PMTPMT DB
Jon Taffer

Jon Taffer

Guest
2017 — 2019
5W·0L·0P·1 open
1.000
AVG
1.800
SLG
5.4K
SHU
+0.81
TVOA
+1.60
SHRP
+$37.0
BNKRL
5W
STRK
1.1
ENTR
businesslifefootball5 scored

All Takes

Void
#PMT-2019-0621-1005
Jon TafferJon Taffer

Sports only drive bar business about 70 days a year

Sports will only fill a bar about 70 days a year... And a lot of people think, oh, but a sports bar, they come every night. That's not true. They don't come for every baseball game, only postseason. They don't come for every NBA game, only postseason...tops 70, 80 days.

This is a business statistic Taffer frequently cites based on his industry data.
Void
#PMT-2019-0621-1006
Jon TafferJon Taffer

Women over 34 need backs on barstools, while younger women prefer stools without them

When you have women over 34, you put her back on a barstool... Under 34, you don't. And the reason why is over 34, women get very sensitive about their asses... Under 34, I want you to spin around for interactivity.

This is a specific design philosophy from Taffer. While 'correct' in his methodology, it's a generalization of customer behavior.
Win
Take Slip·Nov 19, 2018
#PMT-2018-1119-10055
Jon TafferJon Taffer

The craft beer industry is currently being killed by bankers

Craft beer is getting freaking killed right now. And what's happened in the craft beer world... originally when people started making craft beers, they were into the beer. Now they're freaking bankers that are into the money. So half the craft beers now suck.

Craft beer growth slowed significantly in the late 2010s and early 2020s, and many regional breweries were indeed bought by larger conglomerates or private equity, supporting his 'bankers' point.
Open
Take Slip·Nov 19, 2018
#PMT-2018-1119-10056
Jon TafferJon Taffer

No one will own cars in 15 years because of automation

He [CEO of Mercedes-Benz] says in 15 years that we're not going to own cars anymore. They're all going to be electric vehicles... The vehicle will pull up in front of your house... those changes are going to change the entire world. [Auto insurance and repair industries will disappear].

We are roughly halfway through this timeline (2024). While autonomous tech has advanced, car ownership remains high and the auto insurance/repair industries are still massive. The 15-year total disappearance seems highly unlikely.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 2, 2018
#PMT-2018-0702-1196
Jon TafferJon Taffer

Partnering with someone who cheats on their wife is a bad business move

Somebody said to me, man, don't be partners with somebody who would cheat like that because he'll screw you in a heartbeat... I went into business with the guy... he ripped me off over 500 grand.

Subjective business advice, though supported by his anecdotal evidence.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 2, 2018
#PMT-2018-0702-1197
Jon TafferJon Taffer

People with the biggest egos usually have the thinnest wallets

Ever notice that people with the biggest ego have the thinnest fucking wallet? Because he doesn't listen to anybody. His ego gets in the way, they're typically not very successful.

A psychological and financial observation that is inherently subjective.
Win
Take Slip·Jul 2, 2018
#PMT-2018-0702-1198
Jon TafferJon Taffer

Digital menus where you touch items to see pictures are the future of dining

Here's what's going to happen with digital menus... We're going to look at a menu. We're going to see stuff listed... When I touch the item, I'll see the picture... and then it'll disappear... so I can see it when I want to.

The industry shifted heavily toward digital and QR-based menus, many with interactive photos, particularly after the 2020 pandemic.
Void
Take Slip·Mar 23, 2018
#PMT-2018-0323-10190
Jon TafferJon Taffer

Never partner with someone in business who cheats on their family

Somebody said to me, man, don't be partners with somebody who would cheat like that because he'll screw you in a heartbeat. ... If you're cheating someone else, then I'm convinced you're going to cheat me too.

This is a subjective business philosophy, though widely shared by mentors.
Void
Take Slip·Mar 23, 2018
#PMT-2018-0323-10192
Jon TafferJon Taffer

People with the biggest egos have the thinnest wallets

You ever notice that people with the biggest ego have the thinnest fucking wallet? Because he doesn't listen to anybody. His ego gets in a way that's typically not very successful.

Subjective business observation.
Void
Take Slip·Mar 23, 2018
#PMT-2018-0323-10198
Jon TafferJon Taffer

Millennials drink craft beer that sucks just because they think it's cool

Millennials are very relevancy-driven. Millennials will drink a craft beer that sucks because it's cool. ... Millennials don't react to logical things. They react to what is cool.

This is a generational generalization and inherently subjective.
Win
Take Slip·Jul 7, 2017
#PMT-2017-0707-2041
Jon TafferJon Taffer

70% of people make a right-hand turn when they walk into a mall

i'm just i'm just a fucking nutcase guys i mean i pick apart and study and you know everything like 70 of people that walk into a mall make a right hand turn now that bothers the shit out of me and because it's true

Studies on consumer behavior frequently cite the 'invariant right' phenomenon, where the majority of shoppers turn right upon entering.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 7, 2017
#PMT-2017-0707-2042
Jon TafferJon Taffer

Adding a second staircase to elevated bar levels significantly increases social interaction

I used to build elevated levels in bar and restaurants like everyone else with a staircase... you feel like a freaking idiot. You've got to turn around, walk back the other way. You're busted... So I simply put a second staircase in on the other side... social interaction went up big time. I'm guessing there are people that are married to this very day because of that freaking staircase.

This is a cornerstone of Taffer's design philosophy and has been implemented in many of his successful rescues.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 7, 2017
#PMT-2017-0707-2043
Jon TafferJon Taffer

NFL teams should use comedians or bands as opening acts to improve the stadium experience

what is the kind of stuff that, you know, cat can get that he can't get at home? ...putting a band before a game or after a game so that you can infuse a different type of entertainment into a show doesn't hurt either. I mean, you're going to laugh at this, Dan, but how about a comedian to open as an opening act?

Subjective suggestion for improving attendance.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 7, 2017
#PMT-2017-0707-2044
Jon TafferJon Taffer

Empty seats in NFL stadiums are a bigger embarrassment than 'minor league' promotions

Isn't that interesting that it's beneath them, but the empty seat isn't beneath them? I mean, it's pretty asinine and pretty egotistical. To me, the empty seat would be beneath everything.

Logical argument from a business/occupancy perspective.
Win
Take Slip·Jul 7, 2017
#PMT-2017-0707-2045
Jon TafferJon Taffer

Cold urine smells less than warm urine, which is why bars put ice in urinals

cold piss does not smell as much as warm so is that what it is is it is that why okay because we always just assumed because we're guys we like to pee on snow and ice... I can tell you this. Cold piss does not smell as much as warm.

Temperature affects the volatility of odorous compounds; colder liquid produces fewer fumes.
Win
#PMT-2017-0707-2047
Jon TafferJon Taffer

An overcrowded bar actually makes less money than one with 20% fewer people

You know what's funny is that bar with 20% less people in it would actually make more money that night. And that's the sign of a rookie owner. Because when a bar gets that crowded, I can't get waitresses to you. Bartenders can't serve everyone. Half the people in the room don't have drinks.

This is a recognized principle in hospitality management regarding service capacity and efficiency.