Project engagements
Restaurant Consulting Pricing
Restaurant consulting pricing for independent operators: fixed fees, clear scopes and POS-linked payment options tied to actual trade. Every engagement starts with a free call and diagnostic, then ends with a finished project—not an open-ended retainer. Costs for restaurants, bars, cafés and food trucks are published below.
New here? Start with what we do, see results from past engagements, compare the ongoing support programs, or read who you'd be working with.
Project engagements
Fixed-fee project engagements
Operational & Financial Audit
from $4,000
Operational & Financial Audit
from $4,000You know something is off — food cost climbing, labor bleeding, covers dropping — but you can't see where. A two-week diagnostic that reads your P&L, menu mix and service flow and tells you exactly where the margin is leaking.
What's included5 items
- Full prime-cost review (COGS, labor, controllables)
- Menu engineering and plate-cost analysis
- Service-flow observation across at least two trading shifts
- Written report with prioritized, costed action list
- 60-minute walkthrough call with ownership
How it runs4 phases
- 01
First callDay 0
A free thirty-minute call, then a data request: P&L, POS mix, roster and supplier invoices.
Out: Fit confirmed and an access list
- 02
On-site readWeek 1
We walk at least two trading shifts and read the numbers as they are. No opinions yet.
Out: An honest baseline — prime cost as-is
- 03
Findings, sizedWeek 2
Every finding carries a dollar figure and an owner, then gets ranked by cash impact.
Out: A prioritized, costed action list
- 04
WalkthroughEnd of week 2
A 60-minute session with ownership to walk the report and agree what moves first.
Out: Agreed first moves
Concept & Revenue Strategy
from $12,000
Concept & Revenue Strategy
from $12,000A establishment that should be making more than it is. We rebuild the offer — menu, pricing, day-parts, positioning — so the top line and the margin move together instead of against each other.
What's included5 items
- Menu, pricing and mix re-engineering
- Day-part and capacity planning
- Brand-positioning and guest-journey review
- Financial model with target prime-cost ratios
- Implementation roadmap with 30/60/90-day milestones
How it runs5 phases
- 01
First callDay 0
A free call to set objectives — what the establishment should be earning and why it isn't.
Out: Agreed objectives and scope
- 02
Baseline readWeek 1
Menu mix, day-parts, pricing, positioning and the guest journey, read against the numbers.
Out: Where the top line is capped
- 03
Re-engineeringWeek 2–3
Menu, pricing, mix and capacity rebuilt so revenue and margin move together.
Out: A costed menu and pricing architecture
- 04
Model itWeek 4
A financial model built to target prime-cost ratios for your format.
Out: Financial model with target ratios
- 05
Roadmap handoverWeek 5–6
A sequenced 30/60/90 plan handed to the team, with owners against each move.
Out: Implementation roadmap with milestones
Pre-Opening Build
from $18,000
Pre-Opening Build
from $18,000You're opening a new establishment or relaunching an existing one. We stand alongside the build-out so the numbers, systems and team are ready on day one — not six months in.
What's included5 items
- Financial model and break-even plan
- Menu, recipe and costing build-out
- Operating procedures and roster design
- Supplier setup and par-level planning
- Team training and soft-opening run-throughs
How it runs5 phases
- 01
First callDay 0
A free call on timeline, budget and an honest read on whether the opening date is real.
Out: A critical-path view of the opening
- 02
Model the openingPre-build
Financial model, break-even plan and opening budget built before spend accelerates.
Out: Financial model and opening budget
- 03
Build the offerDuring build-out
Menu, recipes, costings, purchasing and supplier setup with par levels.
Out: A costed menu and supplier book
- 04
Team and systemsFinal weeks
Hiring, training, operating procedures, rosters and service rehearsals.
Out: A trained team and running systems
- 05
Open and readOpening + 30 days
We are on the floor through opening service, then read the first month against the model.
Out: Opening-month numbers vs plan
Operational Takeover / Turnaround
from $25,000
Operational Takeover / Turnaround
from $25,000A establishment in real trouble — a turnaround or a takeover where ownership needs a senior operator embedded to stabilise the numbers and the team before anything else can happen.
What's included5 items
- On-site leadership during stabilisation
- Daily prime-cost and cash tracking
- Roster, purchasing and waste controls
- Team restructuring and retraining
- Weekly owner reporting against a recovery plan
How it runs6 phases
- 01
Triage callDay 0
A free call to establish how urgent this is — cash position, staffing, what is failing first.
Out: A stabilize-or-not decision
- 02
Controls inWeek 1
Cash handling, purchasing and roster controls go in immediately, before anything else.
Out: Daily cash and prime-cost tracking
- 03
Embedded leadershipWeek 2–4
A senior operator runs the floor and the back office through stabilization.
