Question 1

How much does a KIC Hospitality engagement cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing varies based on scope, number of locations, and geographic complexity. Engagements range from approximately $4,000/month for strategic advisory with a smaller concept to $40,000/month for an intensive 360 Approach with a mature restaurant group. KIC works primarily on retainer for larger and ongoing engagements; project management work is quoted by project. Every engagement is scoped to fit the business — reach out and we'll give you a direct, honest picture.

Question 2

How long does a typical engagement last?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the type of work. Project management engagements typically run a few months. Strategic partnerships are often ongoing. Full 360 Approach engagements run approximately 12–18 months: a Discovery period of 2–8 weeks, a Plan Creation phase of about 4 weeks, and an Execution phase of 8–12 months where we will embed ourselves with your team and quarterback the plan.

Question 3

Do you work on a retainer, project, or performance basis?

Accepted Answer

KIC works primarily on retainer for larger engagements such as the 360 Approach or ongoing strategic partnerships. Project management engagements are scoped and quoted by project.

Question 4

Can I hire KIC for just the Discovery phase, or does it lead to a longer engagement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While KIC would love to collaboratively build the plan and quarterback its execution, Discovery is available as a standalone engagement. At the end of Discovery, you'll have a comprehensive assessment of your business and a prioritized strategic roadmap — valuable on its own, and the foundation for everything that follows if you choose to continue.

Question 5

What does a typical week look like when KIC is embedded with a client team?

Accepted Answer

Once embedded, KIC establishes a regular cadence of both in-person and virtual touchpoints with owners and leadership teams. Weekly calls and meetings focus on goal achievement, commitment tracking, and project follow-up. The rhythm keeps the team aligned, moving, and accountable to the strategic plan — with clear visibility into what's working and what needs to shift.

Question 6

How involved does the owner need to be during an engagement?

Accepted Answer

That's entirely up to the owner. KIC has worked hand-in-hand with owners at every step, and has also taken the reins and driven the process forward primarily with local leadership teams — keeping ownership informed without burdening them. As long as there's buy-in, clear communication, and transparency, we can make any structure work.

Question 7

How do you measure success? What does an engagement deliver?

Accepted Answer

KIC measures success in sustainable growth — profitability increases that consistently outweigh the cost of the engagement. KIC builds shared scoreboards visible at all levels of the organization and maintains a close eye on Key Performance Indicators throughout every phase. Results, not ideas, drive every decision.

Question 8

What happens if things aren't working? How do you handle a pivot mid-engagement?

Accepted Answer

KIC knows not every approach works — which is exactly why scoreboards and KPI tracking are built into every engagement from day one. Results matter more than any particular idea, and the team is quick to pivot when the data points elsewhere. If an engagement isn't a fit from either side, a cancellation provision is built in from the start. Nobody wins if the partnership isn't working.

Question 9

What does the Discovery engagement involve?

Accepted Answer

Discovery is a focused deep dive across every dimension of your business. KIC observes multiple service periods, reviews all existing SOPs and training materials, conducts management interviews, analyzes financial data and P&Ls, and audits marketing and brand presence — all while spending meaningful time with ownership to understand the vision and culture. The goal isn't to find solutions yet — it's to develop an honest, complete picture of where the business stands. Discovery concludes with a comprehensive Discovery Report: a full assessment of strengths, gaps, and priorities that serves as the foundation for the strategic plan.

Question 10

How do I get started with KIC Hospitality?

Accepted Answer

The first step is a Discovery Call — a no-pressure conversation to understand your business, where you are, and where you want to go. There's no commitment required. From there, KIC will be direct about whether and how they can help, and what an engagement might look like for your situation. Reach Jeff Gothard at jeff@kic-hospitality.com or 323-559-7373, or Steve McAloon at steve@kic-hospitality.com or 214-662-2505.

Question 11

What is restaurant operational due diligence, and how does KIC support it?

Accepted Answer

Operational due diligence goes beyond financial statements to assess how a restaurant business actually runs — its scalability, risk profile, and ability to execute an investment thesis. KIC's assessment covers operations and systems, people and culture, food and labor cost structures, supply chain and inventory health, unit-level performance, financial health, and culinary/menu profitability. KIC surfaces the operational risks that financial auditors and legal teams routinely miss — giving investors the clarity to transact with confidence, or the information to walk away.

Question 12

How long does an operational due diligence engagement take?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the number of locations and geographic scope, KIC can complete an operational due diligence engagement in 60–90 days.

Question 13

What deliverables does KIC provide after an operational due diligence engagement?

Accepted Answer

KIC delivers a comprehensive report broken across five pillars — Operations, Marketing, Financials, People, and Culinary — with a full SWOT analysis and prioritized action plan for each area. The report gives investors the operational clarity needed to transact with confidence or identify risk before committing capital.

Question 14

How is KIC's operational due diligence different from a financial audit?

Accepted Answer

A financial audit looks at the numbers. KIC looks under the hood — examining day-to-day operations, witnessing team culture firsthand, assessing processes and people, and evaluating the true sustainability and growth potential of the business. KIC surfaces the operational risks that accountants and legal teams routinely miss, giving buyers a complete picture before they close.

Restaurant Consulting Services

360 Approach

Strategic Advisory

Project Management

The 360 Approach Process

Proven Results

A Comprehensive Lens Across Every Value Driver

KIC Hospitality FAQ