Hospitality Consulting
Hospitality Consulting Solutions for Your Business
As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself." And businesses can't afford to make all the mistakes themselves either. Mistakes cost valuable time and money. That’s why we at Hoosier Hospitality Consulting, LLC believe you need us.
Whether you need a comprehensive organizational review, customized training for your team, or just someone to bounce an idea off of, HHC is here to help. We are a dedicated hospitality consulting firm ready to create custom solutions that will help you and your business achieve lasting success. Our services are designed to address the specific needs of small businesses, offering expert guidance without the jargon.
Find Out How We Can Help Today!
Customized Training Solutions
Often, training has a greater impact on your team when the trainer is "from the outside." HHC can create customized training for your employees that focuses on your areas of concern. Training topics can be anything of your choosing, but common subjects include customer service skills, team building, safety, train-the-trainer, up-selling, and workplace-specific ServSafe® training. We make sure every session is relevant to your operation.
Management Expertise
Successful businesses institute best practices and policies that direct their day-to-day operations. Since the creation of these practices and policies can be time-consuming, they are often overlooked. HHC can introduce you to many of those best practices, create policies that are customized for your operation, and provide training for your team. We can also help you learn how to monitor those practices and policies going forward while still being able to focus on your daily activities. Our areas of expertise include revenue management, cost controls, menu planning and design, human resources management, and more.
Business Start-up and Re-branding
Are you just starting your new business? Decisions you make today can have a major impact on your long-term success. Let HHC provide small business consulting before you spend your life savings. We will partner with you to help make your dream a reality. And if your business just needs to break from the past and improve its image, we can help there too. HHC can help you create and implement your re-branding plan.
Organizational Review
Can't see the forest for the trees? HHC can perform an objective organizational review of your entire business, providing you with valuable information, insights, and recommendations for improvement. Organizational reviews evaluate all aspects of your business including menus, product offerings, décor, customer reviews, revenues, and more. With this information, you can make informed plans for future success instead of just making guesses about what to do next.
Hospitality Consulting Testimonials
Amy Fisher
Chance Bar
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Working with Don and Erin at HHC was truly a pleasure. We were lucky to have the opportunity and are grateful for all that we learned. Don was able to provide a fresh look at our business practices and offer new advice and information that will be helpful to us for years to come. We addressed immediate and long term concerns together. He set us up to more efficiently track our item sales, COGS, other expenses, inventory and menu mix. We discussed long term and short term investments in the business. Don was professional and clearly has a lot of experience and knowledge to share! If you are looking for assistance with managing your business, I highly recommend working with HHC!
Therese Helmy
Mobile Station
Zionsville, Indiana
Saved our business! This review is way overdue. I should have written this review long time ago. As a business owner, I am very thankful and grateful to discover Hoosier Hospitality Consulting not only as classes to get the certificate but as a personal consultant. Mr. Vita helped our business with many great ideas and strategies. He is gifted, professional, honest, courteous and very kind. He was very patient with us as we were learning new things.
For every small business, I highly recommend Mr. Vita as a business consultant.
Positive, Responsiveness, Quality, Professionalism, Value
Why Choose Hoosier Hospitality Consulting?
One-on-One Coaching
Flexible Scheduling
Relevant, Actionable Knowledge
Dedicated Support
FAQs
What kind of businesses do you work with?
We specialize in hospitality businesses, from restaurants and hotels to event venues and bars. Our expertise is perfect for a restaurant consulting engagement, or any other small business consulting need.
How do you determine your fee?
Our fees are project-based, tailored to the value we expect to deliver. We believe in transparency and will discuss all costs upfront with you.
What is the first step?
The first step is a complimentary consultation where we get to know your business and discuss your needs.
What does a restaurant consultant do?
A restaurant consultant provides specialized business advice and guidance to food service establishments such as restaurants, caterers, food truck operators, and more.
Why should I hire a restaurant consultant?
While no consultant can have the answer or solution to every problem that exists, they can offer an objective, third-party perspective, and can identify overlooked problems, and provide strategies to improve profitability, efficiency, and customer experience.
What types of services do you offer?
Hoosier Hospitality Consulting can offer assistance with concept development, menu development, financial analysis, operational optimization, staff training, marketing strategies, etc.
Do you work with all types of restaurants?
We can work with any type of food service establishment, but our speciality is working with independent owners and operators and other small businesses.
What does your consulting process look like?
The initial step in our process includes a complimentary one-hour phone or video call to learn more about your business and your needs. Our next step would be to create a proposal that outlines goals and objectives, the timeline for the project, and project fees. If approved, we would move forward with the project.
Can you help me start a new restaurant?
We can! We prefer to get involved as soon as possible to assist with concept development/refinement, financial planning, menu design and more.
How much do your services cost?
HHC's fees are based on the project being performed and the value that is projected to be realized by our client. Fees can be either a fixed amount, a fixed or variable percentage, or a combination depending upon the type of service being provided. When it is not possible or practical to base fees on project value, HHC charges as follows:
- Initial consultation (typically 1-1.5 hours): Complimentary within the state of Indiana. No charge for travel or lodging if within 75 driving miles of Sheridan, Indiana. Beyond 75 miles, standard mileage rates apply.
- Hourly Rate: $100.00/hr. and billed at 15 minute increments
- Mileage: IRS standard mileage rate for business for the year the travel falls in. Google Maps will be used to determine travel mileage.
- Lodging cost: Actual cost incurred but no more than $150 per day
- Meal cost for overnight travel only: Actual cost but no more than $100 per day
- Other travel costs (airfare, train, parking, etc.): Actual cost
Are there any additional costs I should expect?
Hoosier Hospitality Consulting doesn’t charge additional fees beyond those stated above. If additional costs arise during a project, we’ll ask in advance for client approval.
How do I measure the return on investment (ROI) of hiring you?
ROI can be determined through increased sales, reduced food or labor costs, improved customer satisfaction scores, higher profit margins, etc. ROI really depends on each individual project. Sometimes successes can be intangible too.
What is your experience in the hospitality industry?
Don Vita has 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry having worked in management with companies such as Holiday Inn Worldwide, Wyndham International, Crystal Catering, Wolfgang Puck Catering and Bon Appetit Management Company. Don holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He founded Hoosier Hospitality Consulting in 2011 providing consulting and training services to the hospitality industry.
Do you have experience with problems similar to mine?
Yes, I've successfully navigated a wide range of complex challenges across various business types, so it's highly likely your problem isn't new to me. My experience covers everything from large-scale strategic restructuring to operational efficiency and change management. However, if your unique needs require highly specialized expertise outside my core focus, I will transparently attempt to connect you with a trusted resource better suited to guarantee your success.
Can you provide references?
We can provide references upon request.
Do you work with clients outside of your local area?
Generally we work mostly with clients located in Indiana and surrounding states. We can work remotely depending on the project. We are willing to travel for on-site projects, but working remotely, if possible, will always be more cost effective and easier to schedule around.
How do I get started with your services?
Contact us to request a free initial consultation.
Still have a question?