Restaurant Consultants: What They Do & How to Consider One

Whether you’re launching a new restaurant or running an established one, the industry presents similar challenges and opportunities. Expert guidance can make a significant difference. A restaurant consultant assists by conducting market research, analyzing results, and crafting strategies that drive business growth while attracting the ideal customers.  

Consultants play a vital role in bringing your restaurant’s vision to life. From strategic business planning and marketing to operations, menu optimization, financial structuring, and staff management, specialists help align your business with long-term consumer satisfaction.  

In 2023, U.S. food service and drinking place sales hit $1.09 trillion, according to Statista. This article explores practical concepts to help you decide whether hiring a consultant is the right move. It covers core service areas, key considerations before making a decision, and how to assess the potential return on investment.  

What is a Restaurant Consultant? 

In the hospitality industry, building a strong team with specialized expertise is key not only to address challenges but also to recognize new opportunities. An expert brings that outside perspective, working closely with owners to align strategies with the unique goals of the business, especially in a market shaped by shifting consumer behavior.  

Unlike an in-house operations director, a consultant is an external partner. This distance allows them to assess the restaurant industry objectively, free from internal bias or routine pressures. Their support often spans key areas like finance, marketing, menu development, restaurant labor costs, and operational performance, skills also transferable to hotels. 

5 Key Areas Where Restaurant Consultants Provide Value 

Restaurant consulting brings strategic direction rooted in hands-on industry experience. Their main goal is to identify opportunities for improvement and implement tailored solutions that align with each restaurant’s specific objectives.  

For new restaurateurs, this type of expert input can be essential to building a stable and scalable operation. Below are five core areas where consultants typically add value: 

1. Business Strategy & Profitability Optimization

Consultants review financial reports to identify inefficiencies in costs, overhead, and labor allocation. They help develop pricing strategies, evaluate vendor contracts, and implement upselling techniques that align with client preferences and concept positioning.  

One real-life example is Salt and Lime Taqueria, which worked with specialists to create a robust financial plan that secured their desired location and supported a smooth and successful opening. Strategic planning here ensures profitability goals are met not just today but into the future, with actionable steps that adapt as your restaurant evolves, and your dreams take shape. 

2. Restaurant Marketing & Brand Positioning

Consultants play a key role in sharpening brand identity, building comprehensive digital marketing for restaurants, and driving promotional efforts. This often includes optimizing the restaurant’s online presence, managing targeted advertising, and designing loyalty strategies based on guest insights. For example, Dutch Bros went digital and gained 1.4 million members in just one month by partnering with Paytronix to launch their loyalty program. 

3. Menu Engineering & Food Cost Control

By analyzing food costs, portion sizes, and pricing structures, consultants help refine menus that balance profitability and guest satisfaction. They support data-driven decisions that improve margins without compromising the brand's concept. For example, Martin’s Tavern partnered with specialists to stay competitive through efficient menu engineering and improved production workflows using better supplier coordination. 

4. Staff Training & Operational Efficiency

Consultants evaluate staffing models and workflows to optimize labor use and improve daily job operations. They also create training programs and recommend tools, like restaurant staff scheduling software, to boost service quality and support employee retention. For example, Dunkin’ Donuts worked with specialists to streamline operations and reduce ticket times, resulting in better performance during high-volume periods. 

5. Technology & Digital Transformation for Restaurants

Modern team consultants help restaurants integrate essential technologies such as Restaurant POS software, CRM tools, and online ordering platforms. They also provide insight into automation tools that reduce human error and improve the guest experience. A thoughtful tech strategy can improve daily operations and create space for long-term progress. 

For instance, a consultant might design and implement a successful online ordering system that drives revenue. National Coney Island worked with Paytronix to redesign their digital menu and offer app users a $5-off coupon, converting menu views into active online orders. 

How to Hire the Right Restaurant Consultant 

If you've realized your hospitality business could benefit from outside knowledge, the next step is finding a consultant who truly fits with the restaurant business model, concept, and goals. It's not just about hiring a professional; it's about partnering with someone whose experience translates into measurable results. Here are three key steps to guide the process:  

1. Identifying the Right Time to Hire a Consultant

Recognizing when to bring in a specialist can save both time and money. New restaurants often benefit most before opening day, when strategy, budgeting, and operations management can still be shaped without costly rework.  

For existing businesses, signs include stagnating revenue, unclear goals, inconsistent service, or inefficiencies in daily operations. If you're pivoting your restaurant concept or entering a new market, a consultant can help restaurant owners avoid blind spots that internal teams may overlook.  

