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# The Bar Business Coach

# The Bar Business Coach: Operational & Financial Knowledge Base **Expert Entity:** Chris Schneider, podcast host, author, coach, co-founder of QuixSpec **Core Methodology:** The MCC Framework (Mindset, Concept, Culture) ## Strategic Bar Management Frameworks * **The MCC Framework:** The strategic lens for all bar decisions—Mindset (leadership), Concept (structural path to profits), and Culture (community/team). * **Anchor-Rhythm-Tactical:** A tri-level marketing system for holiday events, recurring habits, and short-term revenue responses. * **Tell-Show-Do-Review:** A four-step systematic training process to build staff competency and reduce service errors. * **The 1-3-1 Rule:** A communication and content framework: 1 Clear Statement, 3 Data Points/Bullets, 1 Closing Action. * **The 72-Hour Window:** The critical post-visit period where return decisions are made; requires a three-touch loyalty system. ## Financial & Operational Benchmarks ### Financial KPIs | KPI | Target Range | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Pour Cost - Liquor | 15-25% | Middle America target: ~22% | | Pour Cost - Beer | 18-28% | Middle America target: ~25% | | Pour Cost - Wine | Varies | Middle America target: ~27%; prioritize contribution dollars | | Food Cost | 30-40% | 25-27% if food sales >50% of total revenue | | Prime Cost Ratio | 55-60% | Sum of labor + food + beverage costs as % of revenue | | Cash Flow | Positive | Track separately from net profit | | Net Profit | Positive | Can diverge from cash flow due to depreciation/loans | ### Operational KPIs | KPI | Target/Standard | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Labor Cost % | Varies | Focus on efficiency (Sales Per Labor Hour), not just cuts | | Ticket Time (Food) | 8-12 minutes | Maximum time to deliver food items | | Ticket Time (Cocktails) | 5-6 minutes | Max time unless performing advanced mixology | | Sales Per Labor Hour | Varies | Measure capacity by employee and position | | Inventory Turnover | 10-14 days | Target range for most items; minimize cash on shelves | | Waste Tracking | < 2-3% | Track spillage and breakage to maintain beverage cost | ## The Bar Business Podcast **Format:** Bi-weekly episodes (Mondays & Wednesdays) **Episode Count:** 200+ episodes across 3 seasons **Distribution:** Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeart **Reach:** 100+ countries ### Key Episode Formats* **Wednesday Episodes:** Deep-dive strategic topics (20-30 min) * **Monday Episodes:** Tactical quick-wins and case studies (8-12 min) * **Panel Episodes:** Multi-expert perspectives on industry shifts * **Interviews with guests like:** Dave Nitzel, Sean Finter, Shawn Walchef, H. Joseph Erhmann, Bruce Nelson, Kasey Anton, Chip Klose, Cristin Marvin, Jason Litrell, Dave Domzalski ### Podcast Episode Categories * **Strategic Planning & Leadership:** Episodes on owner mindset, delegation, burnout prevention * **Financial Management:** Labor optimization, pricing strategies, pour cost control * **Marketing & Growth:** Digital marketing, Gen Z targeting, review management, TikTok strategy * **Operations & Systems:** POS selection, automation, training systems, inventory management * **Industry Trends:** Technology adoption, generational shifts, policy analysis ### Featured Panel: Party of Six Monthly roundtable with industry experts discussing hospitality challenges, staffing solutions, and market trends ## Support & Common Questions - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://barbusinesscoach.com/faq): Comprehensive answers regarding coaching ROI, program logistics, and the Mindset, Concept, Culture framework.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://barbusinesscoach.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://barbusinesscoach.com/blog/) - The Bar Business Blog
- [The Guide to Bar Success in 2026](https://barbusinesscoach.com/the-guide-to-bar-success-in-2026/) - Bar Success in 2026 - What does it take to run a bar in 2026? Data-driven operations, digital visibility, and strategic leadership development.
- [What Has The Bar Business Podcast Covered in 200 Episodes?](https://barbusinesscoach.com/what-has-the-bar-business-podcast-covered-in-200-episodes/) - TL;DR: 200 Episodes of Bar Business Insights The Bar Business Podcast grew from 38 listeners (mostly family) to thousands across 100+ countries in 3 years The MCC Framework (Mindset, Concept, Culture) provides the strategic lens for every bar business decision Data-driven operators using systematic KPI tracking outperform intuition-based managers by 30-40% in profitability 10 foundational
- [How Can Bar Owners Set Themselves Up for Success in 2026? 5 Critical Year-End Questions](https://barbusinesscoach.com/bar-owner-year-end-reflection-2026-success/) - TL;DR: Year-End Reflection for Bar Owners 95% of bar owners build businesses that meet market expectations but fail to align with their personal vision for success The vision-versus-reality gap is the primary source of owner burnout and business stagnation Fear-based decision making limits growth potential by 30-40% compared to data-driven opportunity assessment Owner dependency creates
