86 Opinions

Welcome to 86 Opinions, the unapologetic marketing and strategy podcast built for restaurant and food truck owners who are tired of the noise, the gimmicks, and the guesswork. Hosted by The Digital Chef himself, Doug Maxon, this show cuts through the chaos and serves up real strategy — no fluff, no filters, just facts that fill seats. Doug’s been in your shoes — long days, short margins, and that constant grind of trying to keep a kitchen running and a business growing. He’s taken those hard-learned lessons from running restaurants and food trucks and turned them into a playbook for the modern food entrepreneur. Now, he’s bringing that playbook straight to the mic. Each episode of 86 Opinions delivers a raw, real-world look at what it actually takes to build, brand, and scale a food business in today’s digital world. You won’t hear cookie-cutter marketing talk or generic advice that doesn’t apply to the industry — just powerful insights built around The Digital Chef’s ABCs of Restaurant Marketing Framework: A: Acquire Social Trust — How to get more 5-star reviews, build your Google presence, and turn reputation into revenue.B: Build Brand Identity — How to craft content that’s scroll-stopping, story-driven, and makes people crave what you do.C: Customer Acquisition & Retention — How to use automation, ads, and AI to bring guests back again and again.This isn’t about being the loudest restaurant on social media — it’s about being the smartest. Doug breaks down everything from modern marketing systems and reputation management to AI-driven tools, loyalty programs, and storytelling that sells. And yes — he’ll challenge you to think differently. To question the outdated marketing tactics that no longer work. To stop blaming “the algorithm” and start building systems that can run even when you’re not in the kitchen. You’ll learn how to: Turn your reviews into marketing gold.Build a social media presence that actually drives foot traffic.Automate your customer follow-ups like a pro.Understand the psychology behind menu engineering, brand identity, and local SEO.Stay ahead of the curve with AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making.86 Opinions isn’t just a podcast — it’s your weekly strategy session. Your behind-the-line masterclass in how to survive, scale, and dominate the modern food business. Every episode is short, punchy, and packed with practical tactics you can put to work today. If you’re running a restaurant, food truck, coffee shop, or bar and you’ve ever thought, “There’s gotta be a better way to market this place,” — this is it. This is where you’ll find that better way. So grab your coffee (or your cold brew), step out of the kitchen for 15 minutes, and tune in. Because success in this industry isn’t about luck — it’s about systems, strategy, and showing up. 🔥 What You’ll Get: Actionable restaurant marketing strategies that actually work.Unfiltered takes on branding, automation, and digital growth.Real talk from someone who’s lived it — not just studied it.Occasional guest features from the people pushing the industry forward.🎯 Why You’ll Love It:You won’t find another podcast that speaks the language of the restaurant world and understands the digital battlefield like this one. 86 Opinions blends chef grit with marketing precision — it’s where culinary hustle meets digital strategy.