Taproom Success

TaproomSuccess.com
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Management
  • Biweekly

Taproom Success is the only podcast dedicated to providing brewery owners and operators with all the tools needed to run a successful brewery taproom business. Each episode will provide tips and strategies to achieve taproom success in the areas of marketing, food service, finances, e-commerce, software systems, business strategy and more.

  1. Oct 20

    The Free Sample Strategy: A Simple Way to Increase Taproom Sales

    Sometimes the best taproom ideas come from outside the beer industry. In this episode of the Taproom Success Podcast, Andrew shares an experience at a bowling alley where guests were given free samples of food and shortly afterward ordered both items they had sampled. That simple interaction sparked a question: Could breweries use free food samples to introduce guests to menu items and increase average check size? In this episode we explore how breweries might test this strategy, particularly when launching a new kitchen, adding menu items, or encouraging guests who normally only order beer to try the food. We also discuss the economics: Andrew shares data showing that taproom guests who order food can have significantly higher check totals. The idea is to run a small, measurable experiment and see whether a little taste can lead to a much bigger sale. A free sample can create demand. Giving guests a small taste may introduce them to something they didn't know they wanted and encourage them to order the full item.Food can dramatically increase average check size. Andrew cites taproom data showing average checks were about 95% higher when guests ordered food versus when they didn’t. Use sampling strategically. Consider testing it when introducing a new menu, opening a kitchen, promoting a high-margin item, or during a slower shift rather than giving samples to everyone all the time. Borrow ideas from outside the beer industry. Bowling alleys, Costco, ice cream shops, and other retailers offer lessons breweries can adapt to help guests spend more, stay longer, and have a better experience. Join the conversation at Taproom Success.com!

  2. Oct 6

    The 3 Drivers of Taproom Sales Growth

    In this episode of the Taproom Success Podcast, we break down taproom growth into 3 simple drivers: Traffic, average guest spend, and frequency of return visits. We explore practical tactics for each driver - from thinking beyond social media and using private events to attract new guests, to training staff to simply ask for the next purchase, to ending a guest interaction with the powerful question, “When will I see you again?” Key Takeaways: Focus on the Big Three: Grow taproom sales by increasing traffic, average guest spend, and visit frequency.Look beyond social media: Private events, email, text, your website, in-taproom promotion, and even old-school grassroots marketing can all help drive traffic. Train your staff around one simple, measurable behavior: Asking about food, another beer, to-go beer, loyalty programs, or the guest's next visit can increase sales without requiring more traffic. Turn ideas into action: Use an Impact/Effort Matrix to prioritize opportunities, choose one initiative, establish a measurement, set a deadline, and test whether it actually works. Join the conversation at Taproom Success.com!

  3. Sep 15

    Brewery Finance Basics: How to Build a Stronger, More Sustainable Taproom

    Running a successful taproom requires more than great beer and great hospitality, it requires a solid financial foundation. In this episode of Taproom Success, Kary introduces his new book, Brewery Finance Basics, a practical handbook designed to help brewery and taproom owners and managers build stronger, more financially sustainable businesses. The book is organized into 12 sections covering everything from growing sales and improving margins to managing cash flow and building financial standard operating procedures. Kary also shares one practical sales-growth strategy from the book: how to build a taproom ambassador program that turns your best customers into advocates who help spread the word, bring in new guests, and strengthen your brewery community. Financial skills are operating skills. Understanding the numbers helps taproom owners and managers make better everyday decisions about sales, labor, costs, pricing, and cash. Build simple financial systems. Brewery Finance Basics breaks brewery finance into 12 practical sections that can be used to create repeatable habits and financial SOPs. Turn your biggest fans into ambassadors. A taproom ambassador program gives loyal customers a reason -and a simple way - to introduce more people to your brewery. Start with one idea and put it into action. You don't need to overhaul everything at once. Choose one sales or financial improvement, implement it, measure the results, and build from there. Join the conversation at TaproomSuccess.com!

