🍽️ 💪 Bold Brands Don’t Bend: Define Your Tribe

Welcome back to yet another edition of "On The House" your weekly reminder that in hospitality, we don’t just serve plates; we spin them, throw them, and sometimes smash them.

Let's jump right in and whip up some excitement in the world of hospitality, shall we?
On today's quick and tasty menu:

On today's quick and tasty menu:

• Taking Advantage of Experienced Colleagues—By Not …

• Bold Brands Don’t Bend: Define Your Tribe

Taking Advantage of Experienced Colleagues—By Not Listening to Them

When starting out in the F&B industry, you’re surrounded by people who’ve been around forever—industry veterans who’ve seen it all and done it all. And there’s a lot you can learn from them, no doubt. They’ve got the skills, the tricks, the know-how that comes with years of being in the trenches, but there one thing to to remember: don’t listen to everything they say.

Why? Because while their knowledge is priceless, their mentality isn’t always what you want to adopt.

Most of these veterans are running on autopilot. They’ve settled into the rhythm of “good enough.” They know how to get the job done, but they’ve probably lost that fire they had when they were in your shoes. They’ve been around long enough to see how things work and how to avoid making waves. But that drive? That hunger? It’s not there anymore. And that’s where you, with your energy and fresh perspective, have an edge.

What you need to do is soak up every bit of technical knowledge they have. They can teach you how to handle pressure, how to navigate kitchen chaos, and how to get through the tough days. But when it comes to mindset? Keep your distance. Youth is your superpower. That restless energy and drive you have right now is fleeting, and you can’t let anyone, no matter how experienced, dim that light.

Use both. Absorb their skills and experience like a sponge, but keep your ambition and fresh ideas intact. Take advantage of their decades of trial and error, but push forward with your own vision and intensity. Because while they might know how to do the job, you know how to take it to the next level.

The worst thing you can do is fall into the trap of doing things the way they’ve always been done. Learn from the veterans—but don’t become them. Your youth and drive are temporary—use them while you’ve got them.

Bold Brands Don’t Bend: Define Your Tribe

Here's the thing, if you bend over backward to make everyone happy, you’re already on the wrong path. Successful brands aren’t afraid to say, “This is who we are. If it’s not for you, that’s fine.” They know their people—and they’re not interested in the rest.

Take a steakhouse. A real one. No salads. No vegan options. Just steaks, cooked perfectly. They’re not pretending to be something they’re not. They’re telling vegetarians, “Look, this isn’t for you.” And guess what? Meat lovers eat that up. They come back, again and again, because it’s the one place that doesn’t compromise.

Or think about a noodle shop that just serves noodles. Nothing else. No desserts, no fried rice on the side. Just noodles. People know exactly what they’re getting, and if noodles are their thing, they’re hooked. There’s no fluff—just the best damn noodles you’ll get anywhere.

Look at Harley-Davidson. They’re not making bikes for soccer moms or commuters. They’re all about the outlaw spirit, the rebels who want to feel like they own the road. They don’t try to appeal to people who don’t get it. You’re either with them, or you’re not. And that’s exactly what makes Harley riders loyal as hell.

That’s how you build loyalty. You don’t water down your brand to try and catch everyone. You go all in for your people. You create a place that they feel is theirs. And when people feel that, they don’t just visit—they keep coming back because you’ve made something that actually means something.

So, quit playing it safe. Stand for something, and make it clear who you’re for and who you’re not for. In a world full of forgettable brands trying to please everyone, be the one that stands out. Be unapologetically, undeniably you.

That’s a wrap for today’s edition, we know you got something out of it so drop a vote down below and forward it to your peers or share it on your social.

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Stay sharp and keep making waves!

Weekly Angry Chef Meme