Are You Ready For the Summer Break You Have Earned?

In this episode of the Restaurant Success Podcast, restaurant advisor Matthew Mabel discusses the essential strategy of planning summer breaks for restaurant entrepreneurs and business owners. Exploring the importance of work-life balance in the restaurant industry, Matthew shares practical advice on how to structure your restaurant business to thrive even during your absence. He examines generational approaches to vacation planning - from industry veterans who understand the value of stepping away to younger restaurateurs prioritizing quality time with their families. This episode delivers actionable insights for restaurant owners seeking to enjoy the freedom and flexibility they've earned while maintaining a profitable, successful business operation.

Key Topics Covered

• Different approaches to vacation planning for restaurant owners
• Why taking breaks is essential for restaurant business success
• Generational differences in work-life balance perspectives
• Setting up your restaurant to thrive in your absence
• How stepping away can generate fresh business insights

Links Mentioned

• Restaurateurs Take Advantage of the Freedom You've Earned
• Two Essential Ways Restaurateurs Enjoy Their Time Away

Resources Mentioned

• Website: www.surrender.biz
• Free initial consultation available

Connect with Matthew Mabel

Matthew works with owners of successful, independent, multi-unit restaurants to improve:

• Profit growth
• Sales optimization
• Guest count increase
• Unit expansion
• Employee engagement
• Brand loyalty

How to Support the Show

• Subscribe to the Restaurant Success Podcast and Newsletter
• Rate and review the show
• Visit www.surrender.biz for additional resources

Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Restaurant Success Podcast. I'm Matthew Mabel, veteran restaurant advisor, coach, consultant, and speaker devoted to multi-unit independent restaurant unit, profit and revenue growth, internal harmony and ownership freedom and flexibility.

This is your weekly entree of the advice, strategy and tactics that I currently provide to my best clients.

Today we're going to talk about something that's crucial for restaurant owners as we head into the summer months: planning for the break you've earned and deserve. We'll explore different approaches to vacation planning, why taking time away from your business is essential, and how generational differences impact our views on work-life balance. I'll share some real examples from my clients and help you understand how to set up your business to thrive even when you're not there.

It's easy to joke about millennial and Gen Z workers who "quietly vacation" by slacking off in July and August. Some of them even simulate keyboard activity to give the appearance of effort without their managers knowing. And honestly, who can blame them? In summer, life feels more flexible and less structured, and you know there's great weather somewhere, if you can only find it. So, if they can't get away in reality, their brains will go on break through daydreams. They're in the right place, but took the wrong train to get there.

My clients share one characteristic with these quiet vacationers: summer is still calling to them.

The difference? Their success means they no longer have to postpone the freedom and flexibility they have earned.

When it comes to planning vacations, people fall into different camps. Some people book vacations way in advance, scheduling cruises and tours a year or more ahead. Others can't see that far into the future, so they arrange vacations in the last few weeks or days before departure. One couple I know once went to the airport and then selected their destination. Talk about spontaneity!

As May begins, I want to remind you to make the most of the upcoming summer. You must have a plan to be away from your restaurants and create your own extended summer break - without having to worry about whether your business can survive without you.

Can you not stop worrying?

That shows you haven't set up your business properly to accommodate your life.

I've noticed some interesting generational differences in how my clients approach their time off. I have clients with vacation homes they live in for long periods of time - or grandchildren they visit in other states frequently - and people who get a steady diet of incredible travel experiences around the world, with tons of rounds of golf or tennis or motorcycle riding between trips. These tend to be industry veterans who have learned that working all the time shows up as a mistake rather than a badge of honor. And they're proven right once they come back - because their clear-headedness gives them new ideas that would never have occurred to them otherwise.

I also have younger clients who put great value on time with their school-age children. Not only being able to go to their games and events during the school year, but just taking them to the playground every day and having extended summertime vacations. They create self-esteem, safety, security, and memories that will imprint a lifetime of good feelings for their kids. These younger clients tend to be at their first or second rung of success and, unlike my generation mistakenly did, they remain unwilling to postpone their freedom.

One of my biggest joys? Seeing and hearing about the freedom my clients have after we intentionally organize their business to succeed without relying on their constant presence.

What do your summer plans look like? How will you take advantage of the freedom and flexibility you created in your life this summer?

And what have you done to make sure your company succeeds, during your time away?

I've got a couple of my articles, relevant to today's topic, that I want to share with you.

The first explores my Four Factors to Freedom that help restaurant owners create the space to enjoy time with the people they care about. If you're wondering how to set up your business properly to accommodate your life, you'll find some practical steps there.

The other article dives into different approaches to vacation - whether you stay connected with limited check-ins or completely disconnect.

That piece really explores how taking time away can give you those amazing, creative new perspectives on your business that I mentioned today, and I've added links to both these articles in our show notes.

Let me tell you about how we might work together. I work with owners of successful, independent, multi-unit restaurants to grow their profit, sales, guest count, and unit count. My unique approach bonds employees and guests to restaurant brands and allows owners to enjoy the freedom and flexibility they have earned.

To schedule a call with me to discuss how to achieve your biggest goals, follow the link in the show notes. The initial consultation is complimentary, and we can discuss which big moves might be right for your operation.

Thanks for listening. If you haven't already subscribed to the Restaurant Success Podcast and Newsletter podcast, please do so, and rate and review the show. Find more information in the show notes at Restaurant Success Podcast dot com.

Also find tons of information you can use in print, audio and video form at my website, www dot surrender dot biz. Thanks again and see you next time.