You’re the Bottleneck: Why Bar Owners Stay Stuck with Mike Dejong
The Bar Business Podcast: Bar & Pub Owner Profits, Marketing & Operations · 2026-04-08 · 28 min
Episode notes
Why is your bar still stuck… even though you’re working nonstop? Here’s the truth most owners avoid: It’s not your staff. It’s not your marketing. It’s you. In this episode, franchise turnaround expert Mike DeJong breaks down the pattern he sees over and over again: Owners are becoming the bottleneck in their own business. You’ll hear why most bar owners stay trapped in operator mode, constantly busy but never actually moving forward, and how their own habits, decisions, and mindset are the real thing holding everything back. This isn’t a “tips and tricks” episode. It’s a reality check. If you’re tired of being stuck in the day-to-day, constantly putting out fires, and wondering why your bar isn’t growing…this one’s going to hit. If you want to go deeper with Mike: You can download his book Grow Smart for free or