Restaurant Consultant Jobs
Restaurant Consultant jobs are open across independent restaurants, multi-unit chains, hospitality groups, and food service management firms, from entry-level operations analysts to senior principals, with specializations in concept development, turnaround management, and menu engineering. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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The Orange County / Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network is a federal program partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration & the California Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development. The SBDC is hosted by California State University, Fullerton. The purpose of this grant is to provide no-cost technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Orange County. The CSUF Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is seeking an experienced Restaurant Operations & Growth Consultant with extensive hands-on experience in restaurant ownership, management, operations, and business development. The ideal candidate will have successfully owned and operated at least one restaurant, preferably multiple locations, and possess a strong understanding of the operational, financial, and strategic challenges facing restaurant owners. The consultant will provide practical, results-driven guidance to help small business owners improve operational efficiency, control food and labor costs, optimize profitability, strengthen marketing and customer acquisition strategies, and identify opportunities for sustainable growth. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in restaurant financial performance, menu engineering, pricing strategies, inventory management, staffing, customer experience, and business expansion. Experience with restaurant technology, digital marketing, third-party delivery platforms, and multi-location operations is highly desirable.
- Please be aware that funding for this position is awarded through a Grant/Contract over a specified period. Employment for this position beyond current Grant/Contract funding is contingent upon continued funding or new Grant/Contract.
Essential Duties
- Provide consulting, training, and information services in the region to pre-venture, start-up, and small-size businesses.
- Provide individualized, one-on-one consulting to restaurant owners, food service entrepreneurs, and hospitality businesses at various stages of development.
- Assess restaurant operations, financial performance, business models, and growth opportunities to identify areas for improvement and develop actionable recommendations.
- Advise clients on food and labor cost management, inventory controls, menu engineering, pricing strategies, operational efficiency, and profitability improvement.
- Assist businesses in developing growth strategies, including customer acquisition, revenue diversification, catering, delivery services, and expansion into additional locations.
- Guide restaurant owners in evaluating financial performance, cash flow, key performance indicators (KPIs), and opportunities to improve margins and overall business sustainability.
- Provide guidance on restaurant technology, point-of-sale (POS) systems, online ordering, third-party delivery platforms, digital marketing, and customer retention strategies.
- Assist aspiring restaurant owners with business planning, startup feasibility, location evaluation, and operational readiness.
- Support restaurant owners in identifying financing needs, preparing for capital access, and evaluating expansion opportunities.
- Conduct comprehensive business assessments and develop practical recommendations and individualized action plans aligned with each client's business objectives.
- Deliver workshops, webinars, and training programs addressing restaurant management, financial performance, marketing, operational improvement, and business growth.
- Maintain current knowledge of restaurant industry trends, emerging technologies, consumer behavior, regulatory developments, and best practices.
- Collaborate with fellow SBDC consultants and subject matter experts to connect clients with additional resources and specialized business assistance.
- Establish and maintain productive relationships with business owners, industry professionals, and community partners to expand awareness of SBDC services.
- Conduct follow-up consulting sessions to monitor implementation, evaluate progress, and support achievement of business goals.
- Maintain client database by preparing detailed written assessment and make recommendations for improvements.
- Keep abreast of business trends, techniques, and processes.
- Work collaboratively with peers and the business community to expand expertise.
- Community outreach responsibilities will include public presentations to key stakeholders and service on appropriate boards and committees related to economic development.
- Travel as required to perform cross county-wide job functions.
- Complete all forms and maintain client files as required by the SBA.
- Document information, assistance, and outcomes of sessions with clients related to consulting and training activities performed by the consultant.
- Provide Center with timely reports related to milestones and success stories of client’s economic outcomes.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Must be previous or current small business owner.
- Key understanding of small business issues related to food businesses and restaurants.
- Owned a restaurant location, preferably multiple locations.
- Key understanding of small business issues related to the food/restaurant industry.
- Extensive knowledge in the ins and outs of day-to-day restaurant operations, employee management, staff operations, budget analysis, pricing models, inventory control, health department requirements and lease negotiations.
- Proven experience managing multi-unit restaurant operations.
- Expertise in creating and implementing growth strategies for restaurants including market analysis, site selection, and operational scaling.
- Skills in developing standard operating procedures to maintain quality and consistency across multiple locations.
- Ability to assess readiness and manage budgets.
- Expertise in hiring, training and retaining staff for scalability.
- Knowledge of menu design to maximize profitability and operational efficiency across locations.
- Proficiency in managing supplier relationships and logistics.
- Proficiency in analyzing sales, labor and operational data to guide strategic decisions.
- Experience in advising small businesses.
- Experience delivering business presentations on a variety of topics in a public setting to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relations with staff, clients, government agency(s), business resources, and the general public.
