Your restaurant is packed. So why is your bank account empty?
Food costs are up about a third since before the pandemic, and labor is up even more. You work 70 hours a week, the dining room is full, and somehow everyone gets paid before you do.
You’re the one this was written for if…
Your best sales night of the month, and you still don’t know if you made money.
The dining room was full all month, and you’re moving money around to cover payroll.
You can’t say your prime cost from memory, and you suspect it’s worse than you think.
Comps, waste, and overtime happen, and nobody writes down why.
A situation you may recognize
You’re not bad at this. The whole industry is running hot.
of operators said their restaurant wasn’t profitable in 2025.
of surveyed owners skipped pay to cover staff payroll.
rise in wholesale food prices since 2019; restaurant hourly earnings rose 41%.
Industry and survey context, not measured results from using 86 SLOW.
How it works
See the truth
One current view of cash, weekly numbers, and prime cost.
Stop the leaks
Purchasing, receiving, waste, and menu math tied to evidence.
Install management
Close-outs and reports your managers own.
Make it repeat
A 90-day rhythm so the fix doesn’t fade.
A free example of the approach
See what a clearer close-out can look like.
The $79 operating binder puts cash, cost control, people, and recurring shift work into a structured review rhythm.
Open the example worksheet
Shift close-out example
Start here: the $79 system.
Restaurant Recovery Operating System
A 42-page, 20-module digital operating binder. One-time purchase, delivered by email.
Get the Restaurant Recovery Operating System · $79Want more structure? Each level includes everything below it.
30-Day Operating Reset Suite
For a day-by-day implementation plan.
- Includes the $79 system
- 47-page 30-Day Reset Workbook
- Manager meeting system and Cost Control Pack
- Service and revenue execution
Owner Command Center
For a more extensive owner and manager operating structure.
- Includes both lower tiers
- 141 pages plus editable Excel dashboard
- 90-Day Owner Operating System
- Manager development, SOP library, and independence scripts
One-time digital purchase. Self-directed use; personal consulting is not included.
I was the person every problem came back to, on every shift and every day off.
I’m Michael Courtright. I’ve owned and run independent restaurants as an owner and general manager. 86 SLOW is the system I wish someone had handed me: see the numbers, set standards, and build managers who own their shifts.
Straight answers before you start.
Is this consulting?
No. All three levels are self-directed digital systems you download and use yourself.
Does it guarantee more profit?
No. It gives you visibility, controls, standards, and a weekly rhythm. Results depend on your concept, market, lease, labor, and execution.
Which one should I buy first?
The $79 system. Move up to $249 for a day-by-day 30-day plan, or $699 for the full owner command system. Each level includes the ones below it.
How do I get it?
Your download is delivered by email after purchase.