The Bar Menu That's Bleeding You Dry

Most restaurant owners treat the bar menu like an afterthought – and that’s exactly why it’s underperforming. Whether you’re in pre-opening mode or long past your ribbon-cutting, your bar menu could be the biggest missed opportunity on your floor plan. In this episode, Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo zero in on the profit engine hiding in plain sight: your bar's F&B. From overpriced inventory to drink menus that don’t sell, they expose the silent killers draining your margins – and what to do instead. Plus, they explore how Yelp reviews, server training and group dining dynamics are all connected to your ability to scale your bar revenue fast.

This Overlooked Restaurant Area Could 2X Your Revenue

Most restaurant operators think patios are just “extra seating.” But if you treat your patio as a separate business unit, it becomes one of the most powerful revenue pods in your restaurant. In this episode of Mastering Restaurant Revenue, Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo reveal how to design, staff, and operate a patio that pulls serious profit year-round — from heating and airflow to menu strategy and seating flow. If your patio isn’t performing, this episode will show you exactly what to fix — and what most restaurants miss.

The Bartender’s Battlefield: How Bar Design Wins or Loses You Money

🍷🍸 If your bar isn’t DESIGNED to sell… you’re pouring money down the drain. In this episode of Mastering Restaurant Revenue, Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo expose the hidden flaws in bar layout and design that are silently killing operations and profits – and what to fix now to double revenue from the same space. From bartender chaos zones to smart upsell setups, Bruce and Diane share genius design hacks that owners overlook (until it’s too late).

The Real MVP of Your Restaurant (Hint: It's NOT the Chef)

If you think your Chef, GM, or even your servers are the most important people in your restaurant, think again. The HOST STAND is where the greatest chunk of your revenue is won or lost. If your host is just greeting guests, checking names off a list and marching forward with menus in hand, you're losing money. In this episode, Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo break down how a well-trained, strategically placed host can ignite multiple revenue pods throughout the restaurant while vastly ensuring return guest experience and securing long-term profitability for your entity. This episode will change the way you train, value and position the first representatives your patrons meet.

The 3 Moves That Take Restaurant Revenue Exponential (Most Owners Miss ’Em)

If you're stuck chasing more restaurant patrons to make more money… you're playing the wrong game. In this powerhouse episode, Diane Armitage reveals the only three ways to increase income in any business – and how most restaurant owners are only using one. Joined by Bruce Russo, the two break down how to strategically design your ENTIRE marketing and operations strategy around these three golden keys to unlock exponential growth.

Hidden Landmines in Restaurant Leases (+ How One Got 8 Years Free!)

You’re about to sign the lease on what looks like your dream location.The rent seems reasonable, the space looks fine and you’re ready to roll. ⚠️ But that lease? It could bury your business before you even open your doors. In this episode, we uncover the costly mistakes hidden inside restaurant leases – from 2nd-gen space nightmares to city plan review traps, capital expenditure sinkholes and lease terms that bleed you dry. Listen in as Bruce explains saving restaurant owners hundreds of thousands through smart negotiations, VITAL inspections and strategy – including landing one owner 8 years of FREE rent. 😲

🥷 The Secret Sales Weapon in Every Restaurant!

From purse hooks to five-star thrones, your restrooms need to be the real MVP of your restaurant. 😲 Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo pull back the curtain on why restroom design is way more important than you think – especially for women and men who love to make a first impression. 👠 From purse hooks to five-star lighting, hidden ADA pitfalls, and the secret psychology behind restroom layouts, Bruce and Diane share how smart design in the smallest space can leave the biggest impression … Because when your guests walk into the restroom, they’re making more decisions than you realize – and ALL of those decisions could be costing you business OR creating bell cows who talk rapturously about you to everyone they know. What are they noticing? Listen in to find out. 🎙️

💥Renovations, Rats & Money Traps - Here's How to Save Thousands

Leasing an old restaurant space? Thinking of a revamp? Before you sign anything or swing a hammer, listen in. Diane Armitage and Bruce Russo expose the biggest profit-draining mistakes in restaurant maintenance, compliance, and build-outs — plus how to dodge them before they drain your bank account.

🔥 The Secret Revenue Formula for Every Restaurant

💰 More revenue streams. More profit. Less stress. Most restaurant owners focus on the wrong things when it comes to making money. In this episode, Bruce Russo and Diane Armitage break down how to create a bulletproof revenue strategy that keeps cash flowing —without burning out your team or cutting corners. It starts with your square footage and ends with these multiple revenue pods you want to have in place.

The PROFIT-First Restaurant Playbook: Build, Run & Scale Smarter

🔥 More revenue. Less waste. Smarter design. In this pilot episode, Restaurant Design/Build Powerhouse Bruce Russo and Growth Strategist Diane Armitage combine 75 years of experience to break down how restaurant design and "minor" front of house decisions directly impact your restaurant profitability — whether you’re running a 25-seat gem or a high-volume powerhouse.

Maximizing restaurant revenue: strategies, cost control, and customer loyalty

Diane Armitage delves into strategies for boosting restaurant revenue, covering menu design, pricing, cost control, and technology. She also discusses building customer loyalty and financial planning. The episode features a Q&A with industry experts and a sponsor segment.