Creative Marketing Tactics and Revenue Growth Strategies with Jay Ashton

Creative Marketing Tactics and Revenue Growth Strategies with Jay Ashton ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( October 10, 2024 Creative Marketing Tactics and Revenue Growth Strategies with Jay Ashton This episode features Jay Ashton, a hospitality expert with 35+ years of experience, discussing innovative strategies for marketing, revenue growth, and AI in restaurants. We unpack the benefits of non-traditional advertising methods like product placement and drive-through promotions, while Jay envisions how automation and AI will shape fast-casual dining. He also teases insights from his upcoming book, "Alone in Hospitality," and shares strategies to succeed in an ever-changing industry. Tune in for cutting-edge perspectives on restaurant growth and marketing. Welcome to the 'WISKING IT ALL' Podcast – the series where we engage with hospitality professionals and trailblazers who've wagered it all in their pursuits. Join us in exploring their journeys, understanding their motivations, and uncovering the secrets behind their success. Every week, we'll deliver two impactful ideas and one essential insight from our podcast episode, offering perspectives that could fundamentally transform your hospitality business. If you find value in our show, please consider subscribing and leaving a rating on [Spotify](. Your support is vital in helping us grow. Curious about the challenges and lessons I learned while building WISK? Sign up [here]( and join me as I reveal exclusive insights and effective strategies from our successful journey. Your Host, Angelo Esposito THIS WEEK’S EPISODE Meet [Jay Ashton.]( With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Jay Ashton has become a trusted advisor and consultant, helping businesses optimize their operations, improve profitability, and stay ahead of industry trends. As a Business Coach & Consultant at Sysco Canada, he provides strategic guidance to restaurant owners, operators, and foodservice professionals across the country. Co-Host, The Late Night Restaurant Show Jay also brings his passion for the industry to The Late Night Restaurant Show, where he shares insights, stories, and expert advice on the challenges and opportunities facing today's restaurant operators. In this episode, Jay Ashton, hospitality guru, restaurant coach, and Co-host of The Late Night Restaurant Show, brings a mix of profound insights and engaging stories from his extensive career in the restaurant industry. Expect to walk away with fresh perspectives and actionable ideas. 5 Keys You'll Learn in this Episode: - Learn how to leverage billboard advertising, drive-through spots, and non-traditional marketing to maximize your income. - Practical steps to incorporate AI into your restaurant operations for improved efficiency and reduced costs. - Detailed strategies for forming profitable partnerships with top brands. - A step-by-step guide to implementing a successful subscription model, inspired by Arby's success story. - Discover the hidden gold mine in the coffee business with our easy-to-use profit calculator. [Watch the full episode]( 2 IDEAS FROM THE PODCAST Idea #1 The Importance of Innovation and Thinking Outside the Box Jay emphasizes the need for restaurants to think innovatively, challenging the traditional models of business. He encourages restaurateurs to explore unconventional ideas, such as co-branding, creating new experiences like “dinner domes,” and offering unique consumer incentives to stand out in the market. Key Action Items: - Explore Co-Branding Opportunities: Partner with companies, such as clothing brands or local businesses, to create unique customer experiences and additional revenue streams, like product placements and sponsored uniforms. - Create Unique Customer Experiences: Consider ideas like outdoor “dinner domes” for winter dining or special event spaces, which not only offer memorable dining experiences but also generate additional revenue during slow seasons. - Develop a Subscription Model: Create a subscription-based loyalty program where regular customers receive perks, such as personalized greetings or monthly gift baskets, ensuring a steady customer base and increased engagement. - Leverage Unused Space for Revenue: Utilize unused restaurant or outdoor spaces for co-working or other activities during off-hours, maximizing your venue’s utility and profitability. - Gamify the Customer Experience: Innovate by offering customers the opportunity to “earn” while they dine through a rewards or gamification system that directly translates into monetary value, fostering loyalty and encouraging repeat visits. Idea #2 Maximizing Profitability Through Creative Revenue Streams Jay highlights that in today's market, restaurants can no longer rely on traditional revenue from dining alone. He advocates for exploring alternative revenue sources that capitalize on the restaurant’s assets and location. Key Action Items: - Host Special Events or Pop-Ups: Use your space for ticketed events, pop-up dinners, or collaborations with local chefs and vendors to attract new customers and generate additional income. - Offer Branded Merchandise: Create and sell branded items such as coffee mugs, t-shirts, or sauces. These products not only generate revenue but also serve as marketing tools when customers take them home. - Advertise Unused Space: Consider leasing out underutilized space in your restaurant (e.g., walls or rooftops) for local businesses or brands to advertise, creating a passive income stream. - Monetize Your Digital Channels: Launch a restaurant podcast or YouTube channel featuring behind-the-scenes content, cooking tips, or interviews with local influencers. This content can be sponsored or serve as a promotional tool. - Create a Corporate Partnership Program: Collaborate with local businesses to provide catering, meal plans, or subscription services for their employees. This can provide a steady stream of high-volume sales outside traditional dining hours. [Listen on Spotify]( [Listen on Apple Podcast]( 1 KEY LEARNING ❝ The biggest impact, I think, to our industry has been the Internet. If you took someone from 1985 and put them in today and said, ‘This is what the restaurant industry looks like,’ they wouldn't even know what it is. It’s completely different. [❞]( Jay Ashton’s quote reveals just how transformative the Internet has been for the restaurant industry. What used to be a business driven solely by food and hospitality is now an intricate, tech-heavy operation. From online ordering and delivery apps to social media and digital marketing, restaurants must now adapt to an entirely new set of tools and expectations. For those who don’t evolve, the gap between traditional methods and modern realities can make it difficult to compete. Jay's insight highlights the critical need to embrace the digital shift and modernize to stay relevant.  [Listen & Subscribe]( P.S. Love our podcast? Share your feedback and recommend our podcast to other restaurateurs who might appreciate a sprinkle of our episodes! #WiskingItAllPodcast [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [TikTok]( Sent to: {EMAIL} [Unsubscribe]( © 2024 Wisking It All... by WISK.ai WISK.ai, 488 Wellington St W , Suite 304, , Toronto, ON M5V 1E3, Canada