Discover what’s working (and what’s not) in restaurant marketing for 2025 with Bruce Irving of Smart Pizza Marketing. In this exclusive interview with Donald Burns, Bruce reveals the state of marketing today, underrated tactics that still work, myths around platforms like Instagram, and why culture, not checklists, is the hidden edge in restaurants.

Whether you’re opening your first shop or scaling locations, this episode is a must-watch for restaurant owners who want real-world strategies and behind-the-scenes insight into what makes top-performing pizzerias tick.

Restaurant Success Summit: https://www.donaldburns.net/

🔗 Follow Bruce at Smart Pizza Marketing and check out Donald’s Restaurant Success Summit (details below).

🧠 Packed with insights on:
• TikTok strategy
• Content creation on a budget
• Retention metrics
• Culture-building
• Restaurant systems vs. people problems
• When to simplify your menu (and why)

Today's Sponsor: America's Best Restaurants

In this solo episode, Bruce shares hard-earned lessons from over two decades in the pizza business.

After stepping away from ownership to grow Smart Pizza Marketing, he’s now considering jumping back into the game—and he's bringing you along for the ride. Learn the top 10 rules he'd follow if opening a new shop today, plus insider tips on marketing, leadership, and pricing. Whether you're running a shop now or thinking about opening one, this is mandatory listening.

🔗 Mentioned:

• Matt Plapp - America's Best Restaurants

• Smart Pizza Marketing on LinkedIn

• Slice Platform YouTube Channel

  
  

Join Bruce on this solo episode of the Smart Pizza Marketing podcast where he dives deep into the realities of owning and running a pizza shop. From his personal regrets to powerful lessons learned from hundreds of interviews and site visits, this episode is a must-listen for any pizza shop owner serious about growth and sustainability. Thinking about opening a shop? Bruce is, too—and he might just document the entire process for you.