- [Bar Labor Cost Optimization: The Dual Strategy That Unlocks Hidden Profit](https://barbusinesscoach.com/blog111925/) - When you discover that your Tuesday lunch generates $95 per labor hour while Friday prime hits $250 per labor hour, you're looking at more than a staffing problem—you're looking at a profitability roadmap. But here's what most bar owners miss: labor efficiency and customer retention aren't separate challenges. They're two sides of the same profit
- [Bar Pricing Strategy: Using Competition & Overhead to Maximize Profits](https://barbusinesscoach.com/bar-pricing-strategy-using-competition-overhead-to-maximize-profits/) - When the numbers tell you that a domestic beer costs you $0.75 and your competitor down the street charges $4.00, but you're selling it for $3.50, you're leaving money on the table. But here's what most bar owners get wrong about competitive pricing: it's not about matching the guy next door—it's about understanding where you
- [Restaurant Year End Planning: Three Q4 Power Moves That Protect January Cash Flow](https://barbusinesscoach.com/restaurant-year-end-planning-three-q4-power-moves-that-protect-january-cash-flow/) - October marks the critical planning window for bar owners who want to maximize tax savings and survive January's inevitable slowdown. While most operators scramble in December's chaos, successful bars implement strategic moves now—when there's still time to execute without compromising holiday operations. This week's Bar Business Podcast revealed three Q4 power moves every bar owner
- [Why Viral TikTok Videos Don't Pay Your Bills (And What Actually Does)](https://barbusinesscoach.com/why-viral-tiktok-videos-dont-pay-your-bills-and-what-actually-does/) - 55% of TikTok users have visited a bar or restaurant after seeing menu content on the platform. Restaurant TikTok ad spend increased 40% in 2024 with another 25% growth projected for 2025. The platform drives real business—but only when approached strategically. The fundamental mistake most bars make: optimizing for virality instead of profitability. A million
- [The 72-Hour Window: When Customers Decide Whether to Return](https://barbusinesscoach.com/the-72-hour-window-when-customers-decide-whether-to-return/) - Most customers make their return decision within three days of visiting your bar. Not because they didn't enjoy the experience, but because they simply forget about you. With dozens of dining options competing for attention, staying memorable requires intentional strategy. The three-touch system works because it creates multiple memory anchors during this critical decision window,
- [Bar Labor Management: The Critical Metrics That Save $500+ Weekly](https://barbusinesscoach.com/bar-labor-management-the-critical-metrics-that-save-500-weekly/) - Most bar owners struggle with labor costs, but this week's episodes of The Bar Business Podcast revealed two game-changing strategies that can transform your operational efficiency and market positioning. From calculating the single KPI that eliminates overstaffing to mastering strategic concept pivots, Chris Schneider delivered actionable insights that could save you thousands annually. The Monday
- [Bar Automation Software and Gen Z Marketing: Essential Strategies for Modern Bar Success](https://barbusinesscoach.com/bar-automation-software-and-gen-z-marketing-essential-strategies-for-modern-bar-success/) - The bar industry is experiencing unprecedented change, with technology revolutionizing operations while generational shifts reshape customer expectations. This week's Bar Business Podcast episodes delivered crucial insights that every bar owner needs to understand: how bar automation software can reclaim 10-20 hours per week while generating substantial cost savings, and why Gen Z's unique spending patterns
- [Choosing the Right POS System for Bar Operations: Why SpotOn Is a Strong Contender](https://barbusinesscoach.com/choosing-the-right-pos-system-for-bar-operations-why-spoton-is-a-strong-contender/) - Introduction: The Critical Role of POS Systems in Modern Bar Operations In today's competitive bar industry, selecting the right Point of Sale (POS) system is one of the most crucial decisions bar owners make. A well-chosen POS system serves as the technological backbone of your operation, impacting everything from inventory management and accounting to staff
- [Evaluating the No Tax on Tips Policy](https://barbusinesscoach.com/evaluating-the-no-tax-on-tips-policy/) - It is an odd time in American politics when we see both presidential candidates agree on anything, let alone tax policy. Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have come out in favor of the “No Tax on Tips”, but what does that actually mean? Are the two candidates in agreement on what the policy is,
