The 4 Stages of The Journey
Simple, clear steps that every restaurant can follow.
Attract
Get discovered by hungry locals. Ads, SEO, and local search put you where diners are already looking.
Nurture
Keep the conversation going with friendly, timely AI follow-ups until they’re ready to book.
Close
Convert interest into reservations and orders with easy booking, payments, and reminders.
Cheerlead
Turn happy guests into 5★ reviews, referrals, and loyal regulars — on autopilot.
About
Tim Hershberger
20+ years of marketing strategy and automation experience — helping restaurants and businesses attract, nurture, and retain more customers.
About
Tim Hershberger
20+ years of marketing strategy and automation experience — helping restaurants and businesses attract, nurture, and retain more customers.
Our Story
I didn’t start in a boardroom. I started in restaurants.
From managing hospitality events and working behind the scenes to serving 400+ guests at America’s Incredible Pizza Company, I learned first-hand what it takes to keep seats filled and customers happy.
What I also saw: great restaurants struggling — not because of their food or service, but because marketing felt overwhelming, expensive, and out of reach.
That’s why I created Automate The Journey: a system to help restaurants attract, nurture, and retain customers using automation and AI — without adding more to your already full plate.
Our Story
I didn’t start in a boardroom. I started in restaurants.
From managing hospitality events and working behind the scenes to serving 400+ guests at America’s Incredible Pizza Company, I learned first-hand what it takes to keep seats filled and customers happy.
What I also saw: great restaurants struggling — not because of their food or service, but because marketing felt overwhelming, expensive, and out of reach.
That’s why I created Automate The Journey: a system to help restaurants attract, nurture, and retain customers using automation and AI — without adding more to your already full plate.
What Makes Us Different
Hospitality-First
I’ve lived the restaurant grind — this isn’t a cookie-cutter agency playbook.
Automation That Feels Personal
Tech + human touch, so guests feel valued.
Proven Framework
20 years of testing, refining, and delivering results.
Meet Tim
Hi, I’m Tim Hershberger.
I’m a marketer, strategist, and problem-solver — but most importantly, I’m someone who believes small restaurants deserve the same chance to thrive as big franchises.
When I’m not building growth systems, you’ll find me with my family in Florida, or exploring the local restaurant scene for inspiration.
Our Values
• Honesty & Transparency — no jargon, no smoke and mirrors.
• Fast Results That Matter — bums in seats, orders placed.
• Fair Pricing & Clear ROI — you always know what you’re getting.
What Makes Us Different
Hospitality-First
I’ve lived the restaurant grind — this isn’t a cookie-cutter agency playbook.
Automation That Feels Personal
Tech + human touch, so guests feel valued.
Proven Framework
20 years of testing, refining, and delivering results.
Meet Tim
Hi, I’m Tim Hershberger.
I’m a marketer, strategist, and problem-solver — but most importantly, I’m someone who believes small restaurants deserve the same chance to thrive as big franchises.
When I’m not building growth systems, you’ll find me with my family in Florida, or exploring the local restaurant scene for inspiration.
Our Values
Honesty & Transparency — no jargon, no smoke and mirrors.
Fast Results That Matter — bums in seats, orders placed.
Fair Pricing & Clear ROI — you always know what you’re getting.
Ready to Automate Your Restaurant’s Growth?
Watch the training now — then start your ATJ system and we’ll handle setup on your implementation call.
Ready to Fill More Tables — Without More Stress?
Take the next step: watch my free 45-minute training and see exactly how restaurants like yours are automating growth.
Tim's Blog
SEO Campaign Strategy: Building a Future‑Proof SEO Plan for 2025
Adapt your SEO campaign strategy for 2025 with a future‑proof plan. Learn how multi-channel visibility, influencers, long-tail content, schema, and community engagement can boost your search engine re... ...more
Marketing Strategy ,Marketing Trends 2025
April 02, 2025•33 min read
Spring Forward: 2025 Marketing Trends Every E-Commerce & Service Business Must Know
Spring 2025 brings new opportunities, evolving consumer behaviors, and breakthrough marketing trends that businesses must embrace to stay competitive. ...more
Marketing Strategy ,AI Marketing
March 26, 2025•4 min read
Mastering Email Marketing Automation with AI: How ChatGPT is Revolutionizing Hospitality Brands in 2025
In 2025, AI isn't just transforming email marketing—it's completely redefining how hospitality brands connect with their guests. Forget generic newsletters; today’s savvy hospitality marketers use pow... ...more
Marketing Strategy ,Email Marketing
March 19, 2025•3 min read
Is Email Marketing Dead in 2025? Not—Here’s Why It’s Thriving More Than Ever
If you think email marketing is outdated, think again. In 2025, email remains the highest-ROI digital marketing channel, delivering an average return of $42 for every $1 spent (Salesforce & HubSpot). ...more
Marketing Strategy ,Email Marketing
March 18, 2025•4 min read
Copyright 2025. Automate the Journey. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2025. Automate the Journey. All Rights Reserved.