Small Business Consultant - Restaurant Operations and Growth

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 Governors 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 clients 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 bachelors 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.

ASC offers comprehensive benefits based on employment classification. To learn more about ASC's benefits please view the information here.