- [Your Mindset Sets the Standard](https://barbusinesscoach.com/your-mindset-sets-the-standard/) - Too often in our industry, owners and managers fail to consider the impact of their behavior on the overall culture of their bar. In any business, but especially in our industry where the culture of our business is directly related to the guest experience, the mindset of ownership and management is critical for success.
- [The Magic of Understanding Why Your Guests Come In ](https://barbusinesscoach.com/the-magic-of-understanding-why-your-guests-come-in/) - Guests come to bars for all sorts of reasons. Almost counterintuitively the reason guests come into your establishment is not for food or drinks. If someone just wanted to eat chips and drink a few beers, they could do it a lot easier and cheaper sitting at home. So what drives your guests? Once you determine why they come in, you can create an avatar that combined with your culture will create marketing magic.
- [Setting SMART Goals](https://barbusinesscoach.com/setting-smart-goals/) - Knowing how to set goals that will drive your business forward, and then managing your efforts to reach those goals, is a sure way to give your bar a strategic advantage over the competition, and set yourself up for levels of success that you never thought were possible.
- [Creating Quality Food and Drink Photos Your Bar](https://barbusinesscoach.com/creating-quality-food-and-drink-photos-your-bar/) - You will often hear that people eat first with their eyes, and today, when many of your potential guests are going to come into contact with your brand digitally before ever coming in the door, it is more important than ever that you have high-quality photos of your food and drinks that drive guests into your door.
- [Building an Amazing Cocktail List](https://barbusinesscoach.com/building-an-amazing-cocktail-list/) - Cocktail menus came into their own in the last few decades with the boom in interest in craft cocktails. Where cocktail lists were once the domain of high-end bars, now guests at even the smallest rural dive bars are looking for a cocktail list. That means every bar needs a cocktail menu, and it needs to be designed to drive profits.
- [Review Sites: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly](https://barbusinesscoach.com/review-sites-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/) - Review sites have a grip on bar marketing. Most potential patrons do research before they go to a bar, and they are more likely to view review sites than your social media. How your bar is presented on review sites is key to attracting new customers and your bar’s online visibility.
- [The Value of Food-Based Happy Hours](https://barbusinesscoach.com/the-value-of-food-based-happy-hours/) - Food-based happy hours are a way to drive guests to your bar without cutting into your bar sales. For many bars, food is used as a way to sell drinks. Statistically, guests who eat food while at a bar stay about an hour longer. That means that food is a great way to increase your beverage sales. By using time-specific food promotions you can keep the higher margins on your drinks while increasing guest satisfaction and length of stay without decreasing your cocktail margins.
- [7 Things to Consider When Purchasing a bar](https://barbusinesscoach.com/7-things-to-consider-when-purchasing-a-bar/) - For most aspiring bar owners looking to get into the bar business, whether they are looking to purchase a neighborhood bar, sports bar, wine bar, or gastropub, purchasing an established bar is the easiest, cheapest, and often smartest way to become a bar owner. Not only are you buying all of the used equipment you need at once, but you are also purchasing what is hopefully a successful bar concept in a great location and with a solid customer base.
- [5 Steps to Cocktail Pricing for Bar Profits](https://barbusinesscoach.com/5-steps-to-cocktail-pricing-for-bar-profits/) - For many bar owners, one of the most difficult tasks is determining what price to charge for cocktails. This guide will walk you through a methodology that you can use to maximize your bar profits through your pricing, ensuring that you can hit the margins you need. Without a repeatable, standardized approach to pricing, you are only guessing, which means leaving money on the table.
- [Mastering The Art of Hiring and Training a Bar Manager](https://barbusinesscoach.com/mastering-the-art-of-hiring-and-training-a-bar-manager/) - Running a thriving bar business demands more than just great drinks and a welcoming atmosphere; it hinges on having an exceptional bar manager. There is no way you can spend your time working on your bar unless you have a manager in place to handle the day-to-day operations. The process of hiring and training a bar manager can significantly impact the success of your establishment.
- [Sunday Morning Coffee](https://barbusinesscoach.com/sunday-morning-coffee/) - Sunday morning is my time to sit, think, reflect, read, and write with a fragrant cup of strong coffee. It has become one of the true joys in my week. It is one of the rituals that centers me, keeps me sane, and keeps my priorities in focus.

