Services
From concept
to open.
Every phase.
A proven 7-phase launch system built over 25 years and 17 venues. Not a template. Not a binder. A methodology that gets restaurants funded, built, and running profitably.
Seventeen rooms. Twenty-five years. One methodology.
James Beard 2026 Outstanding Restaurateur Finalist · Michelin Bib Gourmand ×2 · Tales of the Cocktail 2010 Top 5
Track Record
Seventeen rooms, across three coasts.
Roles & Clients
17
Operator tenures and consulting engagements across San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Palo Alto, Oakland, Kauai, and San Ramon.
See every room →
Press & Recognition
50+
James Beard 2026 Outstanding Restaurateur finalist. Michelin Bib Gourmand ×2. Tales of the Cocktail 2010 Top 5. Best of Boston ×4. SF Chronicle Bauer Top 100. Beat Bobby Flay.
See the press record →
The Method
7-Phase Launch Playbook
Every restaurant opening is a sequence problem. Miss a phase, pay for it later. This is the system — with a real client attached to each phase.
Concept & Strategy
2-4 weeksBefore you spend a dollar on build-out, we define exactly what you're building and why it wins in your market.
- Brand identity and positioning
- Competitive landscape analysis
- Target demographic profile
- Location viability assessment
- Concept deck for investors
Funding & Finance
3-6 weeksThe numbers that get you funded. Pro forma models built from real venue data, not templates downloaded from the internet.
- 12-month pro forma P&L
- SBA packet preparation
- Investor deck and one-pager
- Use of funds breakdown
- DSCR and breakeven analysis
Design & Construction
4-6 monthsSpace planning, kitchen layout, bar design, permits, and contractor coordination. I've built out 10 venues. I know what goes wrong.
- Space plan and flow design
- Kitchen and bar layout
- FF&E specification
- Contractor coordination
- Permit and compliance tracking
Program Development
3-4 monthsMenu engineering, cocktail R&D, vendor sourcing, and pricing strategy. The product your guests actually experience.
- Full cocktail program (30-60 builds)
- Food menu with costing
- Vendor sourcing and negotiation
- Pour cost optimization
- Zero-proof program at parity
Operations Setup
2-3 monthsPOS configuration, SOP library, hiring plan, training systems, and the daily operating rhythm that keeps you profitable.
- POS selection and configuration
- Complete SOP library
- Hiring plan and job descriptions
- Labor model and scheduling
- Insurance and compliance setup
Pre-Opening & Launch
2-4 weeksThe 30 days that define your first year. Staff training sprints, soft opens, media strategy, and the grand opening sequence.
- Staff training program
- Soft open execution plan
- Media and PR strategy
- Social media launch campaign
- Grand opening production
Ongoing Operations
OngoingMonthly P&L review, seasonal menu pivots, staff development, and continuous optimization. We stay with you after the doors open.
- Monthly financial review
- Seasonal menu engineering
- Staff training refreshers
- Competitive monitoring
- AI platform management
The Difference
Not a Binder.
Operator-Built
I'm not a consultant who reads about restaurants. I'm an operator who builds them. Barbary Belle is my current build. Everything I recommend, I'm doing myself right now.
Platform-Driven
BarbaryCoastOS is 37 specialist engines trained on real venue data. Beverage costing, menu engineering, financial modeling, competitive intelligence. It runs 24/7 in your venue's name.
Ongoing
Most consultants hand you a binder and wish you luck. I deploy a system, train your team, review your P&L monthly, and update your platform quarterly. The engagement doesn't end at opening.
Who This Is For
Three operators, three engagements.
Most consulting engagements fit one of these shapes. Find yours before you book the call.
Building your first room.
Capital secured, location in hand, concept in your head. You need the whole engine — pre-construction through first service through month twelve. Phases 1 through 7.
Best fit: Full-cycle engagement, 9–14 months.
Scaling to multi-unit.
One room running. Expanding to the second, third, fifth. You need the operational infrastructure that lets you stop working every shift and start running a business.
Best fit: Phases 4–7 + monthly retainer.
Refreshing existing rooms.
Multiple rooms operating. One or more programs drifting. You need honest audit plus specific install — not a binder, not a framework — something that runs.
Best fit: Tier 1 Audit → targeted install engagement.
Engagement Models
Work With Us
Every engagement starts with a conversation. Here's how most clients start.
