Latest News on Virtual Restaurant Consulting and Industry Trends

Building a restaurant brand from scratch is one of the most crucial steps in launching a successful dining establishment. Your brand goes beyond the food you serve; it defines your restaurant’s identity, ethos, and the emotional connection you create with your customers. A well-crafted brand will not only attract patrons but also foster loyalty, establish market presence, and set you apart in a competitive industry. This guide will take you through the essential steps of creating a memorable restaurant brand from the ground up. Define Your Restaurant’s Vision and Mission Before diving into visuals or menu concepts, it’s vital to ... Read More

Consistency across franchise locations is critical to maintaining brand integrity and ensuring a seamless customer experience. However, achieving uniformity in service, quality, and operations can be challenging, especially when managing multiple locations. Effective staff training is the foundation of maintaining consistency in multi-unit franchise restaurants. By implementing structured, scalable, and engaging training techniques, franchise owners can foster a culture of excellence across all locations. Below are some best practices to help you standardize staff training and improve performance across your franchise network. Develop a Comprehensive Training Manual A detailed, well-organized training manual is essential for establishing consistent standards and procedures ... Read More

Innovation is key to staying competitive in the fine dining industry. However, when it comes to menu changes, it’s essential to strike a balance between innovation and maintaining the familiarity that loyal customers expect. While diners appreciate creativity and seasonal updates, your core audience—those repeat patrons who form the foundation of your business—also seeks consistency and reliability. So, how do you introduce innovative dishes without alienating your most loyal guests? Here are some strategies to help you modernize your fine dining menu while keeping your core audience satisfied. Understand Your Core Audience’s Preferences Before making significant changes to your menu ... Read More

Developing a successful menu in casual dining goes beyond offering food; it involves crafting an experience that resonates with customers and keeps them coming back. A well-thought-out menu can elevate customer satisfaction, enhance profitability, and distinguish your restaurant from competitors. Below are five key strategies to improve your menu appeal and boost customer satisfaction. Focus on Customer Preferences Understanding the preferences of your customer base is essential for creating a successful menu. Take time to evaluate which dishes resonate most with your target audience, identify common dietary preferences, and monitor how trends evolve. Today’s diners seek more than just food—they ... Read More

With its vast complexity and high failure rates, the restaurant industry necessitates a deep understanding of culinary expertise and business acumen. A restaurant consultant is a critical asset for new and established dining establishments. These professionals combine industry experience, operational knowledge, and strategic planning skills to enhance a restaurant's profitability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Below, we delve into restaurant consultants' multifaceted roles and contributions, shedding light on how they can transform a restaurant's fortunes. Concept Development and Branding A compelling concept and strong brand are at the heart of any successful restaurant. Restaurant consultants are instrumental in developing or ... Read More

As the country reopens after a year-long shut down of most businesses, more and more restauranteurs are deciding to remain in fast casual or take out model. After seeing the proven sales, without the inflated labor of front of house staffing, and the guarantee of quality food, trimmed down businesses are here to stay. When Covid lock downs began sweeping the nation, many operators had to pivot their business to maintain income levels to support their lease and loans. Even though they were shut down, it did not mean they had no expenses. So, becoming creative was a necessity. In ... Read More

Thinking about opening a Ghost Kitchen? Think about Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group to assist you. With over 100,000 virtual kitchens available in the country now, it is a rapidly growing, financially successful market. The growth of third-party delivery systems, such as DoorDash and Postmates, and recently empty restaurant spaces has revealed a unique opportunity for restaurateurs. One example of the popularity growth is employed by a man named Robert Earl. If you have ordered food from Umami Burger, Sam's Crispy Chicken, Krispy Rice, Plant Nation, Ella Mia, La Gente by C3, Flavortown by Guy Fieri, Mr. Beast Burgers by ... Read More

Scheduling in-house promotions can effectively build restaurant sales. While Friday and Saturday nights are usually busy, weeknight business can present a great opportunity to boost overall sales. If you are not routinely scheduling promotions, you may be missing an effective way to grow your business and attract a variety of new guests that may otherwise not visit your restaurant. To get started survey your team and gather their Promotional ideas – you’ll be surprised at how effective this can be – and if you decide to act on one or more of their ideas, you’ll have willing participants as a ... Read More

I’m sure you’ve noticed bringing a pet to a restaurant is increasing in popularity. Many of your guests would like to bring their pet or emotional support animal along with them when they go out to dinner but may have difficulty finding pet-friendly restaurants. As a restaurant owner, you can attract new guests by welcoming guests with their pet or ESA when they dine out. There are several easy ways to create a pet-friendly establishment and offer pet owners the opportunity to bring their beloved animals along. Local Laws First, check your state and local health codes before preparing a ... Read More