Latest News on Virtual Restaurant Consulting and Industry Trends

Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) operate on tight margins and high volumes. During peak seasons—especially summer, holidays, and major event windows—traffic can surge dramatically. While these high-traffic months bring increased revenue potential, they also expose operational weaknesses, often resulting in longer wait times, increased waste, lower guest satisfaction, and employee burnout.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we help QSR operators optimize their processes to meet demand without sacrificing speed, quality, or profitability. Below are actionable strategies to fine-tune your operations during busy periods and keep service smooth, waste low, and customers coming back.Redesign Station Workflow for Speed and AccuracyA slow kitchen or ... Read More

For many restaurant owners, turning a single-unit concept into a thriving franchise is the ultimate vision of success. Franchising offers the potential for exponential growth, brand recognition, and recurring revenue streams—but only when executed with discipline, strategic planning, and operational control. Transitioning from an owner-operated model to a replicable, franchise-ready system demands more than popularity and profits—it requires a comprehensive framework that ensures consistency, scalability, and legal compliance.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we guide restaurateurs through the critical steps of transforming a restaurant concept into a viable franchise model. With decades of experience in food service operations, brand development, and ... Read More

Seasonal staffing is essential for many restaurants, particularly during the high-traffic summer months when increased tourism, longer daylight hours, and outdoor dining surge. However, with seasonal staff often arriving with limited time to onboard—and sometimes minimal industry experience—restaurants must prioritize fast, effective, and repeatable training programs to ensure a high level of performance.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we help restaurants design training systems that maximize productivity and reduce turnover, even when time is limited. Below are the most practical and proven strategies to onboard summer hires effectively while safeguarding guest satisfaction and operational consistency.Prepare a Structured Onboarding Plan Before Hiring ... Read More

Summer presents a significant opportunity for restaurants to capture increased traffic, introduce fresh ingredients, and maximize revenue. Whether you're operating a fast-casual concept, an upscale dining room, or a multi-unit franchise, refining your menu to align with seasonal demand is one of the most strategic and data-driven decisions you can make. A well-optimized summer menu not only elevates guest satisfaction but also drives profitability by aligning product offerings with cost control, consumer preferences, and operational efficiencies.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we specialize in helping restaurateurs develop menus that balance creativity, consistency, and financial viability. Below are our expert strategies for ... Read More

Running a successful single-unit restaurant is a challenge in itself, but replicating that success across multiple locations demands a more complex and disciplined approach. Standardization is at the heart of scalable restaurant growth. It ensures that every customer, whether dining in the flagship location or the newest franchise, receives the same quality of service, food, and experience.In today’s competitive and review-driven foodservice landscape, inconsistent operations can rapidly damage a brand’s reputation. For multi-unit operators, the key to sustaining success lies in well-documented systems, thorough training, and routine operational audits. With guidance from an experienced restaurant consultant, like those at The Gilkey ... Read More

Opening a restaurant is a dream for many, but turning that dream into a successful business requires more than a good recipe or a trendy concept. It demands strategic planning, compliance with regulations, financial foresight, and an intimate understanding of the food and beverage industry. For aspiring restaurant owners aiming to launch this summer, the timeline is tight, but with expert guidance, success is within reach. The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, known for its comprehensive approach to restaurant startup consulting, outlines the 10 critical steps you must follow to ensure your venture is both viable and vibrant.Concept Development and Market ResearchEvery ... Read More

Summer is one of the busiest and most profitable seasons for restaurants. With warmer weather, increased tourism, and a shift in dining preferences, restaurants that prepare properly can see a significant boost in revenue. However, maximizing summer sales requires strategic planning, menu adjustments, targeted promotions, and a well-prepared staff to handle the seasonal surge.At The Gilkey Restaurant Consulting Group, we help restaurants nationwide optimize their operations, enhance marketing efforts, and create a summer strategy that drives revenue and customer engagement. Below, we outline the key steps to ensure your restaurant is set up for a successful and profitable summer.Why Summer Is a Prime Opportunity for ... Read More

Las Vegas is synonymous with ambition, spectacle, and relentless energy. It’s a city where fortunes are made—and lost—in the blink of an eye. The same is true for its restaurant industry. With one of the most competitive dining landscapes in the country, Las Vegas is not just a place to open a restaurant. It’s a place to prove your concept has what it takes to thrive.Every year, hundreds of food ventures launch across the city, from the Strip to Summerlin. Most don’t fail because the food is bad. They fail because the restaurant startup lacked systems, strategy, or the adaptability to ... Read More

Attracting new customers is important for any restaurant, but long-term success depends on repeat business. Loyal customers not only return frequently but also spend more, leave positive reviews, and refer others to your restaurant. In fact, studies show that repeat guests can generate significantly higher revenue than first-time visitors, making customer retention one of the most valuable business strategies for restaurants.In a competitive market like Boulder, CO, and across the country, restaurants must do more than serve great food to keep customers coming back. Exceptional service, personalized experiences, and ongoing engagement through marketing and loyalty programs all contribute to building long-term guest relationships.At The Gilkey ... Read More