Margins
8 min read
Why most restaurants don't actually know their margins
A deep dive into costs, waste, and the hidden metrics that eat into your profit. It's time to stop guessing and start measuring what matters.
James OliverThe Operator's Blog
Insights that help restaurants run better.
Practical thinking on operations, margins, growth, and technology for clarity, not noise.
James Oliver
Inventory5 min read
How confirmation messages reduce no-shows without deposits
A simple SMS workflow can save your Friday night revenue without annoying customers.
Staffing7 min read
Optimization vs. Overworking: finding the sweet spot
Labor is your biggest cost, but cutting too deep hurts the guest experience.
Operations4 min read
The daily checklist that saves 20 hours a month
Standard operating procedures are boring, but they are the only way to scale.
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Payments6 min read
Hidden fees in your payment stack
Interchange plus vs. flat rate? Here is how to audit your monthly statement.
Growth9 min read
When to open your second location
The metrics need to be green, but the team needs to be ready. A guide to expansion.
Menu Engineering5 min read
The psychology of menu design
Where you place your high-margin items matters more than you think.
Educational Series
View all playbooks Operator Playbooks
Curated, step-by-step guides to solving specific restaurant problems.
Fixing Margins
A 4-part series on identifying waste, renegotiating supplier contracts, and menu pricing.
4 Articles35 min total
Reducing No-Shows
The complete guide to reservation policies, deposit strategies, and confirmation flows.
3 Articles20 min total
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