Restaurant Turnaround Consultants

We help existing restaurants get back to where they need to be.

As one of the leading restaurant consulting companies, we understand that the ultimate goal of each restaurant is to build a growing, profitable, and efficient business that benefits the investors, managers, crew, and community over the long term. To that end, successful restaurant brands are able to create a buzz in the community while, at the same time, delivering wealth to the owners. But as we all know, that goal is much easier said than done.

Our Restaurant Turnaround Consultant Services

With more than 30 years of experience in the national restaurant industry as business and chef consultants, we know how difficult it can be to turn a profit, let alone maintain a sustainable venture. That’s why we offer restaurant management consultant services to those in need. If your restaurant isn’t performing the way you would like it to, or your long-standing restaurant is not as successful as it used to be, Gilkey Restaurant Consulting can help.

Are you spending too much where you shouldn’t, or not enough where you should? Let us help you get back on track. We understand how to balance these success factors and create a business strategy that can accomplish both objectives. If you are struggling with either of these components, consider asking one of our associates to come and examine your business.

After working directly with a restaurant management consultant, our restaurant turnaround analysis will review:

• Conceptual Foundations and Brand Attributes
• Profit Performance
• Food, Beverage, and Labor Cost Management
• Food Quality and Service Performance
• Industry “Best Practice” Operating Systems and Application
• Vendor Selection and Pricing
• Human Resources Management
• Payroll Management
• Marketing Plan Review
• Lease Negotiations
• And more

As a result of our business review, we will identify and prioritize your opportunities, provide solutions, and outline a strategy to turn your business around. Our team of financial, management, and chef consultants have the experience and understanding to train you on how to implement these proven management systems and see results immediately, helping your brand perform better than ever before. As one of the premier restaurant consulting companies, we will help ensure everything is in place to maximize your results.

Need to turn your restaurant around? Contact one of our restaurant consultants today to learn how we can help!

Restaurant Turnaround Consultant FAQs

What does a restaurant turnaround consultant do?

For a restaurant to perform at a high level and be successful for decades to come, there are several key elements that need to be considered during the concept development phase. First is the creation of a compelling brand personality. Second is unique points of differentiation from the competition. Third are high-quality products and services. Last is a strong financial plan that returns the investment made. When these are not present and aligned, restaurants struggle. When Gilkey presents a  restaurant turnaround strategy we spend the bulk of our time evaluating these elements. Once we’ve diagnosed what’s holding back performance, we then create a plan to fix the problems and assist the owners in executing our turnaround strategy.

At Gilkey, our turnaround analysis looks at your concept and brand attributes, profit performance, food and labor cost management, food quality and service, vendor pricing, HR and payroll systems, marketing plan alignment, and even lease factors. We prioritize the biggest opportunities first, then support implementation through systems and training. Many projects begin with a financial assessment, and when positioning is part of the problem we may also recommend brand development.

When should I hire a restaurant turnaround consultant?

Warning signs you need a restaurant turnaround consultant include shrinking margins even when sales are steady, food or labor costs creeping up, inconsistent guest experience, negative reviews, and leadership spending every shift firefighting. Hidden causes often include menu bloat, weak recipe controls, and schedules that do not match demand. If your team is working hard but results are not improving, it is usually a systems problem. Start by tightening prime cost with labor management and strengthening execution with employees & training. For a real-world example of what gets reviewed, see Operational Audits for Dallas Restaurants.

What is your restaurant turnaround consulting process, and what happens first?

Our restaurant turnaround process starts with clarity, not guesswork. After a discovery call, we gather your key data (recent P&Ls, POS sales mix, labor reports, vendor invoices, and lease terms) and pair it with an on-site operational review of workflows, service standards, and management routines. Then we deliver a prioritized action plan with quick wins and a 30/60/90-day roadmap, plus coaching to help your leaders implement it. When the biggest opportunity is process breakdown, we often layer in operations consulting. Ready to start? Use our contact form to schedule a call.

How long does restaurant turnaround consulting take, and when will I see results?

Timelines vary by concept, but most restaurant turnaround engagements follow the same pattern. In the first two to three weeks, we validate the real problems with data and observation, then identify quick wins that can improve cash flow fast. Many operators see measurable movement within 30 to 90 days once changes are implemented consistently. A deeper turnaround, including culture, training, and systems, can take several months. If you want a clear measurement cadence, our guide The Year-End Restaurant Audit outlines what to track so progress is visible.

How much does a restaurant turnaround consultant cost, and what’s included?

Restaurant turnaround consultant pricing depends on scope, urgency, and how hands-on you want the engagement to be. Some restaurants need a focused diagnostic and a plan, while others need ongoing support to implement changes across costs, quality, staffing, and marketing. At Gilkey, we right-size the work based on your goals and the data available, then tie recommendations to measurable outcomes like prime cost, throughput, and guest satisfaction. Turnarounds often include menu development and technology consulting. For menu profitability fundamentals, read Menu Engineering: Designing a Profitable Menu That Sells. For general questions, see our FAQ page.