- Computer skills with working knowledge of various software packages are necessary.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Expertise in site selection, commercial lease analysis and negotiation, occupancy-cost analysis, and location strategy.
- Bilingual – Spanish or Vietnamese, preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and proficiency with computers and web-based research
EDUCATION:
- Minimum Bachelor's degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience in business management or financial analysis (minimum four years), or bachelor’s degree in any field with two years of business management or business ownership.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Lifting of up to 25lbs.; periodic bending; long-term periods of sitting; long term periods operating a computer.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
CSU Fullerton, Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at (657) 278-4117.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the ASC. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current ASC employees who apply for the position.
Fullerton, California, 92831
The Orange County / Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network is a federal program partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration & the California Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development. The SBDC is hosted by California State University, Fullerton. The purpose of this grant is to provide no-cost technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Orange County. The CSUF Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is seeking an experienced Restaurant Operations & Growth Consultant with extensive hands-on experience in restaurant ownership, management, operations, and business development. The ideal candidate will have successfully owned and operated at least one restaurant, preferably multiple locations, and possess a strong understanding of the operational, financial, and strategic challenges facing restaurant owners. The consultant will provide practical, results-driven guidance to help small business owners improve operational efficiency, control food and labor costs, optimize profitability, strengthen marketing and customer acquisition strategies, and identify opportunities for sustainable growth. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in restaurant financial performance, menu engineering, pricing strategies, inventory management, staffing, customer experience, and business expansion. Experience with restaurant technology, digital marketing, third-party delivery platforms, and multi-location operations is highly desirable.
- Please be aware that funding for this position is awarded through a Grant/Contract over a specified period. Employment for this position beyond current Grant/Contract funding is contingent upon continued funding or new Grant/Contract.
Essential Duties
- Provide consulting, training, and information services in the region to pre-venture, start-up, and small-size businesses.
- Provide individualized, one-on-one consulting to restaurant owners, food service entrepreneurs, and hospitality businesses at various stages of development.
- Assess restaurant operations, financial performance, business models, and growth opportunities to identify areas for improvement and develop actionable recommendations.
- Advise clients on food and labor cost management, inventory controls, menu engineering, pricing strategies, operational efficiency, and profitability improvement.
- Assist businesses in developing growth strategies, including customer acquisition, revenue diversification, catering, delivery services, and expansion into additional locations.
- Guide restaurant owners in evaluating financial performance, cash flow, key performance indicators (KPIs), and opportunities to improve margins and overall business sustainability.
- Provide guidance on restaurant technology, point-of-sale (POS) systems, online ordering, third-party delivery platforms, digital marketing, and customer retention strategies.
- Assist aspiring restaurant owners with business planning, startup feasibility, location evaluation, and operational readiness.
- Support restaurant owners in identifying financing needs, preparing for capital access, and evaluating expansion opportunities.
- Conduct comprehensive business assessments and develop practical recommendations and individualized action plans aligned with each client's business objectives.
- Deliver workshops, webinars, and training programs addressing restaurant management, financial performance, marketing, operational improvement, and business growth.
- Maintain current knowledge of restaurant industry trends, emerging technologies, consumer behavior, regulatory developments, and best practices.
- Collaborate with fellow SBDC consultants and subject matter experts to connect clients with additional resources and specialized business assistance.
- Establish and maintain productive relationships with business owners, industry professionals, and community partners to expand awareness of SBDC services.
- Conduct follow-up consulting sessions to monitor implementation, evaluate progress, and support achievement of business goals.
- Maintain client database by preparing detailed written assessment and make recommendations for improvements.
- Keep abreast of business trends, techniques, and processes.
- Work collaboratively with peers and the business community to expand expertise.
- Community outreach responsibilities will include public presentations to key stakeholders and service on appropriate boards and committees related to economic development.
- Travel as required to perform cross county-wide job functions.
- Complete all forms and maintain client files as required by the SBA.
- Document information, assistance, and outcomes of sessions with clients related to consulting and training activities performed by the consultant.
- Provide Center with timely reports related to milestones and success stories of client’s economic outcomes.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Must be previous or current small business owner.
- Key understanding of small business issues related to food businesses and restaurants.
- Owned a restaurant location, preferably multiple locations.
- Key understanding of small business issues related to the food/restaurant industry.
- Extensive knowledge in the ins and outs of day-to-day restaurant operations, employee management, staff operations, budget analysis, pricing models, inventory control, health department requirements and lease negotiations.
- Proven experience managing multi-unit restaurant operations.
- Expertise in creating and implementing growth strategies for restaurants including market analysis, site selection, and operational scaling.
