750: Nick Kokonas on Tock and Knowing Your Customer

<p>After graduating with a degree in philosophy and a successful 10-year stint as an independent derivatives trader, Nick Kokonas partnered with Chef Grant Achatz to open <a href= "https://www.alinearestaurant.com">Alinea Restaurant</a> in 2005. In the years to follow, Nick would go on to co-find <a href= "https://www.nextrestaurant.com">Next</a>, <a href= "https://theaviaryrestaurant.com">The Aviary</a>, and Roisters. In addition, Kokonas is the Founder and CEO of <a href= "https://www.exploretock.com">Tock</a>, a cloud-based comprehensive booking system for restaurants, events, and pop-ups around the world.</p> <p>Check out the first time Nick Kokonas joined RU on <a href= "https://restaurantunstoppable.com/importance-asking-questions-nick-kokonas/"> episode 333</a>.</p> <h2>Show notes…</h2> <h3>Calls to ACTION!!!</h3> <ul> <li>Subscribe to the <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJSERtxnAE3V7T9PQ19w_Og">Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel</a></li> <li>Join the private <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/groups/493649961457862/">Unstoppable Facebook Group</a></li> <li>Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!)</li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: left;">Favorite success quote or mantra:</h3> <ul> <li>"Just show up!"</li> </ul> <p><strong>In today's episode with Nick Kokonas we will discuss:</strong></p> <ul> <li>You should know your customer</li> <li>Deciding when to scale</li> <li>Writing a cocktail book</li> <li>Connecting with your guest digitally before they arrive</li> <li>Letting you team weigh in on creative decisions/branding/marketing</li> <li>Collecting emails</li> <li>Are regulars your most valuable customers? What do the numbers say?</li> <li>Partnering with a hotel</li> <li>Opening and closing a restaurant in 3 years</li> <li>Enforcing culture; is it possible?</li> <li>The intricacies of Tock and <a href= "https://www.exploretock.com">Tock To Go</a></li> <li>Contactless payment /paying with your phone</li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: left;">Today's sponsor:</h3> <p><a href= "