RECENT PROJECTS
A few things we are working on or have handled in the past...
Healthy Kitchen
This health-focused lunch spot was a hit for a limited run in the spring and summer--but does it make sense to scale up and can it be a successful modest sized operation in the wine country?
The owner wanted help to make the go or no-go decision. Should she invest more into her business, which friends told her was awesome, but which lost money during its try-out phase?
The opportunity existed to open two small retail outlets served by a commissary. Would the staffing required be supportable by the demand? How would we gauge demand? Forecast costs? With three rents, a complex management team, some of whom would share time across different outlets--this wasn't a normal straightforward proforma.
Queue Consulting created a durable, rich proforma model that will allow the owner to game out her performance scenarios at different sales volumes, simply, and easily (in fact, she just changes one number!)
We will be able to create year one P&Ls for each location, five year operations plans for each separate entity and for the entire business, plus cost of creation estimates, time to payback etc.
The Big Transition
An owner who does it all for his business finds he needs help--not a consultant, but an operating partner.
Queue Consulting is working with the owner to create a plan that would bring in a solid managing partner, who over time, would earn equity and take control of the business. The owner would remain involved, but begin to take a back seat. This is a delicate transition that requires the right person and a well articulated, measurable plan. It is easy to find someone to step in and take over your business, but to find one who sees eye-to-eye with you about how it should be run and who understands how to earn her management freedom and equity over time, requires a plan.
New to the US
Can a restaurateur, successful in another country, come the US and replicate that success?
Queue Consulting is working with the founder of a successful Chinese company to establish his business in the US. He has a proven track record and funding, but has found that the US restaurant business is very different that its Chinese counterpart. Additionally, he lacks good connections among the industries he needs to rely on to achieve his goals.
Queue Consulting has connected him with a kitchen designer and will begin working more aggressively on his behalf in the coming weeks.
Past Projects
During my tenure with Lark Creek Restaurant Group we developed over 20 restaurants, ranging from sleek and modern Michelin-starred One Market Restaurant and Bradley Ogden Restaurant to casual Yankee Pier and Cupola Pizzeria.
We also tackled some unusual businesses:
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A restaurant on the ground floor of a city parking garage (Lark Creek Walnut Creek).
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Restaurant in at SFO (Yankee Pier, Lark Creek Grill).
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On the fourth floor of a shopping mall (Lark Creek Steak, Pizzeria Cupola).
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In the student union building as USC (Moreton Fig).
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On a pier that is also a State Park (Malibu Pier Restaurant and Bar)
I took the lead on devloping Appellation, a wine, cheese and chocolate tasting experience, which launced as Eno (Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, and five others) .