Free guides to fill your seats.
Crewli to run the place.
86 Empty Seats was my restaurant marketing service. The marketing guides for restaurant owners stay up, free. My focus now is Crewli, the app my business partner and I built to run your restaurant: menus, prep, closeouts and training.
Free guides
Restaurant marketing guides
Plain, practical guides on getting found, getting reviews, and bringing guests back. Pick a topic, or start with the newest.
Marketing & Promotions
Restaurant Gift Cards: How to Sell More of Them
Restaurant gift cards look like free money until they get redeemed. Here's how to sell more of them, what to charge, and what they really cost you.
SEO & Local Search
Restaurant Review Management That Takes 20 Minutes a Week
Restaurant review management doesn't need to eat your week. Here's what to monitor, which reviews to answer, and what your bad ones are really telling you.
SEO & Local Search
How to Optimize Google Business Profile for Restaurants
Your Google Business Profile for restaurants is what puts you on the map for nearby diners. Optimize every part, from menu and photos to reviews.
SEO & Local Search
How to Ask Customers for Reviews
How to ask customers for reviews without feeling pushy: when to ask, who should ask, and five word-for-word scripts your servers can steal for tonight's shift.
Email & Loyalty
How to Start a Restaurant Loyalty Program (Without an App)
You don't need pricey software to reward regulars. Start a restaurant loyalty program with a punch card, a free email tool, and perks that fit your spot.
Branding & Menus
Restaurant Color Schemes That Fill Seats
Restaurant color schemes do more than look pretty: how to pick a palette by your crowd and cuisine, and why your fonts, room, menu, and staff must all match it.