- Skills in developing standard operating procedures to maintain quality and consistency across multiple locations.
- Ability to assess readiness and manage budgets.
- Expertise in hiring, training and retaining staff for scalability.
- Knowledge of menu design to maximize profitability and operational efficiency across locations.
- Proficiency in managing supplier relationships and logistics.
- Proficiency in analyzing sales, labor and operational data to guide strategic decisions.
- Experience in advising small businesses.
- Experience delivering business presentations on a variety of topics in a public setting to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relations with staff, clients, government agency(s), business resources, and the general public.
- Computer skills with working knowledge of various software packages are necessary.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Expertise in site selection, commercial lease analysis and negotiation, occupancy-cost analysis, and location strategy.
- Bilingual – Spanish or Vietnamese, preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and proficiency with computers and web-based research
EDUCATION:
- Minimum Bachelor's degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience in business management or financial analysis (minimum four years), or bachelor’s degree in any field with two years of business management or business ownership.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Lifting of up to 25lbs.; periodic bending; long-term periods of sitting; long term periods operating a computer.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
CSU Fullerton, Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at (657) 278-4117.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the ASC. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current ASC employees who apply for the position.
Fullerton, California, 92831
Restaurant Consultant Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Restaurant Consultant JobsRestaurant Consultant Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in restaurant consultant jobs.
- Five or more years of hands-on restaurant operations or multi-unit management experience
- Demonstrated ability to analyze P&L statements and develop cost reduction strategies
- Experience conducting kitchen workflow audits and implementing standard operating procedures
- Proficiency with point-of-sale systems and restaurant management software platforms
- Strong menu development or menu engineering background across multiple cuisine types
- Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, business administration, or a related field
Tips for Your Restaurant Consultant Job Search
Quantify operational wins on your resume
Restaurant consultants are hired to move numbers, so your resume needs to show which numbers you moved. Replace vague phrases like 'improved operations' with specific outcomes: food cost reduced, table turns increased, or labor hours restructured after a menu overhaul.
Build a client portfolio before you apply
Firms reviewing restaurant consultant candidates want proof of engagements, not just job titles. Compile two or three one-page case summaries showing the problem you walked into, the changes you recommended, and the measurable result the client achieved.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists restaurant consultant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by engagement type
Restaurant consultant listings range from short-term turnaround projects to ongoing fractional engagements to full-time in-house roles. Filter your search by contract versus permanent so you're not tailoring your materials toward the wrong scope or commitment level.
Prepare a recommendation presentation for interviews
Many restaurant consultant interviews include a case exercise where you're given a struggling concept and asked to diagnose it. Practice delivering a structured five-minute recommendation that leads with the root cause, not symptoms, and proposes changes you can defend with unit economics.
Negotiate scope before accepting an offer
Before signing, clarify whether travel is reimbursed per diem or billed separately, whether you own the deliverables, and what access you'll have to financial and operational data on-site. These terms matter more in consulting than base compensation alone.
Restaurant Consultant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most restaurant consultants?
Fiserv, Dine Brands Global, and OhCal Mid-Atlantic are hiring the most restaurant consultants right now, with openings concentrated in California, Texas, and Michigan, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is strongest among multi-unit operators and hospitality management firms handling concept repositioning or post-acquisition integration work.
How many restaurant consultant jobs are remote?
About 50% of restaurant consultant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the role is inherently site-dependent for a significant share of engagements. Strategy, financial analysis, and menu development work tends to be performed remotely, while operational audits, staff training, and grand opening support almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become a restaurant consultant?
Start by building deep operational experience inside restaurants or food service organizations, ideally managing a full unit with P&L responsibility. From there, develop a specialization, whether in turnaround work, concept development, or franchise systems, and document your results in a client-ready portfolio. Most consultants enter independently after a general management or director-level role, or join an established hospitality consulting firm as a junior associate.
Can you get hired as a restaurant consultant without prior consulting experience?
Yes, employers routinely hire candidates whose background is entirely on the operator side, provided they can demonstrate strong diagnostic thinking and results-driven outcomes. If you're transitioning from an operations role, reframe your resume around the problems you solved rather than the duties you held, and prepare one or two written case examples showing how you identified an inefficiency and fixed it.
What does the restaurant consultant interview process look like?
Most processes begin with a screening call focused on your specific operational background and the types of concepts you've worked with. A second round typically involves a case exercise, either a live prompt or a take-home scenario asking you to diagnose a struggling restaurant and present recommendations. Final interviews often include a conversation with a senior principal or a prospective client stakeholder, with emphasis on how you communicate findings and manage resistance to change.
Where can I find and apply to restaurant consultant jobs?
You can find and apply to restaurant consultant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 6 Restaurant Consultant Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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