Out: Stabilized service and spend
- 04
Rebuild the teamMonth 2
Restructuring, retraining and clear accountability for each role.
Out: Rebuilt roster and defined roles
- 05
Recovery planMonth 3–5
The plan is executed with weekly owner reporting against targets.
Out: Weekly variance report to the recovery plan
- 06
HandoverExit
Insure your investment into one of our monthly support programs.
Out: A held result and a handover pack
Food Truck Consulting
Call for pricing
Food Truck Consulting
Call for pricingMobile kitchens, food trucks and carts. Every route, permit load and commissary setup is different, so pricing is case by case. We scope against the number of trucks, weekly stops, and whether you need route planning, menu rightsizing or a full build-out.
What's included5 items
- Route scoring and stop calendar
- Menu rightsizing for speed and storage
- Per-stop prime cost and labor model
- Permit and commissary workflow review
- 90-day rollout plan
Pricing Disclaimer
Because every operation is different, all pricing is adjusted according to the size of the business, monthly revenue, number of locations, weekly trade volume, and overall operational complexity. This ensures fees remain fair, proportional, and aligned with the realities of our café, coffee shop, restaurant, bar, or food‑service clients. Final pricing is confirmed after a diagnostic review of the operation’s structure, performance, and support needs.
One standard, three POS-linked options
One payment standard applies to every service we offer — audits, strategy, pre-opening, turnarounds, day-rate work and support programs. Choose one of three down-payment options; each pairs a fixed down payment with a daily POS withdrawal so payment tracks your actual trade.
Option 1 — Front-loaded
Established establishments with cash on hand that want the lowest total POS draw and fastest payoff.
- Down payment:
- 50% down
- Daily POS:
- 2% of daily POS sales
- 50% down payment secures the start date and the calendar
- 2% of daily POS sales withdrawn weekly and credited toward the balance
- Lowest POS draw of the three options
- No interest, no financing charge
Option 2 — Balanced
Most owners — a moderate start cost with payments that track the first quarter of work.
- Down payment:
- 30% down
- Daily POS:
- 4% of daily POS sales
- 30% down payment at scope sign-off
- 4% of daily POS sales withdrawn weekly and reconciled against the balance
- Any POS shortfall is invoiced at month-end; any overage rolls forward
- Our default recommendation for a first engagement
Option 3 — Trade-led
Turnarounds and pre-openings where cash is tight until trading stabilizes.
- Down payment:
- 15% down
- Daily POS:
- 6% of daily POS sales
- 15% activation down payment — the lowest entry of the three
- 6% of daily POS sales withdrawn weekly as the primary payment method
- Monthly floor applies only if POS withdrawals fall short of schedule
- Convert to Option 1 or 2 at any point once trade stabilizes
How POS withdrawals work
- The flat-fee diagnostic is paid before work begins and is credited toward whichever option you choose.
- Daily POS withdrawals are read directly from your POS and reconciled weekly, with a statement each Monday.
- Down payments are non-refundable once the calendar is held, but transferable to another engagement.
- No interest, no financing charges and no hourly billing on any option.
- Engagements paid over time are secured the way most professional service agreements are: a standard UCC business lien recorded against business assets, released in full once the engagement is paid. Nothing is filed until you have read the clause and signed off.
How the agreement is secured
Because the fee is fixed and paid over time rather than up front, the agreement carries the same security most professional service contracts use — a standard UCC lien on business assets, held only until the engagement is paid in full. It is not a claim on your business or a stake in it; it simply keeps the agreed payment schedule enforceable for both sides.
In practice it rarely comes up again after signing. We read the clause through with you line by line and answer every question first, nothing is filed until you have signed off, and it is released in full the moment the engagement is paid.
On-demand expertise
A day rate when you need focused execution
No plan neededNot ready for a monthly plan? The day rate is a flexible option when you need focused execution without an ongoing commitment — book a senior advisor for a defined sprint and pay only for the days you use.
Senior advisor day rate
Call or email us — pricing varies due to individual needs.
A senior advisor embedded with your team for a defined sprint — menu tasting, a launch week, a cost-reduction push. Booked in day blocks, minimum two days.
- One senior advisor on-site or remote for the full day
- Pre-day briefing on your top priorities and constraints
- Hands-on work with your GM, chef or bar manager
- Written summary of decisions, actions and next steps
- One follow-up call within 48 hours of the day
Already done the project? Keep the gains standing.
Support Program is the monthly maintenance layer that follows an engagement — from 4% of daily sales, deducted from your POS.
Before you commit
Read what you're buying
These three pieces cover what a consultant is actually for, what an audit should hand you, and the margin lever we reach for first.
