Latest News on Virtual Restaurant Consulting and Industry Trends

For many restaurant owners in Colorado Springs, the challenge is no longer just filling tables—it’s about maximizing profitability while maintaining a consistent guest experience. Rising labor costs, fluctuating food prices, and growing competition make operational efficiency a critical factor for long-term success. This is where professional restaurant operations consulting becomes an invaluable asset.Expert guidance helps established restaurants identify inefficiencies, streamline workflows, and implement systems that not only improve service but also increase profit margins. In Colorado Springs, with its mix of independent eateries, family-owned establishments, and national chains, the competitive landscape demands that every operational detail works toward improving the ... Read More

As restaurants prepare for fall, a season often marked by increased indoor dining, catering, and holiday prep—growth-oriented operators face a critical question: are your systems ready to scale? Expansion isn’t just about opening new locations; it’s about replicating quality, service, and operational consistency without burning out your team or eroding your brand.For multi-unit operators, new restaurateurs, or those coming off a successful summer season, the fall expansion window presents both opportunity and risk. The difference between success and struggle lies in how well you’ve built your Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support growth.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we specialize in building ... Read More

Opening a restaurant in Salt Lake City is an ambitious and rewarding endeavor—but it comes with complexities that can overwhelm even experienced business owners. The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group provides the expertise, structure, and local market insight needed to guide aspiring restaurateurs from concept to grand opening with confidence. With Salt Lake City’s growing population, diverse culinary preferences, and competitive dining scene, having an experienced partner is no longer optional—it’s essential.The following guide covers the four most important pillars of launching a successful restaurant in Utah’s capital: brand development, menu creation, operational planning, and compliance with local regulations. Along the ... Read More

In the restaurant world, where thousands of eateries compete for attention, one well-crafted dish can do what no billboard or Instagram ad ever could: make people remember you. A signature dish is not just a high-seller—it is the heart of your culinary identity. It encapsulates your story, evokes emotion, and becomes the conversation piece that brings guests back and spreads your brand by word of mouth.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we believe that behind every iconic restaurant brand is a dish that defines it. A signature dish is more than just flavor—it’s strategy, artistry, and branding combined. Here’s how this ... Read More

Restaurant investments can offer lucrative returns, but they also carry unique risks that set them apart from traditional business ventures. The hospitality sector is known for its volatility, thin margins, and operational complexity. To invest successfully, hospitality investors must conduct rigorous due diligence, assess risk with precision, and understand the mechanics behind restaurant profitability.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we work with investors, private equity firms, and multi-unit operators to evaluate restaurant concepts and assess their long-term viability. Whether you're considering buying into a startup, backing a second location, or acquiring a full portfolio, this guide provides the critical factors and ... Read More

In today’s crowded restaurant landscape, having great food and service is not enough. A compelling, cohesive brand is what turns first-time guests into regulars—and regulars into evangelists. Whether you're launching your first concept or scaling a growing chain, your brand defines how people feel about your business before they ever step through the door.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we’ve guided hundreds of food and beverage entrepreneurs in developing restaurant brands that are as unforgettable as their menus. A standout restaurant brand goes beyond logos and taglines; it evokes emotion, tells a story, and connects authentically with the community it serves.Define ... Read More

Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) operate on tight margins and high volumes. During peak seasons—especially summer, holidays, and major event windows—traffic can surge dramatically. While these high-traffic months bring increased revenue potential, they also expose operational weaknesses, often resulting in longer wait times, increased waste, lower guest satisfaction, and employee burnout.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we help QSR operators optimize their processes to meet demand without sacrificing speed, quality, or profitability. Below are actionable strategies to fine-tune your operations during busy periods and keep service smooth, waste low, and customers coming back.Redesign Station Workflow for Speed and AccuracyA slow kitchen or ... Read More

For many restaurant owners, turning a single-unit concept into a thriving franchise is the ultimate vision of success. Franchising offers the potential for exponential growth, brand recognition, and recurring revenue streams—but only when executed with discipline, strategic planning, and operational control. Transitioning from an owner-operated model to a replicable, franchise-ready system demands more than popularity and profits—it requires a comprehensive framework that ensures consistency, scalability, and legal compliance.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we guide restaurateurs through the critical steps of transforming a restaurant concept into a viable franchise model. With decades of experience in food service operations, brand development, and ... Read More

Seasonal staffing is essential for many restaurants, particularly during the high-traffic summer months when increased tourism, longer daylight hours, and outdoor dining surge. However, with seasonal staff often arriving with limited time to onboard—and sometimes minimal industry experience—restaurants must prioritize fast, effective, and repeatable training programs to ensure a high level of performance.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we help restaurants design training systems that maximize productivity and reduce turnover, even when time is limited. Below are the most practical and proven strategies to onboard summer hires effectively while safeguarding guest satisfaction and operational consistency.Prepare a Structured Onboarding Plan Before Hiring ... Read More