The AI Industry Playbooks Every Local Business Will Follow in 2026 — Are You Prepared?

The rules of local business are about to shift in 2026 — and most owners aren’t ready for what’s coming. In this kickoff episode of Sactown Marketing Mavericks, Zach lays out the changes every dentist, PI lawyer, med spa owner, and restaurant operator needs to understand before January hits. You’ll learn why 2026 will look completely different from 2025, including the rise of AI search, shrinking organic clicks, higher CPCs, tighter SMS and email filtering, new compliance requirements, and the growing role of AI agents inside your CRM, POS, and practice management systems. We’ll also break down the core AI stack every business will need in 2026, what tools actually matter, and the universal KPIs that predict whether a local business grows or stalls next year. This episode sets the foundation for the entire Industry Playbook Series, where we’ll cover the exact workflows and “moments that matter” for Dental, PI Law, Med Spa, and Restaurant businesses. If you want a clear, simple roadmap for staying ahead in 2026, start here. And grab the 2026 Readiness Checklist visit our site and message us for 2026 checklist