Founderology Forum

5 ways to lead boldly in uncertain times

The best Founders don't just survive tough times; they THRIVE because they focus on what they CAN control.

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April 8, 2025 by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Turn on the news, and the headlines scream chaos — stock market tanking, inflation rising, financial pressures mounting. If you listened to it all, you'd think the sky was falling. Let's get real: uncertainty is NOT new. The restaurant business has never been a smooth ride. The best Founders don't just survive tough times — they THRIVE because they focus on what they CAN control.

You can't control the economy. You can't control the stock market. You CAN control how you lead, how you operate and how you drive your restaurant forward.

Great leaders cut through the noise and take bold, decisive action. Let's talk about how YOU can do exactly that.

1. Own Your Numbers, Own Your Future
Success doesn't depend on the economy—it depends on how well you run your business. Now is the time to get hyper-focused on the numbers that actually matter:

Profitability: What's making you money? What's eating away at your margins? Get ruthless about eliminating waste and doubling down on high-margin menu items.
Labor: Are you optimizing scheduling to meet demand without unnecessary overtime? Are your teams running efficiently?
Costs: Have you renegotiated with vendors, streamlined purchasing, and eliminated inefficiencies? Every dollar saved is a dollar earned.
Dial in your numbers, and you gain control over your financial future—no matter what's happening outside your doors.

2. Stay Laser-Focused on Your Guests
Consumer spending changes in uncertain times. The good news? You can adapt faster than the economy.

Know what your guests want. Use sales data, guest feedback, and social media insights to adjust your offerings.
Make it easy to choose you. Offer value-driven specials, loyalty incentives, and limited-time experiences that make guests feel like they're getting a great deal.
Create emotional connections. People still eat out—but they're getting pickier. Strengthen your guest experience, build relationships, and make sure they choose YOU every time.
The best way to win? Stay obsessed with your guests. They are the key to your success.

3. Be the Leader Your Team Needs Right Now
Uncertainty creates fear, but your job as a founder is to cut through the chaos and create stability. Your team looks to you for direction — so step up and lead.

Communicate clearly. Be transparent about challenges, celebrate wins, and keep your team focused on solutions.
Empower action. Encourage innovation and let your team bring ideas that improve efficiency, marketing, and guest experience.
Keep the energy high. If you act like the sky is falling, your team will too. Stay focused, stay positive, and keep moving forward.
Strong teams rally behind strong leaders. Lead with confidence, and your people will follow.

4. Play Offense While Others Play Defense
Challenging times always create opportunities. While others retreat, this is your moment to push forward.

Negotiate smarter deals. Vendors, landlords, and banking partners are more flexible than ever—use this time to secure better terms.
Invest strategically. For example, if competitors are cutting marketing or guest experience, this is your time to double-down and take market share.
Look ahead. Every downturn ends. The businesses that stay proactive now will be the ones that explode with growth when the market rebounds.
While others panic, visionary Founders take action. Be the Founder that seizes the moment.

5. Control What You Can, Ignore What You Can't
The market will go up and down. The news will keep pushing fear and uncertainty. Here's the truth:

The best operators win in ANY economy.
The best leaders create certainty in uncertain times.
The best businesses adapt, innovate, and keep moving forward.

You didn't build your restaurant by waiting for the perfect conditions. You built it with vision, grit, and the ability to lead through anything. So turn down the noise, focus on what drives your business forward, and make the bold moves that will keep you winning. No matter what the headlines say, the future STILL belongs to the bold. And that means YOU!

Operations

About Kathleen Wood

Kathleen Wood is the Founder of Kathleen Wood Partners (KWP), an innovative and award-winning growth strategy firm dedicated to propelling Founder-led businesses to new levels of success. Kathleen and her team work with Founders in scaling and accelerating their visions into actionable results through strategic growth solutions, operational excellence, competitive sales strategies, and transformative leadership development. The KWP expertise includes range of Founder-led businesses in the restaurant, hospitality, technology, and manufacturing industries.

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