  4. Sep 1

    When Will We See You Next? The Simple Question That Brings Guests Back

    Great hospitality starts with the basics: greet guests warmly, take care of them while they’re there, and thank them before they leave. But there’s one more simple step that can help turn a great visit into a return visit: ask when you’ll see them next. In this episode, we explore how taproom staff can make the most of that final customer interaction. From mentioning an upcoming event or beer release, to inviting guests into your loyalty program, to offering a “gold envelope” mystery reward they can only open when they return, small prompts can give guests a reason - and a reminder - to come back. Don’t stop at “Thanks for coming in.” Add a simple question like, “When will we see you next?” to plant the seed for another visit. Give guests a specific reason to return. Mention an upcoming event, new beer release, weekly special, or other occasion and encourage them to put it on their calendar. Create a way to stay connected. A free loyalty program, email list, or text program allows you to continue the conversation after the guest leaves. Make the return visit fun. Try a “gold envelope” - a sealed mystery offer or gift that guests can only open when they come back. Join the conversation at TaproomSuccess.com!

  5. Aug 25

    The 30-Minute Weekly Habit That Builds a Better Taproom

    Taproom managers are busy working in the business, but the best operators make time each week to work on the business. In this episode, we break down a simple weekly financial huddle that takes 30 minutes, covers a handful of key numbers, and has the team ask and answer a few important questions. Learn how this weekly habit can help your team spot problems sooner, turn numbers into action, and build managers who think and act more like owners. Key Takeaways: Build a simple weekly rhythm. Set aside 30 minutes at the same time each week to review results, identify gaps, and decide what needs to happen next. Focus on the numbers that drive the taproom. Track a handful of metrics such as sales, customer traffic, average check, labor cost, events, loyalty sign-ups, or to-go sales. Turn numbers into action. Ask three questions every week: What’s working? What’s not working? What are we going to do about it? Then assign specific actions and review progress at the next meeting. Join the conversation at TaproomSuccess.com!

  6. Aug 11

    When the Taproom Is Empty, Does it Still Have a Vibe?

    A packed taproom creates its own energy, but what happens on a slow weekday afternoon when only a handful of guests walk through the door? In this episode, we explore how breweries can create a memorable experience regardless of how busy the room is. We’ll look at Secret Hopper data on staff engagement, music, atmosphere, and simple hospitality habits that can keep guests longer, increase spending, and give them a reason to come back. Key Takeaways: Your staff become the atmosphere when the room is quiet. Learn the simple engagement habits like introductions, recommendations, conversation, and check-ins, that can transform an awkward visit into a memorable one. Create a vibe that doesn’t depend on a crowd. Music, art, décor, and other thoughtful touches can make even an empty taproom feel welcoming and worth sticking around in. Turn slow periods into an opportunity. When staff have fewer guests competing for their attention, they have more opportunities to deliver exceptional hospitality, encourage another round, and turn first-time visitors into regulars. Join the conversation at TaproomSuccess.com!

  7. Jul 22

    Busy Season Is Here: Make Every Customer Count

    Summer brings the crowds, but busy doesn't automatically mean profitable. In this episode of Taproom Success, Kary and Andrew discuss how taproom managers can turn increased foot traffic into higher sales by mastering the basics, creating more buying opportunities, and making it easy for guests to spend more. Key Takeaways Start with the fundamentals. Friendly service, fast execution, and a clean, welcoming environment create the foundation for a memorable guest experience and stronger sales.Increase the value of every visit. Beyond beer and food, promote merchandise, mug clubs, gift cards, beer-to-go, private tours, and other high-margin offerings that guests may not know exist.Visibility and asking drive revenue. Make products easy to see, train staff to confidently recommend additional purchases, and remove any friction that makes it harder for customers to buy.Join the conversation at TaproomSuccess.com!

  8. Jul 8

    The Two Most Profitable Words in Your Taproom: "Want Another?"

    In this episode of Taproom Success, we dive into data from Secret Hopper that reveals how guest spending changes as taprooms get busier, why staff are actually less likely to ask one simple question during peak periods, and how asking "Want another?" can significantly increase average guest spend. Key Takeaways Learn how guest behavior changes as taprooms fill up and why a second drink often depends on a simple prompt.Discover the relationship between busy taprooms and the likelihood that servers suggest another beverage.Train your team with simple cues and service standards so asking "Want another?" becomes a consistent part of every guest interaction, especially during your busiest shifts.Join the conversation at TaproomSuccess.com!

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Taproom Success is the only podcast dedicated to providing brewery owners and operators with all the tools needed to run a successful brewery taproom business. Each episode will provide tips and strategies to achieve taproom success in the areas of marketing, food service, finances, e-commerce, software systems, business strategy and more.

Information

  • Creator
    TaproomSuccess.com
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © TaproomSuccess.com
  • Show Website
    Taproom Success

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