Beverage Audit Preview
A focused walkthrough of your current bar program. I'll identify the 3 biggest opportunities and tell you exactly what I'd fix first. No pitch, no pressure.
- Menu and pricing review
- Pour cost snapshot
- Revenue opportunity map
- Actionable recommendations
- No commitment required
Beverage Audit
Deep diagnostic on your beverage program. Full cost analysis, menu engineering, vendor strategy, and a written action plan you can execute immediately.
- Complete pour cost analysis
- Menu engineering with BCG matrix
- Vendor renegotiation strategy
- Staff training assessment
- Written action plan with priorities
Monthly Retainer
Ongoing strategic partnership. Monthly P&L review, seasonal menu pivots, staff development, and direct access to the full operating methodology.
- Monthly financial review
- Seasonal menu updates
- Staff training sprints
- Priority response
- Quarterly strategy sessions
- Platform access included
Or Build the Methodology Into a Platform
BarbaryCoastOS: the consulting methodology, as software.
Twenty-five years of restaurant and bar operations methodology, codified into an AI platform running against your venue's data twenty-four hours a day. 37 specialist engines for beverage costing, menu engineering, financial modeling, vendor management, competitive intelligence, and more.
Optional add-on to any consulting engagement. Not required for services. Best for multi-unit operators, groups, and venues that want the operating system running between engagements.
Subscription
$1,500
per month
- Custom AI agent fleet
- Venue-specific knowledge base
- Automated P&L monitoring
- Recipe and inventory engine
- Monthly platform updates
Recent Engagements
Three recent rooms.
What the last few engagements earned in public press and recognition.
Palo Alto
Ettan
James Beard 2026 Outstanding Restaurateur — Finalist
Bar program: equipment, 3 rounds R&D, beverage P&L
Read the case →
San Francisco
Cityscape, Hilton SF
SF's tallest bar — $5M rooftop relaunch, 2024
Complex Beverage Director / GM — 5 outlets, $10M programs
Read the case →
San Francisco
Berber
Michelin Bib Gourmand 2021 + 2022
Turn-key launch: equipment + full beverage program
Read the case →
Questions
What prospects ask before they book the call.
How long does a typical engagement take?
Depends on scope. A Tier 1 beverage audit runs 2–3 weeks. A full Phase 1 concept through Phase 7 ongoing engagement is 9–14 months through open, then monthly retainer if you want it. Most standalone retainer engagements go 6–12 months.
Do you work remotely or on-site?
Both. Physical engagements concentrate on-site during the first 90 days (construction, opening, training) then shift to hybrid. I've run engagements from Kauai (Waimea Plantation), Boston (Hojoko, O-Ya), and New Orleans (Restaurant August). Home base is San Francisco.
Do you take equity?
Case by case. Managing Partner roles (like August 1 Five and Barbary Belle) involve equity. Standard consulting engagements are fee-based. If you want an equity arrangement, tell me what you're thinking on the discovery call and we work it from there.
What if I'm pre-lease?
That's the best time to start. Phase 1 (Concept & Strategy) and Phase 2 (Finance) are designed for pre-lease operators. Location viability and pro forma modeling before you sign a lease can save six figures and prevent a build-out nightmare.
What if I'm already open and running?
Tier 1 Beverage Audit is the entry point. 8–12 hours of diagnostic on your existing program with a written action plan you can execute immediately. If a deeper engagement makes sense after the audit, we talk monthly retainer.
Is the BarbaryCoastOS platform required?
No. The platform is an optional add-on, not a precondition. Consulting engagements run with or without it. The platform shines for operators who want the methodology running 24/7 against their own venue's data — not every engagement needs that.
Can you work with my existing architect, contractor, or team?
Yes. Most Phase 3 (Design & Construction) engagements run in coordination with the operator's existing design team. I've worked alongside project architects, interior designers, GCs, and existing bar/kitchen teams on every consulting engagement.
When can you start?
Discovery call within the week you book it. Engagement kickoff depends on scope and current workload — Tier 1 audits usually inside 2 weeks, full consulting engagements usually 4–6 weeks out. Let's talk about your timeline.
Start Here
The first call is free.
Tell me what you're building. I'll tell you exactly how I can help, what it costs, and whether it makes sense to work together.
No contract until we agree on scope. No retainer on one-time audits. First call is diagnostic — no pitch.