From staffing nightmares to making enough during peak months to survive the off-season, seasonal restaurants face obstacles most year-round establishments never encounter.
In this episode, your host, Andrew Scott, interviews Benjamin Devlin, a successful multi-location seasonal restaurant owner.
You’ll hear how his restaurant in Muskoka (the "Hamptons of Ontario") does a quarter million in sales during peak weeks - and $4 million in just six months of operation.
You'll discover Benjamin's counterintuitive approach to staffing that helps him attract the best talent, and keep the restaurant drama free.
You’ll also hear from Ben’s experiences on a range of topics, including:
✅ The "sports coach recruiting" strategy keeps his kitchen fully staffed - even when competitors are desperate for employees
✅ The importance of hiring for peak season levels well in advance
✅ Taking "radical responsibility" as a restaurant owner
✅ Optimizing menus for efficiency
Benjamin's insights apply to all restaurant owners, not just seasonal operators.
Key Points:
00:01:10 Benjamin's journey to restaurant owner
00:05:30 Staffing challenges for seasonal restaurants
00:11:20 Recruitment strategies
00:15:00 Being an "employer of choice"
00:17:40 Management and certification systems
00:19:30 Responding to a major fire
00:24:10 Hiring tips for seasonal restaurants
00:31:20 Taking radical responsibility for everything in the business
00:39:40 Optimizing kitchen efficiency
00:41:10 Menu simplification
00:45:10 The value of seeking advice from others
Ready to transform how you approach your restaurant business? Listen now and discover strategies that could transform your operation and profitability.
-
These proven strategies could transform your restaurant's bottom line.
✅ About Us ✅
The Restaurant Growth Accelerator Podcast is hosted by Andrew Scott - founder of OwnerShift Training.
Andrew successfully scaled his restaurant business to 4 locations while working a handful of hours each week. He’s since helped over 1000 restaurant owners increase their sales, profits, and free time - and he’d love to help you too.