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If I was to do a podcast, this is maybe what it would be

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Hamm Homes

For a podcast, it could be about how to raise sales in the restaurant business.  Many years ago I was a regional manager for a company call Red Barn.  I was transfer to Ohio and took over 70 fast food restaurants, they where lacking in sales and the President of the company wanted results and fast.  I decided to put breakfast in the locations one restaurant at a time, 7 restaurant in a week, I would get them in.

To start with I had big banners made up to put on the streets that had 2 eggs and toast for 39 cents.    

Media generated by meta.ai  What a deal and eggs were not to costly them.  The key was to get people hook that we had breakfast now.  Of course we had buttermilk pancakes that where so big and other items.  Coffee back then was only 35 cents, all this was back in 1981.  I wanted it done right so I had to have 7 store managers and the 2 people they wanted as breakfast cook and I taught them how to make breakfast,  21 people and I was the teacher.

Media generated by meta.aiMedia generated by meta.ai It was fun teaching them.  

The next think to raise sales was every one customer that came in the first week would get a coupon for 1 chicken dinner from 4 P.M. to close.  We had great chicken dinners and need to get the sales that the President of the company wanted.  

 Up up and away the sales when and it help the company and made my people look good.                                                                                        Media generated by meta.ai

This podcast is about sales going up for Debi and Kathy assignment.

 

Comments(29)

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Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

Never heard of Red Barn, of course in the early 80s I lived in Alaska and there weren't a lot of chains where I lived.

Oct 05, 2025 12:43 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Will, I don't really remember Red Barn in Denver, but know you came here with them.

Oct 05, 2025 01:47 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Carol Williams, Well McDonalds had it before Red Barn.

Oct 05, 2025 02:44 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Wayne Martin, what happen to the old days when we could go out to eat more.

 

Oct 05, 2025 02:44 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Joan Cox,  we had one on I-25 and 84th ave. and 72nd and federal. and 6 more.

Oct 05, 2025 02:45 PM
Adam Feinberg
Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

When I was a teenager I was a busboy and later a waiter- making $20-25 hour in tips in the late 80's/early 90's. I was always amazed at how easy it can be to provide great service and how many people got it wrong. If someone orders burgers and fries- make sure to bring ketchup...it wasn't that hard to predict basic customer needs like that. That's why as a busboy I was making more than the waitresses when I was 14 - simply because a saw a waitress carrying burgers & fries and no ketchup- I would run to get ketchup. Or breakfast- if someone ordered pancakes- make sure to bring syrups to the table. While running a restaurant can be very challenging- great customer service doesn't always have to be. 

Oct 05, 2025 03:45 PM
Kathy Streib

Adam Feinberg I couldn't agree more!!!  I love to give a larger tip to the waitstaff who go the extra mile...bring the syrup with the pancakes instead of having to ask for it. 

Oct 05, 2025 06:15 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Will- what a fun idea for a podcast!!! I know I'd listen.  You'd be surprised how many people don't know how to make eggs. 

Oct 05, 2025 06:16 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Will - your history in the restaurant industry seems like a natural way to start a life in the podcast world.  You could serve some learning experiences, recipes as well as other ways to attract and engage customers.  Hey, the segue to life as a real estate professional could be on the menu too - perhaps a combination offering.  

Oct 06, 2025 03:51 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Adam and you knew what great service means and how it pays off.

 

Oct 06, 2025 07:07 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kathy Streib  you are right about some people so not know how to make eggs and how many ways you can make them.

 

Oct 06, 2025 07:09 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Michael Jacobs, funny you should say that.  Our Real Estate guy quit and the President ask me what I knew about tripe net leases that we had 3 restaurant that need to be renew

Oct 06, 2025 07:10 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Don Baker wish we had one up there that I could spend time in Alaska

 

Oct 06, 2025 07:13 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Dennis Neal and you always need to a special to hook people I say.

 

Oct 06, 2025 07:14 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello George Souto and I was undecided it that would work

Oct 06, 2025 07:15 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thank you so much for sharing this insightful post, Will Hamm. Your stories about boosting restaurant sales are both inspiring and practical, and I really appreciate the way you break down what works so clearly. It’s a gift to learn from your experiences, and I’m grateful you took the time to share it here on ActiveRain.

Oct 06, 2025 11:34 AM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Douglas Elliman Las Olas - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

Those were the days Will Hamm Were you promoted for this big idea that brought more customers through the door? 

Oct 06, 2025 11:36 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Eileen Burns,  I would always say what ever it takes, just do it!

 

Oct 06, 2025 03:04 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Lew Cororan, I pick up lots of tricks over the years in the restaurant business.

Oct 06, 2025 03:05 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Oct 11, 2025 06:09 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

That would be an interesting idea for a podcast - and might also be unique!

Oct 12, 2025 04:50 AM