Greetings, I'm Kevin Moll, President of Denver-based Restaurant Consulting Services, Inc. (RCSI). We provide nationwide restaurant consulting for owners, buyers, startups, investors, lenders and multi-unit operators. Since 2004, we have helped clients reduce risk, secure financing, improve profitability, and successfully open, buy and operate restaurants and bars. If you are considering a purchase, developing a concept, seeking SBA financing, addressing high food costs or improving an existing operation, these answers to common questions explain how we can help!

A restaurant consultant  help you solve problems, identify opportunities and avoid expensive mistakes. RCSI supports startups, existing operators, restaurant and bar buyers, investors and multi-unit groups with due diligence, business plans, feasibility studies, financial projections, restaurant development, operational improvement and Prime Vendor Agreements. The best time to hire a consultant is before a major commitment - such as buying a restaurant, signing a lease, investing in a concept or applying for financing. An experienced, independent perspective early in the process can save substantial time and money. The engagement can be narrow or comprehensive, hourly or flat fee. We begin by understanding your objectives, then recommend the practical scope of work via a proposal. If you like what you see, execute and we’re on it. 

Restaurant due diligence is a detailed investigation designed to provide you with the information you need to make a yes or no decision. It answers the question of what are you are really buying. Our nationwide due diligence service evaluates the financial, operational and business condition of a restaurant or bar before you complete the transaction. Depending on the deal, we may review sales, expenses, financial statements, staffing, inventory, equipment, licenses, permits, lease terms, operating procedures and market conditions. We represent the buyer's interests, identify concerns that may not be obvious during a tour, and provide findings that can support your decision to proceed, renegotiate or walk away. On-site physical inspections can be coordinated when appropriate.

A professional restaurant business plan is written for its audience - whether that is a bank, SBA lender, investor, landlord or ownership team. It explains the concept, target market, location, competition, management, operations, marketing, startup costs, funding needs and financial projections.  RCSI develops customized restaurant business plans for startups, expansions, full-service restaurants, fast-casual concepts, QSRs, bars, taverns, food halls, resorts and multi-unit operations. Unlike a generic template that rarely gets funding approval, a credible plan connects your idea to realistic cash flow and repayment assumptions. AI can assist with research and calculations, but lender-ready plans still require experienced human judgment and validation. Have a AI plan that you would like us to validate? Just let us know!

A restaurant feasibility study evaluates whether a proposed concept, location or development has a reasonable chance of succeeding before significant money is committed. It may analyze demographics, competition, market demand, projected sales, operating expenses, development costs and more. 

Feasibility studies are especially useful for new developments, unfamiliar markets, expansions and large hospitality projects. They can also provide independent support when a lender or investor wants evidence behind your assumptions. RCSI prepares feasibility studies for projects ranging from straightforward concepts to multi-million-dollar hospitality developments. When appropriate, we combine the feasibility study, business plan and detailed financial projections into one coordinated document.

Yes. RCSI prepares restaurant business plans, feasibility studies and combined documents for bank, SBA and investor financing. These reports present the full project – including concept, operations, management experience, startup costs, funding requirements, operating assumptions and detailed financial projections. Our goal is to deliver a clear, credible document that helps lenders and investors evaluate the concept and its ability to generate cash flow. The financial section is designed to show how revenue assumptions translate into operating results and the ability to meet debt obligations.

Contacting us early can prevent delays and reduce the need to rebuild documents after a lender requests additional information. We can also help organize the information needed from ownership and the project team before writing begins. 90% of our business plan clients get funding approval. We would be happy to work with you too.

RCSI helps operators lower food costs through Restaurant Prime Vendor Agreements (PVAs). A PVA consolidates purchasing with a primary broadline foodservice distributor and establishes negotiated pricing, terms and service expectations. The objective is better purchasing leverage, lower costs, stronger vendor service and improved profitability. Depending on purchasing volume and negotiated terms, an operator may also receive a financial incentive from the selected distributor. If your restaurant or group purchases $600,000 or more annually from broadline distributors, call us to determine whether a PVA may be a good fit. We assess purchasing volume and operating needs before recommending whether an agreement is likely to provide meaningful value.

Yes, in most cases! Our Operations Analysis(TM) identifies where revenue, efficiency and profit may be lost. We may evaluate food and labor costs, purchasing, menu pricing, staffing, scheduling, management, service, marketing and operating procedures. We then provide practical recommendations and a prioritized roadmap for improvement. Recommendations focus on actions management can understand, implement and measure rather than broad observations without a path forward. This service is not limited to struggling businesses. Profitable restaurants often uncover meaningful opportunities to strengthen margins, management systems, accountability and overall performance.

Yes, we do these nationwide. A restaurant or bar valuation considers more than sales. Profitability, cash flow, equipment, lease terms, location, concept, operating history and the condition of the business can all influence value and our valuation reports have been successfully used by clients for over 20 years. 

For buyers, valuation and due diligence help determine whether the asking price is supported by the business. For sellers, a valuation can guide a realistic asking price and reveal issues to address before going to market. The purpose is not simply to produce a number. It is to explain the operational and financial factors supporting value so the client can approach negotiations with better information. 

Absolutely. RCSI can assist with concept development, feasibility, business planning, financial modeling, startup budgets, operating systems, menus, equipment, staffing, training, purchasing and vendor relationships. Our involvement is tailored to your needs. We can coach you, work alongside your architect, contractor and equipment specialists, or help manage the broader development process.

The goal is to organize the many interdependent decisions, reduce costly mistakes and prepare the restaurant for a successful opening. Early coordination is particularly valuable because changes become more expensive as design, construction and purchasing advance. From business planning to grand opening, we can handle it!

Yes. Restaurant Consulting Services, Inc. is based in Denver, Colorado, and serves clients throughout the United States. Nationwide services include restaurant and bar due diligence, business plans, feasibility studies, financial modeling, Prime Vendor Agreements and operational consulting.

Since 2004, we have worked with restaurant owners, buyers, startups, investors and hospitality operators across many concepts and markets. Many engagements can be completed remotely, while on-site work can be coordinated when the project requires it. 

If you are opening, buying, selling, financing or improving a restaurant, call us to discuss the next step and determine which service best matches your needs.

A brief conversation can often clarify the right next step. For confidential guidance on buying, opening, financing, selling or improving a restaurant, contact me  directly at: kevin@restaurantconsultingservices.com or via our contact page. I look forward to hearing from you.

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