Obsessed with the success of independent hospitality brands.
We continuously seek and implement cutting-edge technology to provide independent restaurants and spirits brands with the most effective tools for success.
We operate with honesty and transparency, ensuring our clients receive genuine value and trustworthy support.
We believe in the power of teamwork, both within our organization and with our clients, to achieve shared goals and create a supportive community.
We are committed to delivering the highest quality services and support, striving for excellence in everything we do to elevate our clients' businesses.
Our clients' needs and success are at the heart of our business. We tailor our solutions to meet their specific challenges and objectives, ensuring personalized and impactful results. Solving the problem will always be the direction of our products and services.
We embrace change and are agile in our approach, ready to adapt to the evolving needs of the hospitality and spirits industries.
We promote sustainable business practices that benefit not only our clients but also the broader community and environment, supporting long-term success and responsible growth.
We are dedicated to learning and growing, constantly enhancing our coaching, strategy, systems, and support to better serve independent restaurants and spirits brands.
We aim to empower our clients with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to independently drive their businesses forward, fostering a culture of self-reliance and innovation.
We provide insightful and actionable strategies to help our clients navigate their business challenges and achieve their goals effectively.
Our commitment to ongoing support ensures that our clients always have the assistance they need to implement and sustain our solutions successfully.
In the digital age, a business’s reputation can make or break its success, especially in the hospitality industry. With online reviews and social media playing a major role in how guests perceive your brand, reputation management has never been more critical. The good news? With the right strategies, you can turn even the toughest feedback into an opportunity to elevate your brand and build a loyal guest base. Here’s how to master reputation management and make your hospitality brand shine.
Online reviews are often the first impression potential guests have of your business. Studies show that 90% of people read reviews before visiting a restaurant, bar, or hotel, and the difference between a 3-star and 5-star rating can be dramatic. But it’s not just about the stars—how you handle both positive and negative feedback also matters.
Practical Tip: Encourage satisfied guests to leave a review by making it simple and seamless. A friendly reminder on receipts or a follow-up email can go a long way.
Every review, whether positive or negative, deserves a thoughtful response. When guests leave a glowing review, thank them and mention something specific they praised. For negative feedback, respond promptly and professionally, showing that you’re taking their concerns seriously and explaining any steps you’re taking to address the issue. Remember, how you handle criticism can win over potential guests who are reading your reviews.
Practical Tip: Use templates for common responses but personalize them to each reviewer. This keeps the tone consistent yet authentic.
Reputation management doesn’t stop with reviews. Regularly monitor mentions of your brand across social media, blogs, and news articles. Tools like Google Alerts or social listening platforms can help you stay on top of what people are saying about your business. By catching conversations early, you can engage with your audience and even address concerns before they escalate.
Practical Tip: Set up alerts for your business name and related keywords to stay informed about what’s being said and where.
Guest feedback is a goldmine of information for improving your service. Analyze common themes in reviews to identify areas for improvement. If multiple guests mention long wait times or a lack of menu variety, these are opportunities to refine your operation. Additionally, don’t just focus on the negatives—celebrate what you’re doing well and continue to build on those strengths.
Practical Tip: Schedule regular team meetings to review guest feedback and create an action plan for improvements. This keeps everyone in the loop and engaged in enhancing the guest experience.
Don’t wait for reviews to come in—take control of your online reputation by actively promoting the good. Share guest testimonials on your website and social media, highlight staff achievements, and showcase any awards or recognitions your business has received. The more positive content you share, the more balanced your online presence becomes.
Practical Tip: Feature “guest of the month” highlights or post stories of memorable guest experiences to humanize your brand and foster goodwill.
Reputation management isn’t a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing practice that should be part of your company culture. Empower your staff to deliver exceptional experiences, and create a feedback loop where guest input informs how you operate. When reputation management becomes second nature, your business will naturally shine.
Ready to take your reputation management to the next level? Join our free community of ambitious hospitality operators at hospitalitystrategylab.com for more tips, resources, and support. Plus, be the first to know when new podcast episodes drop by rating and subscribing to the Hospitality Strategy Lab podcast!
Your reputation is your greatest asset—manage it wisely.
With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Jason Littrell has established himself as a leading consultant and strategist, specializing in helping bars and restaurants maximize their efficiency and profitability. His expertise spans a wide range of essential areas, including operational management, staff training, customer experience, and technology integration.
Jason is the founder of Kinetic Management Systems, a cutting-edge suite of tools designed to automate and optimize the day-to-day operations of hospitality businesses. Through his systems, Jason offers solutions for everything from staff recruitment and onboarding to customer retention and feedback management. His approach combines innovative technology with proven strategies to deliver results that are both measurable and scalable.
A passionate educator and speaker, Jason regularly hosts workshops and seminars, sharing his knowledge on how to leverage AI and automation to thrive in a competitive market. His insights are rooted in practical experience, having worked on the ground in various capacities within the industry—from bartender to manager, and now, consultant.
Jason also manages a vibrant online community, "Bar Teams," where he fosters discussions and collaboration among hospitality professionals. Here, members gain access to exclusive content, including training sessions, industry news, and peer support.
His commitment to excellence and innovation in hospitality has not only transformed the operations of numerous establishments but has also inspired many to pursue and achieve greater success. Jason's work is driven by a core belief: that the right mix of people, processes, and technology can turn any hospitality business into a thriving, profitable enterprise.