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Field Notes

Notes From the Operator's Side of the Desk

Practical answers to the questions hospitality operators actually ask — written by a 20+ year operator, not a content farm.

July 2026 · Food Cost

What Should Food Cost Actually Be? An Operator's Answer

The honest answer isn't "28–32%." It's "whatever number your menu, your concept, and your labor model need it to be." Here's how to find yours — with the math.

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July 2026 · Operations

SOPs That Survive Turnover: Why Most Manuals Die in a Drawer

Every operation has procedures. Most live in people's heads and leave in a two-week notice. Here's how to write SOPs your team will actually use.

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