Theo is there in a suit. He walked to the podium and said, “Six months ago, I was working as a dishwasher. Look at me today.” “Oh, that was a powerful moment for me. I was more proud than he was! It was a really satisfying moment for me. When you experience something very satisfying in life, people I want more.”
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10% rule
“upon bar rescue, business evaluation, refurbishment, rebranding, logo redo, food and beverage products, interiors, training and more, all in 4 days. “In less than four days!” says Taffer. “When I talk to big companies, I always ask, 'What in the world takes so long to do?' So I want to say to everyone reading this, at least in your life, There's not a single project, process, or goal that you can't accelerate by 10%. This includes the number of phone calls you make, the number of contacts you make, the number of places you go, or the speed at which you write something. Just 10% faster. Just by doing this, you will dramatically increase your productivity and time resources. That 10% can change your life.”
