After 25 years in the bar and restaurant business — across multiple cities and consulting in over 35 states — one thing is crystal clear: most bar owners, or those aspiring to be, don’t have a marketing degree.
And guess what? Neither do I.
When we think about naming a venue, we rarely think about it through a true marketing lens. We think about creating something that stands out, something bold. But when it comes time to actually name the place? A lot of operators play it safe. They shy away from thought-provoking names because they fear criticism. They fear vulnerability.
And that’s where one of the biggest — and most costly — mistakes in hospitality branding begins.
The Ego Trap
When people create a bar or restaurant brand, they often make it too personal. They slap their own name on it like it’s a shortcut to credibility.
Spoiler alert: it’s not.
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