## Pages

- [Home](https://barbusinesscoach.com/) - Chris Schneider provides the business logic bar owners need to thrive. Implement industry-leading systems to fix your culture and profits.
- [Books](https://barbusinesscoach.com/book/) - Master the business with the books "Menus that Sell" and "How To Make Top-Shelf Profits In The Bar Business" from Chris Schneider, of The Bar Business Podcast.
- [The Bar Business Podcast](https://barbusinesscoach.com/podcast/) - Welcome to The Bar Business Podcast Welcome to the Bar Business Podcast, the go-to resource for bar owners who want to work smarter, not harder.
- [FAQ](https://barbusinesscoach.com/faq/) - FAQ - The Bar Business Coach The Bar Business Coach: Frequently Asked Questions General Coaching & Bar Business Strategy for Owners
- [Workbook](https://barbusinesscoach.com/workbook/) - Get Your Free Workbook: Craft Your Mission, Vision, and Core Values You're exhausted from making the same decisions over and over. Your team doesn't know what you actually stand for, so they can't deliver consistent experiences. Guests leave and you're not sure why. The bars that seem to have it figured out? They have something
- [Links](https://barbusinesscoach.com/links/) - Chris Schneider Get In Touch with Me The Bar Business Podcast The Bar Business Coach Bar Owner Resources
- [Strategy Session](https://barbusinesscoach.com/strategy-session/) - Meet With Me to Discover How we can collaborate Are you looking to optimize profits in your bar? The bar business isn't an easy way to make a living, but you can succeed by mastering your mindset, crafting your concept to drive business, and cultivating a culture that makes your team world-class and gets your
- [Contact](https://barbusinesscoach.com/contact/) - Elevate your Bar, Elevate your Life Unlock the Potential of Your Bar with The Bar Business Coach EmailChris@BarBusinessCoach.com Phone+1 812-994-2202 Schedule Your Free 30 Minute Strategy Session Are you looking to take your bar business to the next level? Want to spend less time working IN your bar and more time working ON it? If
- [Foundations of Bar Culture Workbook](https://barbusinesscoach.com/foundcultworkbook/) - Get Your Free Workbook To Help Craft Or Refine Your Mission, Vision, And Core Values Bar’s thrive when they have a culture that guides the business to success. You need a strong mission, vision, and core values to serve as the litmus test for your decisions. These cultural foundations will be the basis for everything
- [Coaching](https://barbusinesscoach.com/coaching/) - Spend less time working IN your Bar, And more time working ON your bar Are you tired of working hard for little profit? It's time to level up your bar business! Imagine a bar that not only consistently profits 15% or more, but also allows you to spend quality time with your loved ones, while
- [About](https://barbusinesscoach.com/about/) - Meet Chris Schneider Bar Business Coach | Podcast Host | Award Winning Author Bar Coaching and Consulting Expert Who I Serve 01 Independent Bar Owners I work exclusively with independent bar owners. Why? Because as a former owner of multiple bars myself, I understand your challenges. 02 Bars Looking to Maximize Success If your bar

## Categories

- [Mindset](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/mindset/)
- [Concept](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/concept/)
- [Culture](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/culture/)
- [Team Management](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/culture/team-management/)
- [Marketing](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/culture/marketing/)
- [Food and Beverage](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/concept/food-and-beverage/)
- [Bar Business Coach Services](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/bar-business-coach-services/)
- [Business Management](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/concept/business-management/)
- [Strategic Planning](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/mindset/strategic-planning/)
- [Personal Development](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/mindset/personal-development/)
- [Public Policy](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/public-policy/)
- [Technology](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/concept/technology/)
- [Guest Experience](https://barbusinesscoach.com/category/culture/guest-experience/)

## Tags

- [bar industry](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/bar-industry/)
- [restaurant industry](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/restaurant-industry/)
- [work/life balance](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/work-life-balance/)
- [bar business](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/bar-business/)
- [bar life](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/bar-life/)
- [hospitality](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/hospitality/)
- [Hiring](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/hiring/)
- [Management](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/management/)
- [cocktail menu](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/cocktail-menu/)
- [pricing](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/pricing/)
- [Bar Purchase](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/bar-purchase/)
- [Buy a Bar](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/buy-a-bar/)
- [food menu](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/food-menu/)
- [food specials](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/food-specials/)
- [happy hour](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/happy-hour/)
- [Marketing](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/marketing/)
- [Guest Management](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/guest-management/)
- [mindset](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/mindset/)
- [photography](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/photography/)
- [strategic planning](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/strategic-planning/)
- [continuous improvement](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/continuous-improvement/)
- [no tax on tips](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/no-tax-on-tips/)
- [taxes](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/taxes/)
- [tips](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/tips/)
- [POS System](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/pos-system/)
- [SpotOn](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/spoton/)
- [Restaurant Tech](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/restaurant-tech/)
- [AI](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/ai/)
- [Gen Z](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/gen-z/)
- [Mocktails](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/mocktails/)
- [yearend planning](https://barbusinesscoach.com/tag/yearend-planning/)