2. What to Look for in a Restaurant Consultant

Credentials matter, but relevant experience is key. Look for consultants who’ve worked with restaurants of similar size, service model, or cuisine. Review past client case studies or testimonials that show real impact for many years.  

When it comes to fees, understand how specialists charge, whether hourly, per project, or through a monthly retainer. This is an investment, so ensure their solutions align with your timeline and budget. The right expert will be transparent about deliverables, scope, and expected outcomes, especially in restaurant consulting. 

3. Where to Find the Best Restaurant Consultants

Start by checking hospitality-focused directories, consulting platforms, or restaurant industry networks like the National Restaurant Association. Referrals from fellow restaurateurs, agency providers (such as marketing agencies, CRM or POS vendors, and loyalty program platforms), or culinary schools can also lead to trusted professionals. 

Hospitality industry events, restaurant trade shows, and networking forums are excellent for meeting consultants in person, seeing their work, and discussing your needs face to face. When it’s time to interview, here are three useful tips: 

1. Ask for Relevant Examples: Request case studies or real client situations that demonstrate their ability to solve challenges similar to yours.  
2. Clarify Scope and Responsibilities: Confirm what’s included in their contract, expected deliverables, and how the timeline will be managed.  
3. Negotiate with Clarity: Discuss not just pricing, but also how success will be measured and how changes to scope will be handled. 

Evaluating the ROI of Hiring Restaurant Consulting 

Before signing a contract, review your financial position and determine how much flexibility you have for professional solutions. Once the restaurant consulting company is on board, tracking measurable results is essential to understanding the success they bring—both short-term and long-term.  Here are five tips to evaluate ROI by area: 

1. Marketing ROI:

To evaluate the marketing ROI of hiring a consultant and track changes in customer acquisition cost, repeat visit rates, online engagement, and campaign performance. If the consultant worked on brand strategy or digital promotion, look for improvement in website traffic, reservations, or restaurant delivery orders. 

2. Operational Efficiency:

Measure performance in table turnover time, labor cost percentage, or order accuracy. For back-of-house changes, food waste reduction, or faster ticket times are good indicators.  

3. Financial Metrics:

Look at gross profit margins, cost of goods sold (COGS), and overall revenue trends before and after consulting. 

4. Staff Performance and Retention:

Evaluate changes in employee turnover, training outcomes, and service quality scores, especially if the consultant helped with hiring or staff management.  

5. Technology Adoption:

If new systems were introduced (POS, CRM tools, online ordering), measure uptake, speed of service improvements, and error reduction. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurant Consultants 

From their role and fees to when it makes sense to bring a restaurant expert on board, here are the key points to help owners make the right decision. 

What is the role of a restaurant consultant? 

A consultant offers expert guidance across key business areas such as finance, marketing, menu design, operations, staffing, and technology. Their goal is to identify problems and opportunities, be creative, develop tailored strategies, and support execution to help restaurants grow, become more efficient, and stay competitive. 

How much do restaurant consultants charge? 

Fees vary depending on the consultant’s experience, the team involved, and the scope of the project. Always clarify the pricing model and what’s included before signing a contract. Common models include: 

• Hourly rates (typically for short consultations or ongoing support) 
• Project-based fees (for clearly defined deliverables) 
• Monthly retainers (for longer-term advisory roles) 

How do I know I need restaurant consulting? 

You may need a consultant if you're opening a new restaurant and want to avoid early missteps. Another case is if your current company faces challenges with profitability, operations, guest engagement, or team performance. A specialist can also help if you're unsure how to grow, implement new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, or refine your brand equity to achieve success.  

What are the three rules of consulting? 

While consulting practices can vary by industry, there are three foundational principles that guide effective restaurant consulting:  

1. Listen first: Understand the client’s vision, concept, challenges, and goals. 
2. Diagnose Before Solving: Base recommendations on real data and context, not assumptions. 
3. Deliver Value: Every action should help the restaurant business improve, not just create reports. 

Making the Right Decision for Your Restaurant 

Every smart move to improve your restaurant begins by recognizing where expert guidance can make a real difference. Your hard work, food quality, and expected sales can be elevated with the support of restaurant consultants who bring strategic insights. Their expertise complements technology solutions like Paytronix, helping owners build a successful foundation for growth and operational efficiency.  

Ready to take the next step? Book a demo with Paytronix to discover how our tools can support your goals. And don’t miss our Online Ordering Guide, a practical resource that could be a key part of your strategy moving forward.