- GuidesHow we structure an engagementA plain look at our diagnostic, implementation and adoption phases — and when an engagement is worth the investment.7 min read
- GuidesBar consultant vs restaurant consultantBeverage-led and food-led rooms fail for different reasons. Here is which specialist to hire, what each one actually changes, and when you need both.6 min read
- TurnaroundHow we sequence a 90-day turnaroundThe week-by-week order we follow when an establishment is losing money: stabilize cash, repair margin, then rebuild demand.7 min read
Not sure which fits?
The free 30-minute call is enough to point you at the right scope — or to tell you honestly that you don't need us yet.
Explore
Related pages
Compare scopes, sectors and the analysis behind our pricing.
- ServicesHow we scope engagements and what we actually deliver.
- Case studiesModeled outcomes for restaurants, bars, cafés and bistros.
- InsightsProfitability frameworks and operating analysis written for independent owners.
- AboutWho we are, how we work, and what we believe.
- SectorsRestaurants, bars, bistros, coffee shops and food trucks we work in.
- Support plansOngoing monthly support plans for owner-operators.
- Free health checkPrime cost and food cost tools that show where your margin leaks.
Q&A
Pricing questions, answered plainly
If something here is not covered, the free call is the fastest way to get a straight answer before anyone signs anything.
How is the project fee determined?
After the free call, we run a paid diagnostic. Once we understand the scope — number of establishments, menu complexity, current systems and how much implementation support you need — we quote a fixed fee. The price on this page is the starting point; your written quote reflects the actual work.
What's the difference between a project engagement and a Support Program?
A project engagement is a fixed-scope, fixed-fee body of work with a defined finish — an audit, strategy, pre-opening plan or turnaround. A Support Program is the monthly maintenance layer that comes after, keeping the gains in place through regular check-ins and POS-deducted support.
What are the payment options?
We keep payment simple: a down payment at kickoff, then the balance drawn through a small daily percentage of your POS sales — 2%, 4% or 6%, depending on what works for your cash flow. Every option uses the same final price; the only difference is how quickly the balance is paid.
How is the payment agreement secured?
Because the fee is fixed and paid over time rather than up front, the agreement carries the same security most professional service contracts use — a standard UCC lien on business assets that keeps the payment schedule enforceable for both sides. It is not a claim on the business, nothing is filed before you sign, we read the clause through with you line by line, and it is released in full the moment the engagement is paid. In practice it almost never comes up again after signing.
Can I just book advisor days without a full project?
Yes. The senior-advisor day rate is a flexible option when you need focused execution without an ongoing commitment. You book a defined sprint, pay only for the days you use, and there is no monthly retainer or support program required.
Is the initial diagnostic free?
The first 30-minute conversation is free. If we both agree to move forward, the diagnostic is a flat, paid engagement that produces a written scope, timeline and fee. You get the diagnostic findings whether or not you proceed with the full project.
What happens if the project takes longer than quoted?
The fixed-fee quote covers the agreed scope. If the scope changes — for example, adding an extra location or a full menu rewrite — we agree on a change order in writing before the work expands. We do not charge hourly overruns.
Do you offer a refund?
Because the fee is fixed against the work and we deliver recipes, schedules, guides and live implementation, we do not offer refunds once work has begun. If you have concerns about fit, the free call and diagnostic are designed to answer them before you commit.
How is food truck consulting priced?
Food truck work is priced case by case. Every route, permit load, commissary setup and truck count is different, so we scope after a free call and quote a flat fee for the work. There is no standard package price; the engagement is built around your actual stops and constraints.
Before you call
How an engagement actually runs
The questions owners ask us on the first call — scope, timeline, access and what happens once the work ends.
How does an engagement start?
A 30-minute call, then we read your last three months of P&L, sales mix and labor reports. You get a written scope with a fixed fee before any money changes hands — if the numbers say the work is not worth doing, we tell you.
How long does it take to see results?
Most operators see the first measurable movement — usually in food cost or scheduled labor hours — within 30 days. Completed results, meaning a rebuilt menu, labor model and reporting rhythm, land within 90 days on a typical engagement.
What do you need from us during the work?
POS and accounting access, current recipes and vendor invoices, schedules, and roughly two hours a week from the owner or GM. We do the analysis; you keep running service.
Do you work on site or remotely?
Both. Analysis, modelling and weekly reviews run remotely. Menu, service and training work usually includes on-site days — Texas, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina are routine, and we travel worldwide for scoped engagements.
What happens after the engagement ends?
You keep every model and template we build. We run a 90-day follow-up check at no extra cost, and you can move onto a monthly support plan if you want the reporting and reviews to continue.
How are fees structured?
Fixed fee per engagement, quoted after we read your numbers — no hourly billing and no open-ended retainers. Monthly support plans are priced separately and can be cancelled with notice.