Proven solutions to get your new concept off the ground or take your existing restaurant to the next level.
If you are looking for a location to expand your brand or wanting some solid advice on whether your restaurant business is right for you or the area/community you are wanting to invest in, then give me a call or email.
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I will give you an honest opinion.
It’s your money and your dream. Invest it on advice from someone who has been in the business for over 33 years.
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As a former restaurant owner and operator, I know exactly what you’re going through because I've been there myself. Using your goals as a guide, I will objectively evaluate where you currently stand and provide a clear set of evidence-based plans – or in some cases recommend radical changes – to improve your productivity and increase your profits.
Our Services
Rathbun Restaurant Consulting
STRATEGY Consulting
Operations
Marketing
Brand
Catering
Delivery
Growth
Start-up and roll-out
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT Consulting
Brand & concept development
Business plan development
Menu design
Branding
Marketing
Website design
TURNAROUND Consulting
Labor & food cost analysis
Rebranding of existing concept
Vendor analysis
Product mix - menu analysis
Industry trends
Market analysis
REAL ESTATE Consulting
Site selection
Demographic study
Lease negotiation
Mergers & acquisitions
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Consulting
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Building design
Interior and exterior design
"The true test of a business' customer service effort is not when things are going right ~ rather, what is done when things go wrong."
Steve Ferrante
Real Estate Assessment
Site Evaluation & Assessment
Site selection
Demographic study
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Operations Assessment
Site Visit
Immersion Front of House
Manuals, policies, procedures, forms & checklists
Labor Assessment
Front of House
Service Rating
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Food & Beverage Hospitality
Quality of Food & Beverage Assessment
"If you're good to your staff when things are going good, they'll rally when things are going wrong." Mary Kay Ash
Who We Serve
Rathbun Restaurant Consulting
ENTREPRENUERSHIP
New Concept Ideas
Floor Plans
Design
FRANCHISE
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Franchise Assessment
INDEPENDENT OPERATIORS
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Local Restaurant/Bar
Restaurant Expertise for more than 33 yrs.
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Hello!
I'm RUSTY RATHBUN
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I started in the customer service business at the tender age of 5 years old. Laugh if you want, but in all seriousness, I was pouring coffee to customers for my Grandma’s cafe in Vici Oklahoma. I can’t remember if she owned the cafe but I didn’t care I got to be with one of the most caring people in the world. She taught me the value of customer service and here’s a lessoned I learned. Grandma always said take care of the customer because they are #1. Now back in the day we were also told not to waste food so clean your plate because of all the starving people in the world.
One morning I decided on my own that the farmers and ranchers coming in were wasting too much coffee, so as the week progressed my wages (tips from the waitress’s) got smaller and smaller. My Grandma came to me and said “Rusty, you need to keep pouring coffee for the customer’s no matter what. Make sure their cups are always full.” “But Grandma, I replied, they are wasting it and you always told me waste not want not.” She said, “I understand but their wasting is not for you to decide, that is for them to decide. The following week I tried her theory and low and behold customers were happier, waitresses were happier and my tips got bigger too.
The above story was back in 1959 and back then customers were #1, but not anymore. Don’t get me wrong, they are still one of the most important elements to your business, but #1 is your staff members.
I took a leave of absence from 1970-1987 from restaurants but got back in as an owner/operator/franchisee with my best friend and business partner in a National Franchised system. Jesse Greenleaf and I pioneered the concept by opening the very first location in Kansas August 4, 1987. The concept had about 1000 locations worldwide and it has grown to 40,000. I have opened and developed restaurants for a National Restaurant chain in 6 states which includes CO, NE, MO, OK, TX and KS.
My forte is site locations, operational excellence for outstanding customer service, demographic data, employee morale and hiring…just to name a few things of what I can help you with. If you need any of these services or something in between give me a call and let’s talk about your wants and we will also talk about your needs. Can I help…let’s find out, and if I can’t, I will put you in contact of someone that can. I’m dedicated to assisting you to acquiring your dream as a business owner.
Rusty
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Clients I've worked with
Rathbun Restaurant Consulting
CONTACT US
"You Help Me to Help You Make a Profitable Business"
Rusty
316.512.8896