Latest News on Virtual Restaurant Consulting and Industry Trends

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

Summer presents a significant opportunity for restaurants to capture increased traffic, introduce fresh ingredients, and maximize revenue. Whether you're operating a fast-casual concept, an upscale dining room, or a multi-unit franchise, refining your menu to align with seasonal demand is one of the most strategic and data-driven decisions you can make. A well-optimized summer menu not only elevates guest satisfaction but also drives profitability by aligning product offerings with cost control, consumer preferences, and operational efficiencies.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we specialize in helping restaurateurs develop menus that balance creativity, consistency, and financial viability. Below are our expert strategies for ... Read More

Running a successful single-unit restaurant is a challenge in itself, but replicating that success across multiple locations demands a more complex and disciplined approach. Standardization is at the heart of scalable restaurant growth. It ensures that every customer, whether dining in the flagship location or the newest franchise, receives the same quality of service, food, and experience.In today’s competitive and review-driven foodservice landscape, inconsistent operations can rapidly damage a brand’s reputation. For multi-unit operators, the key to sustaining success lies in well-documented systems, thorough training, and routine operational audits. With guidance from an experienced restaurant consultant, like those at The Gilkey ... Read More

Opening a restaurant is a dream for many, but turning that dream into a successful business requires more than a good recipe or a trendy concept. It demands strategic planning, compliance with regulations, financial foresight, and an intimate understanding of the food and beverage industry. For aspiring restaurant owners aiming to launch this summer, the timeline is tight, but with expert guidance, success is within reach. The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, known for its comprehensive approach to restaurant startup consulting, outlines the 10 critical steps you must follow to ensure your venture is both viable and vibrant.Concept Development and Market ResearchEvery ... Read More

Summer is one of the busiest and most profitable seasons for restaurants. With warmer weather, increased tourism, and a shift in dining preferences, restaurants that prepare properly can see a significant boost in revenue. However, maximizing summer sales requires strategic planning, menu adjustments, targeted promotions, and a well-prepared staff to handle the seasonal surge.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we help restaurants nationwide optimize their operations, enhance marketing efforts, and create a summer strategy that drives revenue and customer engagement. Below, we outline the key steps to ensure your restaurant is set up for a successful and profitable summer.Why Summer Is a Prime Opportunity for ... Read More