The Toothbrush Test (And Why Your Staff Isn’t The Problem)

Remember that Wisconsin sports bar owner from last week? The one doing millions a year while spending four months in Arizona?

Ryan Gromfin (the Restaurant Boss) and I kept going. Because there’s more to this story than just “caring about your people.”

There’s the how.

Ryan told me this story about brushing teeth. Stay with me here.

When you were a kid, did you brush your teeth perfectly every morning and night? Of course not. Your parents had to remind you. Thousands of times.

Here’s Ryan’s question: At what number did they stop loving you?

Was it reminder #5? #20? #100? When did your parents walk into their bedroom and say, “That’s it. We’re done with this kid. We’re kicking him out because he can’t brush his teeth”?

Never. Because they loved you.

So why do you give up on your staff after asking them to do something two or three times?

In Part 2, Ryan and I break down:

• The toothbrush test – and why you’re probably failing it with your team
• How one owner runs 4 restaurants doing $12-13M from Japan (yes, Japan)
• Why “better” is killing your coaching (and what word to use instead)
• The #1 position that determines how much money you make every single night (hint: it’s not your chef)
• Why some restaurant owners should just sell and work at the DMV instead
• How to throw a party for 1,200 of your closest friends every night
• The McDonald’s lesson in making things easy (that most “fancy” restaurants miss)

The bottom line? You can’t teach someone to be genuinely excited and nice. So hire nice people. Especially your managers.

And if YOU’RE not energetic, exciting, and fun? Figure it out. Because your managers will reflect you. And if you’re boring and angry and locked in your office, I can tell you right now – your sales suck.

Ready to plan out your marketing for 2026 and figure out how to fill those seats with people who actually want to be there? Click here to grab a strategy session and let’s map it out.